2008 Denver Broncos – Training Camp Preview – Defense

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The 2008 Denver Broncos report for training camp Friday, July 25, with practices beginning at 11:15 AM on Friday. In other words, today. And now. And while we’ve broken down this year’s training camp pretty well this past week, we’ve yet to delve deep into the defensive roster battles we can expect. Welcome to camp, Broncos fans – let’s break down the defense.

• Sunday – Overview
• Monday – Rookies
• Tuesday – Special Teams
• Wednesday – Offense
• Thursday Saturday – Defense

Linebacker

Middle linebacker – In my opinion, the most exciting battle in all of camp. Two well matched competitors who both bring something unique to the field. The winner of this camp battle will be the central point and leader of our entire defense. This. Battle. Is. Huge. In one corner we have Niko Koutouvides, a free agent linebacker who has played predominantly special teams in his career to this point, but was signed with the intent to start. In the other corner we have Nate Webster, last year’s starting strong side backer who played well at the beginning of the season but struggled as the year went on. Webster is faster, more energetic, and has better range, but Koutouvides offers more as a tackler and run stuffer. Koutouvides was a leader on special teams with the Seahawks, while Head Coach Mike Shanahan has voiced how impressive Webster has been as a leader in the offseason workouts.
Prediction: This is a very, very though call. I know a lot of fans turned sour on Webster, but I think his workouts and leadership give him a real shot at the job. It’s his “natural” spot, and apparently he’s bulked up a bit, too.

The Backups – There are a lot of guys in the mix for just a few spots. Jamie Winborn played well in Ian Gold‘s stead last year, so I think he makes the team. He led the team in special teams tackles last year as well. That leaves four guys fighting for what has traditionally be one spot – Louis Green, Jordan Beck, Spencer Larsen, and Wesley Woodyard. In my mind, Green is as good as gone – he would really have to step up and deliver more than just special teams work to be kept. Beck finished 2nd on the team in special teams tackle in only 11 games. Meanwhile, the Broncos spent a draft pick on Larsen, and Woodyard is a UDFA you can get excited about.
Prediction: Wow, this one’s tough. If the Broncos keep six, Larsen gets the last spot. If they keep another, Beck is in as well. Woodyard’s loss would be a shame; kid’s got potential.

Defensive Line

Defensive Tackle – Rookie Carlton Powell season-ending Achilles tear certainly doesn’t help, but there’s still some interesting competition at the position this year. Newcomer DeWayne Robertson will start as long as he’s healthy. Veteran Alvin McKinley has the other starting spot at the moment, but that could easily change. Most fans, including myself, are pulling for Marcus Thomas to earn the starting job over McKinley and have a strong sophomore season. Both are penetrating type DTs, but I’d wager Thomas holds up better at the point of attack. Josh Mallard and Steven Harris fill out the roster; Harris is a young guy who broke into the roster last year, while Mallard had some production with the Broncos in his first year. Shallow depth will see them both make the roster.
Prediction: Robertson and Thomas start from week one.

Defensive End – As much as we all love Elvis Dumervil, I still don’t think he’s a starting caliber defensive end in this league. He gets bullied around in run support and is more of a specialist. He’s extremely good at what he does, I just think he’s too much of a liability at what he doesn’t. The return of Ebenezer Ekuban should improve one starting position quite nicely, especially if he can return to 2005-2006 form. Opposite Ekuban, I’d like to see Jarvis Moss or Tim Crowder step up and win the other starting role from John Engelberger, who’s a hard worker but doesn’t have the physical talent to be a starter in the NFL. Kenny Peterson is also listed as a defensive end, but can play DT too. It’ll be tough for him to make the team

Safety

The shape of the roster at the safety position will be molded by the fate of defensive captaion John Lynch. At the time, it appears the plan is to keep Lynch on the field on sure-fire running downs. Hamza Abdullah and Marlon McCree will see time in his stead on passing downs. But Lynch is a natural leader – he came back to the Broncos after considering leaving for free agency. Did he come back to play a limited role? Does he still have enough left in the tank to make a difference?

Ask him, he’ll say he’s never felt better. When asked if he thinks he still has what it takes, including pass coverage, he replied strongly, “I do. I don’t know what their opinion is, but I do.” If Lynch is able to make good on his words, the Broncos would have to make him a starter. He’s too good when he moved into the box, and he’s too much of a natural leader, to be sitting the bench often. McCree and Abdullah would split snaps otherwise, with valuable backups in Marquand Manuel and rookie 7th rounder Josh Barrett.

If Lynch can’t go all-out, do the Broncos have room on the roster to keep the potential Hall of Famer? It’d be shame, but it’s something on the back of my mind.

The Broncos defense has a lot of shaping to do in the coming weeks of training camp, with a lot of starting players yet to be decided.