Training Camp Breakdown – Linebacker

Getting ready for the break of Training Camp this Sunday, and I haven’t been this excited for some football probably since we were looking forward to the primetime Chargers game last year. Let’s hope this time my excitement gets rewarded a little… but MAN, AM I PUMPED! On to the business of hand, your second edition of Training Camp Breakdown – Linebackers.

The Broncos linebackers have always been a source of strength on our defense, but this year we head into the season with major questions at 2 of the 3 positions. I believe it’s safe to say that our linebackers are the biggest cause of concern for the Broncos this year – with a young talent trying to replace one of the greatest defenders in Broncos history, and new players competing with incumbents on the strongside, no one really knows what to expect from our linebackers in 2007.

Weakside Linebacker

Ian Gold

Ian Gold has a lock on this spot, making him the only Broncos linebacker returning to his position of a year ago. I don’t feel the need to go into detail on a scouting report for Gold, so I’ll be brief – he’s small and quick at 6-0, 223 lbs., but he gets the job done and has been a solid contributor in both his stints in Denver. He may take on more of a leadership role with the Broncos this year, but I don’t expect it from him. That will be the MIKE’s job.

Warrick Holdman

Warrick Holdman, at 6-1 and 235 lbs., is a solid backup for Ian Gold and could even compete for the starting job opposite him at SAM. He’s never been a big playmaker, but his game is solid and he isn’t afraid to be a team player. In other words, he’s my kinda guy.

After stints in Chicago, Cleveland, and Washington, Holdman saw his 8-year, 501-tackle career move to Denver just before the draft. Combined with the signing of D.D. Lewis, it seemed to indicate to Broncos fans that we wouldn’t be pursuing a linebacker in the draft, despite having cut Al Wilson. While not as fast as Gold, Holdman can hold his own and is a great depth-filler for the Broncos.

Middle Linebacker

D.J. Williams

Young D.J. Williams exploded onto the scene in 2004 with his career high in tackles (114). Posting exactly half that the next year (57) didn’t do much to impress, but the real reason, as most of you know, is the switch from WILL to SAM that saw Williams leave the field for most sure-fire passing plays, in favor of a nickel package involving a third cornerback. But in his first season, Williams impressed – a pick, a forced fumble and a sack helped him to be among the best rookies that year.

Now that Williams will have more opportunities, will he take advantage? He hasn’t played middle linebacker in his professional career, so the move could be rough. Or, he might adapt well and ease into it. He has the athleticism to do that – the man is a physical freak of nature. 6-1, 242 lb. people aren’t supposed to run that fast. But the bigger question I have has to do with off-field issues more than anything else. Does D.J. have what it takes to be a leader on the defense? Al Wilson is irreplaceable when it comes to that – team captain, fan favorite, and voice to be heard on the field. Does D.J. have the will to step up in that same fashion?

Nate Webster

Nate Webster was a late addition to the Broncos squad last offseason after he was released by the Bengals due to injury. In 2004, he really looked like he could be a star on the Cincinatti defense, and he signed a megabuck deal to show it. A horrible knee injury and two years later, and he finds himself as the backup for someone who has never played their position on another team. If healthy, I expect Webster to contribute to Special Teams. If the Williams project falls apart, I feel confident that Webster can do an admirable enough job to keep our defense running.

Only barely smaller than Williams (6-0, 237 lbs.), Webster’s health will be the deciding factor as to whether he sees the field or not. He’s had nearly 3 years since his injury now – if he’s willing, he should be ready to contribute, adding valuable depth to our linebacker corps.

Strongside Linebacker

D.D. Lewis

I’m excited about the prospect of D.D. Lewis, and if healthy, I expect him to really compete for the starting job at SAM. He started to really produce well in 2005, starting in the Super Bowl for the Seattle Seahawks in that year. Injuries kept him sidelined in 2006, ultimately placing him on IR. If he is healthy and loses the starting job from competition, you can still expect to see him being a solid Special Teams contributor.

Louis Green

Louis Green came from Alcorn State University, where he literally dominated his small-time competition. Having spent a couple of years on both the Ravens and Broncos practice squads, he was finally given his shot in Denver in 2004 and contributed in Special Teams. He finished third in Special Teams tackles in 2005, and followed that up with solid performances last year.

The big news involving Green is the hefty deal he signed with the Broncos this offseason, a $2.5 million deal with a $300K signing bonus. Definitely above veteran minimum, a long-term contract of that nature indicates that the club hopes he can make a bigger impact in the years to come. He will compete for the starting job at SAM backer during training camp.

Eddie Moore

It seems that the Broncos linebacker corps. is full of “could-have-beens” – guys who were on the cusp of being great until a freak injury nearly ended their careers, and Eddie Moore falls under this category. He’s a Jim Bates guy, having played for him in Miami, and he’s returning to football after a 18 months of rehab for his knee.

Moore had an exceptional college career at the University of Tennessee, starting 24 games and posting 219 tackles. He added six sacks, an interception, a fumble recovery and 2 forced fumbles to his resume, as well as an impressive 13 pass defenses. He was awarded with second-team All-SEC honors as a senior. The guy knows how to make big plays, and began translating that in his rookie season with a few pass defenses. His injury is a concern, but he will add depth to MIKE and SAM, possibly filling in at either position as needed. If he REALLY impresses, I could see him trump Lewis and Green for the starting spot at SAM.

Predicted Depth Chart

Weakside

1. Ian Gold
2. Warrick Holdman

Middle

1. D.J. Williams
2. Nate Webster
3. Eddie Moore

Strongside

1. D.D. Lewis
2. Louis Green
3. Eddie Moore

I think Lewis will be given the opportunity to play if healthy, and Eddie Moore provides valuable backup at both MIKE and SAM. Green could also step up his game and find himself the starter, but either way it’s hard to get really excited over what I would consider our biggest weakness in 2007.

The Broncos are looking at questions across the linebacker unit. My Training Camp Breakdown continues as I’ll run through runningback, defensive line, safety, and wide receiver over the next week.

[tags]Denver Broncos, Broncos, D.J. Williams, Ian Gold, D.D. Lewis, Louis Green, Warrick Holdman, Eddie Moore, Training Camp, NFL, Linebackers[/tags]