Training Camp Breakdown – Defensive Tackle

The Denver Broncos defensive line is going through one of its biggest single-season changes in team history. Gone are Mike Myers and Courtney Brown. In come free agent acquisitions Sam Adams and Alvin McKinley, along with the trade-acquired Jimmy Kennedy. Talented draftees Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas join the fray as well. Consider how actively we pursued free agent Patrick Kerney, and it’s obvious the Broncos coaching staff saw a change was needed across the defensive line.

Today I break down one of the more exciting camp battles this training camp – defensive tackle.

Defensive Tackle

Gerard Warren

If the “Browncos” were to get together and elect a captain, Gerard Warren would have to be considered the frontrunner for the position. He was among the most underrated players of 2005, and a big reason our run defense was 2nd in the league in that year. After dislocating his toe in training camp last year, Warren saw more struggles than he was used to. Whether this was due to the injury or not remains to be seen, but at 6-4 and 325 lbs., he remains the anchor of our defense. We locked him up last year long term, with a 6-year contract extension – this year he has a chance to earn some of that signing bonus. I expect him to bounce back under Jim Bates‘ system – and with all of the new, more talented teammates he’ll find along his sides.

Sam Adams

I liked the signing of Adams, as long as we can keep our defensive line rotation running smoothly. At 6-3 and a whopping 350 lbs. (and that might be a generously light listing), Adams is everything you want in a run stuffer. It’s when we’re facing Peyton Manning on a two-minute drill that I cringe to think of Adams stuck in the lineup. He’ll likely start across Warren, but he’s a situational player in that he won’t see the field on sure-fire passing downs. His knee was sore on camp, sitting out Wednesday’s practice, but when healthy he should make an impact. Hopefully he’ll eat up blockers and give our linebackers the chance to make plays.

Jimmy Kennedy

Another big boy, Kennedy tallies in at 6-4, 325 lbs. and hopes some fresh, Colorado air will revive his career. A disappointing first round pick in St. Louis, Kennedy was traded to the Broncos days after the club signed Adams. He has been practicing on the second team and will add valuable depth to our defensive tackle rotation. If he shows some of the flash he did in college, he could end up being a real steal in Denver. He has always been the big-play type, looking to get after the quarterback more than just being the typical run stuffer, and as a situational DT to spare the likes of Adams, he could find an impact as soon as this year. Injury history is a concern, but if healthy, Kennedy could find new success in the Rockies.

Marcus Thomas

You’ve all seen the picture. Hell, it’s my new avatar at the BroncosFreak forums. We drafted an athletic freak of nature in Florida’s Marcus Thomas – a 6-3, 314 lb., backflipping freak of nature. I had high hopes for Thomas coming into training camp, and I may have been setting myself and my expectations up for failure. Word is he’s been decent, but not great so far. That’s considered typical for rookie defensive tackles – in fact, according to Pat Kirwan of Sirius NFL Radio, rookie DTs have the least impact statistically in the NFL in their first year. He hurt his left calf and looks to bounce back soon. He’ll make the team this year and will be part of the rotation, but it seems I should join Broncos fans in slowing down in the hype for this athletic talent.

Alvin McKinley

Our first defensive line move this offseason, and hopefully the final member of the “Browncos” – Alvin McKinley looks to add a little versatility to our roster. Playing both defensive tackle and defensive end in his career, McKinley is hoping to bounce back from his disappointing 2006 campaign and force himself onto the roster. One of our smaller DTs, McKinley needs to make a bigger impact. Right now he’s not even practicing in the dime package – he’s been relegated to the third team. With the injuries to Adams, Veal and Thomas, he’ll get his shot, and he better take every advantage of it to make the team.

Demetrin Veal

I can’t help but root for Demetrin Veal, even in the new system that some feel might be leaving him behind. He’s our smallest DT, weighing in at 286 lbs., but he has shown flashes and was even near the top of our depth chart at the beginning of the offseason. I see the biggest competition at the position taking place between he and McKinley, and I’m rooting for Veal to make the cut.

Steven Harris

I can’t see Harris making the team, although I’m sure it’s fun to see him doing backflips with Thomas. Our undrafted rookie from Florida, Harris will have to work harder than anyone to make this squad, or the practice team. I don’t see him succeeding there, and expect him to be among the first of the camp casualties.

Antwon Burton

I’ve actually been hearing good things about Antwon Burton, but I don’t think it will be enough for him to make the squad. He’s a beefier backup at 315 lbs., but he lacks the athleticism we need to stop versatile runners in our division like Ladainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson. This project over the last few years will be hard pressed to stay in Denver with all of the moves we’ve made.

Predicted Depth Chart

1. Gerard Warren
2. Sam Adams
3. Jimmy Kennedy
4. Marcus Thomas
5. Demetrin Veal

The biggest surprise is that McKinley doesn’t make the team – but he and Veal are built so similarly, and call me a homer, but I just think Veal has a lot more potential.