Training camp: Broncos' changes lead to revamped line of attack

Poor pass rush in 2006 shifts focus to defensive front

Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News

Published July 30, 2007 at midnight

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ENGLEWOOD - Forget for a moment that canine-related analogies probably don't make for the best word choice in NFL circles these days.

Veteran Kenard Lang, upon his arrival at Broncos headquarters, nevertheless had a point when he sized up the battles ahead in the coming weeks.

"Everybody's an All-American with no pads on," Lang said on the eve of the first official workout of training camp. "But with the pads on, that's when the little puppies get with the big dogs and we really see what happens."

At Lang's position, the language especially fits because of the pack mentality that exists along the front four.

The Broncos begin their summer training regimen with 16 players competing for nine to 10 spots along the defensive front.

The number was 17, but defensive end Carlos Hall was a no- show and placed on the reserve/ did not report list Sunday.

The Broncos believe that included within that cluster of players is the proper mix not only of youth and experience but highly skilled, highly drafted rookies to go with a knowledgeable, battle- tested core.

Defensive-line play, particularly pressuring the quarterback, was a major disappointment last season, when the Broncos failed to make the playoffs. So it's important they're right.

At the very least, the large group that started camp is proof the front office realized changes were needed, particularly to fit the new scheme up front under the watch of defensive boss Jim Bates.

Three of four draft picks bolstered the front four. Sam Adams, Alvin McKinley and Jimmy Kennedy were added by trade and free agency to plug the middle.

"We finally had that year where we could focus on that position," general manager Ted Sundquist said, citing the intersection of financial resources, draft emphasis and need the past several months.

Raiding the Cleveland Browns roster two years ago previously served as a stopgap up front and helped the Broncos reach the AFC Championship Game in the 2005 season.

But other than Elvis Dumervil and his team-leading 8 1/2 sacks last season as a rookie, few players taken in the draft have panned out in recent years. And many older players have come and gone the past several seasons.

But with the offseason overhaul, the end result is that a couple of players in the Broncos' recent playing rotation might be playing elsewhere in about a month because of the extra depth.

'A good mix'

"There's going to be a lot of competition, man," said defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban, a likely full- time contributor on early downs and in the nickel. "And it was the right thing bringing in all those young guys in here because we were getting older.

"Hopefully, they'll provide the energy we need and the old guys provide the knowledge the young guys need. But it's going to be a good mix. And it's going to be interesting."

The mixture already was evident Sunday during the first glimpse of two-a-days.

Ekuban and John Engelberger manned the ends. Adams and Gerard Warren were the tackles. Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, the team's top two picks, ran with the second team with Kennedy and McKinley. Dumervil and Moss joined Warren and Ekuban in the nickel pass package.

That leaves players such as Lang and Demetrin Veal, a fixture in the tackle rotation the past couple of seasons, clawing for practice repetitions, along with Amon Gordon, Antwon Burton and Kenny Peterson, all of whom have been on the periphery of the active roster the past couple of seasons.

"This is going to be an exciting time," said defensive line coach Bill Johnson, a newcomer on the coaching staff. "I think the guys are motivated and know there's competition and a lot of questions will be answered in the next few weeks. And then as time goes forward from that, even more questions will be answered. At some point during the season, we'll get a feel for what we are and who we are."

Few questions marks

Among the mysteries to be solved is how much Adams has left entering his 14th season, particularly while noticeably limping on a balky right knee.

Fourth-round pick Marcus Thomas might have had top-10 skills but has a long way to go from the third team to earn meaningful playing time.

And after Warren's play dipped badly during an injury-filled 2006 season, whether he can rebound with the team needing him to be a three-down force is something to monitor.

"We just have to continue to work together to get a good feel for each other," Adams said. "And in the coaches' mind, they've got to figure out the best group of guys they want to put in, working out the personnel and so forth."

But Adams believes the large number of bodies only will help take pressure off the veterans and let the staff get a true evaluation of the rookies.

And in a month or so, "They're going to go with the guys who fit the fingerprint of the defensive scheme of Bates," Adams said.

That system requires one-gap responsibilities for players to attack blocks on the snap but don't aggressively rush up the field on run downs.

The tackles are interchangeable, with the nose position shading inside over the guard instead of directly on the ball. But the techniques employed are the same down the line.

The ends align wide to get the offensive tackles to operate in space and have to take away the edge while pinching down on inside runs and funneling to the linebackers. The pass rush relies on front-four pressure without much blitzing, if possible.

"It's definitely D-line friendly," Dumervil said. "We have to respond to the package, get the puzzle pieces together and, hopefully, have a great year."

Five other battles to watch

Right side of the offensive line: Chris Kuper and Erik Pears appear to have the inside track as starters but likely will be pushed by Montrae Holland and Adam Meadows, respectively.

Backup tailback: Cecil Sapp has gotten his share of snaps behind Travis Henry, but Mike Bell appears determined to head off the challenge.

Strong-side linebacker: Warrick Holdman moves into the favorite's role with Eddie Moore out of the picture. But D.D. Lewis and Nate Webster will get looks.

Receiver: With Rod Smith and Brandon Marshall on the physically unable to play list, players such as David Kircus, Brian Clark, Domenik Hixon and David Terrell get more chances to impress.

Fullback: Kyle Johnson has proved he can catch near the goal line, but whether he takes on linebackers in the hole better than Paul Smith, Troy Fleming or Sapp is just as important.

Lee Rasizer

CAMPING OUT

On the rebound

Broncos defensive end Kenny Peterson said he "rode the roller coaster" Saturday.

The Broncos released Peterson, turning his name in to the league office with their day's transactions. But when defensive end Carlos Hall did not report for training camp because of personal reasons, the Broncos contacted Peterson and asked him to return.

The Broncos re-signed Peterson, and he was on the practice field Sunday.

"I kept my faith," Peterson said. "I like it here. It's unfortunate that things happened with Carlos, but I'm back, I'm happy and ready to do what they want me to do."

The Broncos like Peterson's ability to play end and tackle and likely would have asked him to stay in the area, even after his release, and work out during his four-game suspension to start the regular season for violating the league's steroid and related substances policy.

A similar situation happened with fullback Kyle Johnson in 2004, when he was told he was released late during camp only to be signed later the same day because of an injury to Mike Anderson.

"I hope that's a good sign for me," Peterson said. "I like it in Denver; it feels like home. I was going to stay in the area anyway, just in case, so it's good it worked out."

Missing you

The Broncos started their first training camp in nine years without linebacker Al Wilson, a former defensive captain.

Wilson was released during the offseason and is trying to recover from a neck injury. He has visited several doctors in recent weeks.

"We miss him," defensive tackle Ebenezer Ekuban said. "We miss the energy he brings."

Rundown

Happenings from Sunday's two practices:

• Safety John Lynch was the first player ready for training camp, on the field at 8:03 a.m. for the first practice.

• Receiver David Kircus made a leaping catch during seven-on-seven drills that brought cheers from the crowd during morning drills. Javon Walker caught a deflection off cornerback Karl Paymah for a big play during the morning. Receiver Glenn Martinez had the best grab during the afternoon workout.

• Punter Todd Sauerbrun showed why coach Mike Shanahan wanted him back after last season's suspension. He boomed several punts during the afternoon practice, one with a top-shelf 5.8-second hang time to go with another that went more than 75 yards. "He was trying to make a field goal," Shanahan said.

• Cornerback Kevin House had an interception during the afternoon practice.

They said it

"That's the first time I've seen that, a big guy like that."

Champ Bailey, left, Broncos cornerback, on 315-pound defensive tackle Marcus Thomas' flip before the team started the morning practice.

"Absolutely."

Pat Bowlen, right, Broncos owner, on whether former running back Terrell Davis had played long enough to eventually be selected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Roster moves

• Defensive end Carlos Hall moved to reserve/ did not report.

• Defensive end Kenny Peterson re-signed.

• Linebacker Eddie Moore was waived. Will be added to reserve/injured if he clears waivers.

• Linebacker Wesly Mallard signed.

Injury report

• Receiver Javon Walker and linebacker Nate Webster stayed on the ground for a few moments after a collision during the morning practice. Walker returned to drills minutes later, and both players practiced during the afternoon.

• Linebacker Eddie Moore, should he clear waivers as expected and be moved to reserve/injured, is expected to have surgery on his right knee, but the Broncos first will send him for another medical opinion.

If you go today

• Morning practice starts at 8:30 a.m., gates open at 7:30.

• Afternoon practice starts at 3:40 p.m. (special teams only, so it will not include the full roster). Gates open at 2:40 p.m.

Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News

rasizerl@RockyMountainNews.com

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