Broncos' revolving door at safety takes another spin

Fox fourth to start at free position in past five games

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published December 2, 2008 at 7:01 p.m.

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Photo by Julie Jacobson / Associated Press

Veteran safety Vernon Fox, with the Broncos only since late September, returns a fumble 23 yards for Denver's first touchdown against the Jets. He's expected to start against the Chiefs.

There's safety glass, safety pins, safety belts and even the safety patrol.

And then there's safety for the Broncos.

A decidedly not so safe place, where there has been a growing line to play at what cornerback Champ Bailey called "your last line of defense."

In the Broncos' win against the the Jets, Vernon Fox, a level- headed sort who is in his seventh NFL season and understands the ebb and flow of football life, became the fourth player in the past five games to start at free safety. He followed Roderick Rogers, who had started the season on the practice squad, made his first career start against the Raiders and was released the next week.

After Fox was credited with three tackles in Sunday's 34-17 victory and returned a fumble 23 yards for the Broncos' first touchdown, coach Mike Shanahan said he expects Fox to get the start Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs (2:05 p.m., CBS 4).

"You try not to approach it that way - about who's in, who's out," Fox said. "You never want to play a game nervous, second-guessing yourself or worrying about the repercussions of your play. You just play one play at a time.

"But I'd be dishonest if I didn't say it's in the back of your mind, that one bad performance could put you back on the sideline. So you just put your best effort in and let that take care of itself."

Fox's teammates already have lauded his professionalism - he has been with the team only since late September - and his even-keel demeanor. A quality special-teams player, Fox never has started more than six games in a season.

But things have been bubbling at safety for the Broncos since training camp, and Shanahan continues to search for what he called "a difference maker" at the position.

First, there was the question of John Lynch's future before his August release.

Then Marlon McCree, a free- agent signee who started Denver's first six games at free safety, was benched for a game in favor of Calvin Lowry.

After making that start, Lowry was benched in favor of McCree. But McCree injured his left ankle late in the loss to the Dolphins, so Lowry was in for two more starts before giving way to Rogers.

Then Rogers was released, so Fox started against the Jets.

"It's a hard position," Bailey said. "I think physical ability is more of an issue at corner than at safety, but when you talk about safety, you've got to have the attitude to tackle, cover - there's a lot of things you've got to be very good at to play safety. And mentally, you've got to be probably the sharpest guy on the field.

"And you're the last guy out there, so if anything breaks and then you mess up, everybody's going to see it and it's going to show up on tape."

Fox has played strong safety and free safety - free safeties often play deeper, more in the open field, away from the line of scrimmage - at different points in his career and is a quick study.

He has played two seasons with the Chargers, two with the Lions and the past two with the Redskins. He's hoping to stay in Denver for a while.

"Early in my career, I carried a lot of bitterness about how things went," Fox said. "And I can say every time I've been released, there's kind of been some uncertainty, or it's not been very clear what I could have done to enhance my chances of staying on the roster. But now, I kind of take it with a grain of salt. This is a business, and I don't take it personally any longer.

"You are a human being, you do have emotions, you have feelings, things bother you. But someone told me once the NFL is like Baskin-Robbins: If one flavor doesn't work out, there's 31 other flavors to try. So you just approach it as such. You hope there is another team that appreciates your talents."

• December 2, 2008

  7:33 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  RustyWon writes:

  Dear Mr. Lynch.

  We are delighted to be in a position to offer you the job of starting safety for the first place Denver Broncos.
  Please reply more soonest.

  Signed, M. Shanahan.

  What could make more sense than that?

• December 2, 2008

  9:55 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Midnight127 writes:

  ...Dude...
  Lynch is gone.
  It's time to move on.
  He was a great saftey, but he's lost a lot of speed and strength in his many years in the NFL. Sure, he'd be a fantastic leader on defense, but not much else.

  Time to let go....

• December 2, 2008

  10:11 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  Midnight127, I agree, 100%. Time to move on.

• December 2, 2008

  10:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bucketman writes:

  Here's a better letter....

  Dear Mr. Woodyard,

  I appreciate the heart and athleticism (and minimal celebration) you bring to the linebacker position. You have been a blessing, but unfortunately your days are numbered at your position. Mr. Williams will be returning and he will retain his job. The good news is, you will be moved to take over as our team's new starting strong safety. I figure, if Mr. Hillis can learn three different positions in our tricky little offense, you can play a new position for our ugly defense. All I ask is that you do one small thing - tackle. You seem to have that down....

  Regards,

  M. Shanahan

  P.S. - Have fun with Mr. Gonzales this weekend!

• December 2, 2008

  11:47 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dscott01 writes:

  Go Broncos. Take one game at a time and put a whuppin on those chiefs! Remember to be patient with our team because they are young. We are just seeing the tip of the iceberg of their potential.

• December 3, 2008

  7:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Littleboyblue writes:

  Hey, I bet the Broncos won't be able to keep Woodyard, he's a player and should be on the field. I'd see if he could play safety...faster that Lynch ever was, and he's a big hiter. Keep Nate Webster on the bench whatever we do. He just talks a good game, running around looking like a broke Predator missing his gap assignments!

• December 3, 2008

  8:05 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Andynonymous writes:

  So, here's how it goes:

  Tennessee gets home field throughout the playoffs, Jets win out and get the second spot. Pittsburgh plays the first weekend due to a crushing remaining schedule and beats New England. We take care of Indianapolis and erase some playoff demons after limping in with a 9-7 record, mostly because we've rested players the last week against a very angry SD team.

  Jets get Pittsburgh the following weekend and beat them, we score the upset of the year by taking out Tennessee at home. Then we go back to the scene of the crime against the then-quaking-in-their-boots Jets and win HUGE and we go to the Superbowl.

  Ok, so a couple of things have to break our way, but it seems quite possible. Here, try on these glasses, then you'll be able to see it....

• December 3, 2008

  8:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  bronc4evah writes:

  I see it man, I see it! And I love it!

• December 3, 2008

  9:07 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  myerda00 writes:

  Rustyone, I agree with other posts, Lynch has been DONE for two years, let it go.
  Bucketman, earlier camp articles stated Wesley Woodyard as SS but I think that is where Josh Barrett is slated for.
  Littleboy blue, you have got to be serious if you think Denver lets Wesley Woodyard go anywhere. Right now He and DJ are our best LB's.
  Another note to Brandon Marshall, do not carry a concealed weapon!

• December 3, 2008

  9:09 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ParkHillPosse writes:

  Bucketman: Did you seriously just suggest that a LB be moved to safety? Woodyard is an impressive young WLB, but not even DJ Williams could make a seamless switch to safety. You can take a bigger CB and move him to safety, but asking a LB to convert to a coverage back is a foolish defensive proposition, because a LB's body and mentality are not suited for such a role.

• December 3, 2008

  9:13 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  elgin99 writes:

  Lynch lost his job because he got old and is to slow. That is why he got cut by the Patriots, that is why no one has picked him up. Please Rusty, try and get a grip on that.

• December 3, 2008

  9:55 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  upacreek333 writes:

  I could handle Brandon carrying a concealed weapon (with a legal permit, of course), but I can't handle much more of him dropping passes. He dropped an easy first down on Sunday, and should have caught a touchdown on Sunday. Also, he dropped a big-play bomb against the Raiders the week before... the league only needs one Braylon Edwards... Come on Brandon--the world knows you're talented and that you're grateful we elected Obama. Now catch the friggin' ball!

• December 3, 2008

  12:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  fastnloose writes:

  Lynch was slow a year ago,after sitting out this year,I'd hate to see him cover the ball boy.Please, that is an experiment that needs to be left alone.

• December 3, 2008

  12:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  freddyfender writes:

  Come On.......you guys are seriously trying to tell us that John Lynch couldn't have done at least as well as our safeties have done this year........I think he would have done at least as well, due to his football smarts and sure tackling ability.....he at least would have been in the right place at the right time.

• December 3, 2008

  12:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  chill134 writes:

  Lynch was once great, but is now old and slow. Why do you think he's not playing? Moveon.lynch.

• December 3, 2008

  1:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  R8R_H8R writes:

  On sports reports, either Woodyard or Winborn is talked about being only 218 lbs. WAY under-sized for Linebacker.

  PERFECT for playing Safety.

  I checked the Broncos site, and, ofcourse, they're exagerating the weight up to 230 lbs.

  Which ever one of them actually weighs in at 218 should move to Safety.

• December 3, 2008

  1:40 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  ShowMe writes:

  My dream was for the Broncos to win the division with a losing record, then win through the playoffs and be the best "worst" team to win the superbowl. It looks like the losing record won't happen, but the rest of my dream could still be alive!

• December 3, 2008

  1:50 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  ShowMe, I never wish for a bad record for the Broncos, ever. I wish for perfect seasons and a SB win. It's not happening but I surely don't wish a losing record, regardless of the division win. Me thinks you need to rethink that?

• December 3, 2008

  1:54 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GCKansas writes:

  I think we all have wonderful ideas here who should play safety. We are assuredly the experts in our field so I think Shanahan and the other coaches should heed our expert advice and move the positions according. How lame does that sound? I think I believe the coaches of the Denver Broncos know what they are doing and will do what they are getting paid for. I am gonna leave it up to them and back them all the way until they are not here anymore, which will happen if they can't do the job, than I will do the same with their replacement whoever that may be.

• December 3, 2008

  1:59 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  J_easy writes:

  i say move champ to safety he's getin old let the young bucks have the cornerback position he may not be a big hitter but he is a sure tackler the most underatted in the league let him rome around in the backfield i bet you teams wont gon deep on that right side no more lol and that will solve our safety problem

  p.s. i got champ at safety on madden 09 and hes doin his thing lol just a thought

• December 3, 2008

  2:28 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  KCharles writes:

  Shut up GCKansas! Dont be such a lemming.

  I think Champ at FS could work. Can you imagine the ground he could cover with his closing speed?

• December 3, 2008

  4:20 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Bucketman writes:

  ParkhillPusse: Maybe you should do little research before saying that Woodyard can't play safety. He actually played safety for his first year and half in college. Actually, at 6'1 - 215 he ran the second fastest linebacker 40 at the combine coming in at 4.51. How does that stack up to others?

  Bob Sanders - 5'8 191 - 4.41
  Ed Reed - 5'11 200 - 4.57
  Polamalu - 5'10 215 - 4.55
  Atwater - 6'3 220 - 4.7
  Barrett - 6'3 225 - 4.31 (blazing fast)

  Barrett could be a great Safety with time, but he has been known to be injury prone...

  Finally, here is the scouting combine write up on Woodyard:
  Overview

  If players were measured by their heart and desire instead of their body structure, Woodyard would be a giant among men. A fearless tackler with little regard for his own safety, he will probably switch to safety at the professional level. Even with the addition of 10 pounds of bulk after his final season, the Wildcat realizes his days as a linebacker might come to an end in 2008.
  At Kentucky, started 42 games at weak-side linebacker for the Wildcats, becoming the first UK player since 1992 to register more than 300 career tackles, finishing his tenure at Kentucky as the school's eighth-ranked tackler with 395. Along the way, he produced at least 10 tackles in 18 contests.

  Peace,
  BM

• December 3, 2008

  4:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  GCKansas, lighten up man. I think you miss the point of a blog? It's to share ideas and opinions. Sometimes we're correct in our assessments, sometimes we're not. I said back when Hillis was drafted in the 7th round that he will be awesome and I was right. I said Niko would be good at MLB and was wrong. Welcome to football and amateur sports talk.

• December 3, 2008

  5:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  kerrdawg writes:

  I don't know what to do with Woodyard, but I know he needs to get playing time because he has undeniable skills. I agree it is much easier to convert a corner to safety then a linebacker, but if he played it in college than maybe. As far as moving Champ to safety...no way, at least not now. He is currently the best corner in the league when healthy, that's like moving DJ Williams to MLB (oh wait we tried that). However; in two or three years as Champ gets older and possibly loses a step or two, I would love to see him move to FS and extend his playing career. He has the football smarts and tackling skills to do it. Remember a guy named Rod Woodson? It worked out quite well for him. I'd love to see Champ at 34, 35 years of age playing FS picking off 8 or 9 balls a year.

• December 3, 2008

  8:30 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  deezBroncs1127 writes:

  I don't watch college football for many good reasons...( BCS BULLS%$T) but thats another topic. But does anyone know who the top safeties are in college. We need one BAD!!!

• December 3, 2008

  8:43 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Jared0709 writes:

  I gotta say, maybe ss is a good move for Woodyard, but if he's roughly the same size as Winborn, than put him strong side over Winborn. Winborn's "enthusiasm" when assisting on a tackle is hard for me to watch. He doesn't seem to understand the difference between routine and exceptional in his celebrations. Add to it, his gap and missed tackle resulted in the first TD for the Jets. Barret's athleticism is intriguing. I say play him and let him learn by fire, he can't do much worse can he?

• December 3, 2008

  8:53 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Brain writes:

  Keep Woodyard on the field, doesn't matter where!!

• December 4, 2008

  2:09 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  MATTP1 writes:

  Let Woodyard try SS we have to keep him in the starting 11.Im sure he could play better than Manual right now.Please keep Webster on the bench.Go Broncs

• December 4, 2008

  2:08 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  GCKansas writes:

  Hey dave and charles I am light, I am also a devout Bronco fan which I am sure you all are too. I am just saying that really we can all have an opinion and it don't matter one bit because we have no say in the matter. That's why I don't get wrapped up in who plays where I just root for the guy who is playing there at the time. Also I think the coaches have been nothing short of miracelous in getting this team where they are at with all the injuries that they have had to cover for. The other blog was just tongue in cheek. All I ask is that you all that are going to the game this weekend be loud and obnoxious it is so hard living out here in Chief country when the Broncs lose.

• December 4, 2008

  8:56 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  GCKansas, it's all good. I also on occasion, remind people that we can't tell the coaches what to do. So we sit back, pour a beer and enjoy the ride. I live in Vegas, so I won't be at the game. However, I will be at the Broncos bar I frequent for the games and we'll try to let Denver hear us from there.

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