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Slowik's top priority will be stopping run

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published February 25, 2008 at 12:45 a.m.

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There's a laundry list of items that Bob Slowik wants to accomplish as the new defensive coordinator of the Broncos.

But there's one matter above all that can keep the group from being hampered.

"That's pretty easy: stopping the run," Slowik said in his first public comments since replacing Jim Bates.

Slowik believes in an eight-man front to accomplish that goal and make opponents one-dimensional.

"I think you start there and if you have that aspect of the game under control and teams are throwing the ball, you can move in the other direction. It's hard to go the other way."

That's exactly the scenario that unfolded last season for Denver's 30th-ranked run defense when it converted from a seven-man front in the middle of the season.

Slowik's previous experience overseeing an eight-man alignment prompted speculation he was actually running the defense for the second half in 2007. But Slowik insisted that while he provided input, his involvement related more specifically to his job as secondary coach at the time, with "no play-calling, no installing, no anything of that nature."

There's no doubt now whose task it will be as he takes over for the fourth time as a coordinator after stints with Chicago, Cleveland and Green Bay.

The opportunity is one he hoped eventually would come, either in Denver or elsewhere in the future ever since the Broncos hired him in 2005.

"I enjoy coaching a position and the fundamental aspects," he said of his transition from guiding the team's safeties and cornerbacks. "But I really enjoy the tactical aspect and calling plays."

Slowik doesn't want to limit himself by saying exactly what kind of stamp he'll put on Denver's defense.

"I'm not going to make a proclamation that we're going to be a blitz team or name-me-a-team. It all depends on how the game is, what our guys are comfortable with," he said. "And we'll have a good mix."

MIDDLE MEN: With free agency thin at defensive tackle, the Broncos have expressed an interest in acquiring Detroit's talented but enigmatic Shaun Rogers, who's on the trade block. But one other name to watch via that route is the New York Jets'

Dewayne Robertson, who is only 26 years old and five years removed from being a top-10 pick.

Robertson has a balky contract that includes a high base salary and cap figure in excess of $11 million that will need restructuring if he's ultimately dealt.

But the feelers the Jets are putting out at the combine to gauge the market, which certainly has piqued the Broncos' interest, has more to do with the defensive tackle's lack of a fit within New York's 3-4 scheme than finances.

Robinson is regarded as a high-character performer and would be a solid acquisition as an experienced player in his prime at a need position with Denver.

Comments

  • February 25, 2008

    6:38 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jaybird777 writes:

    Defense defense defense!! Too early to tell, but these possible acquisitions sound positive.

  • February 25, 2008

    8:57 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    SE7EN writes:

    8 men in the box worked out really well for them last year (gag!). First your players need to learn how to tackle. Johnathan Vilma does not fit into the 3-4 system of the Jets. Denver should try and acquire him. He and DJ Williams would tear it up in the 4-3.

  • February 25, 2008

    1:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BRANDIN0422 writes:

    I THINK PICKING UP SHAUN ROGERS, WOULD BE NICE, HE WOULD PLAY BETTER BEING ON A WINNING FOOTBALL TEAM (ALTHO THIS YEAR DIDN'T SHOW IT) BUT DENVER HAS TO BECAREFUL ABOUT GOING OUT AN GETTING HIM, WE DON'T HAVE A 3RD ROUND PICK, AND THERE'S TALK OF MOVING UP THE BOARD, BUT I THINK HAVING SHAUN ROGERS, EBENEZER EKUBAN, ELVIS DUMERVIL, MARCUS THOMAS, JARVIS MOSS, TIM CROWDER, A LONG WITH OTHER I DIDN'T LIST, I THINK IF YOU CAN GET THEM ALL ON ONE PAGE, DENVERS D-LINE WILL BE FIXED BETTER, THAN PICKIN UP A LB (BRIGGS) AN A SAFETY,

  • February 25, 2008

    3:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    kmeissner writes:

    Pick up Vilma and Rogers. I think we need DL's more than we need LB's, but you can't really pass on a player of Vilma's caliber. Also, dump Javon Walker and go after Berrian!

  • February 25, 2008

    5:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    Mr. Slowik, Mike Shanahan goes through Defensive coordinators faster than my grandma goes through diapers. All i can say is, "pack your bags, he'll be firing you soon, talking about why the Defense was no good this time around, and talking up the next idea he has".

  • February 25, 2008

    8:03 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Spidey writes:

    Maybe trade Javon Walker and Travis Henry for Shaun Rogers and a draft choice (lower round the least)?? Then Broncos can draft a better running backs that's pretty loaded in the 2008 draft

  • February 27, 2008

    11:22 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Roofdawg writes:

    I would love to see our Defense get back to being one of the top 5 Defenses like we were a couple years ago. I believe that it is very crucial for the defense to bulk up the front line so it can free up the linebackers. The defense needs to get back to blitzing that's what made the Broncos one of the top defenses in the league a couple years ago. We have two great cornerbacks that can lock up on their man. Start blitzing the QB and make them throw to one of the cornerbacks and we can start getting some more turnovers. That's another reason why it is so important to bulk up the defensive line so it can create pressure. I think that's where we lacked greatly last year getting to the QB with the exception of Dumervil. I just would love to see the Broncos get back on track and see at the very least take the AFC West division and a visit to the playoffs and the hopes of a Superbowl win. Go Broncos!!!