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Special K: Koutouvides a serial thriller

Limited field time is milked into shot at starting position

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 5, 2008 at 5:43 p.m.

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Broncos linebacker Niko Koutouvides will battle Nate Webster for the starting middle linebacker spot this season. Koutouvides previously has been a top-notch special-teams player for the Seahawks.

Photo by David Zalubowski © Associated Press

Broncos linebacker Niko Koutouvides will battle Nate Webster for the starting middle linebacker spot this season. Koutouvides previously has been a top-notch special-teams player for the Seahawks.

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The story now is deeply ingrained in Broncos lore.

It's about a game played on the other side of the international dateline and an unheralded running back crashing into the San Francisco 49ers' Tyronne Drakeford while covering a kickoff return.

Told almost annually in some fashion by those with the team, the story is of how that hit helped launch Terrell Davis on his Ring of Fame career.

"That's how you get noticed," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said.

"That's how you can go from special teams into the lineup."

That's how you can do it with one explosive play. But there also are those hoping to make the transition from part-time player to full-time starter with a long list of special-teams plays.

Take

"Nobody comes into this league just to play on special teams, unless they're a kicker or a returner," Koutouvides said. "So when we spoke to teams, we told them, 'I want to be a linebacker first, no matter what.'

"Obviously, teams are always going to say, 'We'll give him a chance, we'll give him a chance.' But, realistically, I wanted to be where I thought I would have a chance to play on defense, battle for a spot.

"That's what I've waited to do."

On special teams, coaches can measure effort, they can see what scouts call "striking ability" in a player's tackling and they can see speed in the open field.

For most players in the league, it is their first foot in the NFL door to make a roster and it also can earn them more playing time.

In the end, Koutouvides did get noticed.

It was by the Broncos, who snatched him up in free agency with the intention he compete for the middle linebacker job.

Koutouvides and Nate Webster are the leading candidates as the Broncos progress through their team minicamp this week and next.

"It can be tough to convince people you can do more," said safety John Lynch, who was a special- teams regular for much of his early career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "When you're a young player, you do worry people might just think of you that way all the time. I definitely didn't want that.

"But the thing of it is, it's so important to the team - you might not want to be there, but you have to be good at it if you're going to stick with the team or play your way into the starting lineup. Don't play it well and you won't get the chance at anything more because you won't be around."

Koutouvides led the Seahawks with a hard-to-miss 20 special- teams tackles last year as the special-teams captain - by comparison, Jamie Winborn led the Broncos with 11 special-teams tackles and quickly was signed to a two-year deal in the offseason.

Koutouvides had also tied for the special-teams tackle lead in 2006 with 16 and led the team in 2004 as well.

It's just that, after his rookie season (2004), when Koutouvides started two games and got regular rotations on defense, the Seahawks drafted Lofa Tatupu, who has been selected to the NFC's Pro Bowl team in all three of his seasons.

"I admit, my rookie year, I didn't play all the way up to my abilities - too much thinking, not enough reacting and just playing - but when they brought in Lofa, that pushed me to a backup spot," Koutouvides said.

"I want to do more, and I think I can do more. But I know if you ask any guy who has played special teams for a couple years, that's what they'd tell you, too."

ETC.: Center Tom Nalen was held out of Thursday's practice - he was wearing a wrap on his left knee - and Casey Wiegmann was at center with the starting offense. . . . Tight end Tony Scheffler, who has had a foot injury and is not expected to participate in this team camp, said he expected to be 100 percent by the time the players report for training camp July 24. . . . The team practiced on an indoor field at the South Suburban sports complex because of the weather. . . . Webster worked as the middle linebacker with the first-team defense. He and Koutouvides likely will divide snaps in some fashion until a decision on a starter is made.

Comments

  • June 6, 2008

    2:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    xzacgenius writes:

    I love Koutouvides he is an animal on special teams. I think he will make an excellent attacking MLB with this LB unit on the field. I actually think this unit can and will be better than the Wilson, Williams & Gold unit. Much faster, bigger & more aggressive. If the DL shows up every Sunday this LB unit & secondary is going to have a field day. I can see them causing a lot more turnovers (especially fumbles) this year. Again, this guy can really hit. I can't wait to see him make Javon cough up his lunch on a crossing pattern Sept. 8th. I'm sure he's gonna welcome McFadden to the NFL shortlty after greeting Javon.

    2008 Broncos 12-4 SuperBowl bound
    (got my fingers crossed)

  • June 6, 2008

    9:18 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jibbons writes:

    fingers crossed? does that mean your lying or praying?

  • June 6, 2008

    11:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    denmex writes:

    GUYS U KNOW I BLEED ORANGE BUT KOUTOUVIDES HASENT EVEN WON THE STARING MLB IN CAMP, NETE WEBSTER IS STILL IN THE MIX SO 4 ME THAT MEANS THAT KOUTOUVIDES HAS NOT IMPRESS ANY ONE ON THE COACHING STAFF I OLSO HOPE THAT HE BECAMES A GOOD MLB BUT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO COMPARE HIM WITH OLD AL, SO XZACGENIUS LETS CROOS OUR FINGRS FOR A BETTER D AND THEN WE CAN START TALKING ABOUT A PLAYOFF SPOT.
    GO BRONCOS

  • June 6, 2008

    11:50 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    R8R_H8R writes:

    Middle Linebacker is the most important player on Defense. D.J. Williams was a high draft pick touted to us as having spectacular physical ability. Now, the high draft pick of phenominal ability is being replaced with a career back-up? What the..........?

    "I want to do more, and I think I can do more." I dont dis-like the guy. But you'd think he would've been playing either of the outside 'backer positions, not as back-up, if he performed well for Seattle. Now he's our STARTER for Middle Linebacker? C'mon. This is patching the dam that's about to burst, with bubble gum.

  • June 6, 2008

    5:21 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    AKuser writes:

    Middle linebacker is the most important position on the defense but not one that requires spectacular physical ability. Playing smart, providing leadership and being a very solid tackler is what is needed in the middle. Outside is where the speed is needed. DJ is well suited outside but lacks the vocal leadership to take control in the middle. If Koutouvides can come in and provide some leadership, play smart and tackle well letting DJ and Boss take advantage of their speed outside the lb's will be much improved this year. Being a career backup may or may not be bad since he had one of the best in front of him it is hard to tell. Steve Young was a career backup at one point and now sits in the hall of fame.

  • June 6, 2008

    9:30 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronc4evah writes:

    There are back-ups and then there are guys who are behind major talents that are pro-bowlers. Tatupu was great almost from day 1 and took the starter position. I think Niko has shown he knows how to tackle on special teams and the few years experience will benefit him now for us instead of Seattle.

  • June 9, 2008

    8:09 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    sbhchawk writes:

    Seattle has two probowler LB that Niko was behind. Lofa and Julian Peterson (was a 49 for a couple years). The other LB on Seattle, Hill is a damn good player too. I don't know if Niko will be a great or even a good player but being a back up to a great set of LB's shouldn't be a knock against him.