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Broncos mix and match at linebacker

With rash of injuries, it's a guessing game for defensive coaches

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 14, 2008 at 3:52 p.m.

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Linebacker Mario Haggan, center, was acquired a scant two weeks ago. With all three starting linebackers out because of knee injuries, Haggan might be filling the middle against the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta.

Photo by Matt Sullivan / Getty Images

Linebacker Mario Haggan, center, was acquired a scant two weeks ago. With all three starting linebackers out because of knee injuries, Haggan might be filling the middle against the Falcons on Sunday in Atlanta.

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Things have been so unsettled at linebacker for the Broncos, Wesley Woodyard was asked this week whether he always knows who he'll see beside him on game days.

"No," Woodyard responded with a smile. "But I always know I have a dependable guy next to me. There's a lot of guys who love to play football. That's what it boils down to."

All three starters are out because of knee injuries. And that has led to some mixing and matching for the team's defensive coaches as they try to plug the holes.

Jamie Winborn's flexibility was an easy fit when Boss Bailey went down.

Woodyard's ballhawking abilities and speed were the next answer as the Broncos sought to replace D.J. Williams on the weak side.

Now there's more uncertainty.

The situation became so fluid with middle linebacker Nate Webster's sprained knee last week that it wouldn't be surprising to see Mario Haggan, whom Denver acquired two weeks ago, at middle linebacker against Atlanta on Sunday.

Stranger things have happened.

"All these guys really just need to get reps, reps, reps," Broncos linebackers coach Jim Ryan said. "Because during practice, the backup players . . . kind of just have to see it and then perform without reps if they have to go into the game. But these guys have been very good at getting mental reps."

Haggan's a big-bodied player with 66 games of experience in five years with the Buffalo Bills. And if he were to get the call over Niko Koutouvides, it would be the first time he has started after five years toiling in Buffalo.

"I hold myself accountable to being a player on the field. And I feel like that it's not a big problem," said Haggan, who didn't receive a qualifying offer as an unrestricted free agent from the Bills and sat out a four-game, league- mandated suspension in September.

"Making calls and getting people lined up is what a 'Mike' (linebacker) is responsible for, and I like that responsibility. It's getting comfortable with the system and understanding exactly what the coaches want. That's the transition I'm trying to make."

Haggan (6-foot-3, 252 pounds) was stuck behind the likes of London Fletcher, Takeo Spikes and Paul Posluszny in Buffalo.

"But I'm in a fortunate position - not because the guys are hurt - but to have an opportunity to come off the street in my second week and have an opportunity to play. It's a big deal for me."

Like Koutouvides, who came to Denver via Seattle in free agency, Haggan made his reputation on special teams. He was credited with 84 tackles for Buffalo's coverage units and, last season, made 10 unassisted tackles and a sack.

"He's only been here a couple weeks, but he's been terrific," Ryan said, without divulging the team's weekend plans. "He's a hard worker. He's in here extra, trying to pick everything up, which he needs to be because he doesn't know the defense as well as the other guys. And he's a physical presence. He looks like a big, physical linebacker. So I think he has a chance to help us."

Koutouvides filled in for Webster for more than three quarters during Denver's 34-30 victory at Cleveland. But he was involved in only two tackles, and the rust of not having played since the preseason was, at times, evident.

"He's just got to keep getting better and flashing plays when the opportunity arises," defensive coordinator Bob Slowik said. "Like Woodyard, you just want to see somebody go in there and make something happen when the opportunity comes."

Woodyard was all over the field at Cleveland while making his first career start. He might have to rein in his aggressiveness on misdirection plays to avert open backside cuts, particularly this weekend, considering the Falcons' zone scheme is similar to the Broncos' running attack. But Woodyard also plays instinctively and has been a sure tackler ever since opening eyes in the preseason as an undrafted free agent. He had 10 stops (nine solo) against the Browns.

"Wesley's a steal of a player," Winborn said.

"He plays hard and he pays attention," linebacker Louis Green said. "That's what it comes down to - knowing what's going to happen before it happens, because you don't have a lot of time to think out there."

The decision now is whether the Broncos coaching staff expands Woodyard's role. Green replaced Winborn in the nickel package against the Browns. Woodyard remains a special-teams fixture, and the Broncos have wanted to ensure they don't overburden the rookie.

But his athleticism might be too good to keep off the field.

No such mystery exists with Winborn. He has proved to be the Swiss Army knife of the linebacker corps, with the ability to play both outside spots and the middle in a pinch. He's also natural in pass coverage.

"I'm not sure where we'd be without Jamie," Ryan said. "We ask so much of him . . . and he's just always ready. He responds."

He'll need to, with Bailey out for the year after microfracture surgery last week. Bailey will be on crutches for the next six weeks to start his rigorous road back. Webster and Williams are both expected to be missing until December, so the total reconstruction of the position will continue for the near future.

The new group has been helped somewhat by practicing together in training camp as the second unit and through personnel switches at the various spots all season. That is, unless Haggan starts and that goes out the window, somewhat.

"It's been one of those years," Green said. "You know injuries can happen, but some years are worse than others, and this is one of those times. You just have to be ready when your opportunity comes."

Comments

  • November 14, 2008

    4:44 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    maverick7 writes:

    Gut check for the D. If they can do it against a big and mean RB in Turner then maybe it will turn more confidence. Againg D line needs to get pressure. Release the Beast, Elvis do your thang!

  • November 14, 2008

    6:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    nmbronco1 writes:

    It actually was a surprise Wesley Woodyard went undrafted, as many expert lines had him as a solid 4th round choice. I liked what I saw of him last Thursday againt the Brownies. The real key to this game, like most games, is seeing whether or not the D can force some turnovers. More than anything else, that is what has been missing defensively this season.

  • November 14, 2008

    7:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    I did some reading up on Mario Haggan. He weights 263. He has about 30 more pounds then Nate Webster. Maybe he can plug the hole better? I've noticed that with all the injuries, Denver has put together a group of "rag-tag" players that are coming in hungry and with a chip on their shoulder. They have been playing exceptionally well. I'm loving it. Do it boys. Go in there with something to prove and shut all the doubters up, once and for all. It's like the old saying, "It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog" (sorry, Vick). Elvis is a perfect example. Small, but a lot of heart. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • November 15, 2008

    7:07 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    hdfresh writes:

    Stoping the run is key in this game. Let's see if Matt Ryan can beat us through the air.

  • November 15, 2008

    7:56 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    VATX writes:

    Niko's turning out to be an expensive backup, even to the backups.

  • November 15, 2008

    8:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    herreraj writes:

    Go Broncos. I hope Shanny baby got them to Georgia early so they can get acclamated to the time change there.Is it just me? Because they almost always loose the early games. Look for the Broncos to sleep walk as always for a early game. Please Shanny boy tell me Im wrong. Pull another one out of your as.

  • November 15, 2008

    9:54 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Dynamicdave; totally agree with you; the Broncos might find better LB's due to the injuries. Niko seems to be a bust; the Broncos do tend to lose when going back east; hopefully they are ready since they did get 10 days to prepare.
    GO BRONCOS!!!!!

  • November 15, 2008

    10:23 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Broncosfan393 writes:

    John Lynch is the best, GO 47!!!

  • November 15, 2008

    11:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    doghair writes:

    The Broncos couldnt beat their way out of a wet paper sack!

  • November 15, 2008

    12:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Coltgm56 writes:

    I agree on Niko K. not worth the money. Not sure what his problems are. The other guys are really stepping up and giving their best, that is all you can ask. Nothing like being hungry for a chance. Tatum needs to have the same hunger, if he does he can really help our offense. GO BRONCOS!!!

  • November 15, 2008

    2:14 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    broncobobmeridian writes:

    This is a do or die game. The Broncos must be able to go on the road and show everyone that their a playoff caliber team. Good teams can go on the road and win when they need to. It all starts with the coaching staff. Are we going to see another game full of turnovers, penalties, and no focus.(New England Game). Lets hope we leave Atlanta with a victory.

  • November 15, 2008

    3:47 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Woody writes:

    Coach appeared positive with our run game. If 4 + sustained drives are accomplished, Atlanta's offense will have less time to wear down the D. Play to win, B&O!

  • November 15, 2008

    6:27 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    RockyMts69 writes:

    Denver definately has a chance, the 'D' just needs to get in Matt Ryans face and harrass him all day long. Blitz,blitz,blitz!!! And no more arm tackling, go out and HIT somebody!!!!

    One more thing...does anybody know of a Broncos bar in the Fresno, San Jose CA. area?

  • November 15, 2008

    8:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    doghair, they're still in 1st place in their division, so you're analogy is lame. Must be a Raiders fan.