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Broncos' Robertson finally finding his form

Readjusting to old position tougher than he expected

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published November 25, 2008 at 10:29 p.m.
Updated November 25, 2008 at 10:35 p.m.

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Tackle Dewayne Robertson (63), acquired from the Jets in the offseason, says he is starting to feel more comfortable in his role.

Photo by Darin McGregor / The Rocky

Tackle Dewayne Robertson (63), acquired from the Jets in the offseason, says he is starting to feel more comfortable in his role.

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Dewayne Robertson knew all about change long before Barack Obama and John McCain started calling for it.

Only six years into his NFL career, Robertson has gone through several coordinators, coaches and defensive systems, and the defensive tackle even has switched teams thanks to the offseason deal that landed him in Denver.

But the difficulty of his most recent conversion was unexpected, even for someone who has learned how to adapt.

What accompanied his move to the Broncos was supposed to be old hat.

There would be no more nose tackle in the 3-4 alignment, where, playing at about 320 pounds, he felt sluggish and his responsibilities protecting two gaps in the middle of the line were the antithesis of his attacking sensibilities.

Robertson had made it work in that spot for two seasons with the New York Jets. But then he was sent packing April 28 so the Jets could find someone even bigger and a more natural fit on the nose, Kris Jenkins.

The Broncos, who got Robertson for a bargain-basement price, plugged him right into the heart of their one-gap scheme up front.

It would put him back into attack mode.

Yet, the moves that once felt so natural to Robertson, first as a dominant player at the University of Kentucky, then as he morphed into his early pro career, now felt strangely foreign.

Progress is being made

So it has taken the 27-year-old some time to rediscover his comfort level, but his progress has spiked upward in the past month.

"I thought it was going to be better. I'm talking about my play," said Robertson, who Sunday returns to the Meadowlands for the first time since his exit from the Jets (2:15 p.m. MST, CBS 4). "My play so far has not lived up to my standards, (though) I feel like I'm getting my 'swag' now the last few weeks."

It all boils down to technique.

In the 3-4, the nose tackle is aligned straight over the center. When his offensive counterpart darts one direction, he reads his move and acts accordingly.

In his new-old responsibilities, quickness at the snap and attacking the assigned gap are paramount.

"He had to get back to that, of really striking," said Bill Johnson, one of two Broncos defensive line coaches.

Robertson's slow start might be tied to the caution taken with his left knee, which has been worn down to a nearly bone-on-bone condition since a college injury.

When Robertson arrived in Denver, the Broncos, wanting to ensure he could last the long haul, eased him into workouts.

Also recovering from wrist surgery, Robertson participated sparingly in minicamps and preseason games. And when the regular season began, he was somewhat rusty, especially in terms of playing his proper stance and with timing.

"And you have to be technically sound," Johnson said. "It's like a golfer, a hitter in baseball, a free-throw shooter. There's some technique to it. And he's gotten better as the year's gone on."

Since the bye week, Robertson has played with "a much stronger base," Johnson said. "He's become a much stronger player."

His presence is felt

While playing exclusively on first and second downs as part of the Broncos' eight-man, game-day rotation along the front four, Robertson has brought a quiet, lunch-pail presence.

"He's kind of showed me the ropes," said fellow defensive tackle Marcus Thomas, who pairs with Robertson extensively in the base defense. "And he's one of those guys in the film room, he knows what's going on. He's a real student of the game, and he's helped me with that."

The situational role has served not only to keep Robertson fresh but produced other big-picture consequences. The Jets will receive nothing in terms of draft-pick compensation for Robertson if he plays less than 65 percent of the snaps this season. He is playing considerably less and isn't expected to approach that threshold by season's end.

The one game Robertson missed was because of a knee problem, though not for his chronic condition.

"I've been all right," he said when asked how he has held up. "The issue that everybody makes a big deal about really hasn't bothered me at all. I've had other nicks and knacks, but healthwise I'm good. I feel like I'm getting stronger."

What Robertson isn't getting is emotional about his Jets reunion.

"Not at all, man - another game," he said.

Winds of change

The Jets moved up in the 2003 draft to pick Robertson fourth overall, and he would play three seasons for Herm Edwards. But Eric Mangini took over as coach in 2006, and things changed.

Robertson suspected after the 2007 season his days in New York were numbered, especially considering he was due a $3 million bonus in June.

"I kind of got the feeling something was about to happen - either something really good or really bad," said Robertson, whose deal has been reworked through 2013 by the Broncos.

Now, Robertson describes his experience with the Jets as mostly positive. He finished with 319 tackles (188 solo) and 14 1/2 sacks in his five seasons there.

"New York was cool. I have no beef with New York," he said.

His adjustment to Denver, the locale, has been easier than the one on the field.

"Football's football, no matter where you're at - city, whatever," he said. "I've just tried to come in here and do what I'm asked to do."

Robertson is playing at his preferred weight of about 308 pounds. And, though his statistics don't jump off the page - he has made 30 tackles to date - Johnson is seeing "hidden production," such as Robertson disrupting blocking schemes and playing strong on his blocks.

Twenty of Robertson's tackles have come in the past five games.

"The simple matter of the story is it's a guy who's getting a feel for where we're at and what're doing," Johnson said. "And he's starting to contribute a little better in his role and for what he's doing."

ETC.: The Broncos waived safety Roderick Rogers on Tuesday, clearing the roster spot needed to sign veteran fullback Andrew Pinnock. As of the close of the business day at the NFL office in New York, the Broncos had not reported Pinnock's signing, but he was scheduled to receive a physical to check his surgically repaired knee. It was the second physical the Broncos had given Pinnock in recent weeks; they also worked him out earlier this month. He underwent microfracture surgery in February and was released by San Diego at the end of training camp. Rogers made his first career start in Sunday's 31-10 loss to the Raiders. . . . The Broncos reported no formal workouts to the league Tuesday.

Staff writer Jeff Legwold contributed to this report.

Comments

  • November 26, 2008

    4:49 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MATTP1 writes:

    .BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ,put on some pressure if we let Brett have time he will crave us up.The offense has to put up alot of points,like first of the year.Play a mistake free game,no dropped passes or turnovers.I really believe the Jets are over looking this game.They are talking about the subway superbowl in the NY TIMES.If we play a smart game with fire and heart we can beat the Bretts.Remember they to lost to the lowly Raiders.After there big win over the Titans they will have a let down.Lets get a W they are not unbeatable.Go Broncs

  • November 26, 2008

    7:30 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    ssc writes:

    thanks for the article lee. drob and mthomas have been solid in the middle, particularly against the rush. they are clearly not passrushers, but that's ok (hard to find DTs that can be both). i do think the broncs need to play more size on the ends on non-obvious-passing downs, which means getting dumervil out of there and into a passrushing specialist mode.

  • November 26, 2008

    7:32 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    The_KIMN_Chicken writes:

    To be honest the guy is completely invisible out there, I can't remember him even making a tackle.

  • November 26, 2008

    8:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    GangGreen writes:

    Wait a minute, who absolutely got dismantled last week by the lowly Raiders? Broncos. Jets didn't play well in Oakland, but lost on 57yd OT FG. Jets averaging 160yds rushing/game last 6 weeks, and as veteran of watching DRob for 5 seasons, should be more of the same this week. Agreed Jets aren't unbeatable, but road wins at Buffalo, NE, and Titans along with 47-3 beatdown of Rams at home last 4 weeks have them on a roll. NFL is all about getting on a roll, and hopefully, Jets roll continues for awhile. J...E...T...S...JETS!...JETS!...JETS!

  • November 26, 2008

    8:53 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    BroncoRick69 writes:

    Most DT's are invisible, KIMN Chicken, you old fart.

  • November 26, 2008

    9:03 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MRBONG writes:

    blitz brett farve ? for real ? something tells me after 17 years and every record in the book he can probally pick up the blitz, i say make farve beat you with his legs, hes prone to throwing interceptions over the years, drop everybody back into coverage we need to run the ball and hold onto it , its seems like the pitch play behind clady works everytime and we run it 2 or 3 times a game? what happend to the short passing game, quick slants? its like are whole playbook that won us 2 superbowls is gone,we dont throw to the tightends enough, against the raiders we threw long ball after long ball, i thought we brought shanny in here to run the 49ers west coast offense we dont do that anymore, we dont do any of the little things we used to do, weve lost 3 stright home games i cant remember losing 3 stright at home ever, cutler needs to stop overthrowing the ball everything is to high ,and jay youre arm isnt even half of what elways arm was when he was youre age you dont extend youre arm like he did, and youre a crybaby on top of all that just shutup and stop crying after every play, this is the way i see it the coaches are washed up and the players are a bunch of poor me crybabys, and believe me there is no bigger bronco fan then me 1 playoff win in 10 years thats not o.k, every year we get worse ,time for a change, TIME FOR A CHANGE

  • November 26, 2008

    9:33 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    cdmdenver writes:

    CAN SHANAHAN!

  • November 26, 2008

    10:33 a.m.

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    SE7EN writes:

    MRBONG, I don't disagree that things need to change, but I do believe in the players we have, especially on offense. The problem we have here is a lack of maturity on this team as most of this offense is so young. They'll get better, and will be a force in a couple of years.

    I understand Bronco fans are getting impatient, but let's not forget that this team is rebuilding, is young, is growing, is suffering from some big injuries to key players. Give them some time. If anythign needs to change, it is the D-line coach. The D-line coach has failed to produce a pro-bowl d-linemen since he got there in 2002. He has developed no one. Instead of firing another D-coordinator, lets get rid of that line coach. I've seen no improvement on the d-line since Pryce left. Dumervil is good, but no one else has impressed me at all on that line. No wonder we're getting killed in the secondary.

  • November 26, 2008

    10:59 a.m.

    cutlerscannon13 writes:

    (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

  • November 26, 2008

    11:14 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    JMH writes:

    You guys may want to do something else than watch this game... the J-E-T-S are gonna smoke the Donkeys!

    The Jets just piled up almost 200 yards rushing against the best rushing defense in the NFL last week, what do you think they are gonna do to that powder-puff rushing defense of the Broncos?

    It's not Brett Farve you need to worry about (unless it's close at the end) it's the AFC's leading rusher - Thomas Jones, the most dangerous player in the NFL in Leon washington and the #4 defense in the NFL led by the probable Defensive MVP - Kris Jenkins... Just too many weapons and they are hungry!

  • November 26, 2008

    11:42 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    MRBONG writes:

    cutlerscannon13 im above name calling /i havent missed a bronco game in 28 years , i know the truth must hurt saying youre name is that of youre hero jay <crys like a baby>cutler, but as much as you dont want to admit it everything i said was a matter of fact /and to se7en, yes we have injurys to players that were on a horrible defense before they got hurt ,the defense is better without those guys ,and a new dline coach wont solve the problem ,we need someone who knows who draft on defense, cause we have what 2 good players on defense .maybe ? how many coaches has shanny run out of town that hate his guts? i repeat , 1 playoff win since elway left 1!!!!

  • November 26, 2008

    11:59 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    jefferson3 writes:

    Makes you wish we had Matt Ryan. Now THERE'S a QB!

  • November 26, 2008

    12:38 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Colorado69 writes:

    As usual, too much ego and too little football knowledge from the posters. Didn't the "powder-puff" defense beat Atlanta at their house with Ryan playing? The Jets are anything but unbeatable. It is amazing how the egos explode when your team finally wins after a decade of being bottom feeders. I guess it takes time to learn to win gracefully and appreciate how hard it is to stay at the top.

  • November 26, 2008

    1:40 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Colorado69, straight up. JMH is an obvious Jets fan who thinks the Jets are indestructible? NE beat them. SD blew them out. They lost to Oakland. Yeah, they have too many weapons....... Give it a rest JMH. They are NOT indestructible. Every team has their good days and their bad days. Ask Atlanta. Ask Denver or the Jets when they played Oakland? Denver plays better when their back is against the wall and something tells me the Jets are looking ahead of Denver. Remember the term "On any given Sunday". Keep that in mind when your Jets take an L in the game.

  • November 26, 2008

    2:04 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tom3565 writes:

    It is kind of funny how some of the bloggers are never here when the Broncos win, but show up when it is time to whine. You don't like Cutler fine, but I am willing to bet Jay will be here as long as he wants , and I hope it will be a long time. Elway was the man but he is long gone, so drop it please, John made some bad passes and choices over his years or have you forgotten. Matt Ryan is a very good Qb, but he couldn't beat the team you all love to beat up on, so what did I miss! Some of these bloggers get their knowledge from film rooms and previous experience both on and off the field. Some gather experience from watching and listening to writers or coming online to express their own views, and others can think to themselves about how little some people really know! Gotta love freedom!!

  • November 26, 2008

    2:52 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    tom3565, so true. Those are the "bandwagon" fans. Me, I'm here regardless, win or lose. Being retired, I have more time on my hands so I come to the Denver blog more often. I see the whiners everyday. When a person expresses themselves about their team in a positive constructive way, it's great. For those who choose to write in, simply to cry and complain with nothing to offer to the table, waste their time and ours. Many write in screaming for Shanahans head and Cutlers head and Marshalls head, etc.. That's not an answer. That's the rant of a spoiled child, who thinks the team should be as perfect as they are. Yeah, right, gimme a break. These aren't fans, they are whiners who probably have a miserable life at home, as well. They carry their negativity around with them on a day to day basis. I've met the type. They aren't happy about ANYTHING. NOTHING. They exist, solely to complain. Me, I enjoy watching the game. Even if Denver loses, I still manage to have a good time, because I love football as a whole. Losses are a part of the game. Instead of whining over it and getting ulcers, I say "oh well, what can they do to fix it?" Not, "Fire Shanahan." That's a cop out and weak. When Shanahan was winning SB's, these were the same people who praised him. Those who say Cutler's a bust are just plain and simply ignorant. They wouldn't know talent if it walked up and bit them. Be a fan or go join the Raiders Nation. We don't need bandwagon fans here.

  • November 26, 2008

    3:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CGreen writes:

    So...D-Dave, tell me, did you love Nixon in the '70's? Think he was great? Did you drive around with a "America: Love it or Leave" bumper sticker on you truck? You think anyone who protesested the war and Nixon then was a "commie coward"?

    --1 playoff win in 10 years-- speaks for itself, and this years embarrassing team. Get Real.

    Let's say the Bronco's go 7-9, default into the playoffs and lose 51-3, would you call that a successful season?

    I love the Bronco's and would like to see them competitive again, and I believe for that to happen we need a new coach. Shanahan is not the answer.

  • November 26, 2008

    3:59 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tom3565 writes:

    So Green what is the answer, If you have an idea I am all ears. How many Detriot fans would love to have such an embarassing team that is leading their division, and has a chance to go to the playoff's. Making the playoff's and being 9 and 7 instead of heading to the locker room for the year hoping not to finish the perfect season the wrong way. Have you looked at the standings through out the NFL this year, how many teams are in the same boat the Bronco's are. Saints ( Saint fans in previous years ) and Lions fans who wished their team had that bad of a season, teams wishing they got to the superbowl and maybe not winning but getting where thirty other teams can only dream about. Losing to the Raiders has never been tolerable in any situation but we have lost the focus on what is still available. Place these thoughts into your head and answer these guestions: What if the Giants fired Coughlin before the superbowl last year, what if the Titans fired Fisher before this year, or how about Tony Dungy in Tampa Bay, do you think Gruden did all that? Team sports are a complex and often have failures before they have lots of sucess, sometimes even in the same season. Oh and the love it or leave it part, maybe it should be love it or appreciate the fact that this is the only place where you can have an opposing view but not have to worry about having to leave it, because no one wants to leave in the first place simply because there is no place better Go Broncos

  • November 26, 2008

    4:11 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    CGreen, beep, wrong, but thank you for playing. Yes, even if they get blown out in the playoffs, it's people like yourself, who are way off base if you can call Denver "embarrassing"? I recall we are still in 1st place? Man, sooo embarrassing. Oh, by the way, since you brought it up, I served in the military, 10th Special Forces Group, Airborne, and fought in Kuwait and Africa, so don't try to hit me with your radical "political views". What you felt or did in the 70's is your crux to bare, not mine. Don't pretend to have me "figured out", or labeled. Besides, it has nothing to do with the Denver article? You're reaching for straws. Now, other then that, hey, I'm glad you like the Broncos, but screaming for Shanahans head is meaningless because you don't bring another coach to the table? Even if they did, are you prepared to watch this team go to the cellar while the new coach changes the offense, defense, ST's? The players would have to learn a whole new system. It would take at least 2 years to even get them on the same page and even then, that's no guarantee that they will be any better. I repeat, we're in 1st place and that is a feat, in itself. As young as this team is, and with all the patchwork done, because of injuries, it is quite an accomplishment that Mike has done. We may not have the best record in the NFL, but we ARE IN 1ST with a 2 GAME LEAD, and as far as I'm concerned, that IS competitive. As far as the playoffs, everyone starts out 0-0. Also, if we get blown out, so be it. If you can't stand to watch them play, then don't watch it. I would rather see them go and get a bit of playoff experience. Will they win or lose, I have no idea? BUT, I also know that you don't have a crystal ball, either, so why not just sit back, pop open a beer, watch them play and enjoy the game? If they lose, they lose. Doesn't make us any less a fan. When the Raiders fans or Chargers or Chiefs fans, tease us, down the road about the hypothetical "blowout loss", we can look them in the eye and say "At least our team got to the playoffs. Where was your team at?"

  • November 26, 2008

    4:16 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CGreen writes:

    Tom, its been 10 YEARS of Shanahan since the glory days. He is the sole architect of this team. This current team is what he has produced in that time.

    I believe Shanahan could "coach" a solid team, but not build one. He's proven that. If he would relinquish his "dictatorship" and just coach, I would be fine with that, but its not going to happen.

    Using the 0-10 Lions to prop your argument is kinda pathetic.

    The Falcons, Dolphins, Saints and others have rebuilt to respectability in a few years time, we haven't

    Are you saying Shanahan is doing a good job, just give him more time? How do you justify 1 playoff win in 10 years? Is there another coach with his longevity and this poor of a result?

    GO BRONCO'S

  • November 26, 2008

    4:17 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    tom3565, thanks. Took the words right out of my mouth. We seem to have similar thoughts as to the direction that the Broncos are heading. Personally, I'm excited about this young team.

  • November 26, 2008

    4:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tom3565 writes:

    Green: Last thought I promise, then I will shutup! How about the simple fact that by the Broncos winning the division means that the Chargers don't get to go to the playoffs after all the know it alls and Charger fans and players claimed they would be in the next superbowl and win. Maybe it is the opportunity to beat the Norvs and once a for all and end the you only beat us because of a bad call not because our great defense couldn't keep you out of the end zone twice on the same play. Maybe it's those horrific games that were played against them while they lead the division over the last few years. If only perfect teams make it to the playoffs, then maybe we should quit now, except for the fact I would rather lose trying than, be a loser who quits.

  • November 26, 2008

    4:26 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CGreen writes:

    D-Dave....uh, never mind, enjoy the game......

  • November 26, 2008

    4:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    CGreen, you know I will. Same to you and have a good Thanksgiving. Same to everyone else out in Broncos land! Happy Thanksgiving!

  • November 26, 2008

    4:34 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    CGreen writes:

    Tom, I do agree with your comment.

    But, if the Bronco's were 1-15 this year and still made the playoff's because the others in the division were 0-16...it just doesn't seem to much of a accomplishment.

    Cheers~~ I'm outa here for today.

  • November 26, 2008

    4:51 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    tom3565 writes:

    Are you really telling me that we got rid of Dan Reeves or Wade Phillips to early, that if we would have waited that those two Superbowl trophies would still been there. Considering that the coach you don't like beat former coach Dan Reeves in the Superbowl for that other trophy. I do get what you are saying , but to change for no other reason to change with out having a direction or plan of something better can lead to a bigger disaster that may take longer yet to fix. Lets address the draft would you say that the Broncos have done a lot better on draft day this year. What is the one factor missing in this equation, hint Sundquist, you ever wonder if he was such a genius that other teams would cut who they had to get him, he is doing reviews on profootballtalk. If you are talking respectibility as far as from main stream sport reporting, that will never happen, they have never given any credit to any team that resides west of the Mississippi river. I am not delusional that Shanahan is the only one to take us to the promiseland, but I look at it this way, if I go into the desert to look for bin ladin with a gun and a six pack of beer, I might find what I am looking for but the result might not be what I want!

  • November 26, 2008

    4:58 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    MATTP1 writes:

    cgreen i believe we beat the Falcons and the Saints,so what gives.I live in Nashville and the Titan fans have been down so long they still cant trust there team.When i go out with my Cutler jersey on everyone stops me and says man i wish we had him.People who know Fisher say he wanted Cutler bad but Bud Adams wanted the Texas kid.Even though i live 1000 miles away i still bleed blue and orange.A true fan sticks with his team.I think the Broncos are rebuilding,Larson /Woodyard/winborn/hillis/Clady/Royal /Marshall/Harris/Scheffler/ and Cutler.We will be a force for a long time.Go Broncs

  • November 26, 2008

    6:32 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    bronco34 writes:

    why do jets fans even read about the broncs anyway....the broncs are going to win with champ is back and take some pressure off of bly and young group....also pinnock is going to knock some heads around

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