Larsen back to FB for Chiefs game. No word on who starts at MLB.
Hi All,
In Shanny's presser today, he confirmed that Spencer Larsen is moving back to FB for the Chiefs game.
I, for one, am pretty bummed on this news. I feel he is our best option at MLB, and has been playing better every week. Here's a scenario that will/could happen which could leave Larsen as just a special teamer:
- The Broncos have signed Andrew Pinnock. I am pretty happy about this. He is a great blocking FB that will plow the way for Hillis and Young. He also has some pretty good hands and is a good option as a change up in short yardage situations. From Shanny's presser today I dont think Pinnock will be ready to go this week.
- Either Hagans of Webster comes in at MLB. I am hoping for Hagans. I dont like Webster as a MLB and feel he would be an AWESOMEST leader and captain, but is only our 4th best option at MLB. It is rare that Shanny would move them out for Larsen when we play next. This relegates Larsen to back up LB again.
- Pinnock will probably come in our game after Kansas, relegating Larsen to back up FB.
The end result to all this that Larsen becomes a ST only player.
I doubt that Shanny will play him both ways again with Webster and Hagans fit. My only hope is that he is still int the rotation a little this weekend at MLB. I would hate foir him to have no role in defense. He, along with Woodyard and Winborn (as well as a change back to the 4-3 scheme) have really elevated our defense.
I also wonder what we will do with WW too?
Anyway, would love to know what the knowledgable crew here at MHR see it all shaking out.
Thanks!
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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yeah...that's a bummer.
especially since much of Hillis’ success last week came from singleback formations…don’t know why we’d change that. Anyway, I don’t think you can ever read too much into what Shanny says until Sunday comes.
GO BRONCOS!!!
by UnarmingMermaid on
Dec 3, 2008 6:00 PM MST
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Oh, lovely.
Good to see that Nate Webster will, in all likelihood, be back to his starting MLB role. I hope we at least keep Haggan ahead of him. He had a few nice series against the Bretts last week.
There is one positive about this, however: We get to keep up the Nate Helmet Count again!! What are we on for the season? 3?
If Mike Shanahan were a hotdog, would you eat him? I know I would. Hell, I'd eat him twice.
by papigrande on
Dec 3, 2008 6:11 PM MST
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Yeah....
I will get behind all our players but bringing Nate Webster back is a BAD move!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 3, 2008 6:13 PM MST
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mmm...
i’ll put DJ at MLB with WW at the weak side and J. Winborn at the strong side…. that would give us a great LB corp!!!
What do you think ??
by BronColombia Fan on
Dec 3, 2008 6:15 PM MST
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We can't move DJ again.
Maybe Woody could play SAM and Haggan can stay at MIKE, with DJ returning to WILL. That’s my favorite scenario.
If Mike Shanahan were a hotdog, would you eat him? I know I would. Hell, I'd eat him twice.
by papigrande on
Dec 3, 2008 6:18 PM MST
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Won't happen, BCF
Fun thought, though. We promised DJ that he won’t be moved again, and unless he comes in and offers, they will keep him at Will.
He doesn’t know anything but 100 percent
- Shanahan on Larsen
by broncobear on
Dec 3, 2008 10:11 PM MST
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Disagree
DJ needs to stay at Will period. Webster, Haggan, etc can handle MLB. Give Webster a chance this week people…like I said before: I think he can play as good as Haggan or Larsen given the improved play of the line.
If he doesn’t play well, give Shanny the benefit of the doubt…he’s a darn good coach and will yank Webster if he isn’t playing well.
by sadaraine on
Dec 4, 2008 4:03 PM MST
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Yeah...
DJ makes more plays at weak side and plays naturally there. I would have Hagans at MLB (if Larsen cant be there) and and WW at strong side. Winborn would be my first to rotate in at ANY position
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 3, 2008 6:22 PM MST
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wow
i though larsen was doing pretty well. i guess we’re going back to d.j., webster, and winborn. i, too, would really like ww over winborn, even out of position. can’t comment on haggans much, not enough to go on. larsen blocking for hillis may not be such a bad thing, though, especially in a 2te set. powerball? the plot thickens
hear me, perpetrators of bread crime, your punishment is at hand.
taste my blintzkrieg!
by davecheffy on
Dec 3, 2008 6:39 PM MST
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Very funny Papi!!!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 3, 2008 7:42 PM MST
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That's kind of sad
I honestly believe that the kid can be an excellent MLB in this league, but Shanny is committed to him being a fullback. sigh. Ok, Shanny. You know offense as well as anyone in the game.
Interesting thing, though. You can also hear the Mastermind drool when he talks about Hillis – H-back! Fullback! Tailback! And a new-fangled kind of back no one has ever even thought of yet! You can about hear the gears grinding at light speed.
Get us another effective RB and I’ll think about it. Until then, I hope Cutler is right – he’s got the starting position, the offense is perfect for a runner like him and he’s not easily going to give up the baton. I hope he starts for the next 6 years.
He doesn’t know anything but 100 percent
- Shanahan on Larsen
by broncobear on
Dec 3, 2008 10:33 PM MST
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Hear Hear!
So so so true…I gotta say I love me some Hillis running the rock. :)
by sadaraine on
Dec 4, 2008 4:05 PM MST
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I am not getting the collective thinking of Shanny and Slowik on this....
Go check this link:
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_11132982
I think it is appalling that Woodyard gets shoved back in ST, and Larsen goes to FB. There is also an article in the Post saying that Webster is starting.
At least give a Hagans a look!
Hey rooks, thanks for saving our season on defense and as a thank you prize you ll get a T Shirt that says:
“We saved Denver’s D and all we got was this lousy T Shirt”.
Our LB corps should be DJ, Larsen and WW with Winborn rotating.
Bringing Bobble Head Webster back in is a STUPID decision. We all see it.
I agree Bear. Hillis is a great fit for this team at RB…he is killing it!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 4, 2008 6:43 AM MST
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You just gave me an idea boydy...
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by styg50 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:05 AM MST
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What do you think?


Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by styg50 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:34 AM MST
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lol
I meant to put #34, not #39: Bell not Fox…
I will say this about this season: I can’t remember th last time I spent this much time double checking numbers on rosters to see who is who, especially when a game first starts!
Concision in style, precision in thought, decision in life.
by styg50 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:39 AM MST
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I thought you were a much bigger Fox fan than me....
"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy
by TedBartlett905 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:40 AM MST
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Not that Fox is doing bad either!!!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:40 AM MST
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Love the T!
He doesn’t know anything but 100 percent
- Shanahan on Larsen
by broncobear on
Dec 4, 2008 11:15 PM MST
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THATS AWESOME.....
TOTALLY recommended my friend!
Love your style.
We need to get these made up some how…..thats a great T Shirt!!!!!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:40 AM MST
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Awesome Styg....
Hope it is a good one. You have me interested now!
Those that cant coach, compete!
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
by boydy2669 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:26 AM MST
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This gets to offensive personnel grouping....
The Chiefs run a primarily Tampa 2 scheme, and the best way to defeat that sort of defense is to run the ball right at them. Just as spreading out the Jets was the way to go, packing it in and playing power football against the Chiefs is wise.
"I am not one of those who think that coming in second or third is winning." -- Robert F. Kennedy
by TedBartlett905 on
Dec 4, 2008 8:39 AM MST
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Right on...
that makes sense. But I’m sure it also has to do with the play of Mario Haggen and Pinnock learning the system.
Haggen must have played really well in practice or Larsen fell out of the coaches favor, as the two of them alternated series in both the Oakland and NYJ games following Larsen’s solid game in in ATL. After watching the replay last night, it was clear Haggen had a great game and Larsen seemed to struggle a little bit.
With Nate coming back and Haggen playing well, our MLB depth is solid. Thus, Spenser is probably more valuable at FB this week while Pinnock learns the playbook. Going forward, I see Larsen contributing on ST and FB. His MLB reps this year will do him well in the future and I’m sure Mike will give him a look at next year’s training camp.
I’m a little disappointed that he didn’t win the job outright, giving us the “extra draft pick” that was discussed after the ATL game. I just hope it’s Haggen this week against KC. We know the DJ—Nate—Winborn combo was not very successful.
"Choose the sword, and you will join me. Choose the ball and you join your mother, in death. You don’t understand my words, but you must choose. So… come boy, choose life or death."
by ButteBronco on
Dec 4, 2008 8:59 AM MST
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He better ready...
One play is all it takes before someone gets hurt. I hate to say it. Stay fresh!
by precisiontint on
Dec 4, 2008 10:31 AM MST
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Maybe Shanahan is crediting some of the recent linebacker productivity
to the d-line improvement some have noticed. If Webster plays well that would tend to confirm that scenario. If not, Larsen or Haggan will be in there in his place. What we do know is that we have much better depth than we thought we had. I’m kind of surprised, though, that Koutouvides was moved to Will instead of Sam, since we are at present three deep at the former and one deep at the latter. Maybe it has somewthing to do with his skill set.
"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen
by spock on
Dec 4, 2008 4:02 PM MST
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Re: Larsen
Could be his hip. If he can’t move laterally effectively, they could be giving him a week at FB until he can and Pinnock is ready.
Hey, a guy can dream, can’t he?
He doesn’t know anything but 100 percent
- Shanahan on Larsen
by broncobear on
Dec 4, 2008 11:15 PM MST
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he is a rook.
and a year backing up and learning schemes while helping out on special teams is not going to hurt him.
by denver_diaspora on
Dec 5, 2008 8:58 AM MST
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