and nice job with the eval. Pretty much sums up my own issues, but I did feel it was a good move anyway. There weren’t many other good choices in free agency. IF he stays healthy, I think the chemistry he and his brother together will bring to the team will be very motivating.

While we do have adequate back-ups (and just adequeate, nothing stellar at this point), I’d say this is the weakest of the LB positions. I know Boss wanted to play on more pass plays, but he may find himself sitting out a lot in nickel and dimes, if just to save on some wear and tear.

Theres nothing that I can say about his injury history that wouldn’t pose the “if” questions. But relying on him staying healthy and playing SAM, I believe there is some reason for positive expectations; Especially against the run.

Little Brother will be playing right in front of Champ. Boss won’t be watching him, but Champ will have an eye on his brother when the ball comes to the strong side. The last thing Boss wants to do is miss a tackle and have big brother have to make the play behind him. I imagine that Champ will ride him hard if it gets habitual.

I expect Boss’ play and run coverage to be better than his play in Detroit. Good news for the Broncos. I like the intangibles.

I hadn’t realized the frequency or extent of Boss’ past injuries and, honestly, I’m not very comfortable with it. However, I mantain that the system and defensive philosophy last year was the root of the defensive debacle that we witnessed last year. I don’t think last year was a particularly good indication any of the linebackers skills and I’d be okay with Webster playing another season if necessary (although I’m certainly am not hoping for that). Nevertheless, let’s hope Bailey’s injury problems are behind him.

put my faith in Bailey having more durability on his knees on the soft grass of Mile High Stadium instead of the knee injury producing field in Detroit. I have no choice but to cross my fingers and hope for the best.

...he has to be. ;)

I mentioned our improvements in looking to next years draft/free agency last post. If Boss projects as Will, and you made that point very well, we’ve got more depth at Will than I can recall. It would be danged nice to fill Sam, tho.

Ah well, O’Brien’s law still rules…:)

As far as Gold went last year, I think Sauerbrun exhibited better tackling technique. At least he seemed less afraid to “try” to make a play.

This just in…......Ian Gold signs $65 million/ ten-year deal with the Oakland Raiders.

First, nice job.

From my point of view, as long as Boss doesn’t go the IR, I will be ok. If he gives of 12 solid games and two half games, that will be alright with me. Winborn can fill in a couple of games and step in a few 4th quarters.

K2 is big enough a question mark (given that he has never started at MLB) that I can’t really get too worried about the SAM backer missing a few games.

Just knock on wood and pray to whatever you believe in that he doesn’t go to the IR on game 3.

for raising our awareness of Boss’ injury history. Concern is the right word.

Are you concerned about Nalen? Has had more leg/knee surgeries than Bailey? Maybe playing on turf has something to do with the injuries. Grass has more give. I always look at where a player played and what surface he played on before I make that leap. Football is a violent sport. But to be concerned right now is a stretch IMO. You could be right and I could be wrong

Boss has the potential to be an injury problem, but I’m hoping that is offset by moving from artificial turf to grass. There’s just no way to know for sure. A new team may be energizing too.

I’m thinking that Boss had some good experience in the Cover Two system playing zones against receivers (both TEs as well as receivers). Though it wasn’t man coverage like he’ll use in Denver, it was still good practice. He has the speed to cover strong side sweeps (runs) and the ability to handle runs up the gut (most of which are to the right of the center). So the only real question is TE coverage in man. At worst I think he will be solid against the run, and slightly above average in pass.

I agree that our back-up situation is edgy. I really like Webster to back up K2 in the middle (he is suited for MLB), but he might hold his own at SAM. He showed improvement last year, even while playing out of his natural position. Still, I would rather he replace Beck as MLB back-up.

Larsen might be a surprise back-up at SAM. Even though he was an ILB, he should have had coverage skills in that role, and enough toughness to shed blockers for run stopping. Winborn needs to back-up at WILL, so he’s out for sure.

i’m a lot less concerned about injuries this season as in season’s past. we have excellent depth to compensate for this, but let’s admit it, injury concerns are all over the roster. fa’s, draft picks, returning players, all injury concerns. i will spare you the list, since everyone seems to be well-versed in the medical conditions of our players. it will not surprise me if we lose 6 players this year to injury. it happens. while shanny has taken some risks on this front, he also has provided a plan b. i think the backups are going to get more playing time than normal, and the starters may even vary somewhat based on the opponent, another option with talented reserves. we’ll deal with all of this pretty well. i see an attitude with this team, developed last season, that they will not be shy about inserting players, and those players holding up their end. this is what a team is, and we should be able to field a very competitive team every week, regardless of injuries. mentally, and physically, we are better suited for lady luck’s wrath. this is the foundation of championship teams, in my opinion, and i expect this team to play hard and play well, whomever is lining up