Defensive Tackle: Strong? Maybe. Deep? Definitely.
by unkown on Jun 12, 2008 12:13 AM MDT
16 comments
Defensive tackle has been a position of concern since the beginning of last season, but is it actually in better shape than we fear? The maturation of Marcus Thomas and the acquisition of Dewayne Robertson provide sparks for hope that the DT play will actually be good this season. That said, what does the picture look behind the two probable starters?
Steven Harris, part of the same defensive line as Marcus Thomas and Jarvis Moss at Florida, isn't a rookie anymore and made some contributions at the end of last season after being signed to the active roster from the practice squad.
Carlton Powell, drafted in the 5th round, was dominant in Division I-A, holding opponents to -13 yards on 106 attempts, on running plays directed at him. He also has a degree in Human Nutrition.
Josh Mallard via www.denverbroncos.com
A Mallard Duck via fohn.net
Josh Mallard, having some seriously spooky eyes and the name of a duck, came on strong at the end of the season. Despite playing in only 8 games with no starts, he recorded 20 tackles (15 solo) and 3.5 sacks. In the season finale against Minnesota, he had 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In the previous game against San Diego, he had 3 solo tackles and put Philip Creeks on his butt on a 3rd down to force a punt.
Alvin McKinley, anchoring the DL in 2007 (like a fencepost in a tornado), scored modest stats, but played in 15 games, starting 10.
The Scrooge (watch out for those guns) via www.denverbroncos.com
Wait, but thats not all, there is a wild card at Defensive Tackle. His name is Double E, a.k.a. The Scrooge, a.k.a. Ebenezer Ekuban. 2007 was his Achilles Heel, but in 2006, he started 15 games and recorded 78 tackles (61 solo) and 7 sacks. Now that he is recovered from his Achilles injury, he is getting time at Tackle as well as End. He had this to say about playing Tackle: "I like it." Not one to leave it at that, he elaborated by saying:
"I got my feet wet in there two years ago. It's different, you've got to be a lot quicker off the ball, you don't have a lot of time to react -- everything happens right now."
"I can play both (end and tackle) and I hope that's what I can provide for this defense. Be a versatile guy so when someone goes down, I can step in and we won't lose a beat."
There you have it, a Duck, a Scrooge, hope, depth, and some really scary eyes. I'm feeling pretty good about the Defensive Tackle position for 2008. Maybe it's not going to send anybody to the Pro Bowl, but I don't think it's going to be the weakest link this season either, even if a couple guys go down.
*All stats, pictures, and quotes courtesy of DenverBroncos.com
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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... And i thought i looked stupid on pictures!
Remember: New England won 18 last year; Oakland's won 19 in a half-decade
/The great Dane - formerly known as Claaaaas!
by Claus Vestergaard on Jun 12, 2008 3:00 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My vote
...would be for something like, “Has potential to be great, but has potential to be awful”.
I don’t count Ekuban. He will rotate in for some situations, but that’s limited.
We have a few guys (as pointed out) that have a lot of potential. Several players are in the midst of growing their skills (Thomas, for example). But in my opinion, we really need to have at least one dominant DT who can free up the other three DLmen, and I don’t know who that is yet. If one takes only two players out of the equation (rookie Powell and FA DRob) we have the same guys as last year. Both newcomers are still question marks.
I think this DT group could go dramaticaly either way. I’ll be content if they are just “good” (given our strengths elsewhere). I have no idea where this group is, and haven’t heard anything from camp yet.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Jun 12, 2008 3:16 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
No news is probably bad news...
This time of year anyway. It seems teams do everything they can to send out good vibes – if they only have bad news, they shut up!
Remember: New England won 18 last year; Oakland's won 19 in a half-decade
/The great Dane - formerly known as Claaaaas!
by Claus Vestergaard on Jun 12, 2008 3:30 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Quick Question!
Is you pic a cd cover for a King Crimson album?
by Denver_Native on Jun 12, 2008 8:54 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Ekuban has guns
that give Pittman a run for the money. Wow
HT, far be it from me to question the Duke of D, but I am curious: Even though you don’t feel that Ekuban will have an impact other than rotation, do you think that his leadership could matter here? We lacked that last year and the good and the back of our D line is youth. With the Norman Bates Experiment crashing around their ears, our young guys seemed tentative – confused about scheme, probably, but possibly also lacking confidence?
Injuries will always happen and time will tell on that, but I think that you would have to say, “If one takes DRob, Powell (1st year anyway), Moss (lost to injury after a good start) and Ekuban (lost 1st day of camp) out of the equation we have the same guys as last year).” But that’s nearly 1/2 the D line, yes?
Last, at 6’2 259 lbs. is Mallard physically a better suit for DE? You talked about that once, but I’ve lost the link.
Please enlighten me, wise one :). Thanks
O'Brien's Law states that Murphy was an optimist.
by Emmett Smith on Jun 12, 2008 10:09 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff Doc!
I think Ek will have a lot of impact. In fact, I think he will be the starter in a rotational set at the left DE spot. I just don’t like the idea of taking our best run stuffer and putting him at DT (which is what the article mentioned) when he does so well on the strong side (where so many runs go). Also worth noting is that (despite his run stuffing credentials) he gets in his share of QB hurries and sacks too. I also think his leadership is key.
I think that folks might think I’m putting down a player because I advocate a player be in a rotation. I think rotation is a good move on almost any D-Line. So while I think that Ek won’t play much DT (nor should he), I’m only not counting him because the discussion was about DT.
Here is what I wrote about Mallard on June 4th in a comment:
Mallard is a tough call for me, and I didn’t focus on him much last year. I’m interested in seeing what role he fills. He seemed to be brought in as a DT, but he seems like a better fit for strong side DE to me. Again, I didn’t focus enough on him to have a strong opinion, so my mind could be changed.
I still don’t know much about him. He played DE in college, and was brought in at DT for Denver (probably as a one gap DT).
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Jun 12, 2008 1:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Ekuban at DE
However, if the DT position turns out to be the weak link again like it was last year, my point was that we have another option, which is having Ekuban help out there. The depth at DE is so great that I expect the rotation could afford it. My hope is that Ekuban isn’t needed at DT, but if it comes down to it, I’m comforted knowing he is an option.
by unkown on Jun 12, 2008 1:15 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hear you.
But consider this. Do you want to take our best player at L-DE (where he does a lot of good), and fill him in at DT where he does some good (it’s not his best position)? In other words, further weaken the line to try and shore up a different position? I’d rather stay solid at DE, and try to get guys to fill in at DT as best we can from our DT depth, or go FA if we have to.
Frankly, if the DT plays so poorly that we have to entertain the notion of moving DEs to cover (as we did last year), we are in too much trouble for it to matter anyway. Just my opinion.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Jun 12, 2008 1:28 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I do understand
that you’re talking abou the DT’s so Moss doesn’t entirely fit, and Ek is in rotation wherever, but substitute Harris for Moss. He’s now in his 2nd year but didn’t join the team until Nov/December and again, we have youth and someone we didn’t have most of last year fighting a lack of cohesion and leadership. Perhaps?
O'Brien's Law states that Murphy was an optimist.
by Emmett Smith on Jun 12, 2008 10:15 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I still believe in Mr. Scrooge
Eck has done nothing but successfully stop the run every year he was in Denver. On top of that, he’s managed some prettydecent sack numbers in his time here.
I’m not going to be so quick to write him off HT (although you’re much more qualified to make this evaluation than I). He always exhibits a high motor and positive attitude and does his job effectively.
But I hope our DL is good enough this season that he gets relegated to a back-up role. I’m surprised that Steve Harris is still on the team.
Bill Williamson is a gelatinous tub of goo. Al Davis eats his own poop.
by kwool79 on Jun 12, 2008 11:50 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm in no way writing off Ek!
The article is about DT. I’m very, very high on Ek at DE. I don’t want him used over at DT. Let’s not water down our DEs to fill in for the DTs. Let’s expect the DTs to do their job, and let Ek anchor the left side of the line where he is king.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Jun 12, 2008 1:08 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
dude
Mallard looks like he is about to really hurt someone. Man, thats what I want to see from our defense
by broncfanstuckinsd on Jun 12, 2008 12:16 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Mallards.
Despite the crazy eyes on Josh, I find the duck oddly more menacing…
Please check out my blog at http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/ , now redesigned and recommited!
by ejruiz on Jun 12, 2008 5:04 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree.
That is one scary bird! I’m starting to wonder if I was molested as a child by some kind of water fowl! That bird just looks like it’s coming at you saying, “Give me a piece of bread, or I’m going to [unmentionable]”!
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Jun 12, 2008 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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