More on Ryan Harris / More on the '08 Defensive System

Ryan Harris

There's been a lot of talk about Harris at MHR.  He's the OT that we took 3rd in the draft that hasn't played for us.

After back surgery last year (and missing the season) I was reading great things about Harris.  I thought he was a shoo in to return to the team and be a starter.  But at the end of last year I realized things had changed.  Clady was brought in to play LT (the position that Harris would have had), and Kuper (an OG) was announced as the projected starter at RT.  Pears (who has started both sides) is a strong favorite to back up at OT.  So where does this leave Harris?

Some folks, like me, think it looks like Harris missed his window.  He looked good, but now he's behind the curve.  Others still think that we can't possibly move beyond a third roud pick.

Here's the latest I've read.  (From The Sporting News)

It's a big off-season for OT Ryan Harris, a third-round pick in 2007. Once projected to be a potential left-side starter, Harris has now been supplanted by top-draftee Ryan Clady. Harris not only is serving as Clady's backup, but is also getting a chance at right tackle, a position that is currently held by Chris Kuper but is essentially open. Harris is extremely smart and athletic but he's in danger of being typecast as a backup. Harris has the quickness and feet to succeed but his biggest obstacle has been his health. He had back surgery at Notre Dame and again last summer. He's participated only briefly outside of special teams. At 300 pounds, he may not have the bulk necessary to handle strong-side run-blocking duties. Training camp will be a proving ground.

Typical TSN reporting.  Nothing new, nothing newsworthy, but still thought and discussion provoking none the less.

The new defensive system

I have written that I expect the Broncos to move to the "Show Blitz" system on defense.  Further proof (again, from TSN) is found here:

The Broncos move away from Jim Bates' system to the one espoused by new defensive boss Bob Slowik is evidenced by the physical transformation by DT Alvin McKinley. In order to handle the demands necessary in Bates' scheme, McKinley was at 310 pounds in 2007 which called for massive interior players to keep blockers off the middle linebacker. Slowik's scheme will include a more aggressive, penetrating front. McKinley has tapered down 20 pounds for the challenges presented by more stunts and twists. McKinley is a high effort player and one of the team's veteran leaders on the defensive line. While Dewayne Robertson, health permitting, will be one of the starters at defensive tackle, McKinley will have to hold off Marcus Thomas in order to run with the starters. Regardless, McKinley figures to be part of an extensive rotation but he'll likely be replaced on obvious passing downs.

It looks like Denver is moving towards a more 1 gap leaning system that has a heavy rotation.  It's ironic that our run defense may be predicated on moving away from using calssic run stopping DT schemes and going back to a more pass defense oriented system.  But Denver tried the big, 2 gap types of DTs in '07 and it was a disaster trying to stop the run.  By moving to what Denver knows best (simpler and lighter one gap plugging), Denver will probably have better success by not  focusing on the run.  Odd, but sound.