Webster is the man in the Middle
by TommyTSlice on Aug 25, 2008 7:49 PM MDT
32 comments
According to Denver Broncos.com Head coach Mike Shanahan has named middle linebacker Nate Webster as the teams starter. Nate was competing with the Job with Niko K2. I'm not really surprised from this because Nate has taken this oppurtunity and won the job. K2 i thought would come in as a different type of player but man i love it when Nates helmet fly off on almost every play lol...
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Hmmm.....
I’m still not sure which player I support for the position. I like Nate’s fire but he needs to learn that over pursuing is a bad thing. On the other hand Niko needs to learn that pursuit is a good thing, as he is sometimes slow in reacting to the play.
Perhaps of we rolled them into one linebacker we would have a great MLB.
To have striven, to have made the effort, to have been true to certain ideals - this alone is worth the struggle. - William Penn
Tom Arnold, of Fox Sports Net's Best Damn Sports Show Period, said this about Warren Sapp: "Hey, Warren, the Raiders signed you to a seven-year deal. I guess Bill Callahan was right --- they are the dumbest team in America."
by Philistine21 on Aug 25, 2008 8:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm not thrilled with either one.
I think that Webster gets an edge for being a vet, but he should have less excuses too. If Webster misses as many tackles in the regular season as he has done previously, Niko will get another chance sooner rather than later.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 25, 2008 8:23 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
we should just sign a guy waiting in the wings by the name of Al Wilson
The quest is the Highway to the Danger Zone-Kenny loggins
by TommyTSlice on Aug 25, 2008 8:35 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think there's a prayer.
Too much risk of injury. That’s why no one else will take him.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 25, 2008 8:53 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
HT Do we know the status of Al's neck injury?
Didn’t we have a safety that came back from a neck injury?
Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,
Broncos broncos everywhere think moldy faiders stink!
by Mike Clark on Aug 26, 2008 10:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes.
Lynch’s injury was related to a problem with bone spurs as I understand it. Williams’ injury risk (again, as a lay person understands it) is the risk of a fracture.
Lynch is considered playable with some risk. No team will even look at WIlliams.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 26, 2008 10:48 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Er, uhm, er...
(in my best Napoleon Dynamite voice), “YES! GAWD!”
Sorry about that! I meant Wilson. Thanks for the catch! : )
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 27, 2008 10:09 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Close call goes to the returning player,
who worked so hard during off season work outs, and who has more allegiance with other players.
But I agree with HT. Niko will play quickly if we have one game where a back runs the ball down our throats. And we play against a lot of good backs, so there could be more missed tackles (although I hope not) and thus more rotations with Niko.
by The Gun Young on Aug 25, 2008 10:05 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
ditto
Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,
Broncos broncos everywhere think moldy faiders stink!
by Mike Clark on Aug 26, 2008 9:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Failures...
Remember how excited we were about Niko? How about Colbert and/or Jackson? Man, once again it seems as though our efforts in the offseason to upgrade our roster have fallen short once again…
Here we go again: http://thefulldeck.blogspot.com/
by ejruiz on Aug 25, 2008 8:50 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
But think about al our moves we made.
Not everyone will pan out, so you’re being too critical. Here’s how I see our offseason:
Good signings:
Casey Weigmann
Marquand Manuel
Darrel Jackson
Marlon McCree
Nic Clemons
Dewayne Robertson
Boss Bailey
Bad Signings:
Samie Parker
Keary Colbert
Jury Still Out:
Niko Koutouvides
Michael Pittman
All our rookies
As you can see, there is a lot more good than bad in my eyes, and I think we’ve had a good offseason.
by papigrande on Aug 25, 2008 8:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I would put Boss and Jackson in the good
Boss is already injured and that was his problem in Detroit, never on the field long enough, I don’t know is Jackson even makes the team, I could see them holding on to him while Marshall is out and then cutting him.
As for Niko, I think he was over-hyped by the media and the Broncos, it is not like this guy was a 1st rounder coming out, he is basically a serviable player, good on special teams and can start if needed, but I really don’t see a difference between him and Spencer Larson in two years, basically the same player.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on Aug 26, 2008 10:37 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty strong after one game.
Most of the team looks terrific! Torain comes back mid-season, and seems to be the best guy in the RB group. But Royal was a heck of a steal! Clady looks like he is going to be top notch too. And don’t forget some of the LBs waiting in the wings. That Woodyard kid might pass someoneon the depth chart if they aren’t careful.
I’m just thinking that fans can get too pumped up (every draft pick is going to be a star) and too easily deflated (after a good game in DAL, we get depressed over the GB game, where the opposing team played starters late into the game and played to win instead of playing to evaluate). That’s why I am standing on my 10-6 pick. Much better than last year, but not yet great. I thinkk we are moving in the right direction fast though, and next year should be a deep playoff run.
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Aug 25, 2008 8:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
HT makes a good point.
Our ’08 draft looks like an A+ at this point. You worry too much ejruiz!
by papigrande on Aug 25, 2008 9:00 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree with HT
A failure to meet expectations often results in disappointment, but the problem may be in those expectations rather than the results.
I looked at the Jackson, Colbert & Parker signing as being a success if one of them produced. I believe that Jackson will still, Colbert somewhat less, and Parker is obviously gone, and we didn’t have room for him anyways. Royal’s emergence puts us ahead of where we should have reasonably expected and he’s taken up throws that would have gone to the others.
This is still a deeper WR corps than a few years ago (quick, name someone after Smith and Lelie), but the passing game is going to go to backs and TEs, too, and the Big Three — Marshall, Stokley & Royal — are going to get the lion’s share of throws to the WRs still. Let’s just hope our reserve WRs can add, oh, 30+ or more receptions, and then I’ll consider the offseason acquisitions at WR a success.
BTW — I’ll call the short passing game a success if we get 40+ more receptions to the backs and TEs. And an increase of 70+ receptions over last year would be a BIG improvement.
by Colinski on Aug 26, 2008 3:54 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
SOME STATS
I had to look after pulling numbers off the top of my head:
BRONCOS PASSING OFFENSE 2007
TOTAL: 326/ 515 – receptions/attempts
WR: 186 = (102, 40, 26, 14, 4)
TE: 81 = (49, 24, 5, 3)
RB: 59 = (35, 14, 7, 2, 1)
My point is that a successful short/ & intermediate passing game (someone other than Young and occasionally Sapp) should add a lot of passes to the backs (30 = 90) as well as to the TEs (10 = 90). I think we’ll be disappointed if we don’t do at least that many more.
A modest increase in production at WR, say of 30+ would take us up to 210 (+%8.5) and would only require a small contribution from the new WRs.
Projecting 70 some more completions is a lot, however, since we’d be jumping up from 326 to around 400, pretty lofty territory. Assuming that Marshall is double-covered and drops to 80 would mean that the new WRs — like Royal — would have have to exceed the 44 of last year’s reserves by 50 (adding 20 for Marshall’s drop plus 30 more). Do you think we have 90 receptions in WRs not named Marshall or Stokely?
by Colinski on Aug 26, 2008 6:09 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good stuff Colinski
what impact on the rushing stats would you expect from this situation? Looks like we might be asking the team to make the playoffs with less than 2300 yds (magic number, or so I hear). I’m guessing closer to 2000 total.
But all those short passes should be pretty darned effective. Your numbers suggest 80’ 49ers under Shanny…
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 26, 2008 6:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
and yes on the 90
You’re talking Jackson, Colbert and Royal, with Russell chipping in about 10. I think we can hit that 90 target easy. I mean, Royal’s rookie of the year numbers should help out a ton by themselves! :)
Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.
by Jeremy Bolander on Aug 26, 2008 6:58 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont write off Colbert!
I am a long time USC supporter and I think too many Bronco’s fans are willing to write off Keary Colbert too early.
He is a good player and needs time to get used to the system. he is a team playre and good locker room presence so just make an evaluation when the real season starts.
I AM NOT for Webster. I like Niko a lot more and the defense was a lot better organized and effective with Niko in.
He does not over pursue, he sheepards plays back to his team mates making sure that plays go for minimal gains and is always around the ball.
Webster misses too many tackles, over pursues and leaves the rset of the defensive backs on an island.
NOT what you want from the QB of the defense!
by boydy2669 on Aug 25, 2008 9:12 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Thank You
I am also willing to give Colbert a chance, I think he is gonna be an asset
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 26, 2008 11:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have written of Colbert
Maybe be a great guy but he doesn’t produce on the field and has no real upside, he isn’t going to get any better.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on Aug 26, 2008 1:51 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
looks like he has
a 2 game window to prove people right or wrong.
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 26, 2008 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
we'll fill out the roster next season
we don’t have it all yet, few teams do. but we are getting real close, thanks to some good drafts and some good signings, also. draftwise, mlb and safety(if barrett doesn’t pan out), come to mind, as well as dt. our ends will come on(except maybe moss). the offense doesn’t need much at all. we could really zero in on some need picks next season, and we should be pretty loaded. we’ll do well with this group, though, and i think we are about to surprise some people this year. we are getting no respect outside of denver. people think we still can’t stop the run at all, and the offense is mediocre. we know better than that, right?
by davecheffy on Aug 25, 2008 9:54 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Drafting a MLB early is not off topic
Webster might be a better short term solution while Niko is learning the system, but neither of them will make the same impact as a Lauranaitis or a Maualuga or some other MLB with an unspellable name.
Basically, Niko’s value after a 1st round MLB comes on board will probably be the same as Keith Burns. Burns kept the special teams productive year after year. Where will Webster be after we draft a MLB early? If Webster can not contribute to ST play he will be gone.
by Arctic Bronco on Aug 25, 2008 11:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
But lets say
Denver wins 10-13 games do you think there is gonna be a good/great MLB available when the Broncos draft? I dont. But who know what they could end up getting. Plus dont you think its too early to write off k2?
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 26, 2008 11:26 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Two names
Magula (sp?) (Denver will likely have to trade up) or Brian Cushing both of USC. Brian will be flying under the radar because he missed most of last season, but the dude can play, but I love Magula, dude is the next incarnation of Junior Saeu only bigger and just as fast, amazing blitzer and is a freak, I think Denver needs to look at making a deal and moving up to get him next year. The great thing about next year’s draft is that there will be alot of good LB available, so some teams are going to be willing to trade believeing they can get a good LB latter.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on Aug 26, 2008 1:55 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maluga of USC?
I think he will be top 10 matl. I have heard of some Heismann hype about him. Cushing I have not heard much of. I know Laurinaitis from OSU is being hyped up pretty good too. I just hope if that is the need Denver does end up going next year they get a stud. Thanks for the info
by broncfanstuckinsd on Aug 26, 2008 2:27 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Cushing may be the better one
Although not well known at this point, a lot of people are saying Cushing is the more complete player and he can play any LB position, and he makes more impact plays (int and sacks), I agree that Magula will be a top ten guy unless he gets injured, but I think we could still find a way to deal into the top ten if it is worth the pick.
Broncoman
by Broncoman on Aug 26, 2008 3:03 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Scouting services should be coming out with a few articles and fan posts here soo for college prospects!
" He goes against Champ everyday." -Jay Cutler
Davis to the Hall!
by Jon Tollerud on Aug 26, 2008 5:04 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Denver will probably draft in the 20-26 range in 2009
To get an impact MLB like one of the unspellables they will have to trade up. Shanahan has always done good when he has targeted 1st round players and traded up, plus with a young team with a good talent base, giving up a 2nd and maybe a 4th rounder plus or 1st is acceptable.
No, I am not writing off Niko, but is it wise to expect deep playoff runs from him in his 6th -8th season in the NFL? He is starting his 5th season and can’t even beat out Nate Webster for a starting position, Niko is probably just a potentially good MLB and a top notch ST hitman. If the Broncos are going to make deep playoff runs in a year or so they have to have an impact MLB. If the run defense can’t stop LT, RunDMC and LJ there will not be a playoff run.
by Arctic Bronco on Aug 26, 2008 10:42 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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