Webster Woodyard and Williams – evaluating the linebackers

I’m not on crack. Crack is whack. I’m on meth

That we’re moving to a 3-4? Just wondering because I suspect we’re going to see a fair bit of 4-3 for at least the next two years and maybe long term – Nolan does a good job of fitting schemes to players and we are closer to a serviceable 4-3 at this point.

If we stay as a 4-3, our LBs would actually be in decent shape if we picked up an MLB in the draft or FA who can lead the D and who we can build around. The main problem last year is that DJ is simply not captain material and I think his play suffered as a result. Webster was Kamikaze and Winborn followed suit. I suspect WInborn would be a little more disciplined if he were playing next to someone who could temper his aggressiveness a bit.

So if we remained a 4-3, I think Woodyard would probably be the odd man out. There’s not much we can do apart from challenge him against DJ and if DJ wins (which he most likely does), we should move him to S. At MLB, we’d hopefully have our FA/high draft pick monster and maybe keep Haggan or get a Keith Burns type in as the backup. Also, Williams and Larsen may be able to come in if he were to get injured. SLB gets interesting. I’d love to see how Larsen does there. It’d make a three-way battle between Larsen, Boss (assuming healthy) and Winborn. Larsen is slower than the others but is a great block shedder and crucially he’s a great leader – I suspect our D played better with him on the field was because of his presence (moreso than Woodyard). In any case, Winborn can cover both OLB spots and Boss will still have value in more pass-orientated packages.

A 3-4 will be more sticky. Larsen and Williams fit in the middle but Winborn doesn’t (and left SF because of it). Bailey may fit (again, if healthy). Woodyard just doesn’t – 245lbs seems to be the minimum for OLBs in a 3-4, and although he is very quick, he’ll be very exposed to the OLs and TEs. So in my mind, switching to a 3-4 now is going to be very problematic unless we go for a hybrid where we just need starters and 1 or 2 backups because we need about 9 new players (starters and backups) in the front 7 to make things work full time.

I thought about this quite a bit. Nolan has shown that he may make a gradual shift. If we had a better defense to begin with that might work out. But in order to stay 4-3 for a while we would need to invest heavily in D lineman who may not fit the long term plan. When I look at the whole defense it seems like it comes down to continued investment in the 4-3 which may not fit our long term plan, or a wholesale shift to the 3-4 which may be painful but is probably more efficient in terms of less wasted player moves. But you may be quite right. In the end I think it may come down to what players are actually available to us in FA and the draft.

I’m just thinking it’s going to be a problem with getting them both on the field, why not trade one of them? Since DJ just resigned last year, I guess that some one would likely be Woodyard. It would hurt to see him go, young and potential for greatness.

DJ was in on around 100 tackles this year and 150+ tackles in 07. Can’t get rid of him. Still young and will be in awesome shape next season. With the new staff coming in they need to know where the pillars are in the defense. This guy is one of them. Nolan knows what to do with stud linebackers. Patrick Willis ring a bell?

I wish he was more of a vocal leader, but since he is not… let him stay a tackling silverback gorilla. He can have my back. All Ready!

i think the broncos starting LBs next year will be DJ WW Ray Malalaguala ( or however you spell it) and Spencer Larsen. Keep Boss, but only as a backup

So, If we want a 4-3: If DJ is really OK with Mike, let Larsen battle him for the position, use Woodyard at his natural position (where he has shown early signs of greatness) and draft a good Sam, acquire a FA or let Larsen show us his coverage skills (his willingness, passion and tackling technique are excellent).

If we go 3-4: Use Larsen (or Rey, if we draft him, FA, etc.) play one ILB slot and DJ the other. Woodyard still plays weakside LB for certain downs. Again, either draft a Sam or see if Larsen’s cover skills are adequate for the job, and also see if Moss or Doom can adapt to OLB as the situation dictates.

NT is the biggest issue, hands down, with going to a 3-4, everyone seems agreed. Raji might be too high at 12, but he could be a heck of a player. Sammie Lee Hill and Ron Brace are options. Powell would need to gain muscle wieght, which takes time, and might be a better DE in the 3-4. Marcus T and Peterson are good DE options (Marcus moreso, I think), Ek is suited to the 3-4, etc. Point here is, we might play a hybrid (probably will) but we’re nearly in reach of the 3-4.

If we stay 4-3, though, we still need one or (preferably) two big, strong DTs and a better playing DE or two. I love Doom, but he’s a specialist. Moss and Crowder are on the bubble – even if you take 3 years to develop, you should be at least activated your econd year. (I reserve the right to see if Slowik just didn’t know how to use people)

It appears to me as if the problems, and solutions, are similar in both scenarios. Thought provoking post, SWG. Rec’d! But perhaps the voting should have had an: I’d Like to Keep Both slot :-)

To me he fits the role of a solid ILB in a 3-4 scheme, he has the size and instincts and could become a solid leader, with him and Maualuga in the middle, and woodyard/dumervil and williams/moss on the outsides, I think there could be some huge matchup problems for offense, provided we get some DL that can protect them.

Remember the defense Al Wilson played on? Some college ball talking heads have it rated as one of the top 5 all time collections of linebackers. It was without a doubt, a very stout defense. I’m not comparing Al to Rey, but I think when someone can play, they can play. Al Wilson was a football player. Rey Maualuga, although I don’t think he is Al Wilson, I do think he is a pure football player.

I’m just saying.

And notice, about Larsen:

His 312 tackles (209 solo) rank 15th on the school’s all-time record list. He added nine sacks for minus-62 yards and 32 stops for losses totaling 111 yards. He caused six fumbles and recovered eight others, returning four for a total of 27 yards. He also gained three yards on two interceptions and deflected 12 other tosses while collecting 10 quarterback pressures.

That’s not hay, but he still dropped on the weight of his being ‘older’ and his perception as slower. You still heard that when he played this year, although I don’t recall it being a factor on any single play (probably did, but rarely). When drafting, perception really is reality. Your last line showes it, maui – Al had the metrics PLUS the intangibles AND the college production. That’s what we need.

Spencer Larsen has potential to play what used to be called the SSILB-essentially a run stuffer. DJ fits the mold as the WSILB who needs to be a cross between a middle LB and an outside LB. He doesn’t seem to be an ideal blitzer which is need opposite the TE. I believe Nolan will find a place for WW.

Mike Klis reports that Nate Webster is expected to be allowed to feel out FA, and DJ. Williams is scheduled to have sholder surgery tomorrow.

He’ll weigh in and they will analyze his physical condition, so we wait a month or so

found an interesting bit – Maualuga pressed the 225 bar 30 times in this year’s USC competition. Know who beat him? Cushing lead the non-Dline players with 35, but Kevin Ellison put it up 32 times. Not bad for a safety…I know he’s injured and we’ll find out more at combine, but he’s a player – and a senior, if I recall right.

Found the article. I think it was misread, and unfortunately, Maiava’s stats were confused with Rey’s. Here

Rey Maualuga
6’ 2" 260 lbs.
40yd. times range between:
    4.59 – 4.74

And he is the hardest hitting linebacker in college. (IMO) Don’t worry Bronco fans, if we have a chance to draft Rey, he would be a great addition to the team.