Robert Ayers a bust

Far too soon to give up on Ayers. I saw some glimpses of a good player last season.

The Jamaal Charles reserve suplex was a treat as well.

Just about every time Doom speaks to the media he talks about how impressive Doom has been in his offseason workouts, same with McDaniels. Although that strange incident during OTA’s where he was “benched” was kind of strange and disheartening but Im sure once training camp starts than well know a good bit more about where he is standing with the team.

Give the guy some time.

The switch from DE to LB is not easy and should be expected to take some time.

Robert Ayers was playing a completely new position and he was never thrust into a starting role. He improved over the course of the season it seemed, especially as his reps increased. Is he a work in progress? Yes, but to call him an underachiever is odd, simply because I don’t know that we should have expected him to achieve a whole heck of a lot his rookie season.

When he was drafted, I think it was Mayock who said that while Ayers might struggle in his first year, by his third year he might just be the best defensive player from the entire draft. Obviously converting a D-lineman to a linebacker is a project that will take some time. Also, there were plenty of times last year where Ayers was within a second or two of getting a sack if Doom hadn’t gotten there first. And don’t think just because he didn’t get sacks that he wasn’t helping the defense; his pressure was a major asset to our team last year. Also, he was one of our better players in run support last year if I remember correctly. So, please, don’t call him a bust. He performed fine last year and will likely only improve.

Not only did Ayers have to adjust to the pro game from college, but he had to make the switch to OLB while doing so. He also didn’t get a lot of PT because Haggan and Doom were doing pretty well. What PT Ayers did get he was always swarming to the ball and played much better than stats would indicate

Now to my example: Anthony Spencer Dallas Cowboys, he was drafted first round and going into his 3rd year in the league being considered a bust, and then it all clicked for a good year. I don’t like writing off young guys so early especially when switching to 3-4 OLB and having good players in front of him. If ayers starts and then struggles, I will start to worry. Plus, McD has said he has been asking Ayers to do a lot more than rush the passer so it could take even another year before we see the true Ayers. Honestly I don’t think Ayers, a 1 year college starter, was expected by the FO to come in and start well Year 1. There was a lot of unfair expectations put on him being the “Cutler” pick.

To reiterate, I like debating this in the dulldrums of the offseason, but this conversation shouldn’t get serious for at least another year or 2.

Never heard of the guy. I’d much rather take the word of a teammate or coach that some Interweb blogger. Ayers will be fine, not sure how anyone could label anyone a bust from last year’s draft yet. Some get it their first year some don’t. Jarvis Moss is much closer to being considered a bust at this point than Ayers, and he is looking to show vast improvement finally.

The NFL and its fans are too eager to label its players, and plenty of times do it unfairly. Not only am I talking about the “bust” label, but also the “#1 WR” or “not #1 WR” (see Jabar Gaffney). There is the “elite” label, which is really just a matter of opinion that varies in certain instances. Also, how about “project” on guys like Tebow, Freeman, D Thom, V Jax, Kolb etc. Its really frustrating when people feel they have to throw a label on every player.

Its hard to label players as anything. Football is far from baseball meaning that in Baseball if you can play u can play for any team (hence plenty of midseason trades). Whereas in football its a game of systems which try to adhere to players strengths, meaning that a guy can be a “bust” or anyother label on one team, but can be “elite” on others.

There, I finally got that off my chest.

After reading the first sentence in the FanPost, I have declared it a bust! Seriously though, I’m looking forward to seeing what Ayers can do with a year under his belt and a starting job in hand…

Ayers will stay the starting LOLB of the Broncos for the next 6-8 years. His learning of the position will be evident this year.

then I will call him a bust. I’d rather have Moss bust (Shanny pick) than Ayers (MCD’s) pick.

I actually have higher hopes for Ayers than Moreno.

Of course this year is huge for both.

Give the guy a break!

3.6mil in bonus money and was advanced 4.7mil should be into question the competence of the front office. I mean just compare the deals of Larry English and Robert Ayers, and it becomes apparent that whoever the Broncos GM was in 2009 is incompetent
Here’s the specs for anyone too lazy to check
Larry English selected at 16
7/31/2009: Signed a five-year, $13.55 million contract. The deal includes $9.9 million guaranteed. Another $4.4 million is available through incentives. 2009-2013: Under Contract, 2014: Free Agent
Robert Ayers selected at 18
8/4/2009: Signed a five-year, $18.34 million contract. The deal includes $9.7 million guaranteed. 2010: $1,712,500, 2011: $2,055,000, 2012: $2,397,500, 2013: $2,165,000, 2014: Restricted Free Agent

That RFA means way more than a straight FA after the 5th yr. Broncos paid a little more to be able to have an extra yr (6th yr) or great trade return for little extra relative to having to sign a unrestricted FA after his 5th yr (if they want to keep him).

I believe this gives them one extra yr to determine how good Ayers can be or use him for draft picks. If he’s great early on and they want to keep him they can just extend him…he’ll want that RFA tag lifted.

maybe not. doesn’t look like he’ll match up to fellow Tennessee alum Al Wilson though. I think he was the biggest loss the broncos have suffered since elway retired. the defense has never been the same without him.