As we head into the combine for the 2020 NFL draft the Denver Broncos are sitting in a position where they need to find another running back to add to the roster. Phillip Lindsey is a dynamic back with elite speed, and an incredible will to compete. Described as a "smaller" back, Lindsey has the heart, and toughness to run between the tackles. Just because someone is willing doesn't necessarily mean they are able. For all of his effort Lindsey isn't an effective of a runner between the tackles as a back who is over 240lbs would be. That is simply physics. Currently the Broncos have a back in Royce Freeman who is a bigger back, but he hasn't shown the propensity to be an overly physical runner game in, and game out. This leaves the Broncos in a position where they need to look to add another running back that is a true bruiser. Despite the fact that Denver has a ton of cap room I would look to fill this position through the draft. After researching the running backs coming out this year I have narrowed it down to two guys who I think could step in and help the Broncos immediately.
The first player, who also happens to be my favorite out of the two is AJ Dillon from Boston College. Dillon is 6 feet tall and listed at 249lbs. Watching him on film the first thing you notice is that he isn't just a big back, this guy can flat out move. When Dillon gets that 249lb body going full speed with his shoulders headed down field it is a sight to be hold. He absolutely punishes opposing players who attempt to tackle him. Dillon has had a minimum of 225 carries in each of the last 3 seasons, and in 2019 Dillon carried the ball 318 times, for 1685 yards, and 14 touchdowns. In 2018 he has 227 carries, for 1100 yards, and 10 touchdowns, and in 2017 Dillon carried the ball 300 times, for 1589 yards, and 14 touchdowns. With all those impressive numbers there is a stat that often times get overlooked, and that is the amount of times he has fumbled the ball. Impressively, according to ESPN stats, Dillon hasn't fumbled the ball one time in the last 3 years. Here is an impressive highlight of AJ Dillon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98Cfb-FC5wA
Another running back similar to Dillon in this years draft is a guy named Sewo Olonilua from TCU. He is 6'3, and 240lbs, and runs with a punishing style just like Dillon does. The reason I like Dillon more is simply he has far more impressive numbers. Dillon was used the Boston Colleges primary back, whereas Olonilua shared time with other players. This means there isn't as much info on him, but it also means that his body hasn't taken the abuse that a back like Dillon has. In 2017 Olonilua had 64 carries, for 330 yards and 7 touchdowns. In 2018 he had 135 carries for 635 yards, and 2 touchdowns, and in 2019 he had 134 carries for 537 yards, and 8 touchdowns. Olonilua is a better receiver out of the backfield than Dillon having caught 24 passes in 2019, but with his size his pass catching ability is nice, but most likely will not be used. If Denver is throwing to a running back is it is going to be Phillip Lindsey.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIW332SOA8c&t=82s
Obviously Dillon will most likely go in the top 2-5 rounds, so if Denver really liked him they might have to get him earlier than they would have to get Olonilua. It is impossible to watch the above highlights and not get excited for the possibility of one of those players taking hand offs in Denver. Either one would be the perfect compliment to Phillip Lindsey, and would push Royce Freeman to either be the back we drafted him to be, or to move on. One thing is for sure, and that is last year Tennessee proved that having a big body back absolutely wears opposing teams down late in the game, and a player like this would be huge dividends for the Broncos, and Pat Schurmer's offense.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
Saturday, February 15, 2020
A Draft Prospect The Broncos Should Pursue!
Going over the list of offseason needs for the Broncos to address, and one of them is a finding a third running back to play with Phil Lindsey, and Royce Freeman. Last season Denver used DeVontae Booker as their 3rd running back, and predominantly used him as a receiving option on 3rd downs. Denver didn't use him much, but the Broncos need to find a guy who can play running back, but also can run routes from the wide receiver position. Before the season last year Denver tried to address this need with signing Theo Riddick, but Riddick never got healthy enough to see the field in 2019. Does Denver look to bring back Riddick? Sign another free agent running back who fits the profile? Or target someone in the draft? As luck would have it there is a guy in this years draft that fits the profile for what Denver needs, and his name is Antonio Gibson, who is a hybrid running back/wide receiver from the University of Memphis.
To say Gibson is not like other guys who played his position would be an understatement. At 6'2 and 220lbs he has the size to play, and excel at running back. The interesting thing about Gibson that jumps off the screen at you when you watch his film is that he is actually a wide receiver who plays running back very well! Usually for those types of players they are typically running backs who can play wide receiver, but in Gibson's case it is the other way around.
Gibsons is not a player I think the Broncos should target before the 4th round. In 2019 Gibson had 38 receptions in 14 games for for 735 yards, and 8 touchdowns. His rushing statistics show he was used as a running back on average of just under 3 times per game, as he had 33 carries for for 369 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also returned punts, and kicks for Memphis, and also had a touchdown doing that in 2019. With a total of 13 touchdowns in 2019 I think it is safe to say Gibson knows how to get in the end zone.
While a player with his ability to score is always nice to have, I think the most impressive thing about him is the athletic ability he has been able to show, and put on film. Whether it be at running back, wide receiver, or as a returner, Gibson possesses the quickness, speed, and has the size to be a threat to score every time he touches the ball. This is exactly the type of player the Broncos need. Even though Gibson is listed as a wide receiver, I think he would make the team as a running back/returner. However, just because he is listed as a running back, I think he could be used as the teams 4th wide receiver as well. This would would save Denver a couple roster spots, and finally give them a player with the size, and speed to score on punt, and kick returns. If Gibson is there in the 4th round or later in this years draft I think Denver should look to draft him, and use his unique abilities in the mile high city!
Saturday, February 8, 2020
The Hybrid Inside Linebacker = The Future
Offenses in today's NFL are forcing defenses to make adjustments to the way they do things. As the offseason begins to heat up, and we start to move into the draft, and free agency, NFL teams are now looking to fill a new role on their team. Like the "slot" receiver, "slot" corner, or "receiving" tight end, the hybrid inside linebacker is a position NFL teams are starting value more and more.
These "hybrid" linebackers are really just bigger, physical, safeties. When you are talking about these players you are usually going to see a player in the 6'2/6'3 range that weighs about 220lbs that would be considered "big", and "slow" for a safety. Players like Deone Bucannon, Mark Barron, Thomas Davis, all played safety in college, but essentially now play inside linebacker in the NFL. A player Bronco fans might remember who played this role extremely well was TJ Ward. When Denver would go into the nickel formation they would move Ward up to an inside linebacker role. From there he could cover the tight end, running back, or in Super Bowl 50 even shadow Cam Newton.
It use to be that you could more or less "hide" a bigger, run stuffing linebacker in pass coverage. Those days are over. Unless you are a pass rushing specialist, if you want to play linebacker in the NFL you have to be able to run and cover like a safety while still being able fill holes like a run stuffing linebacker. Teams that are unable to put out linebackers who can cover will find themselves being taken advantage of by the new wave of running backs, and tight ends who run routes like wide receivers. As I mentioned in a previous post, players who can do multiple things at well are becoming more and more valuable. Linebackers who play like safeties, safeties who play like cornerbacks, and running backs that play like wide receivers are just a few of the "unique" types of players teams will have to utilize be successful in the NFL.
A player in this years draft who fits this role, who I think would fit well on the Broncos is a guy named Kyle Dugger from the tiny Lenoir-Rhyne University. Dugger is 6'2 and 220lbs, plays safety, inside linebacker, running back, and he also returns kicks and punts for the Bears. He is a physical, sure tackler, but also possesses the athletic ability to play safety, cover the tight end, back out of the backfield, and occasional wide receiver. I believe that Dugger, and players like him will one day be the "usual" inside linebacker. Teams that take advantage of players like Dugger will be able to have more flexibility on defense, and make it tougher for offenses to create mismatches.
These "hybrid" linebackers are really just bigger, physical, safeties. When you are talking about these players you are usually going to see a player in the 6'2/6'3 range that weighs about 220lbs that would be considered "big", and "slow" for a safety. Players like Deone Bucannon, Mark Barron, Thomas Davis, all played safety in college, but essentially now play inside linebacker in the NFL. A player Bronco fans might remember who played this role extremely well was TJ Ward. When Denver would go into the nickel formation they would move Ward up to an inside linebacker role. From there he could cover the tight end, running back, or in Super Bowl 50 even shadow Cam Newton.
It use to be that you could more or less "hide" a bigger, run stuffing linebacker in pass coverage. Those days are over. Unless you are a pass rushing specialist, if you want to play linebacker in the NFL you have to be able to run and cover like a safety while still being able fill holes like a run stuffing linebacker. Teams that are unable to put out linebackers who can cover will find themselves being taken advantage of by the new wave of running backs, and tight ends who run routes like wide receivers. As I mentioned in a previous post, players who can do multiple things at well are becoming more and more valuable. Linebackers who play like safeties, safeties who play like cornerbacks, and running backs that play like wide receivers are just a few of the "unique" types of players teams will have to utilize be successful in the NFL.
A player in this years draft who fits this role, who I think would fit well on the Broncos is a guy named Kyle Dugger from the tiny Lenoir-Rhyne University. Dugger is 6'2 and 220lbs, plays safety, inside linebacker, running back, and he also returns kicks and punts for the Bears. He is a physical, sure tackler, but also possesses the athletic ability to play safety, cover the tight end, back out of the backfield, and occasional wide receiver. I believe that Dugger, and players like him will one day be the "usual" inside linebacker. Teams that take advantage of players like Dugger will be able to have more flexibility on defense, and make it tougher for offenses to create mismatches.
Monday, February 3, 2020
The Wide Receiver The Broncos Should Be Targeting
Now that the Super Bowl is over people can start looking to how they are going to improve their teams for next season. Luckily Drew Lock was able to step in and go 4-1 in the final 5 games, and gave Bronco fans reason to hope that we finally found the "QB of the future". There are many holes that the Broncos should look to fill, but one of the things on top of that list is finding a true number 2 receiver to go with Courtland Sutton.
Currently the Broncos have a two receivers who fill your typical big bodied receiver role in Tim Patrick, and as mentioned before Courtland Sutton. Even the back ups on the roster like Juwan Winfree, and DaeSean Hamilton are both 6'3, and 6'1 respectively. Something the Broncos do not have is a wide receiver is a player who is a legit deep threat. This is a glaring hole on the offense. They simply do not have a player scares the opposing team with their speed. This is something they need to fix in free agency. The Broncos need to bring in a veteran player, who has elite speed. There just so happens to be a player available this year who can fill that role, and his name is Robbie Anderson, and he played for the New York Jets last year. Coming off a 2019-2020 season Anderson had 52 receptions for 779 yards and 5 touchdowns.
What Anderson brings to this offense is elite speed. Off the top of my head there is really only one guy in the NFL I would bet would beat Robbie Anderson, and that is Tyrek Hill from the Chiefs. Along with elite speed, Anderson also fits the Broncos profile of having bigger receivers as he is 6'3 and 190lbs. This makes him different than other receivers who run the 40 yard dash in low 4.3's/high 4.2's. Most guys with that speed are not as big as Anderson, and therefore have trouble with bigger, more physical corners. Anderson's size makes him difficult to jam at the line, and his elite speed can keep opposing defenses to play a step or two deeper than they normally would. Courtland Sutton is a perennial pro bowl receiver, and could end up being a top 5 guy in the league, but he has to have a guy who defenses have to worry about playing opposite of him. Robbie Anderson has the speed to be able to do that.
Saturday, February 1, 2020
In Today's NFL Individual Match Ups Are More Important Than Coaching Scheme
After stepping away from blogging for a few months I decided to go ahead and toss out an idea that goes against the most traditional logic in the NFL; that games in the NFL are no longer won simply by fitting college players into complex schemes, but instead are won by finding, and taking advantage of your players individual athletic, and mental strengths. Then building an offensive, and defensive scheme based around them.
The game of football is constantly changing. Looking as far back to the time before the forward pass, football coaches have spent hours hunched over notebooks drawing up formations, and plays they feel will outwit their opponents own formations, and schemes. Decades have gone by, and coaches become very good at fitting players into their game plans, and the best coaches have risen to the top. This has been the status quo for as long as I can remember. The game has changed. Coaches, and organizations will either adjust, or suffer the consequences.
In todays NFL we are witnessing players who are bigger, stronger, and faster than at any point in our history. During the 1960's and 1970's you were considered a big player if you weighed 230lbs. There are wide receivers in today's NFL who weigh 230lbs, and they can also run as fast as world class sprinters. You have tight ends like Rob Gronkowski who played the game at 6'7 and 270lbs going out for passes against linebackers, and safeties sometimes giving up 7 inches, and 70lbs to him. There have always been "special" players who seem to operate on another level than their competition. Players like Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell come to mind, but these players were the exception, not the rule. As players continue to get bigger, and more athletic the game has had to change to accommodate their skill sets.
I would argue that in today's NFL having players who can play multiple positions, in multiple schemes is just as important as having players who tend to specialize in one scheme. Having that ability is probably more evident right now on the defensive side of the ball. Having linebackers who can play physical against the run, but also are able to cover running backs, and tight ends is becoming mandatory. We are seeing safeties having to be able to cover a wide receiver on one play, and be the eighth man in the box on the next play. I think this is a trend we are going to see continue to become what is considered the "norm".
We are starting to see this in the most innovative offenses of today as well with players like Christian McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, Tyrek Hill, and others. These are players who are incredibly gifted athletically, so much so that they can play another position on offense and create glaring match up problems for opposing defenses. Tight ends have always been used as the proverbial "offensive multi tool". The best guys like Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzales, or Antonio Gates were rare in that they were excellent blockers, but could run routes like a wide receiver. As offensive coordinators become more creative we will probably see wide receivers who can line up and play tight end, tight ends who can play fullback, and whatever other match up problems they can exploit based on the physical abilities of their players. Make no mistake, having a good offensive, and defensive scheme is still important. However, probably more so now than at any time in the history of the game, the ability to create, and take advantage of mismatches based upon the athletically ability of your players can be the deciding factor between winning and losing the game.
The game of football is constantly changing. Looking as far back to the time before the forward pass, football coaches have spent hours hunched over notebooks drawing up formations, and plays they feel will outwit their opponents own formations, and schemes. Decades have gone by, and coaches become very good at fitting players into their game plans, and the best coaches have risen to the top. This has been the status quo for as long as I can remember. The game has changed. Coaches, and organizations will either adjust, or suffer the consequences.
In todays NFL we are witnessing players who are bigger, stronger, and faster than at any point in our history. During the 1960's and 1970's you were considered a big player if you weighed 230lbs. There are wide receivers in today's NFL who weigh 230lbs, and they can also run as fast as world class sprinters. You have tight ends like Rob Gronkowski who played the game at 6'7 and 270lbs going out for passes against linebackers, and safeties sometimes giving up 7 inches, and 70lbs to him. There have always been "special" players who seem to operate on another level than their competition. Players like Jim Brown, and Earl Campbell come to mind, but these players were the exception, not the rule. As players continue to get bigger, and more athletic the game has had to change to accommodate their skill sets.
I would argue that in today's NFL having players who can play multiple positions, in multiple schemes is just as important as having players who tend to specialize in one scheme. Having that ability is probably more evident right now on the defensive side of the ball. Having linebackers who can play physical against the run, but also are able to cover running backs, and tight ends is becoming mandatory. We are seeing safeties having to be able to cover a wide receiver on one play, and be the eighth man in the box on the next play. I think this is a trend we are going to see continue to become what is considered the "norm".
We are starting to see this in the most innovative offenses of today as well with players like Christian McCaffery, Alvin Kamara, Tyrek Hill, and others. These are players who are incredibly gifted athletically, so much so that they can play another position on offense and create glaring match up problems for opposing defenses. Tight ends have always been used as the proverbial "offensive multi tool". The best guys like Shannon Sharpe, Tony Gonzales, or Antonio Gates were rare in that they were excellent blockers, but could run routes like a wide receiver. As offensive coordinators become more creative we will probably see wide receivers who can line up and play tight end, tight ends who can play fullback, and whatever other match up problems they can exploit based on the physical abilities of their players. Make no mistake, having a good offensive, and defensive scheme is still important. However, probably more so now than at any time in the history of the game, the ability to create, and take advantage of mismatches based upon the athletically ability of your players can be the deciding factor between winning and losing the game.
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