Third down may get more interesting for Denver opponents

By Darrell Laurant  |   Friday, May 11, 2007  |  Comments( 14 )

Denver Broncos
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Anybody perusing the Denver Broncos' first two picks in the 2007 draft would have had the same thought: "Boy, their defensive line must be awful."

Well, that might be a bit harsh. They're not awful, just old.

Kenard Lang, who had six of the Broncos' 31 sacks last year, is 33 years old. Fellow defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban is 30, and 10-year NFL veteran John Engleberger is no colt.

So the fact that Denver picked two defensive ends -- Florida's Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder of Texas -- in the opening rounds last month doesn't necessarily mean the incumbents are ready for the trash pile. What it does mean, however, is that the meager 2006 sack total is almost certain to go up.

Crowder had 10½ sacks as a Longhorn last season, Moss 7½. The latter also stepped up in prime time, taking down Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith twice for 20 yards in losses during the Gators' upset victory in the BCS bowl.

Along with Elvis Dumervil, who led Denver with 8½ sacks as a rookie (out of only 19 tackles), the addition of Crowder and Moss will give the Broncos three strong third-down rushers.

Actually, the Broncos didn't do badly stopping opponents on third down last season (only 37.6 percent of the attempts succeeded), but that was mostly because of a solid secondary. The other guys threw for 3,410 yards and completed 60.8 percent, evidence that opposing quarterbacks were getting a bit too comfortable in the pocket.

Ekuban had seven sacks, but former 49ers star Engleberger, while still contributing 55 tackles, had only one. The interior D-linemen were even less successful pressuring the passer.

Of the two newcomers, Crowder may have a better chance of playing every down as a rookie. He's bigger than Moss (275-250), more durable (43 straight starts at Texas) and even a tick faster over 40 yards. He's quite capable of playing the run or the pass.

Moss, meanwhile, has been compared to former Gator Jevon Kearse.

"He may be the fastest player we have over 10 yards," said Florida coach Urban Meyer, "and we've got a fast team."

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CommentsComments: 14  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Michael		12:14 AM
05/14/2007
I agree with what you have said, and that Crowder may get the most field time this year. He may even turn out to be the better...
No.2
Stovie47		11:28 AM
06/12/2007
Moss would not have been available at Pick 21. The Broncs traded up to get the man they wanted. If you have a solid team, what...
No.3
ShadyRaider		01:00 PM
06/12/2007
Shanahan reminds me of a used car sales man in a bad neighborhood!! Kinda rat-like slimebag who sells busted up clunkers to...
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