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Inside the Denver Broncos’ Roster: The Defensive Ends
Published: July 12, 2009
At long last, this series has finally reached the defensive side of the ball, where we will begin by dissecting the Denver Broncos’ defensive line.
The defensive lines Denver has put out in recent years have been absolutely horrendous, and have been a real Achille’s Heel for the defensive unit.
The Broncos were constantly changing personnel, coaches, and alignments to rectify their problems up front, but absolutely nothing was working.
The team even devoted 75 percent of its 2007 draft class to the defensive line, and the results have been less than impressive, to say the least.
New head coach Josh McDaniels has been absolutely hammered by fans, media, and critics alike for seemingly avoiding upgrading the Broncos’ defensive line via free agency and the NFL Draft, but I would contend that the new regime in Denver has significantly upgraded this area of the team, particularly at defensive end.
In 2008, the average size for a Broncos’ defensive end was 6’3″ and 268 pounds, which includes the 6’6″, 298-pound Nic Clemons.
For 2009, the average size for a defensive end in Denver heading to training camp is 6’4″ and a whopping 298 pounds. That is a difference of 30 pounds for those keeping track at home.
I know, it does not necessarily mean that the talent has been significantly upgraded, but it cannot get much worse than the 2008 unit, and the Broncos have beefed up their frontline significantly. The run defense will be improved, and this crop of defensive ends will be a huge reason why.
According to McDaniels, there are no clear cut starters along the defensive line, which would explain why the Broncos will likely go into camp with eight players vying for a job.
One has to imagine that third year player Marcus Thomas will have a roster spot locked in thanks to his consistent play over the last two seasons.
Thomas has been one of the very few bright spots along the Denver defensive line, and may be the most versatile lineman the Broncos currently boast.
He started five games in his rookie campaign of 2007, and was penciled in as the starter for all 16 regular season contests in 2008. In that time frame, Thomas has 53 tackles and two interceptions.
Coming out of Florida three years ago, Thomas had his share of off-field issues, but scouts felt that the Broncos had nabbed a first round talent with their fourth round pick acquired from the Minnesota Vikings.
Thomas has yet to live up to that lofty potential, but he is steadily growing as a player, both figuratively and literally.
He had been checking in at around 290 pounds over the last couple of seasons before growing to 300 at the end of the 2008 campaign, and now he is all the way up to 305 pounds. Some feel the reason for this is that the Broncos would like to use his versatility at nose tackle, which is definitely a possibility if he can get up to 310 or 315 pounds by the time training camp begins.
Thomas will compete for a starting spot with Ryan McBean, a fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft who was taken 11 picks after the Broncos selected Thomas.
McBean began his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers who were absolutely loaded at the defensive end position, and he was placed on their practice squad.
He had a couple of stints on Pittsburgh’s active roster, but has only seen game action once in his short career. The Broncos feel he has potential to make an impact at defensive end, but the jury is still out.
One of the more intriguing players at the defensive end position for the Broncos is 26 year old undrafted rookie free agent and Iraq veteran Rulon Davis.
Davis, formerly of the Cal Golden Bears, joins the Broncos with a decorated background, one that includes being named after former Denver defensive lineman Rulon Jones.
Many fans are pushing hard for Davis to make the final roster, and for good reason. He has displayed great athleticism and versatility in his days at Cal, and the Broncos feel he can play at defensive end or possibly even outside linebacker in their new 3-4 defensive scheme.
Another rookie defensive lineman fans are excited about is former Northern Iowa star Everette Pedescleaux.
Pedescleaux is a giant of a man at 6’6″ 305 pounds, and he has proven to be a very valuable asset throughout his football career in college, racking up 112 tackles, 11 sacks and six blocked kicks. He was also a part of the UNI basketball team early in his college days.
One familiar face along the defensive line and at defensive end will be seven year veteran Kenny Peterson, the eldest of the Broncos’ defensive bigs.
Peterson, often referred to as “Patterson”, was the only notable defensive free agent retained by the Broncos’ new staff, and he appears to be an ideal fit for a 3-4 defensive end.
He has played both end and tackle in his three seasons with the Broncos, and last season played in all 16 games while recording 24 tackles, three sacks, and one fumble forced.
Peterson could very easily be one of the opening day starters at defensive end for Denver.
One player Broncos fans are most excited to get the chance to see play is second year pro Carlton Powell, a fifth round pick last season out of Virginia Tech.
Powell stands at 6’3″ 300 pounds, and the former Hokie is regarded as a run-stopping specialist by scouts, so one can imagine why Broncos fans are eager to get this kid on the field.
He was placed last season on the physically unable to perform list, and never made it to the Broncos’ active roster.
Another former mid-round draft pick that will compete for a defensive line spot is Matthias Askew, a fourth round pick of the Bengals in 2004.
Askew has spent two seasons out of football, and seems like a long-shot to make the Broncos’ final roster.
Rounding out the list of defensive ends is the third-year pro Clemons, who saw his most significant playing time last season for the Broncos, recording 13 total tackles.
The enormous Clemons was signed to a future contract in 2008 by the Broncos after spending 2006 and 2007 out of football altogether.
He played in a career-high 10 games last season, and hopes to make the Broncos’ final roster for the second straight year.
The defensive end position for the Denver Broncos is by no means flashy, but there is no doubt this unit is a significant upgrade over last season, especially when considering the hiring of former San Diego Chargers defensive line coach Wayne Nunnely, which cannot be overlooked.
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