Because the Broncos’ defense was porous in 2008, it is very difficult for those not close to the organization to see any type of silver lining with the unit. 

Often, every player on the defense is guilty by association, but that would be unfair for the Denver middle linebackers.

For a unit that ranked nearly last in every major category, they surely do not lack talent or experience at this particular position.

For the first time in 2009, many Broncos fans will experience the 3-4 defense led by two captains at middle linebacker, and possibly the best overall leadership since Al Wilson donned the Bronco on his helmet.

Still, with the amount of talent the Broncos boast at this position, it will be tough to find room for many of these players.

How will the coaching staff choose?

Here is an in-depth look at all of the inside linebackers on the Broncos’ roster.

 

1.  D.J. Williams

Williams is one of the most underrated players not only on the Denver Broncos, but in the entire NFL.

According to the team’s official Web site, there is no player in the AFC and only one player in the rest of the league who has averaged more tackles per contest than Williams, who averages 8.7.

The Broncos selected Williams in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of the University of Miami, and the former Hurricane superstar has quietly become one of the better linebackers in the league.

For Denver, he has played the “Mike,” “Will,” and “Sam” linebacker positions, and now will take on the role of “Jack” linebacker, as one of two inside starters for the Broncos.

In 2008, Williams only played 11 games because of an injury, but he was on a record-setting pace.

He led the NFL in tackles through Week Nine with 75, and he finished the year with 93 total stops. Normally I am not one for hypotheticals, but had Williams kept that pace through the entire season, he would have finished the year with 133 tackles.

Williams was signed early last season to a five-year, $30 million extension, and for good reason.  If not for some guy named Champ, Williams would be the best player on the Broncos’ defense, and may be the most physically gifted anyway.

One thing Williams brings to the Broncos is durability. Until this past season, he had not missed a start from 2004-2007.

Williams is a captain who leads by example, and Bronco fans can expect a big season from him under the tutelage of defensive genius Mike Nolan.

 

2.  Andra Davis

Davis was brought to Denver early on in the offseason as an unrestricted free agent who had spent the last seven seasons with Cleveland.

In the last six seasons, you would be hard-pressed to find a more consistent tackler than Davis. Since 2003, he has averaged 103 tackles per season.

Did I mention he has only started all 16 games three times in his career?

Perhaps he has some injury concern attached to his price tag, but there is no doubt that when healthy Davis is a run-stuffing force at middle linebacker. 

Listening to the offseason interviews with the defensive players of the Broncos, it sounds as though Davis is well on his way to becoming a captain of this young Broncos’ defense.

A great leader on and off the gridiron, Denver seems to have a bargain on their hands in Davis, the former fifth round draft pick out of Florida.

The knock on Davis is that he is not great in pass coverage, a statement that seems a bit odd considering he has eight career interceptions—a very respectable total for a 3-4 linebacker.

Davis will pair with D.J. Williams to form one of the NFL’s better 3-4 inside linebacker duos.

 

3.  Wesley Woodyard

Not much needs to be said to Bronco fans about this kid.

Woodyard was signed out of Kentucky as an undrafted free agent in 2008, and many figured since the Broncos were already fairly deep at the linebacker position, he would get his opportunity for playing time as a safety or on special teams.

Little did they know they would get a taste of all three.

Because of injuries to Boss Bailey and D.J. Williams, the Broncos were forced to thrust Woodyard into the starting outside linebacker role, and he did not disappoint.

Woodyard started six games for the Broncos and finished eighth on the team with 55 tackles, and first on the team with 11 special teams tackles.

He quickly became a fan favorite for his passion and versatility, and figures to be an even more important part of the Broncos’ defense for 2009.

Because of his great speed and athleticism, it is not out of the question that the Broncos could use Woodyard as a middle linebacker, outside linebacker on passing downs, special teams gunner, and “rover” or safety in goal line situations.

 

4.  Spencer Larsen

Speaking of versatility, have you ever heard of Spencer Larsen?

If not, he is the first player in Broncos’ history and the fourth in NFL since 1990 to start a game on both offense and defense, when he opened the game as the starting fullback and linebacker.

It should also be noted that he also began the game on kick coverage.

Larsen was picked by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2008 NFL Draft out of Arizona, and instantly became one of the key players on the Broncos’ special teams unit.

Some feel he has the potential and the intelligence to eventually be a starter at middle linebacker, but with Wesley Woodyard and D.J. Williams in the mix long-term, it could be hard for him to be anything more than a rotational player.

Larsen’s duties on offense did not go anywhere beyond throwing blocks as the fullback, but he did finish third on the team with nine special teams tackles and 22 tackles overall.

 

5.  Nick Greisen

Greisen joins the Broncos after seven seasons playing for some pretty notable defenses that included Baltimore, Jacksonville, and the New York Giants.

He is a career special teams player and backup, but he has been solid in whatever role he has played.

For his career, he has 255 total tackles and hopes to potentially provide the Broncos with a big-hitter on special teams, where he has 63 total career stops.

He always seems to find his way to an NFL roster, but he may have a tough time cracking the final list here in Denver with so much depth at this position.

 

6.  Mario Haggan

Haggan is not a well-known player in this league, but for what it’s worth, he made the most significant contribution of his NFL career in 2008 with the Broncos.

In only half a season in 2008, he set a career high with 20 total tackles and over the last five years he has established himself as a top special teams player at this level.

From 2004-2006, he recorded 49 special teams stops, which was good for seventh in the NFL over that time period.

 

7.  Lee Robinson

Robinson is a rookie linebacker prospect who went undrafted in 2009 and was signed by the Broncos as a college free agent out of Alcorn State.

Many Bronco fans are really pulling for Robinson to make the final roster, but that seems like a pipe dream at this point. He has a very good chance at making the practice squad and possibly as a special teams player down the road.

He was absolutely dominant for Alcorn State, recording 334 tackles, 18.5 sacks, three interceptions, and seven forced fumbles in his collegiate career.

The middle linebacker position is one that Bronco fans can head into the season knowing exactly what they are going to get: consistency. This group of linebackers will be coached by Don Martindale, who has been coaching the stellar group out West with the Oakland Raiders for the last five seasons.

He will be assisted by three-time Super Bowl champion and former New England Patriot Roman Phifer.

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