This offseason, the main-area concern for critics of the Denver Broncos has been the uncertainty of their front seven.

First-round pick Robert Ayers not only hopes to restore certainty to Denver fans, but he hopes to make a smooth transition to Mike Nolan’s 3-4 defensive scheme.

“Yeah, it’s a pretty hard defense, but you know if you’ve put in the work and the time and have studied, you’ll catch on,” Ayers said. “I think all of the [defensive] guys are setting a good example for me.  I see what they’re doing in the classroom and learning, and stuff like that…It makes all the rookies want to do the same.”

Ayers comes to the Broncos as a first-round pick in April’s draft, and in college he never really put up any big numbers.  Much of that can be attributed to the fact that he was largely a run-stuffing defensive end, but such a high pick will be expected to get to the quarterback double digit times early in his career.

And Ayers understands the pressure.

“There may be [pressure],” Ayers said. “I set my standards high for myself.  For other people to put pressure on me—it doesn’t amount to how much pressure I put on myself.  I’m my hardest critic.”

Even with the scheme and position change, Ayers feels the Broncos were the only team for him.

“I feel like this is the perfect defense for me,” Ayers said. “Out of all 32 teams—I’m not with the other teams but I don’t think there could be a better match for me.  The way I play, the things I do good, it fits perfectly with this defense, and I’m happy to be here.”

With all of his hard work, Ayers does not plan on facing any setbacks with his rookie contract.  Unlike many first-round picks, the former Tennessee defensive end plans on reporting to training camp in late July with a deal in place.

“Mr. (Pat) Bowlen and my agent (Tony Agnone), they’ll work together and I’m pretty sure they’ll have a good deal (in place),” Ayers said. “I feel confident about the fact that I’ll be here on time.”

When talking to the press, Ayers continued to impress with his maturity.  The youngster knows that this league is a business, but he also knows why he will make the money he does.

“I don’t want to lose any time,” he said. “Another thing I don’t want to do, I don’t want the team thinking I’m a money-first guy. I’m here to play football and to win. Money is secondary. It’s going to be there. It’s just the fact of getting it done.”

The rookie also stated that he is excited to get on the field with pads on, and like fellow former defensive linemen Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder, Elvis Dumervil and Darrell Reid, Ayers is going to have to adjust to rushing the passer whilst standing up.

“In college, I played mostly with my hand down,” he said. “The fact that I’m a little more comfortable with my hand down, I’m trying to learn how to rush standing up.”

Ayers went on to say how the Broncos’ coaching staff is allowing some of the “hybrid” linebackers to put their hand in the ground in some situations, but that he is forcing himself to stand up in those situations so he can become more acclimated to the position.

The turnaround of a horrific defense in Denver will depend largely on the production of their front seven, and Ayers figures to be a huge part of that transition.  The rookie out of Tennessee is hoping to give the Broncos something they have lacked this whole decade: a legitimate pass rush.

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