Broncos linebacker Woodyard likely to get more playing time to counter Patriots' dangerous tight ends - The Denver Post

Broncos linebacker Woodyard likely to get more playing time to counter Patriots' dangerous tight ends - The Denver Post:
Jeff Legwold for the Denver Post explains the new defensive changes that the Denver Broncos unveiled for the Pittsburgh Steelers: "The Broncos did break out a new dime package (six defensive backs) against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. They used it, in part, because the Steelers like to open up the formation and use plenty of wide receivers.

The idea was to have enough bigger defenders on the field to defend the run and keep Miller and Elvis Dumervil in the lineup to rush the passer. With just two defensive linemen in three-point stances when they used the dime package, the Broncos were able to offer a wide variety of fronts for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sort through, moving Miller around especially.

Woodyard is their best linebacker in pass coverage and, with New England sporting two impact players at tight end — Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez — it would be far more difficult for the Broncos to arrange the pieces on defense if Woodyard isn't part of the mix Saturday night."

The Broncos will have to make some adjustments against the New England Patriots since they play a much different style than the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is likely that Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, and Head Coach John Fox will take a long look at what they faced in Week 15 on defense and make up some effective schemes designed to stop Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in the middle with larger linebackers, such as Wesley Woodyard to prevent them from getting beaten for big gains.


'via Blog this'