D.J. now manning middle

Aug/14/07 08:46 AM Filed in: DJ Williams
With Jim Bates leading the defense, should Broncos fans expect to see D.J. Williams in the top five in the league in tackles? If this happens, do you think D.J. would make the Pro Bowl? -- Mike, Englewood

Mike - Yes and yes. The Jim Bates defense is made for middle linebackers. When Bates ran Miami's defense from 2000-04, Zach Thomas finished among the league's top four tackle leaders in four consecutive seasons. In Bates' lone season of running Green Bay's defense in 2005, Nick Barnett had a career year in tackles. And there isn't a scout out there who would argue Thomas or Barnett can match Williams' skill package.

The primary reason why Bates' system is so middle-linebacker friendly is he plays not one, but two gargantuan players at the defensive-tackle positions. This year, 350-pound Sam Adams, 330-pound Gerard Warren and 320-pound Jimmy Kennedy will rotate among the two tackle spots. They will eat up multiple blockers while Williams will be left free to tackle his way all the way to Hawaii.

(denverpost.com)