The defense was closing in, with linebacker D.J. Williams leading the charge. He raced in and knocked the ball away. The intended receiver slowly shuffled back to the huddle.
“That a way, D.J.,” yelled Broncos linebacker Ian Gold. “That a boy, D.J.”
For every good play executed by Williams, Gold’s playing time could be in peril. But Gold knows the Broncos benefit from having Williams on the field as much as possible. He makes things happen. Just as Gold does.
It’s a “thank goodness we have this” dilemma. Williams and Gold are at the center of a classic “what do you do?”
Last year, because of the return of a healthy and productive Gold, Williams – a 2004 NFL defensive rookie of the year candidate – didn’t play as much as the Broncos had hoped. The goal is to get Williams, a former first- round pick, on the field more. Defensive coordinator Larry Coyer estimates Williams played about 700 of Denver’s 1,100 defensive plays last season. At issue most is the nickel defense, when Gold plays while Williams sits.
“I got what D.J. wants and he’s going to work hard to get it,” Gold said. “It helps the team to have this type of talent.”
To help get more from Williams, the Broncos are planning to use him strictly at strongside linebacker in the base defense. The strongside linebacker typically lines up on the same side as the tight end. Williams was a weakside linebacker as a rookie. He and Gold switched back and forth often last season.
However, because the basis of the nickel defensive package is to have only two linebackers but five defensive backs, the Williams-Gold rub will come into play often. NFL defenses are in the nickel package a majority of the time. Gold and middle linebacker Al Wilson – anchors of one of most respected linebacking corps in the NFL – are the nickel players. That leaves Williams on the sideline if Gold and Wilson aren’t brought out for an occasional breather.
“That’s all stuff we have to figure out,” Coyer said. “It’s a great problem to have. We have a great young player who needs to be on the field more, but we also have great players like Ian and Al who we have to keep on the field. The issue is, we have to keep those guys on the field and get D.J. on it more. That’s the job.”
Denver coach Mike Shanahan concurs.
“D.J. will play more,” said Shanahan, who has made a point of saying how valuable Williams is on the field.
The Broncos could stay in their base defense longer or occasionally use 3-4 alignments.
“There’s things you can do,” Denver safety John Lynch said. “I think the lesson learned last year was that we have to find a way for D.J. to get more time.”
Coyer said he was impressed by the work ethic shown by Williams in offseason workouts. He said Williams came to work with the mission of getting on the field more. Williams said he wasn’t discouraged by the lack of playing time last season because he sees the big picture.
“I do want to help the team as much as I can,” Coyer said. “It’s a unique situation here. Whoever we have out there, the team is going to be better and that’s a situation I can be satisfied with.”
Because of the presence of Gold and Wilson, Coyer may have to keep that sunny disposition.
“Here’s the bottom line: We need to get D.J. out here more; we all know that,” Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said. “But when you do that, everybody would be asking, ‘Where’s Ian?’ or, ‘Where’s Al?’ I guess having three great linebackers can be a problem, but I’ll take that type of problem.”
Staff writer Bill Williamsoncan be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
