The Broncos have tried many things to slow down San Diego Chargers tight end Antonio Gates over the years.
They’ve lined cornerbacks on him in a smattering of plays, including eight-time Pro Bowl selection Champ Bailey; they’ve lined up safeties like Sam Brandon and Marquand Manuel on him; and they have tried letting a linebacker take a shot from time to time.
However, this will be the first chance for folks to see how new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan takes on an annual problem in the AFC West via the Broncos’ 3-4 scheme.
The Broncos play bigger linebackers in the 3-4, so they might not ask their outside linebackers to match up with Gates in man coverage in space. That would be asking for trouble, especially beyond the 5-yard contact zone.
Instead, because the Chargers often use Gates in a three wide receiver look, they could go to a dime (six defensive backs) package from time to time in passing situations.
The Broncos played five snaps in the dime in the season opener and have not played it since. With cornerback Jack Williams and safety Darcel McBath as the fifth and sixth defensive backs, the Broncos would get a physical look because McBath has open-field speed.
At roughly 200 pounds, McBath could also help against the run if the Chargers try to open up the formation and then run into the gaps.
Rookie Alphonso Smith has also played in the slot on wide receivers at times, splitting that job with Williams.
The Chargers are difficult in that situation, though, because Gates, at 260 pounds, can outrun linebackers; and as a former college basketball player he can overpower smaller defensive backs when the ball is in the air.
Both Smith and Williams are 5-9, so they would be giving up a significant reach advantage to Gates. The Broncos could be tempted to try a little more size in some special personnel groupings and use a 6-2 safety like David Bruton or the 6-2 Josh Barrett if they want to get a little more reach and bulk to help on Gates, especially in the scoring zone.
Both players were among the fastest safeties in their respective draft classes, with Bruton weighing 211 pounds and Barrett 225.
But it is the challenge of facing the Chargers overall as well, because they have such big receivers — two are 220 pounds or more — to surround Gates.
As a result we should see some things from the Broncos defense that Nolan has not shown yet.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
