Broncos should take page out of Bucs playbook at ILB
Mar 2, 2021, 12:00 AM
While Tom Brady was great in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV, the defensive side of the ball was especially impressive.
Holding Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes and the NFL’s best offense to just nine points is an amazing achievement, one in which the key was exceptional production from their linebackers.
With the NFL being a copycat league, wherein teams constantly try to outdo each other in areas proven successful, it’s time for the Denver Broncos to get Vic Fangio a legitimate three-down linebacker.
In Super Bowl LV, the Bucs featured Devin White and Lavonte David at the linebacker position. Their speed and ability to make Mahomes hold on to the ball longer than normal were crucial in Tampa Bay’s win.
And with Fangio’s track record with great inside linebackers, the Broncos need to get him one in Denver.
Throughout Fangio’s career as a defensive coordinator, he has had great linebackers in his arsenal — from Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman in San Francisco to Roquan Smith and Danny Trevathan in Chicago. Fangio’s defenses need a high-level inside linebacker to put it over the edge.
Though the NFL is a copycat league, Fangio has utilized the inside linebacker position for years. After seeing the Bucs crush the Chiefs with their inside linebackers, it’s time for the Broncos to follow suit.
Will Denver be able to get someone as good as White or David? It will not be easy. But this is what the Broncos need to do.
You want the defensive guru Fangio to flourish on his side of the ball, get him his own Devin White and Lavonte David.