Comparing Defensive Roster Changes Of The Broncos To Personnel Packages

Over at Football Outsiders, Bryan Knowles took a deep dive at 2018 defensive personnel packages, seeing which teams used what proportion of base, nickel, and dime+ (six or more defensive backs) packages. The Broncos stood out in several ways, both in the past and for the future, that helps to explain some of the roster changes that were made this offseason.

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Examining Possible Contract Extensions For Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis, and Shelby Harris

The Broncos’ defensive line is currently a position of depth. However, as of now that depth is limited solely to 2019. After this season, Derek Wolfe, Adam Gotsis and Shelby Harris will all be unrestricted free agents. What will it take to keep any of these three in Denver in the future as of now?

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Guide to Biomechanical Efficiency Part 2

(if you haven’t already, you can read part 1 of this series by clicking here)

Mammalian Development

Mammalian development can be seen as a microcosm of tetrapod evolution.  Mammals begin life as fertilized eggs- as do fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds.  At the earliest stages of fetal development, mammals appear like tadpoles (amphibians) with buds for limbs.

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Guide to Biomechanical Efficiency Part 1

The following guide will attempt to explain what exactly is meant by the term “biomechanical efficiency”. Since this is a complex topic that requires far more space than is available here, the guide will be a simplified explanation, broken down into three parts: part one will introduce the evolution of biomechanics in human ancestors, part two will explore mammalian biomechanics (and how mammals came to dominate most ecosystems), and part three will examine how modern human biomechanics have diverged from those of our ancestors. 

Part One 

In its simplest definition, biomechanical efficiency is a measure of blood-flow– areas that are efficient receive and release blood very quickly on demand, whereas inefficient areas show interrupted or stymied flow.  By a slightly more expanded definition, efficiency is also a measure of musculoskeletal development, lymphatic flow, and muscle response time.  However, what truly determines biomechanical efficiency– and is the biomechanical mesh underlying each of these measures— is the human fascial system.  The fascial system feeds and drains blood/ lymph (and thus supplies oxygen/ removes waste), builds tissues, and provides its own muscular action.  As such, a measure of biomechanical efficiency is actually a measure of fascial development. 

Measuring biomechanical efficiency can be very useful for analyzing, understanding, and predicting the patterns of athletes (particularly NFL players).  The best players show high levels of efficiency in fascial areas most relevant to their playing position, while poor efficiency can be predictive of non-contact injuries and/ or ineffective traits. 

But in order to understand the human fascial system, we first need to understand its evolution.  Beginning with our very first vertebrate ancestors and the common ancestor to all non-insect land animals:

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Examining Possible Contract Extensions for Justin Simmons and Will Parks

The Broncos will have a number of pending unrestricted free agents for the 2020 offseason. Thus, while Broncos news is light, this is a good time of year to conduct a series on what it could take to proactively reduce that number by extending players that the team may like to keep in Denver long term.

This series will begin with Justin Simmons and Will Parks. Both play the same position, both have opportunities to start at that position, and, with both being acquired in the 2016 NFL Draft, both are entering the final years of their rookie contracts.

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Examining A Possible Extension For Chris Harris, Jr.

John Elway, wisely in my opinion, said that he would not address Chris Harris, Jr.’s contract until after the draft was over. Harris, also wisely in my opinion, has made it repeatedly clear that he wants an improvement from his current contract in its last season, to the point that reports are that he wants to be traded if the Broncos don’t give him a new contract.

Now that the draft is over, addressing Harris’s contract should be priority #1 for Elway and the Broncos front office. How could the two sides find common ground to keep Elway in Denver at a fair rate?

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