SATURDAY MORNING QUATERBACK: With Jammer, the Broncos Look to Solve an Important Problem…
By Todd Baker
Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Quentin Jammer is not Charles Woodson. He’s just not even close! He has never made a Pro Bowl, has never been part of a statistically elite defensive back field and has legions of fans in San Diego divided as to his place in Charger history. He was drafted fifth overall in the 2002 draft (Woodson was selected fourth in 1998 by the way) but made very little impact early prompting Charger fans to heckle him with shouts of “Lito, Lito”. They were apparently referring to Lito Sheppard whom the Eagles drafted sixth overall in the same draft.
However, Jammer managed to stay a part of the organization and even earned his way on to the San Diego Chargers’ 50th Anniversary team. How? Well, from 2006 until recently he established himself as a legitimate shut down corner. He never had the flashy numbers but over time quarterbacks learned not to throw in his direction. Bronco fans probably remember what happened last year when Peyton Manning did! Additionally, no one disputes his physicality. From his days as an All American at Texas he was always regarded as a highly physical player. So, it makes sense that on the eve of his 34th birthday and in need of a new contract, Jammer has decided to join a contender… even if he may have to move to safety in order to see significant playing time.
Interestingly, this is something he has in common with Charles Woodson. As the more publicized of the two players, even casual watchers of the NFL may have heard abut Woodson’s switch to safety and seamless domination of the position. Now it looks to be Quenton Jammer’s turn. So, how will he fair?
The Denver Bronco defensive backfield is a crowded one. Champ Bailey and Chris Harris were certainly the stand outs last season. Harris seemed to come from nowhere but had a magnificent campaign. The team went out and signed Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie who will most likely work the opposite side of the field from Champ. He has a lot to prove but all of the talent necessary to do it.
In the third round of the NFL draft the Broncos continued to add depth with the addition of Kayvon Webster, the hard hitting corner from USF. Webster will probably see action as both corner and safety in his first season. Tony Carter had a respectable season at cornerback but also had every bit as much to do with the Jacoby Jones debacle as much maligned safety, Rahim Moore. The Broncos also have the very solide Mike Adams at safety as well. Both Adams and Moore were tackling machines last year but they have to improve in coverage.
Enter one of the best shut down corners of the last decade, Quenton Jammer. With Bailey, Rodgers-Cromartie and Harris as the top men on the board at the corner position, Carter, Adams, Moore, Webster and now Jammer can help with run support and tight end coverage. Yes, tight end coverage!
Eight tight ends caught touchdowns against the Broncos last season which accounted for 35% of the total number of touchdowns the Broncos surrendered. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! For a defense that ranked fifth overall last year to have allowed that kind of tight production is truly puzzeling. The signing of Jammer shows that the Bronco brass got the message. They have added another hard hitting player who also knows how to cover.
He’s not the glamorous pick that many in Denver probably wanted to see but he is the right man for a job the Broncos seemed ill-equipped to do last year. If the Broncos only allow four touchdowns to opposing tight ends last year all of these moves have been a success. That’s exactly what this signing is all about…
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