National Football League

Fox gets acquainted with new Broncos players

Published Aug. 4, 2011 4:20 a.m. ET

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Coach John Fox had a masterstroke of an idea - given the lost offseason and his new job as Broncos coach - to place tape on the front of each player's helmet as an identifier at training camp.

The system has proven especially helpful in the past week, a period in which Denver has added a half dozen defensive linemen through two trades, the re-signing of two players and acquisitions of two other oversized bodies released by other teams.

''The one thing I didn't think through is they don't wear those at meals,'' Fox quipped.

He'll recognize the group soon enough. Players like defensive tackles Ty Warren and Brodrick Bunkley could eventually emerge as starters. Jeremy Jarmon, acquired from Washington for wide receiver Jabar Gaffney, and former top-10 pick Derrick Harvey have a strong chance to crack the rotation. Marcus Thomas and Ryan McBean logged extensive playing time on the Broncos' front four last year and already were somewhat familiar.

The flurry of moves was necessary after an offseason in which the defensive line was largely ignored. Jamal Williams started at nose tackle last season but was released. Justin Bannan, an end in Denver's old 3-4 scheme, also was let go. The Broncos then bypassed defensive tackle Marcell Dareus at the second overall spot in April's draft in favor of pass-rushing linebacker Von Miller, deciding ultimately to skip the defensive line entirely save for seventh-round defensive end Jeremy Beal.

Fox told anxious Broncos fans Denver would address defensive tackle in free agency. But after high-dollar free agents such as Cullen Jenkins (Philadelphia), Brandon Mebane (Seattle) and Barry Cofield (N.Y. Giants) landed elsewhere the team took another route.

''We were not worried at all,'' Broncos general manager Brian Xanders said. ''We had a plan the whole way. We had targeted certain guys and also knew certain guys could get released and when that happened, we immediately worked on it. It's been a nightly thing, every day. We get the waiver wire and go through it and always check into trade talks. And we did a quick job on free-agent talks.''

The acquisitions of Warren and Bunkley, who practiced for the first time Wednesday, were among the quickest decisions.

''I think we can be as good as we want to be,'' holdover defensive end Robert Ayers said of the reconstituted defensive line, which also welcomes back 2009 NFL sack leader Elvis Dumervil after chest surgery. ''We've tuned into what the coaches are teaching us technique-wise and effort-wise and all those things. If we tune in and lock in, there's no reason why we can't be great - and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. I've seen guys that put in the work and I don't see any reason why we can't be . considered amongst the elite.''

That's a marked departure from last year, when the front four was just one of many issues on a defense that ranked last in the NFL in total yards allowed. Only Buffalo (169.6) yielded more rush yards per game than the Broncos (154.6) in 2010. Thus, the need for more beef up front.

''Change can be a good thing or a bad thing,'' said Jarmon, who was a bad fit for Washington's 3-4 scheme. ''But I think this situation is going to be a good thing. The coaches are bringing in guys to fill in some puzzle pieces and we're just trying to assemble the best team we can, particularly on the defensive line.''

One of the wild-cards in Denver's maneuvering is Harvey, the eighth overall pick in the 2008 draft who never lived up to his pass-rushing hype from college in three pro seasons.

''It's a great chance to restart his career,'' Xanders said.

Warren won't arrive until Thursday for practice, but it's likely he'll immediately join the starters. On Wednesday, Bunkley was aligned as the starting nose tackle in the 4-3 next to tackle Kevin Vickerson.

Jarmon backed Vickerson, with Louis Leonard, a first-teamer the first six days of camp, behind Bunkley. Harvey also is supposed to make his Broncos debut with Warren on Thursday and likely will be slotted in behind Dumervil.

No wonder Fox needs name tags to keep it all straight.

''I haven't seen them all practice yet, so I'll (hold) that evaluation until we do,'' the Broncos coach said. ''But on paper, on tape, the things they've accomplished in the National Football League, I think we've definitely improved.''

EXTRA POINTS: Fox reiterated his stance on the quarterback competition between Kyle Orton and Tim Tebow amid reports that Orton already has been told he's been named the starter. Orton, as planned, is No. 1 to open camp and has clearly outplayed the competition while taking all the first-team snaps. Still, no promises have been made. ''My story's been the same regardless of what you hear,'' Fox said. ''And I'm in those meetings every day and know what's said to everybody. Nothing's changed. We've been singing the same song as seven months ago.'' . RB LenDale White (back) and LB D.J. Williams (hamstring) missed practice.