National Football League

Haggan's versatility helps injury-riddled LB corps

Published Aug. 9, 2010 9:35 p.m. ET

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There was a time in Mario Haggan's career when he only got on the field for kickoffs and when another linebacker needed a quick breather.

That was typically it, as far as his role went.

Until last season, that is, when the Denver Broncos veteran deviated from the script, seizing the starting job out of camp and suiting up every game.

Now, a year later, Haggan may be the most valuable member of a dinged-up linebacker crew.

With Pro Bowler Elvis Dumervil headed for surgery on his torn pectoral muscle and possibly out for the season, Jarvis Moss sidelined with a broken right hand and captain D.J. Williams missing for an unspecified reason, Haggan brings what coach Josh McDaniels has always emphasized - versatility.

Haggan was slated to slide into the inside linebacker spot this season after playing opposite Dumervil on the outside all last year. This was a way to incorporate first-round picks Moss and Robert Ayers even more into the 3-4 scheme that relies heavily on linebackers.

But with the injury to Dumervil, Haggan may be asked to head back to his outside position.

Not that he minds. Inside or outside doesn't matter as long as he's on the field.

''Right now I'm just going where they want me. I think I have the ability to contribute,'' said Haggan, who's in his eighth season.

It sure beats a role limited primarily to special teams, which is pretty much what he did in five seasons with Buffalo and his first year with Denver in 2008, when he was brought in midway through the season.

He never started until last season, and then hardly left the field. He was the first player in 24 seasons to play in every game after at least 73 contests without a start.

This was a distinction he was satisfied to shed.

Another big task now awaits - bolstering the pass rush without the NFL's reigning sacks king. Dumervil had 17 sacks last season - Haggan has had three in his career.

But the Broncos aren't asking him to be Dumervil's duplicate. Just himself.

''He has to go out and be Mario,'' Pro Bowl safety Brian Dawkins said. ''When you're thinking, you're going to be a step slow. When you don't think and you know, then you can let your athleticism show. I think that's where Mario is going to go.''

As for replacing Dumervil's production, Haggan said it's only going to happen through everyone pulling a little more of the weight. No one player can simply step in.

''That's a blow to our defense, but that's what we practice for,'' said Haggan, a three-year starter at Mississippi State. ''That's what camp's for. That's why you have a depth chart.''

Dumervil's void gives players such as Ayers a shot at more snaps. Ayers is coming off a shaky rookie season in which he didn't have a sack.

So far in camp, though, Ayers has looked solid, earning the praise of teammates and coaches.

''I have my goals and we have our team goals and we're going to keep trucking toward them, with or without Elvis,'' said Ayers, the 18th overall pick in 2009. ''That's what Elvis would want for me to say and that's how he would want me to approach it.''

The thinning of the linebackers has also opened up more reps for middle linebacker Akin Ayodele, a ninth-year player who started 15 games for the Miami Dolphins last season.

''If I do well, I'll earn my position,'' Ayodele said Saturday night after practice at Invesco Field. ''This league is about being competitive, pushing each other.''

Considering their recent rash of injuries, though, are the Broncos possibly pushing too hard?

''There's nothing you can do about it,'' Ayodele said. ''You can make practice easier and guys are still going to get hurt. ... You have to have a game-like practice and make it like that for guys to understand what it takes to win.''

So many early injuries for the beleaguered Broncos.

Tailbacks Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (back) went down minutes apart midway through the first practice of training camp.

From there, the ailments have only intensified.

Denver has had no fewer than 13 players miss time for medical reasons and another two players - receiver Kenny McKinley and safety Josh Barrett - experience season-ending injuries.

These days, a dark cloud appears to be hovering over Dove Valley.

''I don't think of bad luck,'' Haggan said. ''Everything happens for a reason. ... Maybe it's the opportunity for some other guys to shuffle around and show what they can do. It all happens for a reason.''

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