Draft Scout Snapshot:DS Rating on 8/24/08: #51 DE, #599/750 Overall, Projected Rnd: FA 2008: All-Southeastern Conference second-team selection and co-recipient of the Andy Spiva Award, given to the team's most improved defensive player. Started all 12 games at right defensive end, leading the conference with a career-high 15.5 stops for losses of 63 yards. Ranked sixth on the squad with a career-high 49 tackles (34 solos) that included three sacks for minus 29 yards and six quarterback pressures. Gained eight yards when he returned his first career interception...Ayers started 14-of-48 games at Tennessee, recording 113 tackles (79 solos) with nine sacks for minus-61 yards, 31.5 stops for losses of 125 yards and 12 QB pressures. Deflected three passes and intercepted another for an 8-yard return. His 22.5 stops of opposing ball carriers (not including sacks) behind the line of scrimmage rank sixth in school history behind Eric Westmoreland (34.0, 1996, 98-2000), Al Wilson (27.0, 1995-98), Leonard Little (25.0, 1995-97), Ben Talley (24.0, 1991-94) and Andy Spiva (23, 1973-76). Ayers' 15.5 tackles for loss (including sacks) in 2008 tied James Wilson (1993) for ninth on the Vols' season-record chart, while his 12.5 stops of opposing ballcarriers (sacks not included) behind the line of scrimmage rank fourth on the annual record list, topped by Leonard Little (14.0 in 1995), Jesse Mahelona (13.5 in 2004) and Greg Jones (13.0 in 1976)...2007: 14 GP; 0 GS; 25 Sol-34 TT, 12 TFL, 4 SK, 2 PBU, 3 QBH; Games/Starts: 14/0 ... 2006: 13 GP; 2 GS; 19 Sol-25 TT, 3 TFL, 1 SK, 1 PBU, 2 QBH; Games/Starts: 13/2...2005: 9 GP; 0 GS; 3 Sol-5 TT, 1 TFL, 1 SK; Suspended during spring 2005 for April arrest for aggravated assault at on-campus party. Pled to misdemeanor assault and paid court fees and restituation to the victim. Games/Starts: 9/0 ... 2004: Redshirted.
Post-Draft Outlook:BEST PICK: Robert Ayers was in the discussion for the Broncos' 12th pick, but Denver had running back Knowshon Moreno higher on its board and was gambling Ayers would still be around with the 18th pick. The move paid off when Ayers fell, allowing Denver to take a player that could fit as a 3-4 end or at outside linebacker. A closer look at the Broncos' picks: Round 1/18 -- Robert Ayers, LB/DE, 6-3, 273, Tennessee...Ayers didn't start until his senior year but made the most of it, parlaying a big year into a first-round grade. The Broncos will start Ayers at end, but he could end up at outside linebacker. Denver also thinks Ayers is versatile enough to play at tackle in passing situations. He provides immediate help to the front seven. - by The Sports Xchange
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Draft Scout Robert Ayers News
07/22/10 - LB Robert Ayers could be an answer, when teams shut down Elvis Dumervil on the other side. But he still needs to prove he can be productive.
He didn't have a sack last year, but the Broncos think he can turn the corner. A minor controversy in minicamp, in which Ayers was punished and was held out of practice, seems to have passed. But Ayers needs a big camp.
07/15/10 - LB Robert Ayers was already going to be in the spotlight as a 2009 first-round pick who had no sacks as a rookie but was handed a starting job anyway. The pressure increased when he found himself in the doghouse during the Broncos' mandatory minicamp. He was held out of practice the first two days as a punishment, and when he returned it was with the third team. Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said there would be an open competition between Ayers and Jarvis Moss, another former first-round pick. Given Moss' lack of production, the proclamation seems like mostly a way to motivate Ayers, who had been having a good offseason. But the Broncos' lack of depth at outside linebacker is an issue, and could be a big problem if Ayers doesn't respond with a good training camp. Although he didn't produce much as a rookie, despite playing nearly every snap in which Denver went to its nickel defense, the team saw enough potential from him to project a bigger impact this year.
06/17/10 - LB Robert Ayers' mysterious benching for the first two days of mandatory minicamp won't linger into training camp.
"He's fine, and I commend him for the work he's done and how he's approached this entire offseason," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said about the punishment, which was for an unknown offense. "It's resolved itself and we're all exciting moving forward with that. I know Robert is, and there's no other issues with it."
When Ayers, a 2009 first-round pick, did return it was with the second team. McDaniels said he will compete with Jarvis Moss, another former first-round pick, for a starting spot.
04/24/10 - LB Robert Ayers, a second-year player, is expected to start on the outside in the Broncos' 3-4 scheme.
03/04/10 - LB Robert Ayers played in the nickel defense all season, but he didn't record a sack. He could have a bigger impact once he learns the nuances of playing outside in a 3-4 scheme.
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