ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The rookie linebacker wearing No. 57 reminded Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips of someone. His tenacity, his never-quit motor on the field - all way too familiar.
Skip back nearly three decades. Think nose tackle instead of linebacker. Swap No. 57 for 71.
Oh yeah, Kragen's kid. Phillips immediately felt his age.
Kyle Kragen was added to the roster on May 6 as a college free agent. In 1989, his father, Greg, became a Pro Bowler in Phillips' system during the defensive guru's first go-around with the Broncos.
''If Kyle Kragen has kids, maybe I'll coach them, too,'' the 68-year-old Phillips laughed.
It will take some work for Kyle to make a team coming off a Super Bowl title and already boasting outside linebackers such as Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. But if anyone can help him, it's Phillips.
He did wonders for his dad.
Following a career at Utah State, Greg made the Broncos in 1985 and had four solid seasons before Phillips' arrival as defensive coordinator in `89. That's when Greg took his game to another level. Over the next four years under the tutelage of Phillips and the coaching staff, Greg had six fumble recoveries, 13 sacks and 352 tackles. Read more..
For NFL news, video highlights, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more only at feeltheaction.com
Skip back nearly three decades. Think nose tackle instead of linebacker. Swap No. 57 for 71.
Oh yeah, Kragen's kid. Phillips immediately felt his age.
Kyle Kragen was added to the roster on May 6 as a college free agent. In 1989, his father, Greg, became a Pro Bowler in Phillips' system during the defensive guru's first go-around with the Broncos.
''If Kyle Kragen has kids, maybe I'll coach them, too,'' the 68-year-old Phillips laughed.
It will take some work for Kyle to make a team coming off a Super Bowl title and already boasting outside linebackers such as Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. But if anyone can help him, it's Phillips.
He did wonders for his dad.
Following a career at Utah State, Greg made the Broncos in 1985 and had four solid seasons before Phillips' arrival as defensive coordinator in `89. That's when Greg took his game to another level. Over the next four years under the tutelage of Phillips and the coaching staff, Greg had six fumble recoveries, 13 sacks and 352 tackles. Read more..
For NFL news, video highlights, game-day coverage, schedules, stats, scores and more only at feeltheaction.com
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