Robertson happy to be back in 4-3 with Broncos

ENGLEWOOD • As the fourth overall pick of the 2003 draft, the New York Jets wanted big things from big defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson.

Robertson understands. He felt the same way.

Things didn’t work out as hoped for either side. This offseason Robertson was traded to the Denver Broncos for a conditional late-round pick in next year’s draft.

“My career could have been better than what it has been,” Robertson said. “I’m not complaining about that, I’m just trying to get better and have a better year than what I had last year.”

Unlike some top-five busts, Robertson has some reason for not being a great player yet. The Jets brought in a new coaching staff a couple of years ago, and the scheme changed. The Jets moved from a 4-3 defense with four defensive linemen and three linebackers to a 3-4. Instead of lining up over a guard with some space to play, Robertson was taking up blockers as a nose tackle playing over the center.

Five years after being drafted, Robertson is in a new place with far less pressure. He hasn’t played in a Pro Bowl and has never had more than four sacks in a season but he hopes his time to shine is coming.

“I’m good, I’m happy,” Robertson said.

Robertson escaped from New York with his confidence intact. Some players, no matter the sport, get beaten down in the nation’s biggest media market.

There were many eyes on Robertson as the fourth pick, even more so than normal because New York traded two first-round picks to move up and take him. When he was still with the Jets, a New York Times story wondered if Robertson felt the pressure of being a draft bust. That question was posed in August 2004, before Robertson had started his second season.

Robertson said he knew expectations from the media and Jets fans were high, and neither is a patient group. He tuned it out. He said he never paid attention to what was being said about him in New York.

“For one, you have to have a real strong mind to play this game,” Robertson said. “You can’t worry about what the media says, you have to worry about the things you control.”

After three seasons, Robertson said he was finally feeling good about his progress. Then new coach Eric Mangini came in and changed the defense.

“I believe after my third year I became a student of the game and had everything down and was ready to go,” said Robertson who added he doesn’t hold a grudge against Mangini or Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum.

He has a second chance in Denver. Robertson is getting used to playing the 4-3 again and he has a chronic knee condition the Broncos are being careful with, but he is a good fit for the aggressive style of defense the team wants to use.

“The type of guy we’re looking for, that’s him,” defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. “I’m really excited about it. And I get the sense he’s excited.”

“You go and make plays,” Robertson said. “You have that freedom. It’s not restrictive. It’s kind of fitting for a guy like me.”