Last year the Denver Broncos defense dominated from Week one all the way to the Super Bowl. The unit seemed to step up and make big plays when the team needed it most. This continued through Denver’s playoff run and ultimately to hoisting the Lombardi trophy. There looks to be no sign of any let up this year. In fact the Denver Broncos defense will be even better in 2016..
Denver Broncos Defense Will Be Even Better in 2016
After a magnificent 2015 season, the Broncos defense entered camp with a chip on their shoulder. Many members of the media refused to give this unit the respect they fully deserved following a thrashing of the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50. Von Miller was the MVP of the Super Bowl and the Panthers high powered offense was stymied from the opening snap. It was a performance worthy of comparison to the 2000 Baltimore Ravens or even the 1985 Chicago Bears. Yet still, the Broncos defense was deemed good, not great.
This lack of respect has led the players to enter camp ready to dominate and show the world just how good they are. Safeties T. J. Ward and Darian Stewart have said that they want to improve on last year and eliminate silly errors.
Despite the great 2015 season they had the unit had many mistakes. Miscommunication, mental errors and numerous silly penalties kept this defense from being as good as they should have been. It was the team’s first year working in Wade Phillips’ defensive system. This lack of experience was the reason for many of their errors.
New Season, Better Results
This off-season the Broncos acquired more depth in the secondary by drafting players such as Adam Gotsis, Justin Simmons and Will Parks. These talented young rookies have already made big impacts in training camp. Simmons is a versatile safety who can cover a lot of ground and tackle with the best of them. The former Boston College Eagle is a ball hawk who reads receiver’s routes and quarterback’s eyes very well. Parks continues to impress the coaching staff with his intelligence and determination.
Aqib Talib, Chris Harris Jr. and Bradley Roby are three of the best cornerbacks in all of football. Dubbed the “No Fly Zone”, they make it nearly impossible for opposing quarterbacks and receivers to get any kind of rhythm going. Roby, who could easily be a starter for 31 other teams, has been outstanding in camp, harassing the wideouts and making huge interceptions.
Improvements From Within
Second year linebacker Shane Ray worked hard in the off-season and changed his diet. This has shown real dividends as Ray came into camp faster and stronger. The former Missouri Tiger is ready to become an All Pro and show everyone why the Broncos drafted him. Ray will be a nightmare for opposing linemen who already have to worry about Von Miller. Miller, who recently became the highest paid non quarterback in NFL history, will no doubt dominate again. Throw in rising stars Shaq Barrett, Brandon Marshall and Todd Davis and the Broncos defense looks scary good.
Gotsis, Derek Wolfe and Sylvester Williams will plug holes in the middle making it extremely difficult for any team to develop a running attack. With a solid starting eleven and a bench that runs deep with talent, there will be little reprieve for opposing offenses.
Though preseason games don’t account for much when it comes to predicting how the entire year will go, the Broncos performance on Thursday against the Chicago Bears was as dominating as they come. The defense recorded seven sacks, including a fumble recovery, a safety and an interception. Most of these big plays were created by second and third stringers, showing just how talented Denver’s bench is. Combine this talent and play making ability with a better understanding of the defensive scheme, and the Denver Broncos defense will be even better this year.
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