Peter King: the Bronco blueprint on defense

[VonDoom]

Before King's mailbag at the MMQB this morning, he has a piece on how Elway has put together this defense:


“I guess, looking back to where I’ve come from, it might surprise you, but I have a defensive base,” Elway said. “My first 10 years in the league with [coach] Dan Reeves, we were very good on defense, first with Joe Collier as defensive coordinator, and then with Wade Phillips. I guess my philosophy came watching how we were set up defense first when I played. Run the ball next, then the passing game complemented that. I wanted to be good on defense, and then I wanted to be as talented as I could be on offense. The way I saw it, if you’re good on defense, you always have a chance.”

For Denver, if you’re deep on defense, you’ve always got a chance. His first draft pick was Von Miller in 2011. He got a stereo rush guy, DeMarcus Ware, in free agency in 2014, and filled in with draft picks (Sylvester Williams, Malik Jackson, Shane Ray) and undrafted free agents (Shaquil Barrett) and street free agents (Brandon Marshall, Antonio Smith). But the strength, I think, is the secondary. Elway has imported three prime corners in three different ways—through the draft (slot corner Bradley Roby), in undrafted free agency (Chris Harris) and unrestricted free agent Aqib Talib. Who has three premier corners today? The safety group is just as diverse.

http://mmqb.si.com/mmqb/2015/09/30/denver-broncos-defense-john-elway-architect-nfl-mailbag

Some interesting stuff in there, including how Brian Dawkins has helped out our secondary.

[Davii]

Good read VonDoom, thanks for sharing. The defense so far this year has been a blast to watch. When I start EXPECTING the Defense to make big plays, predict it in the game thread, and it ACTUALLY HAPPENS.... THAT'S a Defense that's damn good and fun to watch.

[TXBRONC]

Having an offense that can score 600 points was fun to watch but a dominate defense is fun to watch as well and it maybe even more valuable than a dominate offense. It's not that offense isn't important but even with a pass happy League I think teams Super Bowls without putting up 50 a game.

[Timmy!]

Let me help you out there Peter King. Blueprint:


http://i.memecaptain.com/gend_images/9NryoA.jpg

[EastCoastBronco]

Peter King is an ass clown...
I really miss the "Kissing Suzy Kolber" site because they used to tear him a new one every week...;-)

[Al Wilson 4 Mayor]

Let me help you out there Peter King. Blueprint:


http://i.memecaptain.com/gend_images/9NryoA.jpg
Yes, or kick their asses and take the ball.

[Denver Native (Carol)]

It’s tough to figure out how to beat the Denver Broncos defense.

Start with the fact that they have three excellent corners who can all play man-to-man coverage. When you begin with that, it gives you so many options as a defensive coordinator. Then add in the fact that Denver has two high-level pass rushers on each side, Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware.

Once you think about that foundation, you can easily understand how difficult it is to play against them.

In Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens we saw how devastating the combination of coverage and pressure can be. The Broncos ran a combination stunt/blitz at Joe Flacco. Aqib Talib is maybe the best cornerback in the league at playing to pressure and reading and anticipating the quarterback. He ran this route for Steve Smith.

rest - plus videos - http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-look-ahead--the-denver-broncos--dominant-defense-163533154.html