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TXBRONC
10-05-2009, 03:55 PM
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2009/10/05/dumervils-pressure-makes-cowboys-crumble-2

Dumervil's pressure makes Cowboys crumble
Posted Oct. 05, 2009 @ 2:47 p.m.
By Dan Parr

There were some questions about just how the Broncos' defense would fare against the Cowboys' potent offense in Week Four. After Denver dominated the lackluster attacks of Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland in the first three weeks of the season, there was skepticism about the "D" since it hadn't been truly tested by a highly respected offense. The Broncos' answer on Sunday didn't lack for clarity.

Coordinator Mike Nolan's unit delivered, keeping QB Tony Romo from establishing any rhythm while sacking him five times, forcing and recovering his one fumble and picking him off in the red zone in a 17-10 win that improved Denver's record to 4-0 for the first time since 2003. Denver kept Dallas scoreless in the final three quarters and limited what had been the league's best running game to 74 yards on 25 carries.The Broncos are allowing a league-best 6.5 points per game.

The PFW spin

The defensive MVP for the Broncos, and arguably for the entire league, through the first quarter of the season is OLB Elvis Dumervil, who, after making eight sacks in the last three games, is tied for the league lead in the category. Dumervil sacked Romo twice on Sunday, including on 3rd-and-9 during the Cowboys' opening drive, which forced them to punt.

Dumervil's lack of size relative to other defensive ends — he's 5-11 — was once considered a major flaw, but he has used it to his advantage throughout his career and did so again Sunday against the Cowboys' massive offensive tackle tandem of Flozell Adams and Marc Colombo, who stand 6-7 and 6-8, respectively. Dumervil forces towering tackles to bend and get low to the ground in order to maintain leverage as he brings pressure, which is a major challenge for big lumbering blockers. The fourth-year veteran is one of the league's quickest pass rushers off the ball and he has long arms that help him be disruptive.

The Broncos were able to get so much pressure on Romo that Dallas opted to keep Romo's favorite target, TE Jason Witten, in to chip for much of the time, and he was held to just four catches for 31 yards.

The second quarter of the season is ripe with potential pitfalls for Denver, as it faces New England, goes to San Diego before a bye and then travels to Baltimore before coming home to face Pittsburgh. This is a team that could come crashing back to .500 if it's not careful, but if Dumervil and company continue to swarm quarterbacks and force turnovers, the Broncos, who already have a two-game division lead over the Chargers, should be firmly in the driver's seat of the AFC West with eight games to play.

claymore
10-05-2009, 03:58 PM
The Broncos were able to get so much pressure on Romo that Dallas opted to keep Romo's favorite target, TE Jason Witten, in to chip for much of the time, and he was held to just four catches for 31 yards.

Daaaaaaaaaaang!

TXBRONC
10-05-2009, 03:59 PM
Daaaaaaaaaaang!

That's pretty cool when you can take away a quarterback's favorite receiver.