If healthy, this could be one special defense this year.

[Broncosballer32]

Finally, we are seeing Von Miller in his natural position as a 3-4 OLB. It is about damn time. I know it is only preseason, but it really looks like they are going to get great pressure on the QB.

Combine that with Malik on the line, along with Ware and Shane Ray (not to mention when Wolfe finishes his suspension) it could be a special year.

I love the new offense, which is the same as the old offense. Osweiler was impressive. Good attitude and Latimer seems to be quite comfortable with the scheme too.

Now, can someone please do something about the special teams? I am concerned that that is going to be a problem all year. Hope not.

 

[SpringStein]

I still think a major key will be the play of Sly Williams. If he can be solid this is going to be a very good D. If he's better than that, this will be a great D. Also don't underestimate the importance of the play of Marshall and Trevathan at ILB. They are smaller that Wade usually plays but they are really good players and it will be mucho fun watching them playing together this year.

 

[SpringStein]

Renck with the theme that the D will be key to this year's improvement:

Renck: Big improvement lies more with defense than Peyton Manning's adjustment - The Denver Post

 

[LGM]

It's still very early, but I'm cautiously optimistic.
Wade always improves a defense, and we've got a ton of sick talent.

 

[cdumler7]

I still think a major key will be the play of Sly Williams. If he can be solid this is going to be a very good D. If he's better than that, this will be a great D. Also don't underestimate the importance of the play of Marshall and Trevathan at ILB. They are smaller that Wade usually plays but they are really good players and it will be mucho fun watching them playing together this year.

Another guy that I am hoping they find a way to get on the field for the defense is Todd Davis. He showed pretty well when injuries hit us last year at the position and he showed again last night firing through a gap to make a play in the back field. I've been hearing he has had a very good camp so far as well. Can't remember when we have had this much possible talent at the linebacker position.

Also I would say last night went a long way in securing my thoughts on the DL being good even while Wolfe is suspended. I saw Sly, Kilgo, Walker, and Jackson all make plays last night or at least cause some havoc where another guy was able to make a play. Anunike looks like he could be that guy that nobody has ever heard of other than Bronco fans that really surprises people. Now having said that I do think our run defense might not be quite as good as the last few years but what I do see is more negative plays. Teams might pick up some chunk yards here and there but it does look like the Broncos are going to push on making the bigger plays that completely destroy a drive. No more of the slow bleeding as the opposing team slowly moves down the field.

 

[SpringStein]

Agree on above. I thought Anunike was really good last night - but of course that was vs 2nd or 3rd stringers for the Hawks. I'm optimistic that he has a bright future. Of course I'd like to see him pack on a little more weight, but he looked strong at 260.

 

[cdumler7]

Agree on above. I thought Anunike was really good last night - but of course that was vs 2nd or 3rd stringers for the Hawks. I'm optimistic that he has a bright future. Of course I'd like to see him pack on a little more weight, but he looked strong at 260.

It is true that he was doing it against players that most likely don't even make an NFL roster and really against a team with a terrible OL. I have heard though practice wise he has been doing exactly what we saw last night so it gives me hope that it wasn't just the level of competition. Still a long ways to go though for all these guys and looking promising in preseason definitely doesn't mean great play in the regular season but it is a nice stepping stone towards it.

 

[nflbronco]

I still think a major key will be the play of Sly Williams. If he can be solid this is going to be a very good D. If he's better than that, this will be a great D. Also don't underestimate the importance of the play of Marshall and Trevathan at ILB. They are smaller that Wade usually plays but they are really good players and it will be mucho fun watching them playing together this year.

Yep its nice to see a DC that wants to rush passer not just react and cover only. DL is key and staying healthy.

 

[Malibu]

I'd rather have an aggressive defense that makes big plays but may give up a few big plays instead of a defense that just lays back and plays soft. The Broncos in 98 and 99 had very aggressive defenses and honestly I think there is more talent on this years defense then in 98 and 99. With Miller, Ware, Ray, Trevathon, Marshall, Davis, even Nelson etc... This is a very deep linebacker core.

 

[randymon]

D was pretty impressive when you think about no Ware,minus 2 best Lbs,no Talib or Harris and I believe Miller only played 1 series. By the way, never noticed Darian Stewart. Did he play?

 

[cdumler7]

D was pretty impressive when you think about no Ware,minus 2 best Lbs,no Talib or Harris and I believe Miller only played 1 series. By the way, never noticed Darian Stewart. Did he play?

Stewart played. He is the new #26 for the team. I remember one played where he really flashed and came up and helped in run support. Made a very nice solo tackle. I think he actually stayed in longer than most of the starters. Not sure why they did that but he seems like a guy who will do his job. Probably won't be an all star but will be good.

 

[Draft Crazy]

On paper this is probably the best defense the Broncos have had in my lifetime. I hope they stay healthy, and have good chemistry together and everyone works had to make this happen. I am very excited about this D this season.

 

[randymon]

Stewart played. He is the new #26 for the team. I remember one played where he really flashed and came up and helped in run support. Made a very nice solo tackle. I think he actually stayed in longer than most of the starters. Not sure why they did that but he seems like a guy who will do his job. Probably won't be an all star but will be good.

That's why I didn't notice him in pass defense cause Seattle rarely got chance to throw ball downfield in 1st half.

 

[Duffman]

I think Stewart will fill in for Rahim Moore just fine, he's not as flashy or talented as Moore in some areas but he's a solid player who doesn't bite off more than he can chew. Moore got burned too many times last year because he tried to make a big play and in some cases it was warranted but other times it wasn't needed, we wont see that with Stewart.

 

[cdumler7]

I think Stewart will fill in for Rahim Moore just fine, he's not as flashy or talented as Moore in some areas but he's a solid player who doesn't bite off more than he can chew. Moore got burned too many times last year because he tried to make a big play and in some cases it was warranted but other times it wasn't needed, we wont see that with Stewart.

With Moore I do think part of his problem was more Del Rio than anything. Moore definitely made his mistakes along the way but Del Rio seemed to enjoy putting Moore back 30 yards pretty much making the game 11 on 10 because of it. Moore was only visible for about 10 plays a game. I'm hoping Phillips does a little more with the FS position than just have him twiddle his thumbs 30 yards down the field. So far looks like he has Stewart playing a little closer and allowing him to help out a lot more in the run game.

The team also had some plays where they had Ward almost play more of the linebacker position then had Stewart and Bruton playing the safety positions. This is what Del Rio started doing a little more at the end of the season and Ward had some of his best games at the end of the year because of it. Looks like Phillips is actually going to have Ward playing more of that hybrid LB/Safety roll that fits him so well. Use him more like the Seahawks use Kam.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I'd rather have an aggressive defense that makes big plays but may give up a few big plays instead of a defense that just lays back and plays soft. The Broncos in 98 and 99 had very aggressive defenses and honestly I think there is more talent on this years defense then in 98 and 99. With Miller, Ware, Ray, Trevathon, Marshall, Davis, even Nelson etc... This is a very deep linebacker core.

Agreed. Throw Shaq Barrett on the LB pile too!

 

[cdumler7]

Agreed. Throw Shaq Barrett on the LB pile too!

They were talking to Anunike and Barrett earlier today and it was a pretty good interview. Essentially Anunike said he put on 15 lbs. of good weight this year so that he can play more the DE spot for the 3-4. Obviously it looks like it was pretty good weight as he hasn't lost his explosiveness. He graded out as the best player in the game last night. Shaq said that he spent quite a bit of time picking the brain of Von Miller about off season preparation and completely changed his diet and especially his water intake. He said that he is down to something like 11% body fat.

I'm starting to think they are going to have to start calling us the Undrafted Team. There is a chance that we will have Anderson, Anunike, Shaq, Harris, Thompson, Clark, Todd Davis, Johnson, and Stewart all on the team as Undrafted players. Good chance we maybe add a couple of WR's to that list just not sure which ones yet.

 

[randymon]

Were not going to like final cuts no doubt. There will be some fan favorite casualties for sure. I just hope its not any of my guys. Seriously though, there will also be some very good talent that some teams will have to expose to waiver wire ( Denver isn`t exempt either) and if Denver needs to add players due to injury during preseason,etc., hopefully they can sign some of them. Can`t wait for Houston already. Oh, and get to take a look at Winston in about 30 mins. Being interesting. Cheers!

 

[wingsauce7]

Agreed. Throw Shaq Barrett on the LB pile too!

After watching this guy play for the last few years I have no doubt he'll be making an impact on an NFL team. I'm thinking if we try hiding him on the practice squad again this year, someone's going to be signing him..

 

[cdumler7]

After watching this guy play for the last few years I have no doubt he'll be making an impact on an NFL team. I'm thinking if we try hiding him on the practice squad again this year, someone's going to be signing him..

This is where Lerentee McCray better get himself out of the tub because Shaq is definitely making a play for his roster spot. Can't win a spot on the roster from the tub. Same thing goes for Austin at the NT position. They have him 4th on the depth chart because he has spent this entire off season injured. Throw in the young guys are actually playing pretty well. I had big hopes for Austin this year but it does seem the injury bug is derailing what could have been a promising career.