What a difference one year makes. Last season the Denver Broncos last year were ranked at the end of the season as the number three pass defense statistically averaging 186.3 yards per game against. This season through ten games the Broncos average 232 yards per game and ranked twentieth. It can be debated of what that reason is. There are a few arguments that could be brought up:
- The departure of Mike Nolan
- A year older on our veteran defense
- Too many injuries to the secondary
Or maybe you have your own reason, Either way, this is not the same secondary that we had last year. The Broncos this season only have six interceptions. This putting them on pace for 9.6 interceptions on the year. All this can change because stats can only be used to a certain extent but you get where I am going with this. Last season, the Broncos finished with 17 interceptions.
A lot of it can be contributed to the departure of Elvis Dumerviland Ayers strangely enough, Ayers looked like he was coming into being a pretty good player until he broke his foot in the Baltimore game. Elvis Dumervil is irreplaceable. No ifs ands or buts. We miss his pressure that would force turnovers and interceptions. The Broncos this season only have 14 sacks, tied for 2nd last in the league. Any quarterback *cough* Troy Smith *cough* will look good if he has all day to pass the ball.
The 2009 secondary is a little bit different from the 2010 version:
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Jack Williams Syd'Quan Thomspon
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Alphonso Smith Nate Jones
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Darcel McBath Darcel McBath
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Ty Law Perrish Cox
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Renaldo Hill Renaldo Hill
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Andre Goodman Andre Goodman
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Vernon Fox
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Brian Dawkins Brian Dawkins
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Tony Carter
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David Bruton David Bruton
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Josh Barret
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Champ Bailey Champ Bailey
So take it as you will, it is a pretty old secondary that just got a year older. I think though the pieces are there for the future and are learning behind the veterans which is the right way to build a successful team.