Von Miller: A Case Study

ProFootballFocus.com's Ben Stockwell profiled Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller as part of his "Pass Rusher Profile" series. Stockwell is immediate in pointing out that Miller along with the Miami Dolphins Cameron Wake and 2011 classman J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans are redefining the role of linebackers in the NFL.

Few players have had the kind of impact entering the league in recent times as Von Miller has had in his first two seasons with the Denver Broncos.

From 2011 to 2012 Miller nearly doubled his PFF statistics of: sacks, hurries, pass rushing productivity and pass rush grades.

The profile reads like a love letter to the game of football and the way the Miller plays it. Listing off his strengths and how they have only gotten better in two seasons and his weaknesses: none.

Something that I hadn't realized is that Von has victimized the San Diego Chargers' Jeromey Clary, against whom Miller racked up three sacks and four hurries last season. Now who may be Miller's strongest opponent? That is the Kansas City Chiefs' Eric Winston, who is currently a free agent. Of course the Chiefs have quickly replaced Winston with this year's number one overall draft pick Eric Fisher.

One thing that I have found interesting is that in many, if not most profiles of Miller and Denver's defense in general this offseason, is the amount of weight profilers are giving to the exit of Elvis Dumervil. To me, it's not as if tackles will now combine to block Miller on his side, they will still have another defensive end to deal with and if that defensive end happens to be Robert Ayers-- well, you saw what he was able to do in the 2011 playoffs.

Definitely check out the profile on PFF, Stockwell goes much more in depth and it is worth a read for any fan.