Good morning, Broncos Country!
There hasn’t been much to get excited about lately when it comes to the Denver Broncos.
The last two seasons haven’t been much fun. While the results haven’t shown up in terms of the record this season, you can (finally) see the path to future success, and it starts with the defense.
When you look at where the unit started this season and where it is now, it’s a testament to the players, Vic Fangio and the defensive coaches. It was going to take time for the players to learn the system and terminology, where they need to be and what they need to do. They needed to learn how to have success in this defense. It’s safe to say the Broncos have figured it out and it’s now one of the best units in football.
Denver is currently fourth in the NFL in total defense and against the pass. It’s eighth in points. Perhaps the stat that best illustrates where the defense is right now is the Broncos are second in red-zone defense.
As Cecil Lammey of 104.3 The Fan put it to Adam Malnati and me on the state of the franchise podcast (Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Spotify), you’re seeing buy-in from the players on defense. The Broncos know what they need to do and how to do it. It’s also just the start.
The play of Alexander Johnson, Davontae Harris, Malik Reed and Mike Purcell have crossed off items of need for this defense. John Elway will continue to look for depth at all of those positions, which is always a must, but their play lessens the urgency; especially at middle linebacker. As I said earlier this week, the Broncos haven’t had a dominant middle linebacker like Johnson since Al Wilson. If Harris continues to play as well as he has, the secondary is suddenly a major strength going forward. That’s before the hopeful re-signings of Justin Simmons and Chris Harris Jr. In terms of the defensive line, I’d also like to see Derek Wolfe brought back, given how well he’s played.
That’s where the excitement for the future comes into the fold.
Come the 2020 season, Denver will (hopefully) see the return of Bradley Chubb and Bryce Callahan. Then you add in whatever pieces Elway and the Broncos add via free agency and the NFL Draft to a unit that is already one of the best in the NFL. Suddenly, you see a team that could become a legitimate playoff contender.
The key is the quarterback position and why it’s paramount for Denver find out what it has in rookie Drew Lock. If Brandon Allen is able to go on the road against the Minnesota Vikings and Buffalo Bills and prove he’s the guy, so be it. If not, give Lock the remaining five games so you know what you have and what you need to do in the offseason.
After two-plus seasons with little to get excited about and no relief in sight, the path to success has finally emerged.
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Horse Tracks
Surprise standouts: Defensive players who made unexpected impacts early in 2019
Alexander Johnson is just one of the players who has made big-time plays for the Broncos this season.
How Todd Davis and Alexander Johnson helped shape the Broncos' defensive turnaround
The Broncos' inside-linebacker tandem has become one of the more formidable units in the NFL amid the team's newfound defensive dominance.
Local product Mike Purcell finds fit in center of Broncos defense
Get to know the Broncos' new starter on the defensive line.
Denver Broncos: Derek Wolfe enjoying big year in Vic Fangio’s defense
Playing in Vic Fangio's defense, Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe is having the best season of his career.
Broncos trying to find the right balance for Phillip Lindsay - Denver Broncos- ESPN
Lindsay has five of the Broncos' six runs of more than 25 yards this season, but his carries have often been limited.
NFL Tracks
The messy situation between LT Trent Williams and Washington, explained - SBNation.com
Trent Williams says the only team he’s ever played for didn’t properly address a growth on his head that turned out to be cancer.
Is it already time for the New York Jets to draft a new quarterback? - SBNation.com
In this week’s mailbag, Geoff Schwartz takes a look at the Jets’ biggest problem, the Seahawks’ Super Bowl chances, and what needs to be done about officiating.
Why NFL pass protection is also the QB’s job - SBNation.com
Retired NFL lineman Geoff Schwartz breaks down a myth about pass protection, and shows why Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky made a huge mistake on a sack play.
Why were we all so wrong about the Browns this season? - SBNation.com
Most of us had high expectations for Cleveland in 2019. Most of us were fools.
NFL experts sound off: Do Jets or Giants have better future?
The Giants passed on Sam Darnold to draft running back Saquon Barkley. Essentially, they passed on Darnold to make Daniel Jones their franchise quarterback.
NFL still a long way from calling London home - The Boston Globe
The league’s international series has been a big success, but there are many logistical obstacles to putting a team there permanently.
McVay: Nobody as 'intrinsically motivated' as Donald - NFL.com
With Aaron Donald set to return home when the Rams play the host Steelers, L.A. coach Sean McVay doesn't believe his DT needs extra motivation, because he's already as motivated as anyone he's ever seen.
How the Cowboys helped shape Mike Zimmer into an NFL head coach
The Vikings coach returns to Dallas, where he spent 13 years as an assistant, flashing the intensity that powered his run up the coaching ladder.
Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey is an NFL back who can’t be replicated - The Washington Post
The Panthers star could represent the future of NFL backs, but his path shows the difficulty of replicating his success.
The NFL's officiating crisis - Why it's time to sound the alarm
The 2019 officiating disaster has slowed game pace and offense to a crawl. And there's no quick fix in sight and not enough accountability.