Like everyone connected to the Broncos, by employment or emotion, Larry Coyer couldn’t wait to see what would shake out on the defensive line.
The reconstructed line – sponsored by a heavy influx of former Cleveland Browns and a repaired Trevor Pryce – was the Broncos’ most intriguing area heading into training camp. Less than two weeks before the season opener at Miami, the early returns are positive on the new-look D-line.
“So far, so good,” drawled Coyer, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator. “I like what I see; I like it a lot. There’s still a long way to go, but it’s looking very good.”
After retooling the unit, the Broncos hoped they would be in good shape at the position. They hoped Pryce would be healthy and productive after missing 14 games last season because of a back injury that required surgery. They hoped the players brought in from Cleveland would fit in well. They hoped if there were injuries, there was enough talent in the rotation to survive the pain.
The answers thus far are a resounding yes, correct and oh, yeah.
“This unit has a chance to really be something,” said new defensive line/defensive tackles coach Andre Patterson, who also came to Denver from Cleveland. “I like the way they are mixing.”
Of course, mixing on the defensive line means creating pressure on the quarterback, something the Broncos have been unable to do in recent seasons. If the first three games of the preseason are any indication, there will be no free rides for opposing quarterbacks this year. They’ll be chased. Often, they’ll be caught.
The Broncos have 12 sacks in three games. They had 38 in the regular season last year. Preseason statistics are often irrelevant because many players who don’t make the 53-man roster are contributing to the numbers. However, on a line that will see up to 10 or 11 players in a rotation, the preseason sack totals take on more weight.
High-effort backup end John Engelberger – acquired in a July trade with San Francisco for cornerback Willie Middlebrooks – has made a team-high four sacks. He had one taken away because of a penalty. Pryce has two sacks.
“I like the way the guys are pushing the quarterback into each other; it means the unit is coming together,” Patterson said. “Against San Francisco, (Gerard) Warren pushed the quarterback into Trevor and against Indianapolis, Trevor pushed the quarterback into (Ebenezer Ekuban). Those are good signs.”
The best sign for the unit is health. Pryce has shown no ill effects from his back surgery, playing well in the past two games. Pryce, who like most starters won’t play Friday at Arizona, said his play Saturday night was encouraging.
“I felt better in this game than I have during this whole comeback,” Pryce said. “The best thing is I’m not in pain.”
Brown is back at practice this week after suffering a dislocated left elbow Aug. 4.
“Courtney is a big difference- maker for us,” Pryce said. “We haven’t had a guy like him around here. He’s just so big and fast. He makes plays and makes this whole unit better.”
Veterans Raylee Johnson and Luther Elliss were released as part of the Broncos’ first round of cuts, and the team still has decisions to make about the line. Some teams keep nine defensive linemen but Denver may keep as many as 11, with bubble players Anton Palepoi and Dorsett Davis perhaps too valuable to release.
“You can’t slack off for even a play on this line,” Davis said. “Everybody is too good. There’s no room to slack off. Everybody talked about all changes, but all I see is a big-time line.”
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
