Sometimes a team’s depth chart doesn’t tell the real story of where a player stands.
Take Elvis Dumervil, for instance. Theoretically, he’s a third-stringer at right defensive end behind Ebenezer Ekuban and rookie Jarvis Moss.
In reality, he’s a starter in the Broncos’ nickel package. As in, whenever an opponent faces a passing situation, Dumervil will be coming off the corner in search of the quarterback.
Rushing the passer is what he does best. He did it well enough as a rookie to rack up 8.5 sacks. This year, he’s after double digits.
So, Elvis, 10 or 12 sacks sound about right?
“Twelve to 15,” Dumervil said.
Twelve to 15?
“That’s the goal.”
Nothing out of the ordinary there. Well, except only one Broncos pass rusher has had 12 sacks in the 21st century — Trevor Pryce, who had a dozen in 2000. And only one Broncos player in franchise history has racked up 15 sacks — Simon Fletcher, who had a team-record 16 in 1992.
Fifteen might be a bit ambitious, but don’t put 12 sacks past Dumervil. The coaches loved his quickness coming off the corner at Louisville, where he led the nation with 20 sacks in 2005. And he’s considerably stronger this season after spending the past year in an NFL weight room.
“My conditioning is so much better,” said Dumervil. “Rich Tuten (the Broncos’ strength coach) does a great job of working us hard, so I should be in a lot better shape this year.”
Jim Armstrong issues regular reports from training camp throughout the day along with video takes from the sidelines and snippets where fans get to do the talking. Visit .
