Everybody else needs water for sustenance. Elvis Dumervil requires quarterbacks.
After going three weeks without, the Broncos’ star pass-rushing defensive end is getting desperate.
“Yeah, I’m really thirsty, man,” Dumervil said. “Thirsty. It’s coming. Watching film, I’m getting closer and closer.”
Put a water canteen around the neck of Kansas City quarterback Damon Huard. Dumervil had a three-game sackless skid last year, too. It was snapped with a December game at Kansas City where Dumervil had three sacks on Chiefs quarterbacks, including a ferocious blast on Huard that caused a fumble, a 17-yard touchdown recovery return by Nate Webster and backup quarterback Brodie Croyle to finish the game.
The AFC West contest Sunday against the 0-3 Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium could be timely for a Denver pass rush that has more resembled a pass watch. In their past two games against San Diego and New Orleans, the Broncos have combined for just two sacks while quarterbacks Philip Rivers and Drew Brees got off 81 passes for 798 yards.
In defense of the Broncos’ pass rush, it might be better if it was a defensive priority. The mission statement for this team is to get quarterback Jay Cutler the ball. When a team is built around its offense, the defense’s primary task is to stop the run so opponents can’t control time of possession.
Last season, the Broncos’ offense stood out of rhythm watching its defense give up more rushing yards than all but 4-12 Oakland and 1-15 Miami. The Broncos’ defense had 33 sacks last year, five from ranking eighth in the NFL. Is that what people want?
That doesn’t mean the Broncos shouldn’t be harassing Huard a time or six Sunday. Huard is one of the league’s least mobile quarterbacks, although he has the experience to adjust once he feels pressure.
“Teams are three-step dropping on us, so it’s hard to get there,” Broncos safety Marlon McCree said. “Teams are getting rid of the ball real fast. A lot of it is little checkdowns to the running backs. It’s hard to get there when they’re doing that.”
Perhaps a healthier Dumervil can get there anyway. Bothered by a badly dislocated pinkie finger since the preseason, Dumervil had four pins removed from his digit Tuesday.
More significant, Dumervil can wear a manageable, two-finger splint — not the cumbersome cast around his right hand that has prevented him from fully using his pass-rush techniques.
“I can’t bend it yet,” Dumervil said while demonstrating the limited use of his mangled finger. “But I don’t have that sharp pain anymore.”
By itself, an ailing Dumervil doesn’t excuse the Broncos’ overall lack of pass rush. The New York Giants lost their two most feared pass rushers — Michael Strahan to retirement and Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending injury — and still are tied for the NFL lead with 13 sacks.
“A good pass rush like the Giants, they’ve definitely set the standard; they’ve got some good guys up front,” said Broncos defensive tackle Kenny Peterson. “It’s playing together and being relentless.”
The Giants also are getting a substantial push up the middle from Fred Robbins, who leads NFL tackles with four sacks. Peterson is the only Broncos tackle with a sack. Peterson aside, the Broncos are struggling to stay healthy in the interior with Josh Shaw out two or three games with a torn groin and Dewayne Robertson missing practice Wednesday (sore knee).
Concerns up front may have been one reason the Broncos experimented with the 3-4 defense last weekend against the Saints. But after Brees threw for 421 yards and with the Broncos allowing an NFL-worst .720 pass completion percentage, the answer may have to come from some place other than the drawing board.
“You throw 400-some passing, it doesn’t sit too well with me,” Dumervil said. “I take it personal. We’re trying to do some things this week. So I’m trying to have a great week of practice, stay focused and see what happens.”
Mike Klis: 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com
What’s the rush?
When it comes to rushing the passer, the Broncos are generally mediocre. Yet the importance of sacks in winning games is overstated. Their worst sack output of the last seven seasons was their most successful overall. Their best year came when they failed to make the playoffs:
Sacks Rank W-L
2008 5 20th 3-0
2007 33 16th 7-9
2006 35 15th 9-7
2005 28 28th 13-3
2004 38 14th 10-6
2003 36 13th 10-6
2002 40 9th 9-7
