Hours before he tore his pectoral muscle during a training camp practice – an injury that could wipe out his entire 2010 season — Broncos pass rusher extraordinaire Elvis Dumervil took time out to answer questions from Denver Post readers for the latest edition of “Fan Mail.”
Coming off a season in which he led the NFL with 17 sacks, Dumervil was rewarded with a five-year, $58.333 million contract extension. As he answered questions sent in by his fans, it was clear that Dumervil was eager to prove himself worthy of his big-money deal. And he was excited about helping recharge Denver’s defense.
Dumervil talked about is favorite sack, new defensive coordinator Don Martindale and welcoming rookie QB Tim Tebow.
In next week’s installment, legendary broadcaster Dick Enberg — who’s covered everything from the NFL, to the NCAA Final Four to Wimbledon, to major league baseball — takes on readers’ questions. Send your Qs in an email to fanmail@denverpost.com
Way back in time, I wanted to play football, but was told I was too small, slow, and short … even too nearsighted. I was cut, but tried again and again. I finally played varsity football! You were supposedly too short, small, etc., but you have excelled. I see young kids today struggling. Hearing something from you on this would be inspirational!
— Terry, Parker
Elvis Dumervil: There are a couple of things I would say. Number 1, you have to have faith in what you do. And second, you have to work hard. If you put the time into it, then you will get something out of it. Sometimes things aren’t fair in life, and sometimes things don’t go the way you want it, but at the end of the day, as long as you give it your best shot and you feel good about that, that’s all you can ask for.
Elvis, I have three questions for you. 1. Do you have a favorite sack? 2. Are you preparing for this season any differently, since every team you play will be preparing for you specifically? 3. Where did you think you would go in the draft?
— Tim Barton, Fullerton, Calif.
ED: The best sack? Oh man, that would be on the guy who supposedly just retired, Brett Favre. I can hang my hat on that one. That was the Jets game (in 2008), and we won that game, so that was a pretty good one.
I didn’t do anything differently (to prepare) this year. You just try to work hard, get prepared and take care of yourself. When you have a bunch of good guys around you, it makes your job easier.
The draft? I thought I would be a Day 1 pick, going at least in the second (round). But I fell to the fourth.
Do you look to former Bronco defensive players, or any Bronco players from the past for that matter, for advice? Not that you need it, but do you ever talk to the likes of Simon Fletcher, Alfred Williams, Karl Mecklenburg or Al Wilson for advice on the game, the city, the franchise, etc?
— Jay, Oklahoma City
ED: Oh yeah. Big Alfred, he’s the one who told me I would be playing outside linebacker. He told me that when I was still a D-end. He predicted it and it came true.
And Al Wilson, he kind of brought me in and helped me along. He told me, “Someday this is going to be your defense.” At that time, I didn’t know what he was talking about. But the picture is coming clear to me know.
But there are a ton of guys I learned from, guys like Ebenezer Ekuban, John Lynch, Rod Smith. There were a lot of guys who played a role. I just tried to pick their brains.
Hey Elvis, with you switching from a 4-3 to the 3-4 base (defense), have you seen yourself getting any better in zone and man coverage this year? And when are you going to get that spin move down?
— Preston, Aurora
ED: I am trying to get better. I have been working on my drops, and I’ve been doing what the coaches ask of me and what the assignment calls for.
As far as the spin move goes, I’m trying to get that down better.
Elvis, congratulations on your new contract. My question is this: do you think getting big money changes players and do you think it will change you? I hope not.
— Geoff, Greeley
ED: A contract comes from putting the hard work in and then you get rewarded. Fortunately, in my profession, if you can get to the quarterback, you are rewarded for it. I’m very thankful and I feel blessed.
As for it changing me? I don’t think so. I am from the inner-city (Miami) and I come from a family that didn’t have anything. I think I know how people live with that. I’m the son of people who came over from Haiti. I won’t let the money change me. That’s what I think about that.
Elvis, I have two questions for you. First, what do you think about “Wink” (Don Martindale, Denver’s defensive coordinator)? Second, what do the veteran defensive players think about all the hype surrounding Tim Tebow? He’s getting so much attention, I’m wondering if it bothers you guys?
— Lori, Fort Collins
ED: Wink is a great coach with a lot of energy. He’s a great guy. He is one of the most honest, maybe the most honest coach, I have ever been around. He challenges you and brings the best out of you. I’m excited for him.
Tim? We love Tim. He’s a guy who earned it. He had a really stellar college career and he came with a lot of expectations. The marks he set in college happened to come at quarterback, so that draws attention. He takes care of his business, he works hard and goes out there to try to compete. He doesn’t boast, he doesn’t look for the popularity. I think he’s a good teammate.
Elvis Dumervil, 26, is coming off his first Pro Bowl season. In 2009, he led the league and set a Broncos franchise record with 17 quarterback sacks.
Since the Broncos drafted him out of Louisville in the fourth round in 2006, he’s notched 43 sacks, third most in the NFL over the last four seasons.
Dumervil grew up in Miami, the son of Haitian immigrants.
He’s listed at just 5-foot-11, 248 pounds and some scouts said he was too small to excel in the NFL. However, with his drive and speed, he’s become one of the NFL’s elite pass rushers.
