DENVER—Broncos coach Josh McDaniels for two years has talked about instilling a toughness and physicality that will help define the image of his team.
He’s about to get a glimpse of just how far that transformation has gone.
On Sunday, Denver (1-2) travels to Tennessee (2-1) for a game at LP Field. The Baltimore Ravens and New York Jets are up next. All three of those opponents already are known for their grit and power, especially defensively.
And while philosophically the Broncos have bulked up in the trenches in terms of personnel additions under McDaniels, while simultaneously switching to a 3-4 defensive alignment, it remains to be seen whether the accompanying nasty demeanor to slug it has become ingrained in the Broncos’ DNA.
“You’ll find out a lot about your football team,” McDaniels said Friday. “I think we’ve already found out a lot about our football team in the first few weeks of the season. But your ability to sustain the type of play you want to have is really the big question there. You can be physical. But it doesn’t mean you get to be physical all year long. It’s something you’ve got to do all year long, and those teams demonstrated the ability to do that week in and week out over the course of years.”
Denver earlier this decade was known more for a speed-oriented defense, with quick athletes like Bertrand Berry, Reggie Hayward, Donnie Spragan, Elvis Dumervil, Jarvis Moss and Boss Bailey operating in a 4-3 defensive scheme.
The 3-4 switch has necessitated a change to more bulk in the front seven, with additions such as Robert Ayers, Justin Bannan, Jamal Williams, Ronald Fields, Jason Hunter and Kevin Vickerson, who are heavier and bring a distinct power element.
Linebacker D.J. Williams, the team’s longest-tenured original Bronco, pointed out that he was the biggest linebacker in 2004 when he was drafted and now is the second-smallest behind only Wesley Woodyard, underscoring the switch in philosophy.
He maintained the attitude brought in by players like Bannan and Williams, from longtime defensive powers Baltimore and San Diego, respectively, has helped with establishing a more smash-mouth mindset but more is needed.
“I think that’s one of our problems. We’re not consistent with it,” Williams said. “Man for man, we’re the same as any of the top defenses but they’ve done it for years and years.”
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WELCOME BACK: Right tackle Ryan Harris (ankle) practiced a third straight day and is on track to play Sunday. It will be only his second regular-season game since Nov. 1. He made a brief appearance on Dec. 6 before going on injured reserve with a toe injury that needed surgery.
“It’s been tough, but being negative isn’t going to help the situation. I had to take the time to heal and that’s what I did,” Harris said.
Harris’ latest ailment was incurred during a brief stint in Denver’s final preseason game at Minnesota, when running back Lance Ball was tackled and pinned Harris’ leg awkwardly.
Harris, who had made it through training camp unscathed, tried to return to workouts last Wednesday but wasn’t quite ready after testing his strength and mobility.
“I’m definitely excited to play. I want this very badly,” he said. “It’s not that long ago that I was out there in the preseason, so I have the tools necessary to be a contributing factor to the team.”
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KEEP MOVING ON: The rocky road continues for running back Knowshon Moreno, who’s rehabilitating from his second hamstring injury in eight weeks.
“A lot of people go through a lot of things. It’s not just me,” said Moreno, who’ll miss Sunday’s game, his second deactivation in a row. “A lot of people have things they have to overcome, move forward and get better at. That’s the stuff I’ve got to do.”
Moreno is progressing in his latest recovery but will be replaced by the tandem of Laurence Maroney and Correll Buckhalter. He was actually injured while running post-practice sprints Sept. 23.
Moreno missed the entire preseason schedule and training camp when he pulled his right hamstring. This injury is to the other leg.
“I’m no different than anyone that’s injured right now,” Moreno said. “I just want to get back.”
