DeMarcus Ware let his imagination roam free. He knows Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme, recognizes the defensive coordinator’s creative leanings. Standing on the fieldhouse plaza overlooking the practice turf Wednesday, Ware envisioned a Broncos’ climatic event created by himself, Von Miller and Shane Ray.
“The tornado is trying to come out. We’ve got the ‘Fearsome Threesome’ out there together. We are trying to whirl that thing up and really get pressure on the quarterback,” Ware said. “I think it’s going to be great.”
Three pass rushers together? It wasn’t supposed to happen. The Broncos weren’t looking for edge help in the draft. However, when Shane Ray fell in the first round because of a marijuana citation, they couldn’t resist the temptation to add to a team strength.
Ware posted one sack over his final seven games last season, but finished with 10 and boasts a potential Hall of Fame resume. Miller enters a contract year with NFL insiders predicting a 20-sack season in Phillips’ defense after netting 14 a year ago. And Ray, while still learning to trust his healed toe, features remarkable first-step quickness.
This talent is central to creating disruption and havoc that could produce the team’s seventh 50-sack season and first since 2012. The all-time record stands at 57 set in 1984.
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“I’m taking lessons from DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller every day, watching formations, watching our plays, knowing what I’ll have to do when I get into the mix,” Ray said.
Ray’s arrival changed everything, adding a piece that didn’t exist last season. Quanterus Smith, the former top reserve spelling Ware and Miller, produced one positive pass rush grade a season ago in 15 games. Higher expectations follow Ray.
“I was with Shane in Miami for a bit (in the offseason),” Miller said. “I never thought he’d come here. It’s kind of a unique situation, because Shane’s going to come in and help us right away and do great. I told him the rookie stuff is out the window. I’m not going to treat you like a rookie. I don’t think DeMarcus is going to treat him like a rookie. Everybody else is different. Me and DeMarcus, we just treat him like we’ve been playing with him for a couple of years now.”
Ray should be warned. The pair has a history of turning life into contest. While previewing the Taste of Broncos event on June 16, Ware and Miller admitted they extended their body fat competition into a second season. They check in before organized team activities, then conduct the final test before training camp. Weekly weigh-in contests occur on Wednesday’s during the season.
Miller won last year’s report date with 8 percent body fat, with Ware checking in at 10. Ware currently sits a tick above 9 percent with Miller at 7.8.
“Yeah, I was a little bigger than him last year. But this year it’s on,” Ware said.
Miller smiled when told of the challenge. He hired a chef this offseason. He weighs 242, with designs at matching last year’s weight range of 245-250, mirroring Ware.
“It’s going to take something dramatic for DeMarcus to catch me. I have been eating healthy, but I took it to another level, learning about complex carbs,” Miller said. “It’s always been important. Now that I’ve got my priorities in order, nutrition is one of those.”
The key is becoming leaner without compromising strength or technique. Ware and Miller have benefitted from their partnership. Three isn’t a crowd. It will be, Ware believes, a devastating dervish.
“All of us can play the same position. But we are versatile enough that one can be the ‘Mike,’ one the ‘Will’ and one the ‘Sam.’ You could put us all three on one side and the defense should fan out to us,” Ware said. “But guess what. Let’s stick (Derek) Wolfe or Malik Jackson on the other side in a one-on-one. It becomes pick your poison. This could be really good.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
Sack attack
The Broncos will focus on reaching the quarterback this season. DeMarcus Ware, Von Miller and surprise addition Shane Ray provide Denver with what Ware believes will be a “Fearsome Threesome.” A look at the top sack seasons in franchise history:
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| Season | Sacks | Team leader | Comment |
| 1984 | 57 | Rulon Jones, 11 | 10 players had at least three sacks |
| 2012 | 52 | Von Miller, 18.5 | Miller, Elvin Dumervil’s 29.5 most by duo in team history |
| 1991 | 52 | Simon Fletcher, 13.5 | Fletcher, Karl Mecklenburg, Mike Croel combined for 32.5 |
