Simplicity allows Von Miller to make a mess of opposing linemen.
He is no longer burdened by knee rehabilitation or mandatory participation in the NFL’s drug program. His head is as clear as the path to the quarterback.
“I am just in a good place. It’s all about football. I love football. I love the games. It’s all I have to worry about. Everybody should be able to see that,” Miller said. “That’s where my mind’s at. That’s where my heart’s at.”
It took 39 seconds for Miller to inflict his wrath in the Broncos’ 22-20 preseason-opening victory over the Seattle Seahawks. He sacked Russell Wilson, caused a fumble and eschewed a dance for a celebratory sprint. His burst into the backfield triggered an avalanche of pressure from the Broncos. They finished with seven sacks, from seven players.
“It was a pretty good night,” defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said.
Function follows form in Phillips’ 3-4 scheme. He wants to reach the quarterback. Consistently. Relentlessly. The results were striking. More salient than the statistics, the players bought into the aggressive mind-set.
“He dials up the pressure,” said defensive end Gerald Rivers, who posted a sack and forced a fumble. “He wants us to get into the backfield and hit somebody. That’s our philosophy as far as our outside linebacker group: ‘Go! Go! Take the leash off.’ “
DeMarcus Ware, rested in the opener, told teammates of Phillips’ intentions when the Broncos hired him. Ware averaged 16 sacks per season under Phillips’ direction in Dallas. The difference in Denver — aside from Miller’s breathtaking talent — is the depth. Backup edge rushers Shane Ray and Shaquil Barrett learn daily from Ware, Miller and the staff, instruction which paid dividends Friday. Barrett recorded a sack, and Ray created problems for blockers with his first-step quickness.
The success lies in the details. Barrett has dropped from 18 to 11 percent body fat and learned how to crowd the line of scrimmage and use the play clock to improve his jumps against opposing linemen.
“I have been working with the some of the older guys, who are teaching me long-arm moves, how to get off the ball better,” Barrett said Saturday. “If you get off the ball as it is snapped, you could probably get a sack almost half the time.”
His leadership growing, Miller took more joy in his teammates’ success than his own. He was not surprised by the play of Barrett or Ray.
“Shaq does it in practice,” Miller said. “He’s a natural pass rusher. I guarantee when you see him on film he has a large arsenal of moves. He understands how to pressure, and stay in the lane. And Shane, man, he is going to be great for us.”
Cornerback Chris Harris explained that this defense centers on the corners excelling in man coverage, buying time for the rushers to get up the field. It was one preseason game, but the pieces were in sync, creating pressure points across the line.
“It started with Von,” Rivers said. “When he gets going, nobody can stop him.”
Troy Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or
