John Elway could only describe it as a feeling. No numbers, no names could do it justice.
Jan. 13, two days after Denver lost to Indianapolis in a divisional-round playoff game, the Broncos general manager stood before an auditorium of confused reporters as he explained his reasoning for parting ways with coach John Fox, who had led the team to four consecutive AFC West titles. Elway tried to explain their different mind-sets, their different approaches toward building a Super Bowl winner.
“It’s disappointing that we didn’t have more fire,” he said. “I don’t know why we didn’t have more fire; it’s hard to explain.”
Four weeks later, Elway welcomed the return of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Six months later, in the preseason, Elway saw the early sparks of the new defense.
Now eight months removed, Elway is seeing full flames. The Broncos have allowed the fewest yards in the NFL and their defense has taken the ball away from opponents 10 times. They have two edge pass rushers, DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller, who have accrued a league-leading 21 quarterback pressures (sacks, hits and hurries combined) apiece, a secondary that has scored two game-winners and a unit that has owned the spotlight — a rare feat on a Peyton Manning team.
The Broncos (3-0), playing in Phillips’ 3-4 defense, have undergone a transformation that extends beyond the field. The once controlled and often conservative aggression in former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio’s 4-3 has been turned loose, resulting in a deep, multipronged attack.
And a new mind-set.
“Coach (Gary) Kubiak and Coach Wade are good at just letting us be who we are and just play through the system that they gave us,” said defensive end Malik Jackson. “They don’t really make us be robots. They just let us be players and be playmakers.”
Eight players have contributed to the team’s 11 sacks, with Ware, the AFC defensive player of the month for September, leading the way with 3½.
Names that were given little consideration at this time a year ago (backup linebacker Shaquil Barrett) have earned their place, and specialists (safety David Bruton) have morphed into dual threats. Replacements for starters lost in free agency (nose tackle Sylvester Williams and safety Darian Stewart) have exceeded expectations, and returning starters (defensive backs Aqib Talib and T.J. Ward) have capitalized on another year of experience with the Broncos.
“It’s definitely the deepest team I’ve ever been on and the deepest defense I’ve ever been on,” said inside linebacker Brandon Marshall, who leads the Broncos with 24 tackles. “When I first got here, with Del Rio, a champion, we’ve had a lot of great guys. I think as the years have gone on, Elway and those guys have done a great job of bringing the good guys in.”
The depth was measured in the preseason and continues to be felt, allowing the Broncos to uphold their relentless attack through injuries and suspensions. Denver has given up only 49 points and 777 yards, steep drops from the 67 and 1,172 it allowed through the first three weeks of last season.
“The film speaks for how they’re playing,” Manning said. “They’re playing with a lot of confidence right now. They’re getting their hands on the ball. … There’s no question, it’s fun to watch.”
Many players have credited a sense of freedom on the field, a trust instilled in them by the coaches to play to their strengths and not to a scheme. An emphasis on forcing turnovers, Bruton said, has been taken more seriously in practices and film study. And attacking quarterbacks, the crux of Phillips’ agenda to start, has been the overriding theme.
The fire Elway had sought in January has emerged, and with it a renewed confidence.
“All of our personalities get a chance to show,” Bruton said. “Not to say that we’re arrogant, but we’re very confident players, and the fact that we’re playing so well definitely boosts our confidence even more.”
Nicki Jhabvala: njhabvala@denverpost.com or @NickiJhabvala
Year of change
After three games, the Broncos have allowed the fewest yards in the NFL using Wade Phillips’ 3-4 defense. Here’s a look at their defensive numbers through Week 3 this year vs. last year:
20142015Record2-13-0Points6749Yards 1,172777Sacks811Interceptions36Forced fumbles34Passes defended1911
Nicki Jhabvala, The Denver Post
