Broncos’ players often talk about the thin line. That’s the boundary between aggressiveness and dirty play. It’s the difference between turnovers and sacks vs. personal fouls and ejections.
As players have become stronger and faster, that line has become as thin as a piece of floss.
Earlier in the season, Broncos’ defenders toed the line, with their production outweighing the lack of discipline. Worries of reckless play were largely dismissed.
Then came Aqib Talib gouging a Colts’ players’ eye and the Broncos’ first loss that made the entire focus shift.
Broncos coach Gary Kubiak and defensive coordinator Wade Phillips spent last week harping on the penalties. Eliminate the dumb ones. Keep your composure. Play within the whistle.
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The result, whether intended or not, was a defense that didn’t have the same relentless fire that it had early in the season.
“I don’t see us in crisis. I see a team that needs to check itself and go back to the drawing board,” defensive end Antonio Smith said. “There’s been so much talk and controversy about penalties here and aggression there, that we came out a little timid these last two games. You can’t ever mess with your identity, no matter what it is.”
The Broncos have a NFL-worst 21 personal foul penalties. The defense had arguably its cleanest game in terms in penalties against Kansas City on Sunday before T.J. Ward punched Kansas City’s Jeremy Maclin and was ejected. The Broncos’ defense also forced zero turnovers.
Do you give up the aggressiveness that causes turnovers to limit personal fouls that can cost the Broncos a game?
“Not at all,” safety Omar Bolden said, pointing out the Seattle Seahawks were one of the most penalized teams the past two seasons. “They had the No. 1 defense the past two years. We’ll take it. That’s the cost of doing business.”
Denver outside linebacker Von Miller said the Broncos must get back to the basics to create more turnovers and sacks. Denver nose tackle Sylvester Williams said opposing teams have figured them out a little bit, but they still have the same players to fix it.
The Broncos’ offense has underperformed all season, but during the first seven games their defense was able to bail them out.
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In Denver’s first seven games, all wins, opponents averaged only 16 points per game. Denver made 29 sacks and forced 17 turnovers in those games.
Over the past two games, both losses, opponents have averaged 28 points against the Broncos’ defense. Denver made only three sacks and forced zero turnovers.
“We were thinking before you do things,” defensive end Derek Wolfe said. “You can’t play football like that.”
Then, there’s the issue of teams baiting the Broncos. Denver has begun to develop a reputation, much like past Oakland, Baltimore and Seattle teams, that physicality won’t stop for 60 minutes, including after the whistle. That might cause referees to keep their eyes on them, but give leeway to opposing teams.
Several Broncos defensive players called the Chiefs dirty after their game Sunday. Ward said it caused him to finally lose his temper, which led to his punch.
“I’m pretty sure the coaches say, ‘OK, well, we can get a penalty on these guys.’ I definitely believe that,” linebacker Brandon Marshall said.
Perhaps the Broncos’ defense needs to get back to its aggressive, relentless approach, even if means a few extra penalties.
Cameron Wolfe: 303-954-1891, cwolfe@denverpost.com or @CameronWolfe
