Broncos Mailbag: Denver's defense suddenly in a "magic moment"
Posted: 01/22/2014 12:00:00 AM MST
Denver Post sports writer Mike Klis posts his Broncos Mailbag on Wednesdays during the regular season. Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag. What the heck happened to Denver's defense over the past few weeks? It looks completely different (in other words much, much better) than it did earlier in the year. It's championship-caliber now, despite a rash of significant injuries (Von Miller, Derek Wolfe, Rahim Moore, etc.). How on earth did our defense improve without these players?--Chris, Denver
I'm equally as stunned. I addressed this same subject following the Denver D's impressive performance against the New England Patriots in the AFC championship.
Shaun Phillips gave me credit: 'The magic moment was a guy like you doubting us and calling us average. You said we were an average-at-best defense. I spread it amongst the locker room and guys started playing better and started stepping up.'
Aw shucks, Shaun. It was nothing. Seriously, Phillips must have caught me in a rare generous moment. Through 14 games this season, the Broncos ranked 25th in the NFL in total defense (374.6 yards) and 26th in points allowed (26.6). There are only 32 teams in the league. I know I uttered far harsher descriptions than 'average-at-best.'
But in their last three games, the Broncos allowed zero points through three quarters against Oakland; zero points through three quarters in a playoff win from San Diego and 3 points through three quarters last week against the Pats.
I think the return of Champ Bailey has made a difference. I think the return of Tony Carter helped last week. I think the improved development of young players like Nate Irving, Sylvester Williams and Malik Jackson have made a difference. And I think Phillips was correct: veterans like Terrance Knighton, Robert Ayers, Mike Adams and, yes, Phillips, have stepped up.
So psyched the Broncos are going to NYC! I'm happier to be playing the Seahawks than then 49ers in the Super Bowl. I like Peyton vs. their all-world secondary a lot more than I like Peyton vs. the '49ers all-world front seven (even without NaVorro Bowman). And the Seahawks offense has fewer weapons. Am I right?--Eric, Brooklyn I've heard this a lot since Sunday night: The Broncos have a better chance of beating the Seahawks than the 49ers. Probably because, had the 49ers won, it would have meant them winning three consecutive road playoff games -- at Green Bay, at Carolina and at Seattle. A neutral-site game, then, would have seemed like a breather in comparison.
But here's why the Seahawks are the tougher opponent: The weather. If it's 30 degrees with light flurries at kickoff in New Jersey, the conditions will be ideal for a physical, defensive-oriented team like Seattle.
This has nothing to do with the Peyton Manning cold-weather baloney. All quarterbacks have a tougher time throwing the ball in cold weather. Receivers have a tough time catching the ball in the cold.
I am living in Brady-land New England and enjoyed hosting our Patriots friends during the AFC Championship while clad in an Elway jersey and sitting in our old Mile High stadium seats. The theme around here is that the Pats were too injury-depleted and it caught up to them. I'm wondering why more credit isn't given to the Denver 'D,' which has played well throughout the playoffs despite injuries to five would-starters since the beginning of the season?--Ryan Tibbetts, Portsmouth, R.I. U.S. Navy Engineer, displaced from the Motherland
The Broncos are built to win 30-24. The Seahawks are built to win 20-14. The fear is, this Super Bowl won't be Seattle against the Broncos. It will be the Seahawks and inclement conditions against the Broncos.
You, too, missed the 'Jack Del Rio is one step from backing Von Miller's promise' story. I will say, I was among those surprised the Patriots made it to the AFC championship. It may have been one of Belichick's best coaching jobs.
Peyton Manning was wrong, though, in calling Belichick the greatest NFL coach of all-time. Vince Lombardi has the best postseason record (9-1, .900 winning percentage) and second-best regular-season record (96-34-6, .738) behind John Madden (minimum seven seasons).
Belichick has the 13th-best regular-season record and seventh-best postseason mark among those with at least 10 playoff games (19-9, .679).
I agree Belichick is the greatest coach of the past 13 years. But what Manning should have said is 'it's safe to say that he will go down as the seventh-best NFL coach of all-time.'
It did take those three opponents some time score those points. The Broncos used a 'prevent' type defense that essentially exchanged points for game clock, knowing they had points to give.
But Denver's D has gone a little too soft with its fourth quarter defense. San Diego was a third-and-17 conversion pass away from having a chance to tie it. New England was a missed two-point conversion from possibly having a final minute chance to tie it. (The Pats probably don't try the onside kick that Eric Decker recovered with 3:07 left if they're 2-point try was successful).
To date, those fourth quarter letdowns were incidental. The Broncos won. The Broncos are in the Super Bowl. But as they use these next 10 days to prepare for the Seahawks, something tells me their fourth quarter 'slumps' will be addressed.
Wilson's arm has nowhere near the velocity Elway had on the ball. But both brought heavy doses of athleticism and leadership to the quarterback position.
And you were dead on with the home-field advantage. Elway and the Broncos had their way at old Mile High.
I know after a big win like Sunday's, people don't want to think about next year. But I was wondering if this could be the last game in a Broncos uniform for a lot of players, including Eric Decker, Knowshon Moreno, Zane Beadles, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Shaun Philips, etc. Please give us some insight for the possibility of these players returning.--Richie Luetke, New Castle Yep, it could be. I would say two of those five players you mentioned won't be back. Maybe more. Don't know who stays or who goes, yet. But last year's Super Bowl turned out to be the last game for Anquan Boldin, Dannell Ellerby, Paul Kruger, Ed Reed, Cary Williams and Bernard Pollard with the Ravens. It was also the last game for Ray Lewis, but he had already announced his retirement beforehand.
Pose a Broncos- or NFL-related question for the Broncos Mailbag. Listen to Mike Klis on 'Klis' Korner' on Monday-Friday at 102.3 FM ESPN.
But I want you to feel better about Greene. Think about how important sacks are in today's football. Think about how much money pass rushers get. Think about how high in the draft pass rushers go.
Now think about this: Greene ranks No. 3 on the all-time sack list with 160.0. And we're now 14 years after he retired. No. 3 to Bruce Smith (200.0 sacks) and Reggie White (198.0), both of whom were elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility.
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