Coaches, Players Satisfied With Progress For Broncos D So Far
DENVER (CBS4) - While almost everyone is busy in Broncos Country taking about the quarterback situation this preseason, the real key to this Broncos season figures to be the defense.
After being ranked 32nd in the NFL in team defense last year there's really no place to go but up, and the defense should be better with the return of Elvis Dumervil, the league's sack leader two years ago.
He's healthy again after last year's lost season and happy with how the first preseason game went against the Cowboys in Dallas on Thursday night.
"I think we're doing some good things. I think we have some people trying to play more physical, trying to stuff the run and trying to get after the quarterback. So I think if we keep those key elements going we'll be pretty good," Dumervil said.
Head Coach John Fox echoed those sentiments, saying it was good to have the defense suiting up for action.
"I thought we did some good things when you consider that this was the first time that we've played a game as a defense," Head Coach John Fox said. "I thought there was good progress against a pretty talented offense."
Everyone expects rookie linebacker Von Miller to be a difference maker, too. The Broncos top pick -- 2nd overall in the NFL Draft -- is a lot like Dumervil; he has a nose for the quarterback.
The 1st team defense did a respectable job in its debut Thursday night, and Miller says he was happy to get his first game as a pro under his belt.
"It was good to knock the cobwebs off and just to get out there and play football again," Miller said. "It's been a while since I've strapped on the pads and played football at a competitive level like that."
The Broncos next game will take place next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. The game will be played at Invesco Field at Mile High.
