Broncos in Desperate Need of A Pass Rush

No one misses Elvis more than the Denver Broncos.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Denver Broncos' Marcus Thomas (79) and others during the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 26, 2010, in Denver. Manning completed 27 of 43 passes in leading the Colts to a 27-13 win. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Last season, the Broncos defense recorded 39 sacks, coming from ten different players and 17 coming from Outside Linebacker Elvis Dumervil.  The 2009 NFL Sack King, Dumervil went down with an injury in training camp after taring his pectoral muscle.  The Broncos placed him on injured reserve for the 2010 season, consequently, placing their pass rush on IR as well.

This season, Denver has sorely missed Dumervil.  Through the first ten games, the Broncos defense has recorded 14 sacks, (for sake of comparison, consider that their opponents have totaled 26 in those same ten games).  With a lack of a pass rush, the secondary has also struggled.  In 2009, opposing quarterbacks were harassed and pressured — forcing them into mistakes.  As a result, Denver’s defense snatched 17 interceptions, 15 coming from the secondary.  This season: 6 interceptions, 5 coming from the secondary.

Particularly ugly is the (lack of) surge from the down linemen.  Defensive ends Kevin Vickerson, Justin Bannan and Marcus Thomas combined with Nose tackle Jamal Williams, have gotten to the quarterback a grand total of 2 times.  It’s no wonder why the Broncos have one of the worst ranked defenses in the NFL — they can’t get to the quarterback.

Albeit, while there are many reasons Denver’s defense has struggled, the non-existent pass rush stands out.  Believe it or not, getting to the quarterback does effect your run defense, too.  When you don’t get pressure on Quarterbacks, he’ll exploit your secondary.  When your seconday is being exploited, defensive coordinators are forced to make adjustments.  Then the offense is able to run down your throat while you worry about the pass, before coming back to play action and beating you deep.

If the Broncos defense is to get back on track, they’ll need to get to the quarterback more often.  Facing St. Louis’ rookie Sam Bradford on Sunday, the Broncos pass rush will have opportunities to reek havoc, whether they’ll execute or not is the question.

This is a shout out to you, Ronald Fields, Jamal Williams, Justin Banan, Kevin Vickerson and Marcus Thomas — get some pressure this week, don’t let Sam off the ground.