The Denver Broncos got back to it in training camp this week with the first acclimation practice happening today. Of the stories that emerged from that event, there was one quote that I felt was worth talking about more.
We have a survey running on what position group is most vital to the team’s success this year and while I see the offense is winning there, I do wonder if defensive line isn’t actually the most important question the team needs to solve before September. The reason for that is the departure
of John Franklin-Myers to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. He was a big part of the Broncos’ interior pass rush last season and will be a guy that won’t be easily replaced along the front.
Head Coach Sean Payton was asked about the competition at that former JFM position and he noted that there were two to three players who could compete.
“I think there are two or three players,” Payton said. “Certainly we believe in rotation. It’s easier to evaluate once we start putting pads on.”
Rotation was strongly held last season too. It was how Vance Joseph kept the defensive front fresh and terrorizing opposing quarterbacks for a league-high 68 sacks. JFM was only on the field for 46% of snaps last season, so you’d have to assume a guy like Eyioma Uwazurike might be in line for a big chunk of that coverage. Though keep an eye out for the younger talent in Sai’vion Jones and Tyler Onyedim.
Even with the loss of JFM, Payton still believe this team is a Super Bowl caliber roster and that belief is spearheaded by the defense.
“Yeah, this is one of them. I think you have to play good defense to be one of those teams. You have to get good quarterback play. You have to be good on the offensive and defensive lines. You have to be well coached. I think we’re all of the above.”
Defensive wins championships. If Denver’s can continue to be the NFL’s strongest pressure group then that would give them an edge in any high pressure situation.
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