There’s no secret: just about everything went wrong for the Denver Broncos on offense last season, and the team’s still-elite defense paid much of the price for that.
The Broncos’ defense finished in the Top 10 in many of the NFL’s different statistical totals, but they had to do so on a short field, and they were on that field far too often all season long.
While quarterback play was subpar last season, it was the Broncos’ porous offensive line play that proved impossible to ignore. Defensive end Derek Wolfe explained that rather bluntly on Sunday. “No offense, but last year, they just… it was kind of like we’d get by them at will,” Wolfe said, before offering some praise to a line that he said “absolutely” improved in the offseason. “Now, you’re not getting a clean win on one-on-ones. You’re not going to get a clean win; you’re going to have to fight for it.”
“They’ve gotten so much better; they’re playing as one,” Wolfe said. “They get alone, they like each other, they care about each other. That’s huge.”
While suggesting that Case Keenum’s presence in the pocket may helped the line improve, Wolfe said, “I think they’re coaching is really good this year; their technique’s getting better. They’re doing things that I haven’t seen before.”
“It’s making [the defense] better, too.”
Wolfe also discussed how his improved health has allowed him to refine his pass-rushing techniques, and how his experience has changed the way he approaches training camp.
CREDIT: Denver Broncos/Facebook