John Leyba, The Denver Post
placed on the fast track and the team believes they’re ready to really fly.
“You are what you put on tape, and so it doesn’t really matter what I say,” Simmons said. “What matters is that I put on Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, you know, moving into the season. I’m excited for it. I’m excited for the challenge.”
The team, led by its secondary, has a staff that knows and treasures the unit and who might have the tricks to guide a new No Fly Zone to victory in their third unofficial competition.
It’s really a conversation about legacy. In 2015, the No Fly Zone — aided by the stout pass rush of Von Miller, Demarcus Ware and the defensive line — led the league with only 199.6 passing yards allowed per game.
Despite missing the playoffs last season, the Broncos’ pass defense improved with just 185.8 passing yards allowed to again lead the league.
“We’re trying to be No. 1 three years in a row,” Harris said. “That’s our main goal. Just trying to do something that nobody has ever done before. … It’s definitely something I want them to remember us as, and I think they will if we go three years in a row No. 1.”
The Broncos have retained some elements of Wade Phillips’ pressure-filled scheme. But Joseph brought in new elements, and Woods added a few wrinkles of his own. Instead of playing primarily man coverage, the Broncos are utilizing more zone, allowing the cornerbacks to focus more on the quarterback with the hope they’ll accrue more pass-breakups and interceptions.
Harris had two picks last season. He expects as least four this season.
“This year we’re going to try to stay under 200 (yards),” Harris said. “That’s the main goal. But I think our run defense is going to be a lot better this year so we’ll get more passes.”
The Broncos’ offense is adapting once again to a new system with a relatively young quarterback in Trevor Siemian and a retooled support group around him. The defense is still very much the leader of the Broncos and the No Fly Zone is still a leader of the defense. And they know it.
But there is one opponent they’ll never be able to beat: time.
Talib is coming off a career season but is also 31. And Ward is now gone.
Elway sure doesn’t listen to it. Nor does Harris.
“I feel like I’m coming into my prime,” he said. “I feel like I’m about to have a great year, so I don’t hear anything about windows closing.”
But if you want to tell them their window is closing, if you want to tell them that other secondaries are better, if you want to tell them that they have only two elite corners instead of three, if you want to tell them that leading the league in pass defense three years in a row is unfeasible, go on.
They’ll love it.