Broncos Defense Focused On Takeaways, Not Turnovers

Fast and the Furious Part IV is coming out. It can be seen on the big screen of Denver’s defense Sept. 12.That’s just how the Broncos plan to play this season as compared to last season when they were less fast and only slightly angry.

The new theme on this defense is to score points. What? Yep, you heard me right. Scoring on defense. It’s the new trend in the NFL that advances teams deep into post season play.

Scoring comes down to turnovers, or in new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s language, takeaways.

“I’ve been part of staffs that have been way up there in taking the ball away, and I’ve been a part of staffs that haven’t been,” Allen said. “The difference is you live it, day in and day out. Those things don’t just happen by luck. You make them happen. That’s why we call them takeaways instead of turnovers.”

Well said coach, but how does a Broncos team that had just 10 interceptions, 12 forced fumbles, and a league low 23 sacks last season turn such a large corner?

It comes from putting pressure on the quarterback. First thing is first, however.

“We’re not going to get a chance to rush the passer if we don’t stop the run, so that’s the first thing we have to get done,” Allen said. “Our key is going to be first and second down being able to stop the run, keep them from running the ball, get them into passing situations, and I think we’ve got the advantage if we get into passing situations.”

If there was one thing to pinpoint from last year’s massive home loss to the Raiders, it was that the Broncos couldn’t stop the run. They gave up over 300 yards on the ground which eventually opened things up for the passing game.

Dennis Allen thinks that it’s not productive to get caught up in that. His philosophy is quite simple.

“Eyes are the key. If we look right, we do right,” Allen said.

Doing right and looking right are mutually exclusive concepts, but if anyone can teach them, Allen can.

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