Broncos’ Von Miller Says Thumb Is 85%

Von Miller’s 64 tackle, 11.5 sack season made him the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year, but imagine his season if he would have been playing with two good hands.

Miller played the final six games of his rookie year with a large cast on his surgically repaired hand. He had surgery to repair some ligament damage in his thumb during the season, and then had one more surgery to take the pins out of said thumb two days after the Broncos season ended in New England.

“It’s a lot better,” Miller said of his thumb. It’s about 85% right now. I’m 100% positive when the season starts, I won’t have any problems out of it…If the season started today, I could play without a brace or a cast.”

If the season started today, you would see one excited defense storming the field. You see, they are  just as excited as the team’s offense in regards to the acquisition of Peyton Manning. A defense that can play from ahead instead of playing from behind is one that can be more aggressive up front.

“I think it will be huge if we can get up by 10 or 14, having Champ (Bailey) on the No. 1 receiver and pour it on the No. 2 receiver, and having me and Elvis (Dumervil) coming off the edge. I think there’s no question it will be playing to our advantage as a defense.

When a team is playing from behind, they are forced to pass more. That will allow the Broncos intense pass rush more opportunities. Look at what Dwight Freeny and Robert Mathias were able to do in Indianapolis with Manning.

The Broncos were ranked 11th in sacks last season with 41.0 on the year. Expect a marked improvement this season.

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