Denver Broncos: Von Miller’s Evolution at 28 Years Old

After his 28th birthday, we reflect on the evolution of Von Miller as a player from his rookie year to now and what lies ahead for him.

Recently celebrating his 28th birthday, Von Miller is in a position that has him ahead of players his age.

Miller came into the league in 2011 as the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft. The Denver Broncos added a talented pass rusher to go opposite of prominent rusher Elvis Dumervil.

Now we will look at the evolution of Von Miller year by year since he has been in the league.

2011

In 2011, Miller started 15 games out of the 15 he played in. He tallied 64 total tackles and 11.5 sacks while forcing two fumbles.

Any time a rookie pass rusher gets to opposing quarterbacks ten times, we have to admire that there is something special. Notably, Miller’s first career play was a forced fumble against the Oakland Raiders.

Miller was selected to the Pro Bowl that season, however being named Defensive Rookie of The Year was a valuable accomplishment for Miller.

2012

2012 would prove to be another year of growth for Von Miller. He wasted no time opening up his campaign of dominance by starting every game.

With Peyton Manning on offense, the Broncos defense could focus on doing their job. Miller wreaked havoc on opposing quarterbacks by breaking the Broncos sack record that was held by Dumervil previously.

18.5 sacks and a pick six had Miller primed for Defensive Player of The Year. However Miller finished 2nd in Defensive Player of the Year voting, becoming the runner up to Houston’s JJ Watt.

That fueled Miller even further and he wasn’t satisfied despite being named First Team All Pro in the NFL.

2013

Riding on the high of NFL Super-stardom, Miller was heading into his third season full speed ahead. The only problem was that he would soon hit a roadblock that would force him to analyze his future in the league.

Miller was suspended for the first 6 games of the regular season for attempting to cheat a drug test. At this time, fans became disappointed in their young and flashy pass rusher.

The Broncos defense evidently struggled in 2013, which ironically was during the time where the Broncos had a historic offense. History would repeat itself, but the tables would turn a few years from this point.

Von played nine games in 2013 after his suspension, but his season would be over after tearing his ACL in Denver’s win against the Texans which saw Peyton Manning break the single season touchdown record.

In a 2016 Sports Illustrated interview with Greg Bishop, Miller disclosed that prior to him tearing his in Houston, Peyton Manning was furious that Miller and several teammates broke curfew.

Miller says that Manning suggested that John Fox send those players home, but Fox decided to take a knee and play it conservative. Von suffered a season ending injury that very day.

The Broncos would go on to play in the Super Bowl without Miller who was recovering from ACL Reconstruction. Many fans wonder if having him that year in the Super Bowl alongside Chris Harris could have been a difference maker as Denver fell embarrassingly 43-8 to Seattle.

2014

Coming back from ACL surgery was a question mark for Von Miller. Would he be the same, and could he still get to the quarterback?

Those questions were answered quickly. Miller started all 16 games under Jack Del Rio as the defensive coordinator and registered 14 sacks. However Denver still fell in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Colts.

John Elway was furious despite adding guys like Aqib Talib, TJ Ward, and Demarcus Ware to the roster. However for Miller there was a silver lining: GROWTH

Miller took 2014 to learn from Ware who he idolized as a college football player. He listened, he asked questions, and he ate some humble pie. He knew something special was coming.

2015

The Broncos were no longer accepting failure. Super Bowl or Bust was the mission as “Iron Sharpens Iron” gleamed by the sun’s reflection at Broncos OTAs.

Wade Phillips was hired to become the Broncos defensive coordinator. A move that Miller and Ware salivated at because of Phillips league wide reputation for being a defensive minded coach.

Entering his fifth season, Miller sat at 49 career sacks. He was on pace for greatness and needed the right person to help him stay focused.

Demarcus Ware and Von Miller became big bro and little bro. Teacher and Student.

In 2015, Von Miller and the Broncos defense was as historic as their offense was back in 2013. The only problem was that the Broncos offense was stagnant and couldn’t move the ball.

Miller and the defense took it upon themselves in games against the likes of the Ravens, Browns, Raiders, Chiefs, and Chargers and won those games for the team.

While Miller shined in the regular season compiling 11 sacks, the defense was collectively efficient.

Von Miller’s Epic Postseason

Enter the post-season: an area where the Broncos stood in their own way. Miller pressured Ben Roethlisberger but didn’t register a sack against him. Demarcus Ware recovered a Bradley Roby forced fumble and Denver scored on their next offensive drive.

Von Miller took notes. New England and Tom Brady came to town and this was the biggest moment of Miller’s career at the time.

Miller caused havoc on Tom Brady and forced him to make errant throws that led into interceptions.

In the 2nd quarter, Miller stepped back into pass coverage and jumped in front of a pass in the hook to curl that was intended for Gronkowski and fell forward. Momentum Miller.

In the second half, Miller wreaked of confidence and determination by getting to Tom Brady for 2.5 sacks that helped Denver seal a 20-18 victory in the final moments of the AFC Championship Game.

The Broncos were Super Bowl bound for the 2nd time in 3 years.

#1 vs #2

In a showcase between the #1 draft pick in 2011 Cam Newton, and the #2 draft pick Von Miller and their respective teams, the story-line couldn’t have been bigger.

Carolina was rolling in the NFC and Cam Newton was named MVP of the regular season. Denver was the underdog despite how dominant their defense had been.

There comes a time in your life where the knowledge you have learned will shine, and for Von Miller it sure did on the biggest stage of them all.

In the first quarter facing a 3rd and 15, Newton stood back in the pocket looking to throw when Von Miller shot off the edge like Vin Diesel’s Charger in The Fast and The Furious.

Newton had no clue what hit him as Miller snatched the ball away from the NFL’s MVP and it rolled into the end-zone where Denver recovered for the score. Miller would then knock the ball out of Newton’s hands with 4:13 remaining in the game.

Denver recovered on the four yard line where CJ Anderson punched it in and Denver won 24-10. Von Miller had one of the most dominant playoff/championship performances in NFL Postseason history.

2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles gave Von Miller MVP honors for Super Bowl 50 and warranted a well deserved six year, $114.5M contract.

2016/2017

While Denver didn’t return to the postseason for the first time since the Manning era, Von Miller continued playing at a high level. He was earning every penny.

In 2016 he finished with 78 tackles and 13.5 sacks and returned to the Pro Bowl once again. He finished second in Defensive Player of the Year Voting behind Khalil Mack.

Next: Broncos Lose $4.5 Million in Cap Space

Many felt that Miller was robbed of the award, but he has vowed to come back for it. I have a feeling that in 2017 he will be a man on a mission and could be poised for the best year of his career.

What are your thoughts Broncos Country?