Can the Denver Broncos Return to the Days of the Orange Crush

Feb 2, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio reacts during the first quarter in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio understands the importance of history and how it could help his defense in 2014. While talking to the media on Thursday, Del Rio said that he had his entire defense watch old film from the orange crush defense in the 1970’s. Del Rio went onto talk about how much Broncos’ fans love great defense.

"“This town loves for its team to play great defense.”"

We’ve talked all offseason about the defense needing to play with more of an edge, more of an attitude and that’s what those orange crush defenses were all about.

It started with the free agent signings of TJ Ward, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware. It continued when the Broncos drafted Bradley Roby, one of the most physical cornerbacks in last May’s draft. It continued when the defense was dominating Peyton Manning’s offense early in camp. It continued throughout the preseason and now everything starts for real.

Football is a game of momentum and nothing enhances or changes momentum faster than great defense. An interception at the right time can turn a close game into a blowout. A sack on a key third down can turn a game around. Even a safety on the first play of the game can set the tone for an entire night. This is the type of defense Del Rio is looking for in 2014.

Two seasons ago, the Broncos were a good defense based on the stats but they didn’t make many game changing plays. The 1977 defense made plays that changed games and even set the tone for the season in the very first game. The Broncos beat the then St. Louis Cardinals 7-0 in a preview of coming attractions.

In a 30-7 win over the Oakland Raiders, the Broncos intercepted Ken Stabler six times and harassed the quarterback all day. That was a game changing defense and that’s what Del Rio is looking for starting on Sunday night versus the Indianapolis Colts.

For the first time, maybe since the orange crush, the Broncos have the players in place to be that type of defense. Don’t get me wrong; there have been some good and even very good defenses in Denver over the last 30+ years but nothing like it was back then. The defense in the two Super Bowl winning seasons in 1997 and 1998 were good and played great in the playoffs, but they did not have the talent of this group.

The 2014 Broncos are set up perfectly to be a top five defense with the way the game is played today. They have a very quick and deep defensive line and multiple pass rushers. If a team is going to be a great defense, a game changing defense then it all starts with the pass rush.

The rules in the secondary are set up for the offense but if the quarterback does not have time to throw, then the emphasis on illegal contact and holding is less of a problem. The Broncos defense starts with Ware and Von Miller. When healthy, they are two of the best pass rushers in the league. Offenses are going to have to choose who to double and which way to slide their protections. Del Rio will get creative with these two and there will be times where Ware and Miller line up on the same side.

In addition to those two, the Broncos have others who can put pressure on the quarterback including; Derek Wolfe, Malik Jackson, Quanterus Smith and Lerentee McCray. If teams spend too much time focusing on Ware and Miller, then one of these players will make plays. The Broncos also have defensive tackles that can get push up the middle, making it difficult for an opposing quarterback to step up into the pocket. Terrance Knighton, Sylvester Williams, Mitch Unrein and Marvin Austin all have the ability to collapse the pocket.

The second part of a great defense that is a must in 2014 is a secondary that can both cover and hit. The Broncos, at least on paper, have the players to do that. Talib and Chris Harris Jr. are two of the best pure cover corners in the NFL and both can tackle. Roby came on so much through the preseason that he sat out the fourth preseason game, a sure sign that the coaches have big plans for him. Throw in the physical presence of a Kavon Webster and the Broncos have four cornerbacks that they trust.

Del Rio believes in playing man-to-man defense in the secondary and getting pressure with his front seven. He has the tools in Denver to finally play the way he wants to play.

The last thing a defense needs is a safety tandem that is both physical and can make plays on the ball. TJ Ward brings an attitude to the secondary that has been missing since Brian Dawkins retired. Ward is the type of player who feeds off of the crowd and can change a game on one play. Rahim Moore will benefit from the presence of Ward. Moore was a ball hawk in college and will be allowed to free lance more.

Del Rio wants a defense that gets the crowd excited and then he wants his defense to feed off of that energy. It’s how the Broncos won so many games in the late 70’s and Del Rio wants that feeling back in Mile High.