Bradley Roby’s pick-six against the Jaguars last Sunday is just one example of how dangerous and effective this defense can be, but they know they can and need to be better, especially when compared to last year’s unit.
“We’ve still got a lot of improvement to make,” Chris Harris told Eric Goodman and Les Shapiro of Afternoon Drive on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7. “It’s going to be a tough challenge going against the Titans with their run game that they have. It’s going to be a good test to see where we’re at.”
Over the last two years, the Broncos defense has done a great job of closing out games. Von Miller’s forced fumble against Blake Bortles last week is a perfect example. If Denver can continue to make plays like that, the sky is the limit.
“We’re starting to make some game-changing plays,” Harris said. “We’re playing the run a lot better than we had earlier in the season. I just think we can continue to improve and continue to make those game-changing plays and then we’re back to ourselves.”
While the pass defense and pass rush has been just as good as last season, if not better, the Broncos have struggled against the run in a way that they haven’t in years. Opponents recognize that, too, and they’re attacking the middle of the Denver defense.
Improvement there, and this group would be impenetrable.
“We still have to get up on the run defense and continue to be consistent,” Harris said. “Continue to play great situational football. We improved that from the Chiefs game. It’s just about playing situational football right now.”
If the Broncos are going to improve, though, they’re going to have to overcome the natural fatigue of a long NFL season. Having played 12 games already, and having been counted on to carry the team the whole time, this group is gassed.
“I’m definitely fatigued,” Harris said. “I think we played 160 snaps in the past two games. It’s definitely gut-checking time, and it’s going to take a lot of dog in you to fight through it the last of the season.”
To hear the entire interview with Chris Harris Jr, including his thoughts on Roby’s pick-six, click the podcast below…
https://soundcloud.com/milehighsports/12-6-16-eric-les-catch-up-with-chris-harris-jr-about-how-the-secondary-is-taking-the-season-so-far
Catch Afternoon Drive with Goodman and Shapiro Monday-Friday from 4p-6p on Mile High Sports AM 1340 | FM 104.7 or stream live any time for the best local coverage of Colorado sports from Denver’s biggest sports talk lineup.
