It’s truly remarkable how lucky Denver Broncos fans are when it comes to quarterbacks joining the team as veterans.
Nearly 10 years ago to the day, Peyton Manning joined the Broncos. Who followed him was a bevy of first-rate talent, joining forces in the Mile High City. Players like DeMarcus Ware, T.J. Ward, Wes Welker and many more.
Call it the “Manning Effect.”
Those veterans wanted to follow Manning to Denver and start something special. They knew no matter what happened in a game, the Broncos would be in it to win it. And that proved to be true, leading to two Super Bowl appearances and a win in Super Bowl 50.
Now, we’re already experiencing the begging of the “Wilson Effect.” Or the “Russ Effect.”
Whatever you call it, Wilson’s game-changing presence on the Broncos roster led to the Broncos signing monster defensive tackle D.J. Jones, as the veteran explained on Thursday at Dove Valley.
“As soon as they made a move on Russ, this is where I wanted to be,” Jones explained. “We’re going to turn this into a winning culture again. This organization is top tier. I’m just excited to be here.”
The Broncos were one of the worst teams in the American Football League when they kicked things off in the 1960s. And for a few years in the 70s, Denver was awful, too. But, ever since Pat Bowlen bought the team in 1983, the Broncos have been one of the most successful franchises in the entire American sports landscape.
They’ve been to eight Super Bowls, won 3, and won the AFC West 13 times in that timeframe, too.
In fact, it wasn’t that long ago since the Broncos were the team in the NFL with Manning at quarterback, and even a younger guy like Jones (27) remembers.
And now, Jones — with Wilson, Randy Gregory, Ben Braden and the rest of the Broncos roster — is ready to win.
“I want to win immediately,” Jones said. “That’s what they’re doing here. That’s what we are doing here.”
Jones knows a little bit about winning after spending the first five years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers. The last three years, he’s been a starter for the Niners, a team that made it to the NFC Championship last year.
And over those last three years, Jones racked up seven sacks, 21 tackles for a loss, and forced three fumbles, as well.
Where he really excels is in the run-stuffing game, and he was graded as the 20th-best run defender in the NFL last year by Pro Football Focus. And his 73.7 overall grade was the 18th-best among all interior defenders — which includes defensive ends — last year.
Simply, Jones will be an upgrade and if the Broncos want to use him alongside Mike Purcell, the Broncos will be damn-near impossible to run against.
At this point, the Broncos starting front looks like this: Bradley Chubb, Purcell, D.J. Jones, Dre’Mont Jones and Randy Gregory. That’s a defensive front which can win the line of scrimmage both against the run and pass.
“It just feels like family here, that’s why I’m so excited,” Jones said. “The vibe here, the aura is top tier.”
