Von Miller, Aqib Talib and the rest of the Denver Broncos defense hang their figurative hat on being fast and aggressive. Usually that mentality ends in sacks, tackles for loss, three-and-outs and turnovers. Sometimes it results in penalties. Miller will take the good with the bad, for the most part.
That boom-or-bust aggressiveness was on display Saturday night in Talib’s first game action of the preseason (and since suffering a gunshot wound to the leg in June), when the veteran cornerback drew a 15-yard personal foul penalty for unnecessary roughness. He sent Case Keenum crashing to the ground as the Rams quarterback was heading to the sideline on a scramble. That wasn’t the only punishment Keenum and the rest of the Rams’ QBs endured on the night.
Miller showed he hasn’t lost a step despite his offseason celebrity tour, registering a sack on the third play of the game. It was one of six on a very successful day for the Denver defense.
Here’s what Miller, Talib and other players and coaches had to say about Denver’s performance Saturday and the aggressive approach this defense will continue to employ as the preseason turns to the regular season.
On Aqib Talib’s personal foul penalty…
Von Miller
“I don’t want to say that I encourage the 15-yard flag, but I do encourage the aggressive behavior from my guys out there. It’s a man’s game. Whenever we get those penalties, it’s unfortunate but it’s not going to end the game for us. When the penalties start to lose games for you, that’s when it becomes a problem. But today, it was OK.”
On the aggressiveness of the defense...
Aqib Talib
“That’s how we play football. I think they’re the kind of guys that [Executive Vice President of Football Operations/General Manager] John [Elway] put together. That’s how we play. That’s what he brought us here for, to go out there and play full-speed football. That’s what we’re going to do.”
Brandon Marshall
“The starting defense hasn’t given up any touchdowns. This is the second game in preseason that we didn’t give up a touchdown at all. I think our defense is good. Our pass rushers are good and I think we have a chance to be something special.”
On the team’s overall performance vs. Los Angeles…
Gary Kubiak
“…We got after the quarterback pretty well. I think all phases we rushed the quarterback pretty well. For a third preseason game, this is a really good game. It was physical, they were really physical up front offensively and defensively.”
Shane Ray
“I just see guys flying around, that’s what we want to do as a team. Everybody is flying around and everyone is trying to make plays. We bring a high level of energy, so it’s just good to see everyone buying into that and playing at that level.”
On who stood out against the Rams…
Von Miller
“I feel good. I feel better than I’ve ever felt before in my conditioning with the speed of the game. I’m feeling comfortable out there and I’m ready to go back to the regular season. We had a whole bunch of young guys go out there. I don’t want to sit here and talk about myself all day. [LB] Sadat Sulleyman had a great day today. [LB] Dekoda [Watson], he’s not young, but he went out there and looked like a sack master, so I’m proud of those guys. I’m in the meeting room with all of those guys and to go out there and see those guys have some success is great.”
On the team’s readiness for the regular season…
Brandon Marshall
“We just want to rest up, make sure everyone is fresh and study Carolina. They are coming in here and I think they are going to try and get some revenge.”
Von Miller
“If we were ready for [the regular-season opener], we’d be playing right now. There’s still some time and we want to take full advantage of that time. I don’t want to sit here and say ‘We’re ready to go right now,’ but come Thursday [Sept. 8], we’ll be ready to go.”