The Denver Broncos are stacked with household names. T.J. Ward, Von Miller, Aqib Talib and DeMarcus Ware bring their big time play, big price tags and big personalities to work everyday and after a great 2014 defensive output it is hard to think that they need much help. However, two newcomers spoke Wednesday and are ready to contribute in a big way in 2015.
“When I’m healthy I’m one of the best in the league, I feel like. As long as I’m healthy and staying on the field, my play is going to speak for itself,” Darian Stewart said Wednesday afternoon.
Stewart is slated to take the place of Rahim Moore at free safety while teaming up with pro-bowler Ward in the center of the defense. He joins a secondary with two other pro bowlers, Chris Harris Jr. and Talib.
Injuries have slowed Stewart’s progress but in his five seasons of play he has seen the field in 69 regular-season games combing for 33 starts. In 2014 he played in all 16 regular-season games (14 starts) for the Baltimore Ravens and ranked fourth on the team with 53 tackles. He also played well in both of the Ravens playoff games, showing great improvement as a tackler. He is a versatile safety and views that as a big advantage, especially when paired with Ward.
“He knows the game well also. He plays both positions well. He’s able to play the ball in the air and I’m able to play down in the box, so we just switch it up. We’re interchangeable. That’s always good to have,” Stewart said of Ward.
He will have some competition for the starting job with team veteran David Bruton vying for the spot and Omar Bolden in the mix as well. Stewart is ready for the challenge and is clearly not lacking confidence as the team approaches minicamp in a matter of weeks.
“It’s my position. It’s my position to lose. When I line up, I feel like at this level you’ve got to have confidence. When I signed here, I knew it was my job,” Stewart stated matter-of-factly.
The competition is already in full swing at organized team workouts. Another free agent signing, Vance Walker spoke Wednesday about joining the talented group and everyone learning the new 3-4 system Wade Phillips is implementing.
“You can tell everyone is starting from square one. It’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s a fresh start. The system they had here last year and even when I was playing in Kansas City, the system that we’ve got now may be better suited for me and the other guys that are on the team.”
Walker has been around the league for awhile but his most recent stops were in Oakland and Kansas City with the bitter rivals in the AFC West. He played in a limited role in 2014 and only exceeded 25 snaps in a game in weeks 15 and 16, after playing in 791 snaps for the Raiders in 2013, per Pro Football Focus. He commented briefly on his time with both clubs and it was evident that there is no love lost between him and the Chiefs in particular. His motivation now is to reinvent himself with the Broncos.
Much like Stewart, Walker has played multiple positions and his versatility was likely a big factor in getting him to Denver. He can play anywhere along the line and will have to show his full arsenal to get playing time among a very deep group of defensive lineman. He spoke to how big it is to be able to play any position the coaches ask.
“It’s huge. The biggest thing is if someone goes down or just you personally wanting to play more, if you can help the team, I think it’s huge. You’ve got guys now in the league that there defensive ends are coming in inside and vice versa. Offenses aren’t used to that. They’re not used to seeing bigger guys at ends and vice versa. The guards can’t handle the speed. I think a lot of it works in our favor.”
Both newcomers will have to prove themselves to an elite group that ranked in the top-ten against both the run and pass in 2014 but the 3-4 defense will be new to everyone and will give all the players a fighter’s chance. Regardless of the impending outcome both Stewart and Walker acknowledged their excitement to join the group.
“Wade has a good scheme set up for us and we have a hell of a defense. We’ve got depth, and I think this year is going to be a great year for us,” Stewart said emphatically.
Walker added that the talent assembled adds pressure to be great saying, “We have super high expectations. Just to be the best. We’ve got a really good group of guys between the D-Line, the linebackers, the ends obviously, the cornerbacks and safeties. I don’t think I’ve ever been on a team more talented. We’ve got really high expectations. We’ve just got to go out there and work every day to live up to those.”
It seems that the Broncos are set to become an attacking, risk-taking defense and have the talent to continue to be one of the top units in the league. Whether or not Stewart and Walker are big contributors remains to be seen but they are surely ready to work and do not lack in confidence or motivation.
Email Sam at sam@milehighsports.com and follow him on Twitter @SamCowhick.
