The Denver Broncos possess one of the NFL’s most impressive defensive units, and heading into 2016, fresh off the franchise’s third Super Bowl, Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips believes they can be even better. Despite losing key contributors in Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan, Phillips believes young guys like Bradley Roby and Shane Ray are ready to take on even more responsibility.
“Roby’s got a few technique things that he can work on,” Phillips said last week. “We made a list on each player and gave it to them and talked to them about … and we did it with him.”
Roby doesn’t quite qualify as one of the league’s premier defensive backs, but that’s because he’s got two of the game’s best in front of him in Chris Harris and Aqib Talib. As a corner, though, he’s as talented as anyone, and Phillips will have to continue to find more and more ways to get him on the field.
The same goes for Ray.
“We know he’s got talent, and being able to utilize it, we gave him the same thing, things we felt like he could get better at,” Phillips said. “His attitude has been tremendous and I think that’s a real key for him.”
As a Missouri Tiger, Ray rushed the passer from the left, the right, and even as a down lineman, which fits into Phillips’ system of mixing up the rushers and having the offense guess where the pressure is coming from. Although Ray will benefit from just focusing on rushing from one spot on the field, he’ll ultimately play a big part in the future of the Broncos’ defense.
Phillips acknowledges Ray’s challenge of having to backup Demarcus Ware and Von Miller, but Denver’s defensive coordinator also believes that “he’s ready to step up his game.”
