(from USATODAY.com)
By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY
PHOTOS: Broncos training camp
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos defensive end Elvis Dumervil has heard it before and heard it repeated over and over.
At 5-11, not tall enough to play defensive end. At 260 pounds, not big enough to take on offensive linemen.
Turns out, player personnel staffs were measuring the wrong part of Dumervil's game.
"Everybody wants to measure him by his height," Broncos defensive line coach Bill Johnson said. "He has the qualities of what it takes to be a good pass rusher — long arms, big hands, quick feet."
"And he's strong," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan added.
Then, there are immeasurable qualities: will, desire, heart.
"I'm a guy who loves the game," Dumervil said. "I don't take anybody lightly. A lot of guys underestimate people. Not me. Any guy from a sixth, seventh rounder, a free agent, first rounder, I approach them the same way — that he's a Pro Bowler. But I think I can outwork the guy in front of me.
"I actually have a natural knack of wanting to kill quarterbacks. That's what I love to do."
If that wasn't apparent at Miami Jackson High when he compiled 60 sacks during his junior and senior seasons and if that wasn't apparent at Louisville after he had 20 sacks and an NCAA-record 10 forced fumbles in his senior season, it is apparent now after two seasons in the NFL.
Last season, Dumervil led the Broncos with 12½ sacks, tied for sixth best in the NFL. It was the highest sack total for a Bronco since 1999. In the past two seasons, just five players have accumulated more sacks than Dumervil's 21.
"I take pass rushing personally," Dumervil said. "You want to beat that guy in front of you. It's an all-out conscious effort. Sacks don't come easy. When you do get them, you really appreciate them."
Dumervil also forced four fumbles, two of which were returned for touchdowns. "There's no better feeling than getting a sack and a forced fumble," he said.
Every team passed on Dumervil in the 2006 draft, and the Broncos selected him the fourth round. He uses that as motivation. Dumervil doesn't just play with a chip on his shoulder: "I play with a brick on it," he said.
He looked to another undersized pass rusher, former Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Derrick Thomas, for inspiration. Dumervil also wants to learn more about defensive end Fred Dean. Though Dean, who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, was 6-3, he was considered small at 230 pounds.
Heading into his third season, Dumervil is poised for another strong year, Johnson and Shanahan said.
"When you look at his production, it ain't a flash in the pan," Johnson said. "He's been consistent since the day he started playing. That's tangible evidence that this guy is a quality football player."
Said Shanahan: "He'll be one of the top defensive ends this year. I'll be surprised if he's not in that 15-sack range. You can tell he enjoys playing the game. It's one of the reasons why I think he'll have a heck of a year."
Another reason the Broncos are excited for Dumervil is the 24-year-old's improvement with the mental part of the game. Pairing his physical gifts with a deeper understanding of X's and O's should increase his effectiveness.
"He doesn't start playing the play when the ball snaps. He is playing the play once the huddle breaks," Johnson said. "His professionalism has grown. He's out there leading the pack. He's practicing with a lot of energy."
Dumervil displayed that intensity during drills against the offensive line in practice Monday. Dumervil beat his man and started running his mouth. Veteran center Tom Nalen didn't like that and threw a football at Dumervil.
"He just said, 'Be quiet, Elvis,' " Dumervil said.
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