Broncos Can Learn From Super Bowl Defenses

The two teams that will play in Super Bowl XLV have been established: The Green Bay Packers will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6th. The Denver Broncos and new Head Coach John Fox would be wise to follow suit of the two team's methods of getting to the Super Bowl.

There are several key similarities between the Steelers and Packers; both teams have solid defenses with excellent pass rushes. Ranked first and second respectively in points allowed per game last season, the Steelers and Packers both recorded over 46 sacks in 2010. Denver, on the other hand, lacked a pass rush, ranking last in the NFL after recording a mere 23 sacks. The return of star outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil -- who missed all of the 2010 season while on injured reserve -- will be vital for the Broncos. An undersized pass rusher, Dumervil is very comparable to Pittsburgh's James Harrison and Green Bay's Clay Matthews, two outside linebackers who excel in disrupting an offense's passing game.

In addition to getting an added pass rush on the edge with the return of Dumervil, the Broncos need to beef up the down linemen. Regardless of if they stay in a 3-4 defense or switch to Fox's 4-3 defensive scheme, Denver needs more bulk up front. Nose tackle B.J. Raji anchors Green Bay's defensive line, weighing in at 337. At twelve pounds lighter, Casey Hampton is the man filling A-gaps in Pittsburgh. The Broncos' Jamal Williams has the weight and experience, as well as the age to go with it. At age 34, Williams wasn't able to help the Broncos defense generate a push last season, and didn't have a strong support cast around him. A fast and strong defensive end, as well as a dominating nose tackle, would help get the Broncos defense back on the right track.

Holding the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft, the Broncos have many options to choose from. If they opt to not trade down and accumulate more picks, Alburns' Nick Fairley -- a 6-5, 300 pound nose tackle -- would be the smartest pick, providing he's available. Fairley, who teams doubled and even triple teamed frequently, recorded 11 sacks and over 20 tackles for a loss as a junior. If Denver passes over Fairley, there are many over defensive ends and tackles in the draft that would help to bulk up the Broncos defensive line, and help the team get a pass rush again. Drafting a stud down lineman is the first step the Broncos need to make to get the defense back to being dominate.

An improved line will improve the entire defense. Just as there are coverage sacks that you no doubt heard of while watching this years playoffs, there are also pressure interceptions. When a defenses' secondary coverage is so good that it forces the quarterback to hold the ball longer than he should, resulting in a sack, it is called a coverage sack. Similarly, when a quarterback is frequently harassed and feels pressure from the defensive line, he can become rattled and lose his focus and rhythm, often resulting in poor decisions which result in interceptions. The return of Dumervil and added beef to the line will help the Broncos get to opposing quarterbacks more often, helping out the secondary.

The presumed starting linebackers next season, D.J. Williams, Mario Haggan and Joe Mays, are a capable, aggressive, hard-hitting group that would pair well with an improved defensive line. Now the Broncos face the task of finding all the pieces of the puzzle that will complete John Fox's defense.

Around the web: Broncos Ask to Interview Allen

Wide Receiver Brandon Lloyd earned an escalator in his contract from the Broncos that upped his 2011 salary from $795,000 to $1.4 million for making the AFC's Pro Bowl roster. He is still vastly underpaid however and should receive a new contract before his current 2-year deal runs out. Lloyd is one of five nominees for the 2010 VIZIO Top Value Performer (TVP) award.

Depending on what happens with the CBA, the Denver Post reported that the Broncos were trying to work a four-year contract with cornerback Champ Bailey that would be worth about $42 million. Bailey's agent, Jack Reale says the team hasn't contacted Bailey since the season ended.

The Saints confirmed today that they gave the Broncos permission to interview their defensive backs coach Dennis Allen regarding Denver's defensive coordinator position. Allen joins Packers' defensive line coach Mike Trgovac and incumbent D.C. Don “Wink” Martindale as the three most likely candidates to win the job.

The Broncos have announced two additions to the 2011 coaching staff on Thursday: Special Teams Coordinator Jeff Rodgers and QB Coach Adam Gase. Former Broncos Quarterback Coach, Ben McDaniels, was the little brother of former Head Coach, Josh McDaniels.

Fifty-six college underclassmen — a record total — have been granted special eligibility for the 2011 NFL Draft after submitting a written application renouncing their remaining college football eligibility. Clemson defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, Auburn's Nose Tackle Nick Fairley, and LSU star Corner Patrick Peterson are three players the Broncos may target with the 2nd overall pick -- if they opt to not trade down and accumulate more picks.

Photos used in this post were courtesy of the Associated Press.

Lloyd nominated for 2010 VIZIO TVP Award

Following his stellar Pro Bowl season in which he lead the NFL in receiving yards (with 1,448), Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Lloyd has been nominated as one of five finalists for the 2010 VIZIO Top Value Performer (TVP) award.

The coveted award recognizes the players whose on-field performances most exceeded the value of their 2010 contract. With a salary of just $755,000, Lloyd was an easy choice for this honor after catching 77 passes with an 18.8 yards-per-catch average while scoring 11 touchdowns.

Other nominees for the 2010 TVP award are Cleveland RB Peyton Hillis, Pittsburgh LB LaMarr Woodley, Buffalo WR Stevie Johnson and New York RB Ahmad Bradshaw. The winner of this is award is determined by a public online fan vote held at http://www.topvalueperformer.com/. Voting is open now and will close at midnight on Sunday, January 23rd.

Erika Carlock contributed to this article.

Around the web: Fox assembling coaching staff

Photo Courtesy of Getty Images

On Monday, Denver Broncos Head Coach John Fox announced eight members of his coaching staff for the 2011 season, which includes six coaches from the Josh McDaniels era.

Meanwhile, McDaniels has signed on with the St. Louis Rams as their offensive coordinator.

Although the Broncos' Don "Wink" Martindale is still under contract as defensive coordinator, the team is reportedly interested in Green Bay's Mike Trgovac and former Seahawks Head Coach Jim Mora Jr. On Tuesday morning, it was further reported that the club was near to hiring Mora.

Broncos Vice President John Elway then tweeted; Our entire coaching and personnel staff will convene for the first time next week in Mobile at the Senior Bowl."

Raising the suspicions that Mora may have already been signed?

ESPN's AFC West Blogger Bill Williamson mentions here several Panthers players that could reunite with new Broncos Head Coach John Fox. Among the players is running back DeAngelo Williams, who has previously been speculated as a possible target of the Broncos.

And the last link of the day is BringBackBroncosOrange.com, if you are in favor of the Broncos switching back to the orange jerseys sign the petition! If you're not a fan of the orange jerseys, maybe this will change your stance: