Stokley expects more from Broncos ‘backbone,’ its defense
Oct 18, 2017, 12:00 AM | Updated: 12:18 am
For a unit ranked No. 1 in the NFL in total defense (1,309 yards), fifth in points surrendered (97), and seventh in points per drive (1.53), it’s an unlikely request for the Denver Broncos defense to step up its game.
But that’s exactly what Brandon Stokley implored on Monday.
The “Stokley & Zach” co-host said what he saw from the Broncos defense in a loss to the New York Giants on Sunday was “unacceptable” and the team needs to “perform better.”
“This is a defense that needs to carry this football team and needs to perform at a high level,” Stokley said. “They didn’t it (Sunday) night, that’s for sure. And they really haven’t done it all year besides that Dallas game.”
Stokley pointed to his playing days spent on a world champion Baltimore Ravens team in 2000, wherein the identity of the club was its stout defense.
That defense, anchored by likely future Hall of Fame linebacker Ray Lewis, ranks among the best all-time in the NFL.
In 2000, the Ravens surrendered just 10.3 points and 247.9 yards per game and turned the offense over on 5.31 percent of all plays.
Perhaps more important, however, was the way that Baltimore unit carried a middling offense that went the entire month of October without scoring a touchdown (five consecutive games).
“Our defense in Baltimore, that was their expectation,” Stokley said, adding also that his offensive unit was the “backbone of the Colts” throughout his time in Indianapolis.
And it’s not as if Denver’s play poorly defensively, Stokley said, but rather they’ve given up “big-plays” at inopportune times.
“They’re just not making the plays when they need to make them. They’re not playing a full, complete football game right now,” Stokley said. “They are two or three or four or five plays throughout the course of every game that is just really costing them.”
In each of its four home games thus far in 2017, the Broncos have surrendered scoring plays of 25-yards or longer in three games.
In its only road game this season, Denver gave up a 31-yard pass from Tyrod Taylor to Nick O’Leary that would set up the eventual game-winning touchdown for the Buffalo Bills.
“Right now, they’re not playing at the level that I expect them to play at,” Stokley said. “When you’re the backbone of a team, then I expect you to go out there and win games for this team.”
Follow digital content producer Johnny Hart on Twitter: @johnnyhart7.
