October 25th 2024.
As the Denver Broncos were starting to hit their stride, it seemed like fate had other plans. Just when their defense was finding its rhythm, a wrench was thrown into the mix. Linebacker Alex Singleton suffered a devastating ACL injury during their Week 3 victory over Tampa Bay, leaving the inside linebacker room with a less than ideal situation. With Cody Barton, a rotational player on his third team in three seasons, Justin Strnad, who hadn't seen any significant playing time since 2021, and newly signed practice squad members Zach Cunningham and Kwon Alexander, a 10-year veteran coming off an Achilles injury, the Broncos' defense was facing some major challenges.
But despite the doubts and concerns, the unit has risen to the occasion in recent weeks. Strnad, who wasn't known for his pass rushing abilities in college or his first few years in the NFL, made a statement in his first career start with a sack on Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He has since added two more sacks to his stat line.
In their prime time matchup against the Saints, Barton stepped up with a career performance, earning him the AFC Defensive Player of the Week award. Head coach Sean Payton of the Saints even praised the Broncos' defense, saying that sometimes you don't realize what you have until you see them in action.
Strnad, a fifth-round pick in 2020, has been a pleasant surprise for Denver. He has made 28 tackles and 24 defensive stops, which are plays that result in a successful outcome for the defense, according to Next Gen Stats. This is a significant improvement from his previous two seasons where he only managed five tackles each. Strnad has also formed a strong partnership with Barton, who takes on the responsibility of calling plays on defense. They have great communication and work well together, constantly discussing different formations and motions.
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has been impressed with Strnad's performance, saying he has been waiting for this opportunity to showcase his skills. Barton also shares the same sentiment, highlighting the "everyone eats" mentality on Denver's defense. This was one of the reasons he chose to sign with the Broncos in the offseason. Joseph has done a fantastic job utilizing different players to create pressure, including the inside linebackers.
Strnad has three sacks and eight pressures, while Barton has one sack and 10 pressures, making them significant contributors to the team. Strnad understands the importance of pressure in the NFL, saying that relentlessness is crucial when going up against quarterbacks who can extend plays.
Alexander, who played under Payton for two seasons with the Saints, joined the Broncos during training camp but didn't make his debut until their dominant 33-10 win over the Saints. Despite limited playing time, he made an impact with a fumble recovery and an assisted tackle in just 21 defensive snaps.
"It's been a blessing to be back on the field for my 10th year, especially after everything I've been through," said Alexander, who last played in Week 10 of the 2023 season. "This is the first time I haven't been in training camp, so I'm still catching up. But I'm playing faster now, and it's been a smooth transition."
This season, the Denver defense has been all about proving the doubters wrong and finding success with lesser-known or underestimated players. Barton, Strnad, and the rest of the inside linebackers embody this narrative, and they are determined to keep their edge and prove themselves every week.
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