Woody Paige: Broncos ‘D’ on path to be among best ever

The distinctive dynamic Denver defenses Orange Crush and No-Fly Zone could be joined by Broncos Sack Attack.
The idiosyncratic unit would be Roy Orbison’s favorite Orange-and-BlewByYou defense.
After nine sacks by eight different defenders in London against the Jets the pro tem Great Britain Broncos continued a spiral that could produce the league record for the Denver Demolition Dozen including linebackers Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, Justin Strnad, Jonah Elliss, Alex Singleton and Eyioma Uwazurike, defensive linemen “Sackman” Zach Allen, John Franklin-Myers and D.J. Jones and defensive backs Brandon Jones, Talanoa Hufanga and Ja’Quan McMillan.
And inside linebacker Dre Greenlaw hasn’t even been on the field for one play this season. Taken off injured reserved the past week he is questionable, but could play sporadically. The former 49ers Pro Bowler isn’t considered a sack specialist (3.5 in his career), but everybody knows he’ll get some in this system.
With 30 sacks in six games the Sack Attack is on stride for 85, which overwhelms the mark of the 1985 Bears, who recorded 72 in 16 games (with a conversion to 76.5). That defense was perhaps all-time No. 1 as Chicago won 15 regular-season games and the Super Bowl.
The Giants better beware.
Appropriately enough, Sunday’s game at Mile High has been designated Alumni Awareness and will honor the Super Bowl 50 champions. And the late Demaryius Thomas, taken tragically and prematurely, will be the Ring of Fame honoree.
Thomas and quarterbacks Payton Manning and Brock Osweiler, who connected for six touchdown passes and 105 receptions for 1,304 yards in 2015, certainly appreciated the Broncos’ defense then. It finished with 52 sacks, but was more notable for turnovers – 14 interceptions (three for touchdowns) and 19 forced fumbles (10 recoveries) – and permitting the opposition an average of only 18.5 points.
The ’15 defense was nicknamed “No-Fly Zone’’ by cornerback Chris Harris Jr. and his wife Leah.
The wily Wade Phillips-led defense was the Broncos’ best since the franchise’s first Super Bowl team in 1977. The AFC champions with a 12-2 record ended up with 37 sacks, but were defensive demons, limiting teams to just 10.7 points a game and single digits in six games and zero in the opener.
They were nicknamed “Orange Crush’’ by a young sports columnist.
Joe Collier was the brilliant Broncos’ architect of the Orange Crush for years.
And the present “Sack Attack’’ defensive coordinator – the brain behind the blitz – is Vance Joseph, once condemned in Denver, but now celebrated.
On this weekend of praising past players, especially from the last Super Bowl victory, it’s fitting so many stars who wore orange and blue, complementary colors, on the defensive side have returned.
Just consider that the Orange Crush and the No-Fly Zone had a total of a dozen players from the two defenses who would be selected to play in at least one Pro Bowl.
Could the 2025 defense eventually get six picks?
The Orange Crush finally was rewarded historically with the induction of middle linebacker Randy Gradishar last year. Cornerback Louis Wright also deserves to be in Canton. In 1977 both were Pro Bowlers with outside linebacker Tom Jackson, safety Billy Thompson and the late defensive end Lyle Alzado. Linebacker Bob Swenson would earn a Pro Bowl spot in 1981.
The 2015 No-Fly Zone Pro Bowlers were nickname originator Chris Harris Jr., outside linebacker Von Miller (also the Super Bowl MVP and first team All-Pro), cornerback Aqib Talib, safety T.J. Ward and defensive end DeMarcus Ware. Safety Darian Stewart would make the Pro Bowl team next season.
Thomas was a wide receiver in the Pro Bowls from 2012-2016.
Who are the Pro Bowl defensive candidates from the Broncos this season. Bonitto is a lock and a favorite for the defensive player of the year. Allen obviously will be voted as a starter at defensive end, and Cooper is playing at an all-star level. Patrick Surtain II is an annual All-Pro selection (and was DPOY in ’24). Hufanga, Franklin-Myers and D.J. Jones are contenders, and Greenlaw would have been if he played a full season. The choices will depend on the Broncos’ success Sunday and the rest of the regular season and in the playoffs.
The Sackers must be Attackers, Crushers and No-Fly Zoners.