ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Before he could start piling up the sacks, Nik Bonitto had to figure out how to stay on the field during first- and second-run downs.
Teams will pass on first and second down, after all. To wit: The more Bonitto stays on the field, the more chances for sacks.
Bonitto is tied for second in the NFL with 9.0 sacks in part because he’s earned the trust of Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to stay in on run downs. How has Bonitto evolved as a run defender?
“He’s gotten stronger,’’ Joseph said Thursday during his portion of coordinator press conference day. “He’s never been a bad run defender. But most natural pass rushers are pass rushers, first. That’s their instinct. But he’s developed the strength and the mindset to be an edge setter.
“He’s good at it now. Overall, stopping the run and playing with a lead, he’s getting more opportunities also. He’s always been a good rusher but the opportunities were limited in past years. But he has gotten better in all phases of his game.”
Indeed, because the Broncos lead the NFL with the most 14 point-plus victories with five, Bonitto late in games has been able to explode from his three-point stance on the right edge without worry of opponents running the ball. He has recorded zero sacks in the first quarter of games this year but 5 in the fourth quarter.
Big return Mims
The new kickoff rule isn’t helping Marvin Mims Jr. get more returns.
A Pro Bowl kickoff returner as a rookie last season, opponents are choosing the touchback option against him this year. He only has six kickoff returns through 11 games, although he’s made the most of them with four returns of between 26 and 38 yards.
He had 15 kickoff returns last year with eight going for at least 25 yards, most notably his 99-yard touchdown gallop at Miami.
Mims has arguably been a slightly better punt than kickoff returner this year as he has four returns of between 27 and 38 yards.
Overall, Mims had 13 combined returns of at least 25 yards last year; 8 returns of at least 26 yards with six games remaining this year.
A bunch of nice returns, but to gain national notice, doesn’t Mims need to bust one?
“For sure I want to break one, again,’’ Mims said in an interview with 9NEWS this week for the Broncos Huddle (6:30 p.m. Friday). “It’s been a while. Since the third game last year, I think. We’re fighting for it every week. Coaches are on us week-in and week-out, making sure everybody knows, ‘Hey, not my guy is making the tackle.’ We’re being real competitive there. It’s a lot of fun to make a difference in the game, get the crowd going and setting it up for the offense to get the best field position possible.”
Said special teams coordinator Ben Kotwica on Thursday: “Yeah, we’d love to (return for a touchdown). You’re right we have had a handful of these 20, 25, 30 yards, which is great. … We’re striving to raise that bar. The breaker will be there and I think you just got to keep chopping wood and finishing a couple of those blocks.”
Turner-Yell looks forward
Backup safety Delarrin Turner-Yell had his season end this week before it began. After he completed his 21-day practice window in his attempted return from an ACL injury, the Broncos decided not to activate him on their 53-man roster by the Wednesday deadline. That meant Turner-Yell will stay on PUP (physically unable to perform) for the rest of this season.
“Of course I’m disappointed because I wanted to play,’’ Turner-Yell said Thursday. “But I’m looking forward to next year.”
Bronco Bits
Starting safety Brandon Jones, who missed last week’s game against Atlanta with an abdominal injury, was a full participant in practice Thursday so barring no setbacks, he’ll start Sunday at Las Vegas. …
Starting left guard Ben Powers, who missed practice Wednesday with a minor shoulder injury, returned to practice Thursday.
