ENGLEWOOD, Colo — Let the record show when the Broncos surrendered 70 points against the Miami Dolphins in week 3, Ja’Quan McMillian didn’t play one defensive snap.
It took a little too long for the Broncos’ coaching staff to discover the impact McMillian can bring. After that Slaughter in South Florida, the Broncos cut nickelback Essang Bassey and inserted McMillian, a second-year, undrafted player who spent all but the final game last season on the practice squad.
“They wanted me to go out there and play confident and communicate and do what they knew I could do,’’ McMillian said this week in an interview with 9NEWS. “Go out there and play fast, don’t think about too much and everything else took care of itself.’’
And since we’re showing recordings of recent events, note of the astounding 12 takeaways the Denver D has registered in its previous three games, all wins, McMillian accounts for 33% with two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. McMillian and the Broncos will go for more astray footballs today when the Broncos host the 7-3 Cleveland Browns at Empower Field at Mile High (2:05 p.m. kickoff).
“Just doing my job, going out there and doing what the coaches ask of me,’’ said McMillian. “Obviously a lot of film studies and communicating with the guys and just been in the right spot and been able to make the plays.”
McMillian’s turnover spree isn’t luck. He had 22 interceptions in high school and 12 more picks in just three seasons at East Carolina.
“There are certain players the ball finds them,’’ Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of McMillian this week. “He seems to have some of those traits. Proud of how he’s played and how he’s worked. His enthusiasm is kind of contagious, and I think he’s brought a lot to the defense.”
Said McMillian of his nose for the football: “I guess just the ballhawk mentality, going up and get the ball. I’ve always been that way. When I’m training and doing drills that’s what I practice. Whether it’s a tennis ball or football I’m always doing ball drills, different ball drills. At the same time moving around. I think that comes in handy come game time.”
It’s not just the ball. It’s the guy with the ball. Only edge rusher Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen have more tackle for losses than McMillian’s five. And to reiterate, McMillian didn’t play at all in the opener against the Raiders and game 3 at Miami and only got six snaps in a week 2 loss against Washington. McMillian had six tackles the first chance he got to play, a week 4 come-from-behind win at Chicago.
“It’s something I’ve always done at every level, being able to tackle,’’ McMillian said. “But the biggest thing is reading your keys and doing your job and just going out there to make the effort to make the tackle. You’ve got to want to do it. And I like to tackle. I make it happen.”
Since that Miami game, McMillian, outside linebacker Baron Browning and cornerback Fabian Moreau were the notable additions to the first-string defense while Bassey and Randy Gregory were let go. A return to health by safety Justin Simmons and inside linebacker Josey Jewell also helped key the defensive turnaround.
An incredible turnaround. After giving up 36.2 points per game through their first five games, the Broncos are surrendering just 17.4 points in their last five games.
“We’re getting the ball,’’ McMillian said. “We’re getting a lot of turnovers right now and the guys are focused on the details and everyone is just trying to do their job and when everybody does their job the plays happen.”
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