Derek Wolfe will accept nothing less than Broncos' high standards

Derek Wolfe has probably never been accused of being subtle. The imposing defensive lineman with a glare that could make the Hulk second guess his prospects in a fight had a message Wednesday for the newcomers to the great Denver defense.

“We have a standard here, and they either buy in or they don’t,” he said with bristling conviction. “They’re either going to buy into that standard or they’re going to get the hell out.”

The Broncos defense led the league in nearly every significant category but free agency poached two starters and multiple depth players from the Super Bowl 50 roster. Wolfe’s statements, like nearly every Broncos defender returning, make it clear that accepting less in 2016 will not be tolerated.

“Ultimately defense is about effort, ” he said. “Our defense plays with a ton of effort. It doesn’t matter what adjustments people will make. We’re going to play hard. That’s what it comes down to.”

The interior defensive line lost Malik Jackson to free agency. The end received a massive five-year, $85.5 million deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars while Wolfe opted to sign during last year’s season for significantly less. Wolfe stated plainly “absolutely not,” when asked if he wished he delayed signing until he hit free agency in the offseason and added, “I’m happy for Malik [Jackson]. He deserves it,” of the former Broncos’ bog contract.

As a result of Jackson’s departure, the Broncos added run stopper and former Houston Texans, defensive end Jared Crick and drafted defensive end Adam Gotsis in the second round of this year’s draft. Also, Vance Walker will continue to contribute heavily. The group is a solid one, especially against the run, and Wolfe believes they will be ready to pick up where they left off.

“As far as replacing Malik, we’ve got a lot of great guys,” he explained. “Vance Walker is a great player that filled in and did a great job for us last year. We’ve got Jared Crick and I know [Adam] Gotsis just signed. I think everything is going to be fine.”

Jackson undoubtedly had a magnificent season. He started every contest, regular and postseason, tallying 54 tackles, five sacks, 19 quarterback hits, seven passes defensed and recovered three fumbles, one for a touchdown in Super Bowl 50. Those statistics will be hard to match but Wolfe and the Broncos believe that the additions, combined, will be enough. Crick, new to Denver, in particular, has the benefit of a familiarity with the defense already.

“In the meetings and on the field with him every day, Crick is a great athlete. I expect him to fill in and do a great job for us,” Wolfe said Wednesday of Crick who spent time with Kubiak and Phillips in Houston during his first two seasons. “It’s a huge help because that’s the one thing that’s tough this time of year. Everything is so repetitive. The things that you’ve gone over 100,000 times, you’re tired of going over it. Having guys like Crick that know the playbook that can also help the younger guys get it right.”

The loss of Jackson will continue to be talked about until his replacements, individually or collectively, prove their worth. Wolfe is not one to accept mediocrity, or hear excuses for it. The Broncos defense seems to reflect that sentiment. He was all business just two days into organized team activities and according to him, the new additions better start immediately “buying in” to the Broncos’ standard or they will find someone else who will.