The Denver Broncos were known for their explosive pass-rush ability in 2015. They led the league in sacks and terrorized opposing quarterbacks of all skill levels. The face of that rush was undoubtedly Von Miller, followed by veteran and future Hall-of-Famer DeMarcus Ware. However, starting in the preseason, undrafted second-year player, Shaquil Barrett and first-round pick, Shane Ray forced their way onto the field with impressive play. This season, just months removed from a Super Bowl victory they are both ready to continue to improve and push those around them to do the same.
“With me and Shaq [Barrett} coming in, we are a lot more experienced and a lot better and we bring more to the table,” Ray said Wednesday while brimming with confidence. “I think defensively, we are bringing a lot of guys back and we are probably bringing a little more fire power.”
Barrett echoed his teammate’s sentiments while adding a bit of a health rivalry to the situation saying, “We’re going to go out there and compete. I know we’ve got me and Shane [Ray], we’re going to compete. Whatever happens, happens.”
While they clearly have room to improve, both are coming off of their first seasons of significant playing time, their 2015 seasons’ will be hard to top. During the regular season, Barrett played in 45 percent of defensive snaps while starting six games for the injured Ware. He totaled 5.5 sacks, 41 total tackles (eight for a loss), added 12 quarterback hits and forced three fumbles. His goals for his third season in the NFL are simple.
“Just to get better,” he declared Wednesday. “Play better than I played last year, contribute more on defense, contribute on special teams continuously and just step up into more of a leadership role.”
Ray also had an impactful season in his first in the league. Despite being sidelined for almost three full regular season games he played in 31 percent of defensive snaps, compiling 20 total tackles (five for a loss), four sacks while also hitting the quarterback an additional seven times. After just a week and a half of off time, Ray got back in the gym.
“I went straight to work,” he said. “I wanted to be bigger, faster, stronger and be able to combine that with the knowledge I have now.”
Each player also played significant snaps in the three playoff games, both totaled about 20 defensive snaps in each contest.
Coming into the NFL, Ray was an undersized pass rusher and knew that over the course of the year he would have to put on weight but also make sure it was the right kind of pounds. Wednesday he declared he had moved up from 234 pounds to 245 but has maintained his 2015 season-low 10 percent body fat during his offseason training.
“I think I have put on about almost eight pounds of muscle this offseason. I combined that with a really strict diet,” he said proudly. “My body fat is as low as it has ever been and as a player, I feel as big, fast and explosive as I have ever felt going into this offseason.”
The biggest thing for both outside linebackers this season will admittedly be making a leap in production from a first season player to a leader and constant contributor on the field. Barrett detailed what he will be looking to focus on each day while in friendly competition with Ray.
“Technical stuff,” he stated. “I’m still trying to get better technique-wise and getting my footsteps right on the pass-rush, staying low, body language. It’s all the same stuff from last year. I got better at it but I still need to progress on it this year and become as perfect as I can be.”
Ray and Barrett will get increased repetitions at both outside linebacker positions. Ware detailed that he plans on trying to stay fresh in the fall and winter by playing less in June, July and August and Miller is absent still due to his contract situation. He is currently awaiting a long-term contract or may play under the franchise take that would not require him to come to work until the July 15th deadline. Ray, in particular, is getting used to the new work at both spots.
“I feel like I am very comfortable. This offseason I put in tons of work,” Ray said. “Last year I was limited to playing a lot of [weak-side] linebacker, which is majority rush, but now I play the [strong-side] just as freely as the [weak-side] as far as drops, coverages and just knowing my assignment and what I’m supposed to do.”
Ray and Barrett will be relied on heavily regardless of when Miller reports and how healthy Ware can be in 2016. Their simultaneous breakout seasons in 2015 have them set up nicely for the mental and physical challenges that await them. The Broncos were lucky they learned the ropes while also attaining the ultimate team goal, a championship. Now, in 2016, they can brush off the problems that inexperience brings and add onto their promising potential and great starts.
“I think it was a whole season worth of learning for me.” Ray said of his rookie year. “I think that everything I took from last year just helped me advance so much better this offseason in preparation for this season.”
