T.J. Ward thinks Broncos defense is "light years" ahead of where it was last year

The Denver Broncos defense was good in 2015. So good it has been brought up in the conversation as one of the best units in the history of the NFL. Broncos safety T.J. Ward thinks the 2016 unit could be better.

“We want to be better than last year,” Ward said on Monday after phase II of the team’s offseason workouts. “Being in the second year of the system we’re already light years ahead of where we were last year.”

That’s saying a lot considering last year the Broncos defense was a top of the league in almost every major category including yards allowed but Ward knows there are still areas they can improve on. “We can get more interceptions. We want to get our missed tackles down. Less mental errors.”

In adding Justin Simmons and Will Parks in the 2016 NFL draft, the Broncos added two players to the Broncos secondary at the position that Ward plays. Some veterans might feel threatened by moves of that nature but Ward took that opportunity to show his leadership. Ward said he just happened to be at the facility on Friday, putting some extra work, before he realized that the rookies were even there. He then took some time out of his workout to give the first-year players some words of wisdom. “Really pay attention to what coach Woods and coach Samson are telling you,” Third round pick Justin Simmons said of Ward’s message. “They obviously know what they’re doing, they got a few Pro Bowlers in the room.”

Despite all the accolades the Broncos defense had to their name in 2015 and the additions they made this offseason, the team still continues to be underestimated. Ward doesn’t seem too worried about it. “It doesn’t matter because we’re going to the White House in a few weeks.” Ward and the Broncos will do everything they can to make a repeat trip there in 2017.