David Ramsey: Orange Crush 2.0? Not so fast, Broncos fans

Oh, those angry marauders of yesteryear. They dressed in bright orange as they rampaged across America. They pulverized helpless quarterbacks and frightened children. Well, they frightened children everywhere except the Front Range.

Yes, we’re talking about the Broncos Orange Crush defense of 1977. It’s been 38 years, but memories of the Crush linger. Those middle-aged and beyond talk wistfully about a rampaging defense that carried a franchise to its first Super Bowl. Young people listen, wishing they had witnessed the highly entertaining violence.

It makes sense, in a way, for fans to describe the current Broncos as the second coming of the Orange Crush. You already can buy T-shirts that announce, “Orange Crush 2.0.”

The current Broncos defense certainly looks mighty. The 2015 edition devoured the Ravens’ offense and hassled the Chiefs into five turnovers and choreographed exotic, revolting dances after sacking quarterbacks.

The exploits of these 2015 defenders suggest they might be as wickedly stingy as the fabled Orange Crush, meaning there is reason to celebrate merrily and talk trash and dream of a journey to the Super Bowl and ....

Stop right there, says one of the lead architects of the Orange Crush.

Red Miller, coach of the 1977 Broncos, watches games each Sunday at his home in Denver. He turns 88 on Oct. 31, and he’s seen a lot of football. He understands the perils that await the Broncos.

“Orange Crush, part two?” he says, his voice full of skepticism. “Not yet. I don’t see how you can say that. They’ve got a good start. But two games? Come on. Don’t get too excited.

“You know, they have a lot to do in front of them to be the Broncos of old.”

Miller has a point.

A dominating start might not translate into continued dominance. The Broncos’ defense has surrendered 23 points in their first two games. (Peyton Manning was responsible for the other 14. He threw two interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.)

An impressive start? Yes. For sure.

But not as impressive as the 2006 defense, which allowed 26 points over five games, including a smack-down of the Patriots. The Broncos started 5-1, but struggled to the finish line with seven losses in 11 games. They missed the playoffs.

Or look at the 2009 Broncos. They allowed 23 points in the first four games while roaring to a 6-0 record. First-year coach Josh McDaniels was dubbed Boy Wonder. The Broncos lost eight of their final 10 games as McDaniels revealed himself as Boy Blunder.

Miller brings sensible skepticism to the discussion. Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers and Ben Roethlisberger, mighty arms all, lurk in the near future.

Don’t get me wrong. This current defense has the ingredients to be mighty. DeMarcus Ware and Von Miller brush aside massive offensive lineman in their race for the quarterback. They hunger for a sack and the required happy dance.

Manning has bumbled and the rushing attack had struggled with seeming invisible and the Broncos are still 2-0. If the defense had been mediocre instead of mighty, Colorado would be whining about a winless team.

The physical ingredients are there in abundance, but more than physical talent is required for sustained dominance.

Joe Collier served as the other lead architect of the Orange Crush. He was Miller’s prime sidekick, a quiet, brilliant defensive coordinator who persuaded a collection of rowdy defenders to play as one.

Collier, a Littleton, Colo., resident, owns Bronco season tickets but usually gives his tickets to family and friends. He watches his favorite team on his 60-inch TV and admires the craftsmanship of Wade Phillips, his friend and the current Broncos defensive coordinator.

“I like this defense a lot,” Collier says. “They’re very aggressive. Wade’s got a good group of kids and a lot of depth, too.”

But the Orange Crush’s might, Collier says, traveled beyond mere talent. The secret of the defense’s success came from a rare combination of recklessness and wisdom. Most defenses require a major halftime overhaul when an offense seizes control.

Not the Orange Crush. Collier needed only a few minutes on the sideline to rally his players. They listened intently to Collier’s complex schemes and then annihilated running backs and quarterbacks. The listening worked. The 1977 Broncos allowed only 10.6 points per game and held six opponents to seven or fewer points.

Randy Gradishar served as the highly intelligent, no-nonsense middle linebacker for The Orange Crush. He was surrounded by talent: outside linebackers Tom Jackson, nose guard Rubin Carter, tackle Lyle Alzado and cornerback Louis Wright.

Intensity, Gradishar says, was the key. The Orange Crush became a statewide mania, winning converts with their sheer desire. Collier and Miller only asked for everything from their defenders.

And everything was delivered.

Gradishar laughs quietly as he remembers Miller’s and Collier’s teachings.

“Here are the traits they instilled in us: We can do this. We can get the turnover. We can help the offense,” Gradishar says. “We always hustled to the ball. We always did it the right way. In games. In practice. In film studies.”

Gradishar lives in Colorado and attends all Broncos home games. He’s a walking reminder of those angry marauders of yesteryear. He’s asked, repeatedly, what he thinks of this current defense.

These 2015 defenders, Gradishar says, are even more talented than the 1977 defenders, but he’s not quite ready to join the Orange Crush 2.0 crowd.

Just wait, he says.

It’s a long season.

COMPARISON

1977 Broncos “Orange Crush” defense:

Allowed 10.6 points and 269.6 yards per game

Averaged 2.8 turnovers, and 2.6 sacks per game

2015 Broncos defense:

Allowing 18.5 points (two TDs off Bronco interceptions) and 243.5 yards per game.

Averaging 3 turnovers and 3 sacks per game

(c)2015 The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)

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