Though the Broncos can’t say much about the circumstances surrounding the six-game suspension of linebacker Von Miller, they haven’t been shying away from scrutiny.
Earlier tonight, both coach John Fox and executive V.P. of football operations John Elway met with the media during a press conference streamed on the team’s official website.
Elway said that the Broncos didn’t know about the possible Miller suspension when cutting defensive end Elvis Dumervil. Instead, Elway recalls that the Miller suspension first came up in May. Presumably, if the Broncos knew there was a chance they’d be without Miller for a large chunk of the season, they would have been more willing to pay Dumervil.
So now the Broncos have to move on with neither guy. Shaun Phillips, signed as a free agent to help fill the void created by Dumveril’s departure, likely takes over for Miller at linebacker.
“I know it’s next man up,” Fox said of Miller, “but he’s a hard man to replace.”
He won’t have to be replaced until after the preseason ends. Fox said Miller will play in Saturday’s preseason game.
“He’s got two more weeks to get ready after six weeks,” Fox said of Miller. “Guys are gonna make mistakes. Everybody makes mistakes, you guys included.”
The key word here is “mistakes.” Miller didn’t make one mistake. He made multiple mistakes, and his most recent mistake was enough to claim more than one third of his 2013 season.