By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.(AP) — When Vonnie Holliday was shopping for a
new team, the defensive lineman received all sorts of
suggestions from family and friends, even random strangers.
The message was basically the same: Be sure to check out the New
England Patriots, they’re the front runners with Tom Brady back.
And stay clear of Denver!
Still, Holliday couldn’t cross the Broncos off his list, even if
they had a defense in disarray and a new coach who began his
tenure by quarreling with his Pro Bowl quarterback and receiver.
Something just intrigued Holliday. So he signed on with Denver
in early September, eschewing other potential suitors like
Carolina, San Diego and New England.
That decision has now left him feeling like he cashed in a
winning lottery ticket.
“We’ve been the talk of the country,” said Holliday, whose
undefeated team travels to San Diego on Monday night. “This
defense is playing well.”
Holliday has been an integral part of Denver’s 3-4 alignment,
filling up space in the middle as the Broncos now boast one of
the top defenses in the league.
This is precisely what he envisioned when he selected Denver.
“I remember watching Denver playing Seattle in the preseason and
the local bartender is like, ‘Hey, you don’t want to go there,”’
Holliday recalled. “Everybody gives you advice.”
Holliday didn’t want to rule out any options. He couldn’t afford
to after coming off right knee surgery in January.
The 33-year-old wasn’t even sure if he’d be ready in time for
the season. He spent the first 1 1/2 months after the operation
running on an underwater treadmill. Only gradually did he
increase his fitness level by taking spinning and yoga classes.
To friends and family, the 12-year veteran expressed confidence
in making it back to the field.
Silently, though, he was wondering if that was even realistic.
If he did come back, who would sign him with his knee?
“I’m sitting there watching preseason games and looking at these
guys, thinking, ’I can play better than that guy,”’ said
Holliday, who has two sacks and a forced fumble this season.
“But it’s frustrating. As August kept creeping along, I thought
I may be sitting (out) opening week of the season … I kept
working and waiting for my opportunity.”
Just before the start of the season, the calls came. Teams were
expressing an interest, including Denver.
Yet he was wary.
Like the rest of the country, Holliday read the reports of Josh
McDaniels’ feud with Jay Cutler that ultimately lead to the
rocket-armed quarterback’s trade to the Chicago Bears. Then came
the suspension of receiver Brandon Marshall for insubordination
in training camp.
“All we see or hear about is all the negative stuff that’s
coming out,” Holliday said.
So Holliday spoke with Denver defensive backs Andre’ Goodman and
Renaldo Hill, former teammates in Miami.
“The story they’re giving me doesn’t match up with the story I’m
reading and seeing every day on the news and in the paper,”
Holliday said.
He decided to check things out for himself, arriving in Denver
and chatting with players in the cafeteria.
Soon after, Holliday was sold.
“I called my wife up and said, ’Look, I think this is going to
be a good situation,”’ Holliday said.
So far, it’s worked out.
Despite a knee that took most of the offseason to mend, Holliday
hasn’t missed a step. He’s coming off a season in which he
started 15 games for the Dolphins last season and led the team’s
defensive linemen with 46 tackles.
His role is reduced in Denver, entering the game primarily in
long-yardage situations and nickel packages.
That’s just fine with Holliday – he still plays a big part in
bolstering a defense that’s been bullied around the past two
season. This isn’t that unit any longer.
“The great thing about this team and this defense is knowing
your role and doing your job,” Holliday said as the Broncos are
off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 1998. “Right now, my
job is to come in and back those guys up and not let there be
any drop-off.”
He’s also taken on a leadership role, providing a veteran voice
in the locker room.
Is that why the Broncos brought him on board?
“Nah, that isn’t the reason,” McDaniels said. “I mean, we love
that part of it. We want all of our players to have the same
type of leadership qualities that Vonnie Holliday does. But we
knew that Vonnie Holliday could still be an active, productive
player in our scheme.”
As for all the advice he received when contemplating his
choices, Holliday said he’s glad he tuned it out.
“I’ve been fortunate, no doubt about it,” he said.
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