ENGLEWOOD, Colo.-- No sacks, no problem. Defensive end Elvis Dumervil, the Broncos' all-time single-season sack leader, has been held without a sack in the first two contests.
The two-time Pro Bowler isn't concerned, and neither are his coaches.
Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio said that we was "very happy with Elvis" on Thursday and called his play in the 2012 season "outstanding."
Head Coach John Fox believes sacks aren't the only thing that should be used in evaluating the play of a defensive lineman.
"I think sometimes people on the outside put a little bit more emphasis on sacks than really is needed," Fox said. "His play has been fine, and my experience has been those things come in bunches. It's not anything he's doing wrong or anything like that. The offense does try to resist that to some degree. We've played two games."
Dumervil's track record supports Fox's theory. In 2011, Dumervil didn't record a sack in the first seven games. But in the last nine games, he recorded 9.5 sacks, leading the league during that stretch and earning a trip to the Pro Bowl.
"I've been here last year in this situation," Dumervil said. "When it comes, it comes in bunches."
Though, as Fox pointed out, it's been only two games - Dumervil said he still understands the high demand for sacks. He laughed that even his mother is wondering where the sacks are. But with a pair of strong overall defensive performances, he's not worried.
"I totally get it - it comes with the territory," Dumervil said. "Guys want sacks. My momma asks me why I don't have any sacks. It's no pressure. You just have to keep working hard. It'll come."
But don't mistake Dumervil's patience for a lack of hunger. The defensive end has still recorded seven tackles on the year to lead all defensive linemen on the Broncos.
"Sacks are what I love," Dumervil said. "That will never change. Obviously, I do want sacks, but at the same time I have to do what's best within the scheme of the defense and do my part. It will come."
Taking a closer look at the last two games, Dumervil isn't far from getting on the board in the sacks category. He is second on the team with three quarterback hits, trailing only Von Miller who has three sacks on the year. He hit Ben Roethlisberger twice and Matt Ryan once - two of the NFL's more elusive quarterbacks.
While sacks aren't the only thing Dumervil is focused on, he knows how crucial they are to the team's success.
The individual numbers aren't quite there yet, but no one on the Broncos is worried.
"Trust me, I do understand that in order for us to get to where we want to get to, I have to get my production up in sacks," Dumervil said. "But we've got 14 more games in the regular season. I'll have my chances."
