Oct 10, 2006 9:29 am US/Mountain
Broncos' Wilson Sparks Defensive Dominance
DENVER (CBS4/DenverBroncos.com) ―
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Quarterback Steve McNair #9 of the Baltimore Ravens scrambles for a first down as he is tackled by Al Wilson #56 of the Denver Broncos October 9, 2006 at Invesco Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
A copy of Broncos Gameday featuring linebacker Al Wilson on the cover greeted the Broncos when they arrived at INVESCO Field at Mile High Monday night.
Several hours later, with a 13-3 victory over the Baltimore Ravens secure, the game program cover seemed very appropriate.
On this night, Wilson lived up to his hard-hitting reputation and played a major role in closing the book on the Ravens offense.
Wilson, an eight-year veteran who was named to the Pro Bowl for a fourth time following the 2005 season, was credited with a game-high 12 solo tackles (four assists) in the Broncos' Monday Night Football victory. That number might change when coaches review game film but, for the moment, it's safe to clarify Wilson's dominance with and beyond the stat page.
It was Wilson who nearly single-handedly clogged outside running lanes and nearly picked off Ravens quarterback Steve McNair, tipping the ball into another near interception for a teammate in the secondary.
It was Wilson, at middle linebacker, who made the defensive calls and piloted the Broncos to a third game without allowing a touchdown.
And, finally, it was Wilson who praised his teammates after the game when asked about Denver's historic streak of allowing only one touchdown in the first four games of 2006.
"I knew we had the potential to be the best defense in the league; there's no question about it," Wilson said. "If you look at guys that we've got -- we've got some quality guys that know how to play the game. It was all about gelling and getting those guys to play as one. Right now we're playing as one."
Coaches spoke more freely on the captain's performance, which saw no bounds despite a tweaked hamstring suffered two weeks ago at New England.
"That was his best for awhile," defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. "He got after them pretty good. He did ... He's pretty good."
"Al worked extremely hard to get that hamstring back in shape during the bye week," added Head Coach Mike Shanahan. "I thought he played extremely well."
Wilson's big game comes on the heels of solid performances by the team's other starting linebackers. Ian Gold was credited with 26 tackles in the Patriots and Chiefs games while linebacker D.J. Williams had a nine-tackle night with a handful of highlight-worthy hits against the Patriots.
Wilson said he wasn't looking for anything special, even though a popular side story consisted of comparisons to Ravens All-Pro Ray Lewis.
"(I'm) just playing ball," Wilson said. "That's it. Big spotlight. They say great players show up on big games. I just wanted to come out and play my game and, not focus on mano a mano matchup with Ray (Lewis) but, go out and execute our game plan and do what my team expects me to win."
He wouldn't be a true leader if he didn't expect ore from himself.
His self-help book for improvement is never closed.
"I'm going to have to go back and look at the film but, yeah, this is my best game so far this year," Wilson said. "But I remember a number of plays where I could have made a play and did something better. I'm very critical of myself. I'll never be happy with my performance because there's always something I can improve in."
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