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Broncos linebacker Von Miller started his contract year slowly, with three sacks in six games. He finished with a flourish, racking up five total sacks in the biggest two games of the year.

Denver defensive coordinator Wade Phillips sees Miller as a guy who is ready to pick up where he left off.

“I think Von is better right now than he was at this time last year,” Phillips told reporters on Monday. “He seems to be more comfortable in everything. He’s really focused. I’m really pleased where he is right now. That seemed to be where he was at the end of last year.”

If Miller is where he was at the end of last year, every Denver opponent should be very concerned. Miller was unstoppable against New England in the AFC title game and Carolina in Super Bowl 50. He gets another crack at Carolina on Thursday night.

Despite a busy offseason and a holdout that kept him out of the entire offseason training program, Phillips sees a player on a mission.

“[H]e came back really more focused than he started last year,” Phillips said. “Maybe it’s just the comfort in the defense, but I think he wanted to prove to everybody that maybe he’s the best player. Maybe he’s the defensive player of the year. He was the MVP in the Super Bowl, but I think his next goal is to be the defensive player of the year.”

He’d likely settle for being Super Bowl MVP again, and not for the free car.

Phillips also said he expects good things from second-year pass linebacker Shane Ray and situational pass rusher DeMarcus Ware. Although the Broncos have some holes to fill on defense, they could be as good if not better than they were on defense a season ago.