Tom Pelissero

USA TODAY Sports

CARSON, Calif. – T.J. Ward hasn't even met many of his new Broncos teammates yet. But the Pro Bowl safety is sure they'll share his attitude about Denver's revamped defense.

"I know I can speak for everybody on the defensive side of the ball when I say we're going to make a statement from point go, from the first preseason game," Ward told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, after a workout at EXOS training center.

"From then on, teams can know what they're up against and know what to expect week-in and week-out. They don't have to just worry about the offense no more."

That offense broke records and carried the Broncos to the AFC championship last season behind MVP Peyton Manning. But it appeared helpless in Super Bowl XLVIII against the Seattle Seahawks' elite defense, which had four takeaways in a 43-8 rout.

Broncos personnel boss John Elway responded by moving aggressively in free agency to upgrade Denver's defense – signing Ward, cornerback Aqib Talib and pass rusher DeMarcus Ware to contracts including $59 million in guarantees combined.

"As good as the Broncos offense was last year, you see what happens when you get put up against a stout defense and an offense that can pretty much manage and make some plays here and there," said Ward, who spent his first four NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns.

"We're sending a message right now that we're coming in not only trying to be one of the top offenses in the league, but one of the top defenses in the world and get that Super Bowl ring."

The Broncos' defense in 2013 was decidedly mediocre, particularly in passing situations. They ranked 16th in third-down efficiency and 17th in net yards per pass play and sacks per pass play.

There were plenty of personnel challenges, starting with the fax-glitch release of Elvis Dumervil. Star pass rusher Von Miller served a six-game drug suspension and tore an ACL in Week 16. Cornerback Champ Bailey played in only five games because of injuries. Another corner, Chris Harris, tore an ACL in the playoffs.

Ward, 27, was the first to agree to terms shortly after free agency opened March 11. That night, the Broncos added Talib, 28, who probably had his best season in 2013 with the New England Patriots. Ware, 31, arrived the next day after the Dallas Cowboys cut him for cap reasons.

"It was a huge statement being made," Ward said of the Ware signing. "He's one of the best defensive players in this league, period. Already, what they have with Von Miller coming off the other edge – it sends a message to all the quarterbacks in the league, like we're coming after you, we're going to get to the quarterback and we're going to shut you down on the back end."

If it doesn't work, the Broncos structured the deals such that they could move on from Talib and Ward after this season without owing another dime and with minimal cap impact. (Ware has $3.5 million fully guaranteed in 2015.) But no one will be thinking about that when players report for offseason workouts next week.

It's a different experience for Ward, who's going from the perpetually rebuilding Browns to a team that will be considered a disappointment if it doesn't win a title. His four-year, $22.5 million contract looks paltry next to Jairus Byrd's six-year, $52.5 million megadeal with the New Orleans Saints, and Ward said he's OK with that.

"It's what I wanted. My whole situation is what I wanted," Ward said. "I'm happy that I'm in a good situation. I feel I came out on the better end of the stick of every other safety signed.

"I know this group is a competitive group of guys. We're all trying to win a Super Bowl. We're all winners, and that's what we're going to do."

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