Saturday, October 23, 1999

Bledsoe sacks pad
Tanuvasa’s stats

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

Mililani's Ma'a Tanuvasa has not had a sack this season after six games for the Denver Broncos.

But tomorrow, the team's sack co-leader of 1997 and 1998 faces his favorite quarterback at Foxboro Stadium.

Tanuvasa, who plays defensive end for the Broncos, has sacked New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe five times in the last three meetings between their clubs. All three outcomes were Bronco wins.

"I've hit him a few times," said Tanuvasa by phone from his home in Highlands Ranch, Colo., on Thursday.

"He (Bledsoe) doesn't move around the field like (Steve) Young or ((Mark) Brunell or (Rich) Gannon," said Tanuvasa. "He'll stay there and look for his receivers, and if he has to take a sack, he'll take it rather than throw one up for an interception."

The Broncos started 0-4 and have won their last two.

Tanuvasa said he and his linemates derived a lot more confidence from last weekend's 31-10 victory over Green Bay.

"The way we played Brett Favre and the yardage we held Dorsey Levens to built our confidence," he said. "I think we might be ready to put together a streak but it will be tough."

Tanuvasa said Denver is facing a tough schedule over the next few weeks.

After hosting Minnesota on Oct. 31, the Broncos travel to San Diego and then Seattle.

Tanuvasa stats Career: 22.5 sacks (-151 yards), 109 tackles (88 solo) 1999: 11 tackles (6 solo) and .5 sacks. vs. Bledsoe Nov. 17, 1996: 1 sack at Foxboro (34-8 Denver win) Oct. 6, 1997: 3 sacks at Mile High Stadium (34-13 Denver win) Sept. 7, 1998: 1 sack at Mile High Stadium (27-21 Denver win)