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Denver’s Elvis Dumervil leads the AFC with 10 sacks so far this season.

"Elvis Dumervil's a great pass-rusher. He's kind of got a build like a James Harrison and he's a guy who's leading the NFL right now in sacks (actually second to Minnesota's Jared Allen, who has 10 1/2 in eight games). So, it's not that big of a difference," Starks said. "I think if we hadn't had someone like a James and I was going against a guy who was 6-foot-5 (in practice) trying to mimic a guy that was right around 6 feet or below, that would be a lot tougher.

"But having James here and going against him for a long period of time, that's definitely an added bonus."

The same thing can be said for the Broncos' offensive line, which is accustomed to Dumervil.

Any Steelers who do need more information on Dumervil can certainly get it from Gay.

"He has the speed to get around any tackle. That's a guy we looked up to when I was at school. But hopefully we can contain him. I want to leave Mile High Stadium with a smile on my face and talk a little smack to him," Gay said.

"He's very quick, great hands and what people don't know about him is that he's strong. I remember in college he used to outlift offensive linemen and everybody. That's one thing he does have, upper-body strength and lower-body strength."

So, Gay isn't the least surprised by Dumervil's breakout season.

"No, not at all, It was just a matter of time when it would come up," he said.

Just like Harrison, who was a late bloomer himself.

"You look at their numbers," Gay said. "Let their numbers speak for themselves."

Since becoming a starter in 2007, Harrison has 36 1/2 sacks. Since becoming a starter that same season, Dumervil has 32 1/2 sacks.

Together, they're redefining the notion of a big-time pass-rusher.

Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and Dumervil first crossed paths at the 2003 GMAC Bowl, where Dumervil learned a valuable lesson about taking down bigger passers and Roethlisberger saw firsthand how shorter defenders could disrupt everything.

"I remember running for my life," Roethlisberger said.

"I remember bouncing off him," said Dumervil.

Both are hoping there's no repeat of that Monday night.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 9 games STEELERS 28, BRONCOS 10: Roethlisberger throws 3 TDs COWBOYS 20, EAGLES 16: Austin’s TD puts Dallas atop NFC East COLTS 20, TEXANS 17: Indy's 17th-straight regular season win  |    Video SAINTS 30, PANTHERS 20: N.O. now 8-0 for first time in its history CHARGERS 21, GIANTS 20: N.Y. loses 4th straight  |    Video BUCS 38, PACKERS 28: Rookie QB leads Tampa to first win  |    Video PATRIOTS 27, DOLPHINS 17: Brady-Moss connection thrives  |    Video CARDINALS 41, BEARS 21: Warner tosses 5 TDs  |    Video BENGALS 17, RAVENS 7: Cincy cements AFC North status  |    Video FALCONS 31, REDSKINS 17: Atlanta gets into scuffle, still wins TITANS 34, 49ERS 27: Young improves to 2-0 as a starter this year SEAHAWKS 32, LIONS 20: Seattle overcomes 17-0 hole JAGUARS 24, CHIEFS 21: Chargers cast-off Chambers can't save K.C. Byes: Bills, Browns, Raiders, Rams, Vikings, Jets

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