Denver Native (Carol)
09-20-2010, 04:56 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_16124431
In a perfect world Broncos coach Josh McDaniels would like the team's offense to be a one-back, three-wide receiver affair.
But in some of the team's best performances offensively in McDaniels' first 18 games calling the plays, the Broncos have played out of their power formations more than any other.
With a battered offensive line — right guard Chris Kuper and right tackle Ryan Harris did not play because of injuries — the Broncos used their tight ends and fullback Spencer Larsen more liberally along the line of scrimmage in Sunday's 31-14 victory over the Seahawks.
They were in power formations — two backs, two tight ends, two tight ends with two backs or three tight end looks — in 49 of their plays from scrimmage, penalty snaps included.
Kyle Orton finished with his fourth career 300-yard passing game, was sacked only once and largely kept unhindered in the pocket against the Seahawks rush.
In McDaniels' tenure they have had some of their best offensive outings when they top 40 plays out of their power looks. They had at least 43 snaps of power formations in four games last season — against New England, their first meeting with Oakland, the Giants and their first meeting with Kansas City — and won all four games.
Two of Orton's three 300-yard passing games with the Broncos have come when the Broncos line up with a little more beef up front - against New England last season and Sunday's game.
It didn't result in big run-game totals Sunday — Denver averaged just 1.7 yards per carry — but it kept the Broncos from losing the line of scrimmage against a Seahawks' defense that prefers to blitz when they get the chance.
In a perfect world Broncos coach Josh McDaniels would like the team's offense to be a one-back, three-wide receiver affair.
But in some of the team's best performances offensively in McDaniels' first 18 games calling the plays, the Broncos have played out of their power formations more than any other.
With a battered offensive line — right guard Chris Kuper and right tackle Ryan Harris did not play because of injuries — the Broncos used their tight ends and fullback Spencer Larsen more liberally along the line of scrimmage in Sunday's 31-14 victory over the Seahawks.
They were in power formations — two backs, two tight ends, two tight ends with two backs or three tight end looks — in 49 of their plays from scrimmage, penalty snaps included.
Kyle Orton finished with his fourth career 300-yard passing game, was sacked only once and largely kept unhindered in the pocket against the Seahawks rush.
In McDaniels' tenure they have had some of their best offensive outings when they top 40 plays out of their power looks. They had at least 43 snaps of power formations in four games last season — against New England, their first meeting with Oakland, the Giants and their first meeting with Kansas City — and won all four games.
Two of Orton's three 300-yard passing games with the Broncos have come when the Broncos line up with a little more beef up front - against New England last season and Sunday's game.
It didn't result in big run-game totals Sunday — Denver averaged just 1.7 yards per carry — but it kept the Broncos from losing the line of scrimmage against a Seahawks' defense that prefers to blitz when they get the chance.