Elevation inc
10-01-2010, 11:22 AM
Good read folks
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2010/10/01/re-focused-indianapolis-at-denver/
It wasn’t difficult to see why the Colts came away with the “W” in this one: Despite putting up just more than 500 total yards on offense, the Broncos displayed one of the worst red-zone performances in recent memory.
Denver had every opportunity to win this game, as its defense far outplayed Indy’s, but play-calling in the red zone and failure to execute cost the Broncos this game.
Colts: Three performances of note
In the absence of Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning needed WR Austin Collie (+2.6) to step up against a Broncos secondary featuring a rookie CB starting on one side and a less than 100 percent Champ Bailey on the other. Out of necessity, Collie was thrown at 15 times and made sure to make the most of the increased targets, hauling in 12 passes for 171 yards and two of Manning’s three scoring tosses. It’s one of the best performances by a wideout we’ve seen thus far.
TE Brodie Eldridge (-2.0) really disappointed after doing a solid job run blocking last week. Eldridge failed to take advantage of the one thing that will earn him playing time: Dallas Clark‘s poor blocking. The rookie TE will dictate his own playing time this year, as he will not see the field much if he cannot compensate for Clark’s blocking in double-TE sets.
The player most victimized in Indy’s secondary was CB Jerraud Powers (-1.9) playing mostly in the slot, though he saw time at RCB against most two-wideout sets. Thrown at 18 times, Powers gave up 11 catches, accounting for 192 of Kyle Orton‘s passing yards. He broke up two passes, but was also beaten deep over the middle by resurgent WR Brandon Lloyd for a 48-yard touchdown.
Broncos: Three performances of note
On an otherwise bleak day for the Denver O-line, LT Ryan Clady (+1.9) made some progress towards returning to pre-injury form. Clady has looked, at times, stiff and awkward in pass protection, which can be attributed to a still-continuing recovery from his offseason injury. On Sunday, however, he was much more fluid and quick, giving up two pressures while lining up against all-pro DE Dwight Freeney. Clady has improved his pass-blocking grade each week so far this young season.
Speaking of continually improving players, OLB Robert Ayers (+4.6) enjoyed his best overall game as a pro, two weeks after setting his previous best grade. In fact, the Broncos had more players grade green than red, which is indicative of the positives points Josh McDaniels can take from this loss. For his part, Ayers recorded six total pressures and two stops on defense. Ayers’ run support is better than Elvis Dumervil‘s, and if he can continue to rush the passer effectively, the two will form a menacing tandem next season.
Considering the Broncos lost, not everyone could have had a good game. Slot receiver Eddie Royal (-2.1) was one of the poorer performers, catching less than half (four) of the balls thrown his way (nine) and posting a negative grade in every category except run blocking. Royal was also penalized once in the red zone.
Rookie report
The Broncos’ rookie linemen struggled once again, though you can’t blame RT Zane Beadles for not knowing how to block Robert Mathis. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas posted a positive grade once again and was especially impressive with his run blocking, which wasn’t displayed as much last week. Thomas’ performance so far hasn’t been statistically excellent, but he looks great on the field and has all the tools to become a star receiver someday. … On the other side of the ball, Perrish Cox (+3.2) played the whole game in place of RCB Andre Goodman, who was inactive. Cox played better than could have been expected for a rookie starting at cornerback, a position where first-year players typically struggle. He was beaten a few times and gave up a touchdown to another rookie, practice squad callup Blair White, but defended solidly for the most part while being tested often throughout the game.
First-rounder Jerry Hughes made his way into a game for the first time for the Colts, recording a pressure on two snaps. Kavell Conner started at OLB and was injured at the end of the first quarter.
Random notes
With only three available wide receivers, one making his first start, the Colts were forced to use their starting wideouts more than usual. Reggie Wayne played all 68 offensive snaps and counterpart Collie missed only five. … Think the Broncos were worried about Manning tearing apart their secondary? On 64 of 68 defensive snaps, the Broncos lined up at least five in the back.
http://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2010/10/01/re-focused-indianapolis-at-denver/
It wasn’t difficult to see why the Colts came away with the “W” in this one: Despite putting up just more than 500 total yards on offense, the Broncos displayed one of the worst red-zone performances in recent memory.
Denver had every opportunity to win this game, as its defense far outplayed Indy’s, but play-calling in the red zone and failure to execute cost the Broncos this game.
Colts: Three performances of note
In the absence of Pierre Garcon and Anthony Gonzalez, Peyton Manning needed WR Austin Collie (+2.6) to step up against a Broncos secondary featuring a rookie CB starting on one side and a less than 100 percent Champ Bailey on the other. Out of necessity, Collie was thrown at 15 times and made sure to make the most of the increased targets, hauling in 12 passes for 171 yards and two of Manning’s three scoring tosses. It’s one of the best performances by a wideout we’ve seen thus far.
TE Brodie Eldridge (-2.0) really disappointed after doing a solid job run blocking last week. Eldridge failed to take advantage of the one thing that will earn him playing time: Dallas Clark‘s poor blocking. The rookie TE will dictate his own playing time this year, as he will not see the field much if he cannot compensate for Clark’s blocking in double-TE sets.
The player most victimized in Indy’s secondary was CB Jerraud Powers (-1.9) playing mostly in the slot, though he saw time at RCB against most two-wideout sets. Thrown at 18 times, Powers gave up 11 catches, accounting for 192 of Kyle Orton‘s passing yards. He broke up two passes, but was also beaten deep over the middle by resurgent WR Brandon Lloyd for a 48-yard touchdown.
Broncos: Three performances of note
On an otherwise bleak day for the Denver O-line, LT Ryan Clady (+1.9) made some progress towards returning to pre-injury form. Clady has looked, at times, stiff and awkward in pass protection, which can be attributed to a still-continuing recovery from his offseason injury. On Sunday, however, he was much more fluid and quick, giving up two pressures while lining up against all-pro DE Dwight Freeney. Clady has improved his pass-blocking grade each week so far this young season.
Speaking of continually improving players, OLB Robert Ayers (+4.6) enjoyed his best overall game as a pro, two weeks after setting his previous best grade. In fact, the Broncos had more players grade green than red, which is indicative of the positives points Josh McDaniels can take from this loss. For his part, Ayers recorded six total pressures and two stops on defense. Ayers’ run support is better than Elvis Dumervil‘s, and if he can continue to rush the passer effectively, the two will form a menacing tandem next season.
Considering the Broncos lost, not everyone could have had a good game. Slot receiver Eddie Royal (-2.1) was one of the poorer performers, catching less than half (four) of the balls thrown his way (nine) and posting a negative grade in every category except run blocking. Royal was also penalized once in the red zone.
Rookie report
The Broncos’ rookie linemen struggled once again, though you can’t blame RT Zane Beadles for not knowing how to block Robert Mathis. Wide receiver Demaryius Thomas posted a positive grade once again and was especially impressive with his run blocking, which wasn’t displayed as much last week. Thomas’ performance so far hasn’t been statistically excellent, but he looks great on the field and has all the tools to become a star receiver someday. … On the other side of the ball, Perrish Cox (+3.2) played the whole game in place of RCB Andre Goodman, who was inactive. Cox played better than could have been expected for a rookie starting at cornerback, a position where first-year players typically struggle. He was beaten a few times and gave up a touchdown to another rookie, practice squad callup Blair White, but defended solidly for the most part while being tested often throughout the game.
First-rounder Jerry Hughes made his way into a game for the first time for the Colts, recording a pressure on two snaps. Kavell Conner started at OLB and was injured at the end of the first quarter.
Random notes
With only three available wide receivers, one making his first start, the Colts were forced to use their starting wideouts more than usual. Reggie Wayne played all 68 offensive snaps and counterpart Collie missed only five. … Think the Broncos were worried about Manning tearing apart their secondary? On 64 of 68 defensive snaps, the Broncos lined up at least five in the back.