BigBroncLove
09-18-2007, 01:50 AM
:defense: Denver D Draws Doubt And Dazzle :defense:
By BigBroncLove
After an anemic preseason showing by the Denver defense, the Broncos appeared in the first two weeks to have cured many of the ailments that plagued them from having a preseason worth mentioning. In a defense that surrendered 64 points through the preseason, let opposing offenses run all over them, and admitted to having troubles adjusting to a new system that garnered five new starters, the Broncos defense preformed remarkably well in week one, and admirably in week two. Much of that can be attributed to a stellar showing by the star studded Denver secondary which allowed only 72 yards against Buffalo, and would have completely shut down Oakland’s passing game if it weren’t for one good pass by McCown to Porter in the third. What the Broncos have struggled with though is a run D that through two first games, despite being ranked second in overall defense, is now sitting ugly at 27th in run defense. When a teams D is still ranked in the top 5 defenses, but rush defense is sitting near the bottom of a 32 team league, that speaks volumes about the inequity between the pass and run D.
It gets a little worse though. It’s not as if the Broncos have faced the cream of the NFL when it comes to rushing. The Buffalo team, while having talent at the offensive line has had problems coming together as a unit. The 90 yards Marshawn Lynch tallied is a testament more toward his ability to break tackles and force the Denver D to miss then the strength of the Bills offensive line. However against Oakland, the Broncos allowed over 100 yards rushing against a suspect offensive line which has struggled in the past, and a middle of the league, nothing but average running back in LaMont Jordan. Much of that yardage came not at the expense of the Broncos defensive line giving up huge gaps, but rather Zach Miller (tight end for Oakland) and Justin Griffith (full back for Oakland) halting the line backers from making plays and opened gaps for Jordan. Ian Gold despite having a relatively good game, being involved in many tackles including a game saving run from behind wrap around on Jordan in overtime, was smashed by Griffith on many occasions. What’s worse is that the Broncos gave a lot of runs up when they stacked 8 in the box, and McCown audibled to a run which negated the blitz and allowed Jordan to reach the second level behind good blocking. So how will the Broncos play against teams with solid offensive lines and league leading running backs? Only time will tell, but at this point, if the Broncos front seven continue to allow offenses to pound the ball through them like they are, it might not look very pretty.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. The Broncos run D has been there when it counted. They do bend, but at the moment they don’t break as often as the stats sound. According to NFL.com the Broncos have surrendered 312 yards - it’s not a typo, 312 - to opposing offenses in two games. None the less, the scoreboard hasn’t reflected that. Some of that might be the Denver secondary forcing teams into a one dimensional game, but the Bronco run D does get some credit. Of the 34 points scored against the Broncos so far, only one TD has come from a running back (Marhsawn Lynch in game 1). The rest have been surrendered by special teams, one huge pass to Porter, and a returned interception for the TD. So while the Broncos might be ranked near the bottom at run D, they are stopping opposing offenses when it counts. After last years motto, “bend, don’t break” it might force some fans to cringe a little, but in a new system growing pains are to be expected, and keeping the scoreboard manageable is always something positive.
So the brass tax of the situation is, there are questions hovering around the Denver run D. The brick wall has disappeared and there needs to be improvement by both the defensive line and line backers. Despite it, the Broncos are still winning games and holding opposing offenses to few points. While this article might concentrate on one of the negatives on the Broncos there is still plenty to smile about in Denver. A revitalized offense, a steller passing attack, a running game that can pound the ball again, and a secondary that has allowed a league low average of 62 yards (an amazing feat). In this writers opinion though, if the Broncos want to be serious SB contenders, the front seven is going to have to find a way to adjust quickly and make the Broncos run D look nearly as good as the secondary is making the whole defense look right now. If they can do that, I think the Broncos have a better then average shot at winning the division, upsetting the favorite Chargers, and surging to what may be a very surprising post-season for some analysts.
By BigBroncLove
After an anemic preseason showing by the Denver defense, the Broncos appeared in the first two weeks to have cured many of the ailments that plagued them from having a preseason worth mentioning. In a defense that surrendered 64 points through the preseason, let opposing offenses run all over them, and admitted to having troubles adjusting to a new system that garnered five new starters, the Broncos defense preformed remarkably well in week one, and admirably in week two. Much of that can be attributed to a stellar showing by the star studded Denver secondary which allowed only 72 yards against Buffalo, and would have completely shut down Oakland’s passing game if it weren’t for one good pass by McCown to Porter in the third. What the Broncos have struggled with though is a run D that through two first games, despite being ranked second in overall defense, is now sitting ugly at 27th in run defense. When a teams D is still ranked in the top 5 defenses, but rush defense is sitting near the bottom of a 32 team league, that speaks volumes about the inequity between the pass and run D.
It gets a little worse though. It’s not as if the Broncos have faced the cream of the NFL when it comes to rushing. The Buffalo team, while having talent at the offensive line has had problems coming together as a unit. The 90 yards Marshawn Lynch tallied is a testament more toward his ability to break tackles and force the Denver D to miss then the strength of the Bills offensive line. However against Oakland, the Broncos allowed over 100 yards rushing against a suspect offensive line which has struggled in the past, and a middle of the league, nothing but average running back in LaMont Jordan. Much of that yardage came not at the expense of the Broncos defensive line giving up huge gaps, but rather Zach Miller (tight end for Oakland) and Justin Griffith (full back for Oakland) halting the line backers from making plays and opened gaps for Jordan. Ian Gold despite having a relatively good game, being involved in many tackles including a game saving run from behind wrap around on Jordan in overtime, was smashed by Griffith on many occasions. What’s worse is that the Broncos gave a lot of runs up when they stacked 8 in the box, and McCown audibled to a run which negated the blitz and allowed Jordan to reach the second level behind good blocking. So how will the Broncos play against teams with solid offensive lines and league leading running backs? Only time will tell, but at this point, if the Broncos front seven continue to allow offenses to pound the ball through them like they are, it might not look very pretty.
It’s not all doom and gloom though. The Broncos run D has been there when it counted. They do bend, but at the moment they don’t break as often as the stats sound. According to NFL.com the Broncos have surrendered 312 yards - it’s not a typo, 312 - to opposing offenses in two games. None the less, the scoreboard hasn’t reflected that. Some of that might be the Denver secondary forcing teams into a one dimensional game, but the Bronco run D does get some credit. Of the 34 points scored against the Broncos so far, only one TD has come from a running back (Marhsawn Lynch in game 1). The rest have been surrendered by special teams, one huge pass to Porter, and a returned interception for the TD. So while the Broncos might be ranked near the bottom at run D, they are stopping opposing offenses when it counts. After last years motto, “bend, don’t break” it might force some fans to cringe a little, but in a new system growing pains are to be expected, and keeping the scoreboard manageable is always something positive.
So the brass tax of the situation is, there are questions hovering around the Denver run D. The brick wall has disappeared and there needs to be improvement by both the defensive line and line backers. Despite it, the Broncos are still winning games and holding opposing offenses to few points. While this article might concentrate on one of the negatives on the Broncos there is still plenty to smile about in Denver. A revitalized offense, a steller passing attack, a running game that can pound the ball again, and a secondary that has allowed a league low average of 62 yards (an amazing feat). In this writers opinion though, if the Broncos want to be serious SB contenders, the front seven is going to have to find a way to adjust quickly and make the Broncos run D look nearly as good as the secondary is making the whole defense look right now. If they can do that, I think the Broncos have a better then average shot at winning the division, upsetting the favorite Chargers, and surging to what may be a very surprising post-season for some analysts.