Bailey: Broncos Have Closed Gap With Patriots

[Denver Native (Carol)]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) – After giving up 86 points to the Patriots last year, the Denver Broncos realized just how far away they were from becoming a championship contender.

Following the Broncos’ 45-10 loss at New England in the playoffs, coach John Fox pledged, “We will do everything we can to get better.”

And they did.

They swapped Tim Tebow for Peyton Manning, retooled the offense and fortified their defense. They’ll get to gauge just how much they’ve narrowed that gap Sunday when they visit Tom Brady and the Patriots.

rest - http://denver.cbslocal.com/2012/10/06/bailey-broncos-have-closed-gap-with-pats/

[Nomad]

BRONCOS need to win...I can't handle another loss this weekend:lol:

[MOtorboat]

I think it's pretty obvious where the upgrade was.

[bcbronc]

I think it's pretty obvious where the upgrade was.

apparently, reading the article, it's the DC. :tsk:

[Chillez]

Man, I love Champ!

I hope he retires with a ring. Guy deserved one long long time ago.

[broncobryce]

I'm surprised he took a shot at Allen. Usually that's not Champs style at all.

I still don't think we can slow down the Patriots at all. We'll see if Champ is right or not.

[Davii]

I'm surprised he took a shot at Allen. Usually that's not Champs style at all.

I still don't think we can slow down the Patriots at all. We'll see if Champ is right or not.

It didn't seem like he meant it as a slight against Allen, it seemed more that he was just saying it's not the same defense that got their asses handed to them twice there last year. Different scheme different coordinator, etc. Champ doesn't take shots at ppeople in the media, like you said, not his style.

[ShaneFalco]

Closed gap? eh...

[chaoticmayhem]

looks like the same D to me...minus a decent pass rush

[Chidoze]

I'd say the gap is still as big as ever... Patriots are clearly the better team still.

[UnderArmour]

As long as we keep playing with Joe Mays out there, it's like having only 10 guys out there. Just not going to cut it against the Patriots. DJ Williams can't come back fast enough.

[Krugan]

Huh, it seems the gap is an understatement.

Grand canyon, errm sad:/

[broncobryce]

So Champ, about that D..........

[Joel]

As long as we keep playing with Joe Mays out there, it's like having only 10 guys out there. Just not going to cut it against the Patriots. DJ Williams can't come back fast enough.
This point cannot be made enough. Mays made ONE decent stop on an out pass tonight, but that and a sack (against Atlanta, IIRC) are the only two good plays I've seen him make this year. I honestly lose count of how many BLOWN plays he makes each week, but the blown coverage on 3rd and 10 from the Pats 1 stuck in my mind tonight. That let them spend the rest of the half scoring a FG then start the second half with the ball, instead of us having a chance to tie the game at the half. Considering NEs 10 point halftime lead was their margin of victory, that's huge.

Mays is useless in coverage and overruns or misses as many tackles as he makes, when he's not out of position entirely. I don't expect DJ to replace him any more than I expect Miller to (though HE nearly had a pick on 3rd down in the 4th tonight, and did force a punt,) but we need a legit Mike like a drowning man needs air. As in "can't survive without it." Denver has potential if Thomas stops fumbling long receptions, but is not ready to play with the big boys yet. Our young players are getting there, but if Rahim Moore can still plead youth, Beadles and Mays have no such excuse, and demand replacement.

[chaoticmayhem]

if Rahim Moore can still plead youth, Beadles and Mays have no such excuse, and demand replacement.

Beadles? He's fine. Mays is a backup LB that should only be in on obvious run downs. Moore is basically garbage.

[Joel]

Beadles? He's fine. Mays is a backup LB that should only be in on obvious run downs. Moore is basically garbage.
Beadles is inconsistent, though he does (finally) seem to be getting better this year. He blocks downfield well, and may finally be getting a clue about pass protection, but DTs and LBs still get through him to hit our backs behind the line far more often than a guy who's started every game for two seasons should allow.

I don't want to get sidetracked though; as vital as Gs are, especially for running, the MLB is the heart of any good 4-3, because in addition to playing spy a lot and usually calling defensive audibles, he's the one player with a vital role in coverage, run stopping and pass rushing. Weaknesses elsewhere can often be compensated for by other strengths, but an awful Mike like Mays hurts every aspect of a 4-3.

[chaoticmayhem]

Beadles is inconsistent, though he does (finally) seem to be getting better this year. He blocks downfield well, and may finally be getting a clue about pass protection, but DTs and LBs still get through him to hit our backs behind the line far more often than a guy who's started every game for two seasons should allow.

I don't want to get sidetracked though; as vital as Gs are, especially for running, the MLB is the heart of any good 4-3, because in addition to playing spy a lot and usually calling defensive audibles, he's the one player with a vital role in coverage, run stopping and pass rushing. Weaknesses elsewhere can often be compensated for by other strengths, but an awful Mike like Mays hurts every aspect of a 4-3.

I don't see Beadles as a glaring problem. On the O-line the weakness is at RG..until Kuper comes back healthy. Anyway, I agree with everything else you said.

[Joel]

I don't see Beadles as a glaring problem. On the O-line the weakness is at RG..until Kuper comes back healthy. Anyway, I agree with everything else you said.
I'm not thrilled with any of them except Clady and Koppen (he's been the improvement I expected since we signed him, though I didn't want him to get on the field THAT way,) but my main complaint now is their run blocking at the line: I'm tired of our backs having to break two tackles to REACH the line. Like I say though, 'nother thread. ;)

[Simple Jaded]

I sincerely hope Bailey was referring to the Broncos offense.......

[Simple Jaded]

I'm not thrilled with any of them except Clady and Koppen (he's been the improvement I expected since we signed him, though I didn't want him to get on the field THAT way,) but my main complaint now is their run blocking at the line: I'm tired of our backs having to break two tackles to REACH the line. Like I say though, 'nother thread. ;)
Wow, you don't like what you see from Franklin? I think he's been outstanding, especially in the run game. Even Beadles is improved.......

[ShaneFalco]

Im just wondering how the Cardinals did so much better then us against the Pats.

[jhildebrand]

Im just wondering how the Cardinals did so much better then us against the Pats.

Week 1.

[BroncoJoe]

What was the score last year? 45-10 or something?

21-31 is closing the gap. He didnt say we eliminated the gap.

[Simple Jaded]

The Cards have Williams, Dockett and Campbell on the DL, huge difference. Opponents have taken Doom and Miller outta the equation early in games, how many teams have we seen go to the shorter routes? Pitt, Atl, NE. The Texans did it with playaction passes.

Denver needs Wolfe to develope into an interior pass rusher.......

[MOtorboat]

What was the score last year? 45-10 or something?

21-31 is closing the gap. He didnt say we eliminated the gap.

The Broncos were competitive today.

They were not twice last year.

Anyone who doesn't see that, is blinded by a bias I will try not to speak about.

[Jsteve01]

The Cards have Williams, Dockett and Campbell on the DL, huge difference. Opponents have taken Doom and Miller outta the equation early in games, how many teams have we seen go to the shorter routes? Pitt, Atl, NE. The Texans did it with playaction passes.

Denver needs Wolfe to develope into an interior pass rusher.......


All of this. I just think we're really seeing badly depleted this team was from end of Shanny's tenure to the debacle that was the McD era

[Jsteve01]

The Cards have Williams, Dockett and Campbell on the DL, huge difference. Opponents have taken Doom and Miller outta the equation early in games, how many teams have we seen go to the shorter routes? Pitt, Atl, NE. The Texans did it with playaction passes.

Denver needs Wolfe to develope into an interior pass rusher.......


All of this. I just think we're really seeing badly depleted this team was from end of Shanny's tenure to the debacle that was the McD era

[broncobryce]

Well, McD certainly dismantled us today.

[Nomad]

Well, McD certainly dismantled us today.

Well, I think I could look like a genius at OC with Brady and Wes Welker.:lol:

[Chef Zambini]

I'm surprised he took a shot at Allen. Usually that's not Champs style at all.

I still don't think we can slow down the Patriots at all. We'll see if Champ is right or not.say what?
champ always has praise for the guy ion the office, he then shits on the same guy once he leaves town. thats the champ MO.
always has been, always will be.
champ is all about champ, always has been always will be.

[Chef Zambini]

Well, McD certainly dismantled us today.say what?
JMCD dismantled us during his 2 years in denver !
today was a by-product.
we cant stop the run, he ran the ball,
brilliant. take the short bus to the mensa reception !

[Joel]

Wow, you don't like what you see from Franklin? I think he's been outstanding, especially in the run game. Even Beadles is improved.......
He's definitely improved, more than Beadles (who IS better than last year, but that's not saying much) yet still inconsistent. He's great against the run but gets beat in pass protection too much for a tackle. Even that Boston Globe preview I stumbled on yesterday noted he gets shredded on stunts a lot, and DEs flat beat him around the corner too often for my liking. I cut him some slack though because he's only played 20 pro games and is a real road grader in the running game, maybe the only one on the team.

The Broncos were competitive today.

They were not twice last year.

Anyone who doesn't see that, is blinded by a bias I will try not to speak about.
We were only competitive in the first quarter; that game was not as close as the score implies, any more than the Falcons or Texans games were. After NE went up 31-7 midway through the third quarter their D was in semi-prevent, while Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer both skipped most of the 4th quarter because 1) they're banged up and 2) we were beaten. At that, we only managed another two scores against a D trading yards and points for time throughout most of the second half.

[vandammage13]

If by "closed the gap" Bailey meant allowing the Pats to set a franchise record in first downs, then yeah, he was right.

[Chef Zambini]

bailys opinion is always contrived BS.
He is always positive about the current regime until that status changes, then he is always the first to point out their short-comings as they emty their desks.
always!he shoulsd go duck hunting with chaney!

[MOtorboat]

bailys opinion is always contrived BS.
He is always positive about the current regime until that status changes, then he is always the first to point out their short-comings as they emty their desks.
always!he shoulsd go duck hunting with chaney!

Sources, please?

[jhildebrand]

We were only competitive in the first quarter; that game was not as close as the score implies, any more than the Falcons or Texans games were. After NE went up 31-7 midway through the third quarter their D was in semi-prevent, while Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer both skipped most of the 4th quarter because 1) they're banged up and 2) we were beaten. At that, we only managed another two scores against a D trading yards and points for time throughout most of the second half.

I insist it is all stat padding in garbage time. Something people would acknowledge with Orton but NOT Manning. The reality is New England had their way yesterday. It showed. They could do anything they wanted at will and were never concerned about anything Denver was doing or trying to do. Shoot, Belichick even went for it on 4th down with 8 minutes to go and the game "appearing" close. He wasn't concerned.

If anyone doesn't believe they weren't having their way, look no further than their 35 first downs. :tsk:

[MOtorboat]

I insist it is all stat padding in garbage time. Something people would acknowledge with Orton but NOT Manning. The reality is New England had their way yesterday. It showed. They could do anything they wanted at will and were never concerned about anything Denver was doing or trying to do. Shoot, Belichick even went for it on 4th down with 8 minutes to go and the game "appearing" close. He wasn't concerned.

If anyone doesn't believe they weren't having their way, look no further than their 35 first downs. :tsk:

Denver was actually 2-14 last year.

[Ravage!!!]

I insist it is all stat padding in garbage time. Something people would acknowledge with Orton but NOT Manning. The reality is New England had their way yesterday. It showed. They could do anything they wanted at will and were never concerned about anything Denver was doing or trying to do. Shoot, Belichick even went for it on 4th down with 8 minutes to go and the game "appearing" close. He wasn't concerned.

If anyone doesn't believe they weren't having their way, look no further than their 35 first downs. :tsk:

Some would say the reason he would go for it on 4th down when things appeared to be getting close, woudl be to keep the ball out of Manning's hands.

But, we aren't as good of a team as Houston, Atlanta, and NE is right now. Go figure.

[Buff]

If by "closed the gap" Bailey meant allowing the Pats to set a franchise record in first downs, then yeah, he was right.

/thread

[Joel]

I insist it is all stat padding in garbage time. Something people would acknowledge with Orton but NOT Manning. The reality is New England had their way yesterday. It showed. They could do anything they wanted at will and were never concerned about anything Denver was doing or trying to do. Shoot, Belichick even went for it on 4th down with 8 minutes to go and the game "appearing" close. He wasn't concerned.


If anyone doesn't believe they weren't having their way, look no further than their 35 first downs.
It's hard to deny; the thing to take away from our 3 blowouts is not "our great offense got us within one score all but once," it's "our offense AND defense are so unreliable they can't close the gap even running 2:00 drills against prevent and stuffing clock-killing runs we know are coming for the whole second half." We didn't get annihilated for 2.5 quarters then magically improve THREE TIMES, else we would've won at least one of those games: We got desperate and they got conservative, because both sides knew our chance of winning was gone. The proof is, once again, we lost every single time.

[bcbronc]

But you can't ignore the amount of self-inflicted damage that usually contributed to the large deficits in the first place. Just take out the two DT fumbles and maybe those games go different. Also, every game the pre-Manning Broncos are having first experiences with Manning under centre. It's great to see things on film, run it vs scout, talk about it on the bus, but making the adjustments Manning is expecting you to make under the bright lights is something altogether different.

Obviously teams play a little looser when they get a big lead early. But the offense also got things figured out a bit in the second halves, which is a positive. That's part of the growing process that most understand this offense is going to require. Every snap these guys take together is creating more familiarity and chemistry. I expect the season to go much like these losses...struggle a bit over the first half, start to figure things out in the second half.