TXBRONC
08-25-2009, 07:57 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_13196683
Turnover margin troubling for Broncos
Defense looking for first takeaway since late last season
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
If you think it has been, well, forever since the Broncos' defense snagged a turnover, you're not the only one.
"Years, it seems like," cornerback Champ Bailey said.
While Bailey might be going heavy on the hyperbole, his sentiment is right.
Dating to last season, the Broncos have gone four games — two to end 2008 and two preseason games to start 2009 — without a takeaway. The last turnover created came on Dec. 14, when safety Josh Barrett picked off a pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.
While coaches often are quick to dismiss preseason statistics, there is no denying the Broncos' minus-6 turnover margin through two preseason games is troubling. Denver has lost four interceptions (all by starting quarterback Kyle Orton) and two fumbles (by Tony Scheffler and Kenny McKinley) while failing to force any on defense.
It's the same problem that plagued the 2008 version of the defense. The Broncos had only 13 total takeaways — six interceptions (second-worst in the NFL) and seven recovered fumbles — for a total turnover margin of minus-17 for the season.
"I think it's hanging over our heads right now, especially with the amount of turnovers they had here last year," cornerback Andre Goodman said. "It's been a point of emphasis. We've been focusing on it all training camp, so now it's just a matter of getting it."
The focus on creating turnovers was evident throughout the Broncos' training camp, with interception, ball-stripping and ball-recovery drills a staple in every practice for each defensive position group. Turnovers also have been emphasized in just about every defensive meeting.
"It's something we've talked about a ton. Maybe we haven't talked enough about it or maybe we've talked too much about it," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "But down three in both games now is something we want to fix. We'll address it as early as we possibly can on Tuesday and try to fix that. Because you're not going to win games losing three turnovers, and then not getting any on defense."
History shows McDaniels to be correct.
Of the 30 AFC teams to make the playoffs in the past five seasons, 26 had a positive turnover margin, with two teams even and only two in negative numbers (one was the 2004 Broncos at minus-9). Every AFC playoff team in 2008 was in the black.
Bailey, who had only one interception in 2008, a career low, said the Denver defense is confident there won't be a repeat of last season. The lack of early turnovers, Bailey said, is the result of so many new players learning to play with each other while also learning a new defensive scheme.
"Obviously we've got to put ourselves in better positions to do it," Bailey said. "I think we're not making the right guesses. As we get better in our pass rush and our coverage, and those two things are coming together, we'll start making those plays."
The new 3-4 defense has begun to show signs of an improved pass rush with seven sacks in two preseason games, and the Broncos have been credited with six passes defended. Still, none of that has resulted in turnovers. That has affected the offense, Mc-Daniels said, just as the offense's fumbles and interceptions — such as Scheffler's fumble deep in Denver territory against the Seattle Seahawks — hurts the defense.
"Turnovers — anytime you turn the ball over like that you're going to put yourself in the hole," McDaniels said. "They didn't have to go as far to score points as we did. That's our fault. It starts with the turnovers."
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com
Turnover margin troubling for Broncos
Defense looking for first takeaway since late last season
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
If you think it has been, well, forever since the Broncos' defense snagged a turnover, you're not the only one.
"Years, it seems like," cornerback Champ Bailey said.
While Bailey might be going heavy on the hyperbole, his sentiment is right.
Dating to last season, the Broncos have gone four games — two to end 2008 and two preseason games to start 2009 — without a takeaway. The last turnover created came on Dec. 14, when safety Josh Barrett picked off a pass from Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme.
While coaches often are quick to dismiss preseason statistics, there is no denying the Broncos' minus-6 turnover margin through two preseason games is troubling. Denver has lost four interceptions (all by starting quarterback Kyle Orton) and two fumbles (by Tony Scheffler and Kenny McKinley) while failing to force any on defense.
It's the same problem that plagued the 2008 version of the defense. The Broncos had only 13 total takeaways — six interceptions (second-worst in the NFL) and seven recovered fumbles — for a total turnover margin of minus-17 for the season.
"I think it's hanging over our heads right now, especially with the amount of turnovers they had here last year," cornerback Andre Goodman said. "It's been a point of emphasis. We've been focusing on it all training camp, so now it's just a matter of getting it."
The focus on creating turnovers was evident throughout the Broncos' training camp, with interception, ball-stripping and ball-recovery drills a staple in every practice for each defensive position group. Turnovers also have been emphasized in just about every defensive meeting.
"It's something we've talked about a ton. Maybe we haven't talked enough about it or maybe we've talked too much about it," Broncos coach Josh McDaniels said. "But down three in both games now is something we want to fix. We'll address it as early as we possibly can on Tuesday and try to fix that. Because you're not going to win games losing three turnovers, and then not getting any on defense."
History shows McDaniels to be correct.
Of the 30 AFC teams to make the playoffs in the past five seasons, 26 had a positive turnover margin, with two teams even and only two in negative numbers (one was the 2004 Broncos at minus-9). Every AFC playoff team in 2008 was in the black.
Bailey, who had only one interception in 2008, a career low, said the Denver defense is confident there won't be a repeat of last season. The lack of early turnovers, Bailey said, is the result of so many new players learning to play with each other while also learning a new defensive scheme.
"Obviously we've got to put ourselves in better positions to do it," Bailey said. "I think we're not making the right guesses. As we get better in our pass rush and our coverage, and those two things are coming together, we'll start making those plays."
The new 3-4 defense has begun to show signs of an improved pass rush with seven sacks in two preseason games, and the Broncos have been credited with six passes defended. Still, none of that has resulted in turnovers. That has affected the offense, Mc-Daniels said, just as the offense's fumbles and interceptions — such as Scheffler's fumble deep in Denver territory against the Seattle Seahawks — hurts the defense.
"Turnovers — anytime you turn the ball over like that you're going to put yourself in the hole," McDaniels said. "They didn't have to go as far to score points as we did. That's our fault. It starts with the turnovers."
Lindsay H. Jones: 303-954-1262 or ljones@denverpost.com