Ziggy
12-27-2013, 05:19 PM
I wanted to take a look at the trenches. If you have a championship caliber QB you have a shot to win it all in today's NFL. Once you get into the playoffs, it's all about who wins in the trenches. Last year the Broncos got dominated at the line of scrimmage by the Ravens on both sides of the ball. With multiple opportunities to put the game away on 3rd and 4th and short, the Broncos couldn't seal the deal. Is there any reason to believe it will be different this year?
OFFENSIVE LINE-
The biggest factor in the passing game is Manning's ability to read a defense and get the ball out of his hands quickly. No one does it better. The two people this helps the most is Chris Clark and Zane Beadles.
Chris Clark has done a great job for his first season as a starter at left tackle. Outside of a few bad whiffs he's held the fort long enough for Peyton to get the ball out. He's fair in the run game.
Zane Beadles is unfortunately Beadles. When asked to block one on one in the power scheme, he's constantly overwhelmed at the point of attack both in the run and pass game. What he does well he does as good as any guard in the NFL outside of Iupati. He's a beast when he gets out in space and pulls. The Broncos are far more successful when using him this way.
Manny Ramirez is the most improved player on this team from the start of training camp. He's become a solid starting caliber NFL center and is quickly working his way toward becoming an invaluable cog in this line.
Louis Vasquez was another brilliant signing by Elway. He's the best pass blocker on this line and a lethal run blocker with both Ramirez and Franklin. He's playing at an all pro level and worth every penny that the Broncos spent on him.
Orlando Franklin has developed into a solid right tackle. Speed rushers still give him fits every now and then, but that's the nature of right tackles. He's a road grader in the run game and brings a measure of nastiness to this team along with Vasquez.
Overall, I'll take this line going into the playoffs. It's a solid group. Magz has done a great job of bringing this group together.
DEFENSIVE LINE-
Kudos to Elway for improving this group in the offseason as well. He has shown a true commitment in the draft to building the trenches with high draft picks. It's already paying dividends.
Terrance Knighton has been the unsung hero of this defensive line. He's been stout at the point of attack and provided a pass rush at times, which is icing on the cake. Another great Elway signing in the offseason.
Sylvester Williams is beginning to show why Elway spent that first round pick on him. It looks like the light has come on over the last two weeks. He's stepping up at the perfect time and beginning to dominate the line of scrimmage. He's been disruptive and has been all over the opponents backfield. This is exactly what you want in an under tackle in a 3-4 alignment.
Derek Wolfe is looking good to be back in time for the playoffs. That's a huge bonus for this defense. They desperately need his run blocking prowess on the left side. I'm not sure what level he'll be playing at when he gets back, but anything helps at this point.
Malik Jackson has been a surprise this season. He's stepped up as a pass rusher and has 5 sacks on the season, mostly from the DT position.
Shaun Phillips did a masterful job getting pressure on the QB while Von was on suspension. Moving back to that position on the field should give him an opportunity to shine again.
Robert Ayers is second on the team with 5.5 sacks. He's been on and off. I'm looking for him to step up once again with Von out.
Jeremy Mincey is the X factor. He looked great out there in the last game and knows Del Rio's defense. He's hungry to win could be to this team what Neil Smith was to the 1997 Broncos.
Overall losing Vick was a huge blow, but Sly has taken advantage of his chance to step up. The Broncos defense is one of only 10 teams in the NFL allowing less than 4 yards/carry. Give a ton of credit to Pot Roast on that one. If this line can get back to keeping the linebackers clean, I look for the D as a whole to improve in the next month.
Do the Broncos boast the best lines in the NFL? No, but they are far from the worst. With the rest of the talent the Broncos are putting out there around these guys, I feel pretty good going into the playoffs. This team isn't going to get bullied off the field like they did last year against the Ravens. An extra week of rest isn't going to hurt either.
OFFENSIVE LINE-
The biggest factor in the passing game is Manning's ability to read a defense and get the ball out of his hands quickly. No one does it better. The two people this helps the most is Chris Clark and Zane Beadles.
Chris Clark has done a great job for his first season as a starter at left tackle. Outside of a few bad whiffs he's held the fort long enough for Peyton to get the ball out. He's fair in the run game.
Zane Beadles is unfortunately Beadles. When asked to block one on one in the power scheme, he's constantly overwhelmed at the point of attack both in the run and pass game. What he does well he does as good as any guard in the NFL outside of Iupati. He's a beast when he gets out in space and pulls. The Broncos are far more successful when using him this way.
Manny Ramirez is the most improved player on this team from the start of training camp. He's become a solid starting caliber NFL center and is quickly working his way toward becoming an invaluable cog in this line.
Louis Vasquez was another brilliant signing by Elway. He's the best pass blocker on this line and a lethal run blocker with both Ramirez and Franklin. He's playing at an all pro level and worth every penny that the Broncos spent on him.
Orlando Franklin has developed into a solid right tackle. Speed rushers still give him fits every now and then, but that's the nature of right tackles. He's a road grader in the run game and brings a measure of nastiness to this team along with Vasquez.
Overall, I'll take this line going into the playoffs. It's a solid group. Magz has done a great job of bringing this group together.
DEFENSIVE LINE-
Kudos to Elway for improving this group in the offseason as well. He has shown a true commitment in the draft to building the trenches with high draft picks. It's already paying dividends.
Terrance Knighton has been the unsung hero of this defensive line. He's been stout at the point of attack and provided a pass rush at times, which is icing on the cake. Another great Elway signing in the offseason.
Sylvester Williams is beginning to show why Elway spent that first round pick on him. It looks like the light has come on over the last two weeks. He's stepping up at the perfect time and beginning to dominate the line of scrimmage. He's been disruptive and has been all over the opponents backfield. This is exactly what you want in an under tackle in a 3-4 alignment.
Derek Wolfe is looking good to be back in time for the playoffs. That's a huge bonus for this defense. They desperately need his run blocking prowess on the left side. I'm not sure what level he'll be playing at when he gets back, but anything helps at this point.
Malik Jackson has been a surprise this season. He's stepped up as a pass rusher and has 5 sacks on the season, mostly from the DT position.
Shaun Phillips did a masterful job getting pressure on the QB while Von was on suspension. Moving back to that position on the field should give him an opportunity to shine again.
Robert Ayers is second on the team with 5.5 sacks. He's been on and off. I'm looking for him to step up once again with Von out.
Jeremy Mincey is the X factor. He looked great out there in the last game and knows Del Rio's defense. He's hungry to win could be to this team what Neil Smith was to the 1997 Broncos.
Overall losing Vick was a huge blow, but Sly has taken advantage of his chance to step up. The Broncos defense is one of only 10 teams in the NFL allowing less than 4 yards/carry. Give a ton of credit to Pot Roast on that one. If this line can get back to keeping the linebackers clean, I look for the D as a whole to improve in the next month.
Do the Broncos boast the best lines in the NFL? No, but they are far from the worst. With the rest of the talent the Broncos are putting out there around these guys, I feel pretty good going into the playoffs. This team isn't going to get bullied off the field like they did last year against the Ravens. An extra week of rest isn't going to hurt either.