Lonestar
10-10-2009, 12:02 PM
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/10/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Take a number, please. Your turn is coming.
No. 92? No. 92? Your sack is ready.
No. 23 . . . 23? Your forced fumble is ready.
No. 24? Your diving interception is ready, thank you for your patience.
"That's our defense," Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams said. "It's always somebody's turn to make a play, and it can come from anywhere. Some days it's you, some days it's somebody else. So you do your job until it's your time.
"And at some point, you know it's going to be your time. I think that's what everybody likes about this defense."
Seven players have at least one sack, and six players have an interception, a list that includes tight end Tony Scheffler, who got his pick on the last play of the game in the season opener at Cincinnati.
And while the Broncos have powered their way to the top of the league's defensive rankings — they are No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 2 in yards allowed per game — they have done it with the "little of this and a little of that" approach that switching to a 3-4 scheme has afforded them.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who has directed both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses in his career, framed it this way: "Everybody gets turns, and in some schemes they don't. Guys who cover, cover; and guys who rush, rush. But in our scheme, any one of the 11 can rush the passer or drop (into coverage). There's a multiple of jobs that you have, and players enjoy that."
Basically, those who believe in the 3-4 (three defensive linemen to go with four linebackers) believe it offers more variety overall, but especially in the pass rush. That's because more players are playing standing up, rather than in a three-point stance. It's easier to be deceptive, to add a fourth and fifth pass rusher from anywhere in the formation at any time.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, a longtime 3-4 practitioner, has said, "You can do more things to get to the quarterback
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View slide show of wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
View slide show of Cowboys-Broncos game Oct. 4.
View slide show of Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams.
View slide show of Broncos QB Kyle Orton.
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from more angles, and I think it makes . . . a quicker defense."
And while Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Fame finalist this year, often calls the linebackers in the 3-4 "the Hollywood guys," he concedes it does give more players a chance to make the spectacular play from time to time, because the roles aren't as rigidly defined as in some other defenses.
"I think guys know that," said Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who leads the team in sacks with eight. "One time you take on the block, you get in there and do the job on one play, and on another play you're the guy who's going to go free. When I get sacks, it's because other guys are working hard all over the place."
Last Sunday, it was safety Renaldo Hill's turn. On a third-and-14 from the Cowboys' 21-yard line, Hill moved toward the line of scrimmage before the snap and then blitzed Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo from the blind side. Broncos coaches pointed out to the defensive players that Romo carried the ball low at times as he surveyed the field from the pocket, so if a rusher could come from the backside and get close enough to take a swipe at it, a fumble could be the result. Hill did just that, crashing into Romo and knocking the ball free.
Williams recovered the fumble at the Dallas 9-yard line, and the Broncos scored on the next play.
"It's all about opportunities," Hill said. "On that play, we got the look we were hoping (for) and I just tried to get the ball out, make a play. But everybody on the defense can do something like that. I think guys know that, so everybody is ready when it's their time."
For his part, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, another longtime believer in the 3-4, rattled off a number of things this week that have gone right for the Broncos so far.
"The most impressive thing is they haven't given up any points," Belichick said. "They've sacked the quarterback, they've created long-yardage situations, they turn the ball over (defensively), they play good against the run, play good against the pass, good situational defense, they're a hard-hittin' group, they're fast, they're physical, they pressure you, they cover you. They have a good mix."
The Broncos look at it much more simply.
"We look at it like, if the offense can't score, they can't win," Williams said. "So whatever any of us has to do to make that happen, we'll do it."
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
All in on defense
The Broncos defense has certainly spread out its impact plays:
Sacks: Elvis Dumervil 8; Darrell Reid 2; Andra Davis 1; Mario Haggan 1; Vonnie Holliday 1; Renaldo Hill 1; D.J. Williams 1.
Interceptions: Champ Bailey 1; Andre Goodman 1; Hill 1; Darcel McBath 1; Tony Scheffler 1; Wesley Woodyard 1.
Forced fumbles: Williams 1; Hill 1; Dumervil 1; Haggan 1.
Fumble recoveries: Brian Dawkins 2; Williams 1; Reid 1.
Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13530111#
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/10/2009 01:00:00 AM MDT
Take a number, please. Your turn is coming.
No. 92? No. 92? Your sack is ready.
No. 23 . . . 23? Your forced fumble is ready.
No. 24? Your diving interception is ready, thank you for your patience.
"That's our defense," Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams said. "It's always somebody's turn to make a play, and it can come from anywhere. Some days it's you, some days it's somebody else. So you do your job until it's your time.
"And at some point, you know it's going to be your time. I think that's what everybody likes about this defense."
Seven players have at least one sack, and six players have an interception, a list that includes tight end Tony Scheffler, who got his pick on the last play of the game in the season opener at Cincinnati.
And while the Broncos have powered their way to the top of the league's defensive rankings — they are No. 1 in scoring defense, No. 2 in yards allowed per game — they have done it with the "little of this and a little of that" approach that switching to a 3-4 scheme has afforded them.
Defensive coordinator Mike Nolan, who has directed both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses in his career, framed it this way: "Everybody gets turns, and in some schemes they don't. Guys who cover, cover; and guys who rush, rush. But in our scheme, any one of the 11 can rush the passer or drop (into coverage). There's a multiple of jobs that you have, and players enjoy that."
Basically, those who believe in the 3-4 (three defensive linemen to go with four linebackers) believe it offers more variety overall, but especially in the pass rush. That's because more players are playing standing up, rather than in a three-point stance. It's easier to be deceptive, to add a fourth and fifth pass rusher from anywhere in the formation at any time.
Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Dom Capers, a longtime 3-4 practitioner, has said, "You can do more things to get to the quarterback
Denver Broncos
Fans, sign up now for Broncos Premium, our website offering don't-miss news, analysis and features only available to registered users. It's free!
View slide show of wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
View slide show of Cowboys-Broncos game Oct. 4.
View slide show of Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams.
View slide show of Broncos QB Kyle Orton.
Find analysis and notes from the gridiron and locker room on the All Things Broncos blog.
Ask Mike Klis about the team or NFL in the Broncos Mailbag.
Evaluate the latest team numbers on the Broncos Stats Page.
Post photos of your team spirit.
Pore over Broncos '09 schedule.
from more angles, and I think it makes . . . a quicker defense."
And while Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, a Hall of Fame finalist this year, often calls the linebackers in the 3-4 "the Hollywood guys," he concedes it does give more players a chance to make the spectacular play from time to time, because the roles aren't as rigidly defined as in some other defenses.
"I think guys know that," said Broncos outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who leads the team in sacks with eight. "One time you take on the block, you get in there and do the job on one play, and on another play you're the guy who's going to go free. When I get sacks, it's because other guys are working hard all over the place."
Last Sunday, it was safety Renaldo Hill's turn. On a third-and-14 from the Cowboys' 21-yard line, Hill moved toward the line of scrimmage before the snap and then blitzed Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo from the blind side. Broncos coaches pointed out to the defensive players that Romo carried the ball low at times as he surveyed the field from the pocket, so if a rusher could come from the backside and get close enough to take a swipe at it, a fumble could be the result. Hill did just that, crashing into Romo and knocking the ball free.
Williams recovered the fumble at the Dallas 9-yard line, and the Broncos scored on the next play.
"It's all about opportunities," Hill said. "On that play, we got the look we were hoping (for) and I just tried to get the ball out, make a play. But everybody on the defense can do something like that. I think guys know that, so everybody is ready when it's their time."
For his part, Patriots coach Bill Belichick, another longtime believer in the 3-4, rattled off a number of things this week that have gone right for the Broncos so far.
"The most impressive thing is they haven't given up any points," Belichick said. "They've sacked the quarterback, they've created long-yardage situations, they turn the ball over (defensively), they play good against the run, play good against the pass, good situational defense, they're a hard-hittin' group, they're fast, they're physical, they pressure you, they cover you. They have a good mix."
The Broncos look at it much more simply.
"We look at it like, if the offense can't score, they can't win," Williams said. "So whatever any of us has to do to make that happen, we'll do it."
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
All in on defense
The Broncos defense has certainly spread out its impact plays:
Sacks: Elvis Dumervil 8; Darrell Reid 2; Andra Davis 1; Mario Haggan 1; Vonnie Holliday 1; Renaldo Hill 1; D.J. Williams 1.
Interceptions: Champ Bailey 1; Andre Goodman 1; Hill 1; Darcel McBath 1; Tony Scheffler 1; Wesley Woodyard 1.
Forced fumbles: Williams 1; Hill 1; Dumervil 1; Haggan 1.
Fumble recoveries: Brian Dawkins 2; Williams 1; Reid 1.
Jeff Legwold, The Denver Post
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13530111#