TXBRONC
11-03-2009, 10:00 AM
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13698903
Denver's D-line needs to shine when push comes to shove
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 11/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
While the Broncos' nickel package — five defensive backs — has been stressed in the passing game from time to time, the Ravens also ran the ball effectively against that set Sunday, particularly in their second-half surge.
The Ravens ran seven times against the Broncos' nickel package during the game — six of those in the second half — for 55 yards, a total that included a 17-yard run by Ray Rice, a 20-yard run by Le'Ron McClain and a 4-yard run on a reverse by wide receiver Mark Clayton.
Some NFL teams, especially those with enough in the power game to win at the line of scrimmage at center and the two guard spots, will likely try this more in the coming weeks.
Especially those teams that line up in three- and four-wide receiver sets, like the Steelers, to still make it an unpredictable look.
That's because offenses go against a Denver defensive front built for speed with Darrell Reid — listed at 270 pounds — lining up at nose tackle with Elvis Dumervil (listed at 248 pounds) and Vonnie Holliday (listed at 285 pounds) at the two end spots in the three-man front.
That means each player is giving away 20, 30, maybe even 40 or more pounds against a team determined to run the ball through the middle. Some of the solution is prevention, as in keeping offenses out of down-and-distance situations on third downs where they can have a run or pass choice out of a three-wide receiver look.
But some of it must be the Broncos finding a way to win the push-and-shove game up front when they do go to the smaller lineup.
Denver's D-line needs to shine when push comes to shove
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 11/03/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
While the Broncos' nickel package — five defensive backs — has been stressed in the passing game from time to time, the Ravens also ran the ball effectively against that set Sunday, particularly in their second-half surge.
The Ravens ran seven times against the Broncos' nickel package during the game — six of those in the second half — for 55 yards, a total that included a 17-yard run by Ray Rice, a 20-yard run by Le'Ron McClain and a 4-yard run on a reverse by wide receiver Mark Clayton.
Some NFL teams, especially those with enough in the power game to win at the line of scrimmage at center and the two guard spots, will likely try this more in the coming weeks.
Especially those teams that line up in three- and four-wide receiver sets, like the Steelers, to still make it an unpredictable look.
That's because offenses go against a Denver defensive front built for speed with Darrell Reid — listed at 270 pounds — lining up at nose tackle with Elvis Dumervil (listed at 248 pounds) and Vonnie Holliday (listed at 285 pounds) at the two end spots in the three-man front.
That means each player is giving away 20, 30, maybe even 40 or more pounds against a team determined to run the ball through the middle. Some of the solution is prevention, as in keeping offenses out of down-and-distance situations on third downs where they can have a run or pass choice out of a three-wide receiver look.
But some of it must be the Broncos finding a way to win the push-and-shove game up front when they do go to the smaller lineup.