TXBRONC
12-08-2009, 04:59 PM
http://www.denverpost.com/premium/broncos/ci_13946973
Q&A: Can the Broncos defense make Peyton Manning a mere mortal?
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/08/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Welcome back, and keep the queries coming.
Today's comes from Brian in Aurora:
Q: Can the Broncos stop Peyton Manning?
A: Brian, while it may not always seem like it, but Manning does lose games from time to time, despite the fact the Colts have won 21 regular-season games in a row, and defenses do at least slow him down from time to time.
It really isn't always so much the scheme, or being innovative, as it is simply being precise. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has always said Manning "doesn't miss mistakes."
That's the deal. While some quarterbacks will later be told by a coach in the press box that a defense left a receiver uncovered or missed an assignment during a play on the last drive, Manning sees it right when it happens and has the physical ability to react and take advantage.
Often, that means he immediately fires the ball to that open receiver or goes after an opening on the next play rather than having to wait until the next series.
Manning is smart and accurate. He knows defenses, understands what defenses are trying to take away on each given play, and defensive coordinators who face him a lot say he remembers what you did against him six, seven, even eight years ago, so if you try it again, he's waiting with an answer.
He's also savvy in a game situation, meaning if snapping the ball quickly gives him the advantage, he'll run the team up and get it snapped before the defense is ready.
And if winding the play clock gives him a chance to check into a better play or makes a defense impatient, he'll do that. He varies the approach and adapts to what will work, and because he has the freedom to call plays in all situations — unlike most any other quarterback in the league — he cuts out the middle man and can react faster.
When the Patriots had some success against him, they chose to be physical with the Colts receivers — rough them up in the pattern, get the timing off a little bit. But when the league cracked down on downfield contact, strictly enforcing the 5-yard chuck zone, that became a lot more difficult for a defense to do without bringing a bunch of penalty flags.
Also, the defenses that have made it work have somehow taken his slot-receiver option away. But those are defenses with quality nickel corners.
Manning is patient, he doesn't force things, and when a defense takes something away, he'll throw the ball where the defense isn't. So, when teams load up on his outside receivers, he happily dishes the ball other places.
The Colts have three receivers who have combined for eight 100-yard receiving games this season. But if a defense can cover things in the one-on-one in the slot, whether it's tight end Dallas Clark or somebody else, they have a far better chance to send help elsewhere and make the Colts take the long road on their drives.
A tough assignment, however, because Manning is accurate so the defender can't simply be close or he'll just be trailing a good pass. He has to cut off the passing lane and not give up the inside route.
Pressure helps, too, but Manning doesn't get sacked much, so the goal of the pressure is usually just to make him get rid of the ball before he wants to.
And it isn't talked about much, but Manning is really tough — he'll stand in to make a throw and never misses a game — and that just compounds it all. He doesn't get rattled by contact, and he has gotten up from some huge hits to simply lead his team on one scoring drive after another.
But mistakes tell the tale. If defenses sometimes try too much, get too cute, they often make more mistakes because it's something they're not used to doing and Manning capitalizes. So, a defense should just do what it usually does and do it without mistakes if it feels good enough about its personnel to play it straight.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com
Q&A: Can the Broncos defense make Peyton Manning a mere mortal?
By Jeff Legwold
The Denver Post
Posted: 12/08/2009 01:00:00 AM MST
Welcome back, and keep the queries coming.
Today's comes from Brian in Aurora:
Q: Can the Broncos stop Peyton Manning?
A: Brian, while it may not always seem like it, but Manning does lose games from time to time, despite the fact the Colts have won 21 regular-season games in a row, and defenses do at least slow him down from time to time.
It really isn't always so much the scheme, or being innovative, as it is simply being precise. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey has always said Manning "doesn't miss mistakes."
That's the deal. While some quarterbacks will later be told by a coach in the press box that a defense left a receiver uncovered or missed an assignment during a play on the last drive, Manning sees it right when it happens and has the physical ability to react and take advantage.
Often, that means he immediately fires the ball to that open receiver or goes after an opening on the next play rather than having to wait until the next series.
Manning is smart and accurate. He knows defenses, understands what defenses are trying to take away on each given play, and defensive coordinators who face him a lot say he remembers what you did against him six, seven, even eight years ago, so if you try it again, he's waiting with an answer.
He's also savvy in a game situation, meaning if snapping the ball quickly gives him the advantage, he'll run the team up and get it snapped before the defense is ready.
And if winding the play clock gives him a chance to check into a better play or makes a defense impatient, he'll do that. He varies the approach and adapts to what will work, and because he has the freedom to call plays in all situations — unlike most any other quarterback in the league — he cuts out the middle man and can react faster.
When the Patriots had some success against him, they chose to be physical with the Colts receivers — rough them up in the pattern, get the timing off a little bit. But when the league cracked down on downfield contact, strictly enforcing the 5-yard chuck zone, that became a lot more difficult for a defense to do without bringing a bunch of penalty flags.
Also, the defenses that have made it work have somehow taken his slot-receiver option away. But those are defenses with quality nickel corners.
Manning is patient, he doesn't force things, and when a defense takes something away, he'll throw the ball where the defense isn't. So, when teams load up on his outside receivers, he happily dishes the ball other places.
The Colts have three receivers who have combined for eight 100-yard receiving games this season. But if a defense can cover things in the one-on-one in the slot, whether it's tight end Dallas Clark or somebody else, they have a far better chance to send help elsewhere and make the Colts take the long road on their drives.
A tough assignment, however, because Manning is accurate so the defender can't simply be close or he'll just be trailing a good pass. He has to cut off the passing lane and not give up the inside route.
Pressure helps, too, but Manning doesn't get sacked much, so the goal of the pressure is usually just to make him get rid of the ball before he wants to.
And it isn't talked about much, but Manning is really tough — he'll stand in to make a throw and never misses a game — and that just compounds it all. He doesn't get rattled by contact, and he has gotten up from some huge hits to simply lead his team on one scoring drive after another.
But mistakes tell the tale. If defenses sometimes try too much, get too cute, they often make more mistakes because it's something they're not used to doing and Manning capitalizes. So, a defense should just do what it usually does and do it without mistakes if it feels good enough about its personnel to play it straight.
Jeff Legwold: 303-954-2359 or jlegwold@denverpost.com