Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 22

Thread: Denver D Draws Doubt And Dazzle

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    1,153

    Default Denver D Draws Doubt And Dazzle

    Denver D Draws Doubt And Dazzle

    By BigBroncLove

    After an anemic preseason showing by the Denver defense, the Broncos appeared in the first two weeks to have cured many of the ailments that plagued them from having a preseason worth mentioning. In a defense that surrendered 64 points through the preseason, let opposing offenses run all over them, and admitted to having troubles adjusting to a new system that garnered five new starters, the Broncos defense preformed remarkably well in week one, and admirably in week two. Much of that can be attributed to a stellar showing by the star studded Denver secondary which allowed only 72 yards against Buffalo, and would have completely shut down Oakland’s passing game if it weren’t for one good pass by McCown to Porter in the third. What the Broncos have struggled with though is a run D that through two first games, despite being ranked second in overall defense, is now sitting ugly at 27th in run defense. When a teams D is still ranked in the top 5 defenses, but rush defense is sitting near the bottom of a 32 team league, that speaks volumes about the inequity between the pass and run D.

    It gets a little worse though. It’s not as if the Broncos have faced the cream of the NFL when it comes to rushing. The Buffalo team, while having talent at the offensive line has had problems coming together as a unit. The 90 yards Marshawn Lynch tallied is a testament more toward his ability to break tackles and force the Denver D to miss then the strength of the Bills offensive line. However against Oakland, the Broncos allowed over 100 yards rushing against a suspect offensive line which has struggled in the past, and a middle of the league, nothing but average running back in LaMont Jordan. Much of that yardage came not at the expense of the Broncos defensive line giving up huge gaps, but rather Zach Miller (tight end for Oakland) and Justin Griffith (full back for Oakland) halting the line backers from making plays and opened gaps for Jordan. Ian Gold despite having a relatively good game, being involved in many tackles including a game saving run from behind wrap around on Jordan in overtime, was smashed by Griffith on many occasions. What’s worse is that the Broncos gave a lot of runs up when they stacked 8 in the box, and McCown audibled to a run which negated the blitz and allowed Jordan to reach the second level behind good blocking. So how will the Broncos play against teams with solid offensive lines and league leading running backs? Only time will tell, but at this point, if the Broncos front seven continue to allow offenses to pound the ball through them like they are, it might not look very pretty.

    It’s not all doom and gloom though. The Broncos run D has been there when it counted. They do bend, but at the moment they don’t break as often as the stats sound. According to NFL.com the Broncos have surrendered 312 yards - it’s not a typo, 312 - to opposing offenses in two games. None the less, the scoreboard hasn’t reflected that. Some of that might be the Denver secondary forcing teams into a one dimensional game, but the Bronco run D does get some credit. Of the 34 points scored against the Broncos so far, only one TD has come from a running back (Marhsawn Lynch in game 1). The rest have been surrendered by special teams, one huge pass to Porter, and a returned interception for the TD. So while the Broncos might be ranked near the bottom at run D, they are stopping opposing offenses when it counts. After last years motto, “bend, don’t break” it might force some fans to cringe a little, but in a new system growing pains are to be expected, and keeping the scoreboard manageable is always something positive.

    So the brass tax of the situation is, there are questions hovering around the Denver run D. The brick wall has disappeared and there needs to be improvement by both the defensive line and line backers. Despite it, the Broncos are still winning games and holding opposing offenses to few points. While this article might concentrate on one of the negatives on the Broncos there is still plenty to smile about in Denver. A revitalized offense, a steller passing attack, a running game that can pound the ball again, and a secondary that has allowed a league low average of 62 yards (an amazing feat). In this writers opinion though, if the Broncos want to be serious SB contenders, the front seven is going to have to find a way to adjust quickly and make the Broncos run D look nearly as good as the secondary is making the whole defense look right now. If they can do that, I think the Broncos have a better then average shot at winning the division, upsetting the favorite Chargers, and surging to what may be a very surprising post-season for some analysts.
    Last edited by BigBroncLove; 09-18-2007 at 03:07 AM. Reason: grammatical errors.
    Temp sig till I find another one

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    high elevation
    Adopted Bronco:
    Baron Browning, Jaleel McLaughlin
    Posts
    43,170

    Default

    our run D is this team's bigest weakness right now (with apologies to the "special" teams). . . what particularly bothers me is that with our stellar cornerback play we're able to stack eight in the box pretty much any time we want, and we still can't get it done. . . when it mattered most last year, frank gore ran us right out of the playoffs, and this unit ATM seems considerably softer than last year's run D. . .

    i'm keeping my fingers crossed that increased familiarity with bates' scheme can bring improvements, because at this point the personnel is what it is-- it certainly isn't likely that any big move will be made to improve in that department. . .

    although they haven't looked good so far this year, i shudder to think what LT and LJ will do to us if lamont sanford can rush for 150+ on us!
    “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You don’t find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot.”
    - John Elway

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Anderson, TX
    Adopted Bronco:
    Demaryius Thomas
    Posts
    36,443

    Default

    It seems that they can look good on run defense in one series and then struggle the next. Or can look good on first and second down and then give a big run play.

    Case in point, from what I remember of the Raiders final drive in over time Denver had the Raiders in 2nd and long or 3rd and long before Jordan broke off that long run which put them just outside of their kicker's range.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    high elevation
    Adopted Bronco:
    Baron Browning, Jaleel McLaughlin
    Posts
    43,170

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TXBRONC View Post
    It seems that they can look good on run defense in one series and then struggle the next. Or can look good on first and second down and then give a big run play.
    i'll see if it was the case again this past weekend when i re-watch the game, but i noticed that against buffalo most of their success running came when sam adams was out of the lineup. . . .
    “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You don’t find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot.”
    - John Elway

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Anderson, TX
    Adopted Bronco:
    Demaryius Thomas
    Posts
    36,443

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dogfish View Post
    i'll see if it was the case again this past weekend when i re-watch the game, but i noticed that against buffalo most of their success running came when sam adams was out of the lineup. . . .
    I wouldn't doubt that for a minute. I do the same thing since I also have it recorded.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    high elevation
    Adopted Bronco:
    Baron Browning, Jaleel McLaughlin
    Posts
    43,170

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by TXBRONC View Post
    I wouldn't doubt that for a minute. I do the same thing since I also have it recorded.
    easier to re-watch the wins, isn't it?


    “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You don’t find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot.”
    - John Elway

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Anderson, TX
    Adopted Bronco:
    Demaryius Thomas
    Posts
    36,443

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dogfish View Post
    easier to re-watch the wins, isn't it?


    Is the Pope Roman Catholic?

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Hudson, CO
    Posts
    3,455

    Default

    Yeah, some of the defense play has been a nail-biter, but let's look at real numbers...

    In two games, our defense has only allowed TWO touchdowns.

    I don't care if the opposing team runs for a million yards. If we keep them out of the endzone, we're doing the most important thing.

    As the season progresses, we'll see the run defense improve.

    In my article, I mentioned how the last time we had a "two-gap" defense (Greg Robinson), we would often give up a big play, sometimes several big plays, in a game.

    Yet, when he was here, we were consistantly near the top of the league in fewest points allowed, turnover ratio and red zone defense.

    I'm looking forward to seeing it come together with Bates & Co.

    Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe. - Albert Einstein

    Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Anderson, TX
    Adopted Bronco:
    Demaryius Thomas
    Posts
    36,443

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by broncos_mtnman View Post
    Yeah, some of the defense play has been a nail-biter, but let's look at real numbers...

    In two games, our defense has only allowed TWO touchdowns.

    I don't care if the opposing team runs for a million yards. If we keep them out of the endzone, we're doing the most important thing.

    As the season progresses, we'll see the run defense improve.

    In my article, I mentioned how the last time we had a "two-gap" defense (Greg Robinson), we would often give up a big play, sometimes several big plays, in a game.

    Yet, when he was here, we were consistantly near the top of the league in fewest points allowed, turnover ratio and red zone defense.

    I'm looking forward to seeing it come together with Bates & Co.

    Greg also had some very complex blitz packages if I'm not mistaken that he ran with regularity. I'm under the impression Bates does like to blitz very much.

    Another piece if information in the 2nd half when Jordan piled up the majority of his yards, Bates was running his base defense better than 60% of the time.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    high elevation
    Adopted Bronco:
    Baron Browning, Jaleel McLaughlin
    Posts
    43,170

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by broncos_mtnman View Post
    Yeah, some of the defense play has been a nail-biter, but let's look at real numbers...

    In two games, our defense has only allowed TWO touchdowns.

    I don't care if the opposing team runs for a million yards. If we keep them out of the endzone, we're doing the most important thing.


    we haven't exactly been facing the '99 Rams these past two weeks, though. . . i very much hope you're right that the run D will improve as the season goes on, not play even worse when we go up against some real competition-- right now it's a big concern of mine. . .
    “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You don’t find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot.”
    - John Elway

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    1,153

    Default

    Well, I was going to stay out of the discussio ninvolving my article for the sake of not tainting it further with my opinion. After all my opinion is pretty well posted in the first post . However, I would like to add a few thigns to the original article that I would like to amend, correct, or otherwise address....

    1. After re-watchign much of the plays, I think dogfish is correct. A lot of the bad run plays came while Sam Adams was out of the lineup. However Sam Adams wasn't double teamed very often as well. From what I saw, Adams held his ground very well, but also didn't hit the double teams nearly as often. What was surprisign to me is how well Gordon dealt with many of those double teams. However Antwon Burton (#93) did a terrible, and I mean terrible job dealing with the offensive line. Especially through the second half, when #93 was playing he gave up huge gaps that made it difficult for the LB's to react to unles they were 7 or so yards deep off the line.

    2. Correction. That 312 yards listed earlier in the article was meant to be 312 rushing yards. 312 yards wouldn't be a bad number at all if that was total yards given up by the defense. However 312 rushing yards in two games is abismal....

    3. IMO if the Broncos continue this way, they won't be holding defenses to low scoring affairs for long. While the Bronco D has been fortunate enough to make games one dimensional and hold teams from the end zone, like last year, if the "bend don't break" philosophy takes hold, the Broncos won't be holding opposing offenses to as low scorign a games. If the Broncos O can make mroe production in the red zone to shore that up, that's great. Hwoever the real great teams can rely on the defense to put the O in a good situation...

    4. I've said it several times before, but I am very worried about how this Defensive tAckels wil lcope with indianapolis's O, who enjoy using a no-huddle and will force our big DT's to stay on the field and get gassed very very quickly...

    Lastly, I welcome any critical comments to my article. After posting my first article here, I do understand it is a little wordy, with some run on sentances. For example the sentance addressing Gold's level of play against oakland. I will be addressing this, but if anyone has any suggestions as to how to improve the quality of my articles, please feel free to post them. I can't promise I will follow, but we only learn through error sometimes

    Thanks for your comments all, and lets hope for a 3-0 start
    Temp sig till I find another one

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    727

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BigBroncLove View Post
    Hwoever the real great teams can rely on the defense to put the O in a good situation...
    thats exactly how the colts won last year...


    ________
    Reviews extreme q vaporizer
    Last edited by anton...; 08-31-2011 at 07:18 PM.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    high elevation
    Adopted Bronco:
    Baron Browning, Jaleel McLaughlin
    Posts
    43,170

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BigBroncLove View Post

    Lastly, I welcome any critical comments to my article. After posting my first article here, I do understand it is a little wordy, with some run on sentances. For example the sentance addressing Gold's level of play against oakland. I will be addressing this, but if anyone has any suggestions as to how to improve the quality of my articles, please feel free to post them. I can't promise I will follow, but we only learn through error sometimes
    that's easy-- write your articles on Word so you can use the spell-checker and grammar-checker. . . they will look much more professional. . . .
    “When we do find that guy, we’ve got to have the continuity on the offensive side to where we can train him and develop him and get him there. This is our fourth offense in probably three or four years. Quarterbacks need to be developed. You don’t find one ready-made. We got to have a solid system in place for when we do go after whatever guy it may be, a young guy or a trade or whatnot.”
    - John Elway

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    1,153

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by dogfish View Post
    that's easy-- write your articles on Word so you can use the spell-checker and grammar-checker. . . they will look much more professional. . . .
    I did that! It stil lsays i'm grammatically corect, btu sometimes I re-read it and am not as pleased as I normally would be when reading my own works. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to add them everyone!
    Temp sig till I find another one

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Location
    Denver, CO
    Posts
    1,153

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by anton... View Post
    thats exactly how the colts won last year...

    Well, in all fairness when it counted in the playoffs that D did put the Colts in a great situation. They held LJ in the playoffs to 26 yards (wasn't it 26?) but if we had the high powered, non stop offense that the Colts have (who seem to have no problems finding the end zone on good drives usually), I would be less worried about the D then I am now....
    Temp sig till I find another one

Go
Shop AFC Champions and Super Bowl gear at the official online Pro Shop of the Denver Broncos!

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
status.broncosforums.com - BroncosForums status updates
Partner with the USA Today Sports Media Group