Thread: The running game, the defense and Ryan Torain

I know we are 3-1, but just as well could be 1-3. That aside, we have a pretty clear picture of our offense and our defense so far, but one thing is confounding me...

Our running game has been successful but hardly used. i don't understand how, with such a leaky defense, that we don't try to control the clock more. Are we worried we will stall on 3rd down and let the other team's offense take advantage? Is it because Shanahan is unsure of Young/Hall/Pittman, who in my opinion have been collectively tearing it up so far? Or is he waiting for Ryan Torain to come back?

It's pretty weird to watch the gunslinging and the lack of commitment to the run. Just bizarre.

Anyways, i am wondering if all the preseason lip service about Torain by Shanny is true. Does he really think he is as good as TD? Do any of you have any insight into Torain and if you think he will take over Denver's running game and perhaps turn us into more balanced run/pass team?

I don't think Selvin is running as good as his average. Too few carries to get a get understanding of how effective he has been. I have seen every game and he's not done as well as I expected. Is Shanny giving the running game a true test or is he just that confident in the passing game. It's fun to watch, but I'd rather control the game with a running threat. Well, then again, with that horrendous, putrid, in mouth vomitation of a defense, how can you control a game when your defense is spending all it's time on the field. Good question. I think we're all stumped to a point. Weird start so far.

In all reality we should probably be 2-2 at best. 3-1 will keep everything quiet for a bit until 3-1 turns into 3-3. 3-1 will make everybody think we are better than what we really are. Who knows. I'm still trying to make sense of all of it so far. I don't think we're as good as our 3-1 record. But as long as we find a way to win, everything is good. Maybe? I give up. See what happens this week.

Originally Posted by atwater27

I know we are 3-1, but just as well could be 1-3. That aside, we have a pretty clear picture of our offense and our defense so far, but one thing is confounding me...

I don't put too much weight on could'ves and should'ves. Teams get breaks in different parts of the game; ours just happened to be in the end. Also, against SD and NO, there were parts of the game where we looked pretty dominant against them, until we let them back in, whether through a kick return TD, or a "prevent" defense and conservative offense.

No matter, both teams had a chance to win, and they lost. With NO, even if they did make that FG, there was enough time to make one of our own, thanks to DJ's tackle behind their LOS.

Originally Posted by atwater27

Our running game has been successful but hardly used. i don't understand how, with such a leaky defense, that we don't try to control the clock more. Are we worried we will stall on 3rd down and let the other team's offense take advantage? Is it because Shanahan is unsure of Young/Hall/Pittman, who in my opinion have been collectively tearing it up so far? Or is he waiting for Ryan Torain to come back?

It's pretty weird to watch the gunslinging and the lack of commitment to the run. Just bizarre.

Well, that's just it; our running game just isn't that good. It gets it's opportunities from the passing offense opening things up for them. Whenever we've tried to go conservative with the lead and burn some clock running the ball, our drives have stalled, usually in the 3rd quarter.

I'm not so sure if it's the OL that isn't run blocking very well, or the RBs, or both. Used to be that teams knew the Broncos were going to run, but they still had a tough time stopping them. Now, we need the pass to open up the run.

Sometimes, Young looks good and Hall looks bad; sometimes, it's the other way around. Pittman's been solid on goal-line.

Originally Posted by atwater27

Anyways, i am wondering if all the preseason lip service about Torain by Shanny is true. Does he really think he is as good as TD? Do any of you have any insight into Torain and if you think he will take over Denver's running game and perhaps turn us into more balanced run/pass team?

That's tough to call. One promising note is that he highly touted the rookie Royal, and most posters here were thinking it was just bs, but it turned out to be truth. I didn't like that he got injured in camp when someone landed on him; he'll be landed on a lot.

This could work to Denver's possible advantage. A team prepares for Jay and Co. to try to light it up, but then they go Run first.

Nothing on the O concerns me too much. Granted they had a horrendous day, but I'm not shocked they lost somewhere they typically do. They'll learn from their mistakes. It's the 'horrendous, putrid, in mouth vomitation of a defense' as 9798 said (and perfectly summed up) that is this team's main problem.

Call me crazy, but I'd like to see Pittman get the ball a few more times on 1st down and see what he does with it. He's had very few negative carries, and a lot of them have come in obvious run situations.

What could it hurt to give it a try?

I think a lot of it is Bates calling the plays. He's the passing game coordinator. It goes back to that adage, "Show a carpenter a nail, and he'll grab his hammer." Bates calls the plays based on his part of the gameplan. How else do you explain the "fancy" reverse to Marshall last week that caused a fumble. That's not really a running play and we've done a lot of that kind of thing in critical 3rd down situations in several games this season.

Hopefully, as Bates gets more experience, he will be able to learn from it and moderate his pass-first mentality with some more running. . .more effective running.

I too would like to see Pittman run more. I think he would be the guy if he was able to get into a groove. If he gets tired, go with Hall and Young, but Pittman is the one downhill RB on this offense.

I agree. Pittman has looked the most solid of any of the backs and I would like to see what he can do with it on early downs.

He is more decisive and then pounds it. He doesn't have speed, but his ability to make a decision and then lower his shoulder has made him more effective than Hall or Young so far.

here is the thing guys, I am kinda surprised no one has said much about it either.


You do not waste a roster spot for 9 GAMES. Thats almost 3/4ths of the season unless you absolutely think the person you are saving it for can dominate!!!!!

Ryan Must be that good of a player because we could have IR'd him and kept mckinely on the roster....

Originally Posted by underrated29

here is the thing guys, I am kinda surprised no one has said much about it either.


You do not waste a roster spot for 9 GAMES. Thats almost 3/4ths of the season unless you absolutely think the person you are saving it for can dominate!!!!!

Ryan Must be that good of a player because we could have IR'd him and kept mckinely on the roster....

I have him on IR in my money league as well.

why try and control the clock when your offense can put up 38 points on average through 3 games??? we have the ability to be that team that gets ahead by alot and forces other teams to forsake their game plans. now they have to play catch up and pass on almost every down. if we can get up by 3 touchdowns against tampa, then i suspect you will see griese throwing alot.

make them one demensional and get pressure on the qb and we will start to put teams away.

Originally Posted by DenBronx

why try and control the clock when your offense can put up 38 points on average through 3 games??? we have the ability to be that team that gets ahead by alot and forces other teams to forsake their game plans. now they have to play catch up and pass on almost every down. if we can get up by 3 touchdowns against tampa, then i suspect you will see griese throwing alot.

make them one demensional and get pressure on the qb and we will start to put teams away.

It doesn't work! The only defense worse than the one we are shredding on Sundays is our own! An come playoff time, those 40 to 38 shootouts don't fly against the best defenses.

Here is the thing, our safeties have only played 4 games together (not including preseason). Yes, we have given up some big plays. I still think we need some time to Gel. That and Slowick needs to get his head out of his ass.

Originally Posted by DenBronx

...make them one demensional and get pressure on the qb and we will start to put teams away.

...I think that's been the problem for a number of years now for Denver whether or not they have a lead.

I think it has more to do with our OL and their lack of ZB experience then it does who we have in the backfield.

I think we will see more of the run as the season goes on....at least I hope so

Originally Posted by LRtagger

I think it has more to do with our OL and their lack of ZB experience then it does who we have in the backfield.

I think we will see more of the run as the season goes on....at least I hope so

agreed, maybe shanny doesnt like what he see's so far in the run blocking. but how can anyone deny the success of the passing game. it's almost like a few of you are saying dont put up tons of points from the passing game but put up only a few from the run game. doesnt make sense. it falls on the defense either way you look at it. do we control the clock the whole game by sending out 60%-70% run plays? we would be a big trouble. this offense isnt set up like that anymore. im glad we have wr's and a te that could go the distance on any play. id rather see us score....and alot!