Thread: Game DAY thread JAX @ DEN 10/12/08

Time to put out the game day thread..

May the best team win.. Heres to a great game with NO injuries..

Sneakers you totally failed this time.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8...against-Cutler

Film Study: Jags in a bind against Cutler

by Elliot Harrison, FOX Sports Net

The 2008 season has taken shape and one thing we know for sure is that the Denver Broncos and their ridiculous offense aren't going anywhere. Broncos fans — and I know plenty of them — may have something to cheer about come January.

What we've learned

Denver fans who drank the "John Elway is the greatest quarterback ever" Kool-Aid have moved on to Crystal Light Cutler. Once considered the third-best quarterback in the 2006 draft, Jay Cutler will in all likelihood throw three times as many touchdown passes as fellow first-rounders Matt Leinart and Vince Young combined.

While Leinart rots on the bench in Arizona, at least he's enjoying the nightlife and the reasonable price of import beer in Phoenix. Meanwhile, Young has played inconsistently, but at least he's made up for it by sulking. Both quarterbacks are sitting behind starters that are old enough to remember Van Halen pre-Sammy Hagar.

Meanwhile, Cutler has overcome struggles as a young quarterback, his well-publicized bout with diabetes and a very impatient fan base. Throw in Philip Rivers acting like Philip Rivers, taunting him in a blowout loss to the Chargers last year, and Cutler has jumped through the necessary life hoops to take the next step as a quarterback and as a person.

Perhaps that's what makes Cutler likeable. He has his own set of talents and his own set of problems like the rest of us and as we aspire to do, goes out everyday and performs in workmanlike fashion.

This week, Cutler and the Denver offense have another tough test, facing a physical Jacksonville defense that's hurting after an emotional loss to Pittsburgh. Like Cutler, the Jaguars have been talked up in the media lately, mostly because they're considered to be a contender ready to take the next step.

Unfortunately, a 2-3 start doesn't translate to fulfilling promise. At times, the once-stout defense has struggled, particularly the front four.

In this week's Film Study, the Jag defense meets the Broncos offense.

Film study
The Jaguars defense met Ben Roethlisberger Sunday night. Everything defensive coordinator Gregg Williams tried in the first half failed as the Steelers ran 40 plays, held the ball for all but eight minutes, and scored 20 points.

The principal problem for Williams was the lack of pressure or penetration from his defensive line. Paul Spicer, Reggie Hayward, Rob Meier and John Henderson all struggled at times, rarely taking advantage of the Steelers' offensive line. Yes, the same offensive line that allowed nine sacks to the Eagles a couple of weeks ago.

Williams' approach calls for the defensive tackles to occupy blockers, freeing up the linebackers to make plays. But that has happened about as often as Marc Bulger touchdown passes this season. Meier was blocked out of position several times Sunday night while Henderson continues to struggle getting a strong rush in 2008.

One play in the second quarter perfectly sized up the effect the poor front four's play had on the Jag defense:

Knowing he wasn't getting any pressure on Roethlisberger, Williams sent linebacker Mike Peterson on a blitz up the middle. The Jags played only three-deep, so as to cover the zone vacated by Peterson. But that meant leaving deep safety Pierson Prioleau alone with much space to oversee.

Corner William James, playing for an injured Drayton Florence, bit on the pump 'n' go and Prioleau couldn't get over in near enough time. Seconds later, Pittsburgh receiver Nate Washington was skipping into the end zone with a 48-yard touchdown.

It was the same old story to the Jags' young season: The opposing quarterback has too much time. Roethlisberger had all day to gleefully pump fake and bomb the secondary into submission.

In the second half, the Jags' offense, as well as David Garrard, came to life. Even the front four got an occasional pass rush, a big assist toward keeping the Steelers in check.

With the Jags holding on to a tenuous 21-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger exploited their coverage and the sometimes-anemic push of the front four, marching right down the field. When Hayward and Henderson did get to the Pittsburgh quarterback, he shook them off and threw completions anyway.

Williams had no choice but to send people after Big Ben with the game slipping away. Finally, Jacksonville made a couple of stops inside the red zone to force one huge third down.

Third-and-five from the 8-yard-line: The Steelers come out in a double-tight end formation to the right, receivers split, with Mewelde Moore in the backfield.

The Jags' outside linebackers creep up, showing blitz, while Peterson follows Moore going in motion to the left. Six guys are coming on this play.

When tight end Heath Miller runs a skinny post, two defenders follow. That leaves Hines Ward in single coverage on the right side.

Blitzing because he felt he couldn't give Roethlisberger time to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich again, Williams left his corner on an island.

Ball game.

What I learned
It is incumbent on Jacksonville's front four to bring some pressure without help. I believe this game truly rests on their shoulders.

Blitzing to mask deficiencies on the line will not beat Denver. Cutler has foiled the blitz all season with a quarterback rating in the stratosphere when defenses use such tactics. In fact, Cutler has hit the ground less per pass attempt than any other quarterback in the league.

The Jags can't just play back either because when head coach Mike Shanahan sees linebackers several yards back of the line, or seven or less "in the box," he will run, run, run. He's been doing that since 1995.

So what can Williams' unit do?

Rotate the defensive lineman as much as possible, particularly Henderson, so they stay fresh. Second, beg offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to run Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor against the Broncos' less-than-stellar defense. A sustained running attack shortens the game and lessens the offensive possessions of the opponent. Fewer opportunities for Cutler means fewer points allowed as well as keeping the defensive lineman fresh. Lastly, take away the quick slants and short zones, forcing the offense to try a more vertical passing attack. If they don't, Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal will Jerry-Rice-and-John-Taylor the Jags to death.

But I don't think that will be enough as David Garrard and the Jacksonville offense may not be able to keep up with Cutler and Shanahan, especially in Denver.

Pick: Broncos


Odds and ends

It's difficult to think of the Jaguars traveling to Denver without instantly remembering one of the biggest playoff upsets of the last 20 years: the 1996 Divisional Playoffs. The 9-7 Jags, in only their second season, beat the top-seeded and 13-3 Broncos at Mile High to earn a berth in the AFC Championship.

It's been a crappy weekend for me, so hopefully the BRONCOS can pull out a win today! This will another tough game!

BRONCOS 20
Jags 17

Happy Gameday Broncos Fans.

From the Rocky Mountain News:

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

No. 1: Careful, careful. OK, the standings say the Jaguars are 2-3, but a closer look says they are trouble if the Broncos don't arrive with some intent. Denver will be the fourth division leader the Jaguars have played this season. And the Jaguars' three losses, all by seven points or fewer, have come to teams that are a combined 13-2.

No. 2: Hemmed in. Jaguars quarterback David Garrard is the most effective on the move, and his runs out of the pocket basically fueled the team's playoff win in Pittsburgh in January. The Broncos have to keep him in the middle of the field.

No. 3: Adjust. The Broncos haven't seen the Jaguars play live under new defensive coordinator Gregg Williams. Williams' units traditionally have been aggressive, but he'll likely have a wrinkle or two the Broncos didn't see on the video.

No. 4: Stand tall. Last season, the Jaguars' first scoring drive against the Broncos went 18 plays and used up more than 11 minutes on the game clock. The game wasn't the same after that. The Broncos have to avoid letting the Jaguars control the line of scrimmage.

No. 5: Power up. The Jaguars try to play it tough and keep it close. The Broncos have to match that, especially in their own run game, if they are going to move to 5-1.

BRONCOS-JAGUARS MATCHUPS

When the Broncos run the ball

* The skinny: Jacksonville hasn't played nearly as well up front on defense as it has in previous years under coach Jack Del Rio, but it is in the first season of former Bills coach Gregg Williams' more aggressive scheme designed to attack the line of scrimmage. Defensive tackle John Henderson is the anchor up front and still can dominate if he isn't taken care of. But this team misses Marcus Stroud, who left in free agency, despite Stroud having been slowed in recent years by leg injuries.

Advantage: Jaguars

* It's a fact: Last season, the Jaguars surrendered 100 rushing yards in seven of their 16 games. This season, they have surrendered more than 100 rushing yards in three of their five games.

When the Broncos pass the ball

* The skinny: The Jaguars haven't reeled in quarterbacks this season and the biggest problem has been their pass rush. They have only eight sacks and no player has two. They have struggled to get to the passer even with a variety of blitzes, so much so that they finally backed off and played a more conservative zone defense in the second half Sunday against the Steelers, holding Pittsburgh to zero net yards in the third quarter. Jacksonville has struggled mightily in the fourth quarter overall, though, getting outscored 40-29.

* It's a fact: The Jaguars have finished with fewer than 35 sacks in a season only once in Del Rio's tenure - 24 in his first season, when they finished 5-11.

Advantage: Broncos

When the Jaguars run the ball

* The skinny: Two words - Kansas City. On paper, this looks a lot like the Chiefs matchup here. The Jaguars have had to make plenty of adjustments up front - like the Chiefs - but have players in the backfield who can control a game if they have room. Jacksonville lost starting guards Maurice Williams (ruptured biceps) and Vince Manuwai (torn anterior cruciate ligament) for the season before it had played two games. Center Brad Meester still is on the sideline with a torn biceps, but the Jaguars are hoping to get him back in the coming weeks.

* It's a fact: Jaguars running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew each have one 100-yard game this season, but both did it against the Colts on Sept. 21, when the Jaguars rushed for 236 yards.

Advantage: Jaguars

When the Jaguars pass the ball

* The skinny: Jacksonville hasn't gotten much from receiver Jerry Porter in return for the $10 million guaranteed he received and quarterback David Garrard, who got a long-term deal in the offseason, hasn't been nearly as consistent as he was in 2007. Jacksonville has only two players with receptions longer than 30 yards this season and it doesn't have a catch longer than 33. Also, Garrard has four interceptions after throwing only three all last season.

* It's a fact: Garrard didn't throw an interception in his first eight starts in 2007, then threw one in each of his past four starts. He missed three games because of an ankle injury.

Advantage: Broncos

Special teams

* The skinny: Broncos kicker Matt Prater, if he continues on his current pace - 11 touchbacks on kickoffs - gives the Broncos an advantage of forcing offenses to go the long way plenty of the time. Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee is 2-for-2 from at least 50 yards this season - Prater is 4-for-4 - and the Jaguars have shown some pop in the punt-return game, averaging 11.2 overall with cornerback Brian Witherspoon having done the bulk of the work.

* It's a fact: Jones-Drew averaged at least 26.7 yards per kickoff return in each of his two previous seasons - he was third in the league in 2006 - but has returned only two this season.

Advantage: Jaguars

Intangibles

* The skinny: During the past few years, the Broncos routinely have let a home game get away to a team that didn't appear to have been able to come in and take it - San Francisco in 2006, Oakland in 2004, Chicago in 2003 and Miami in 2002, to name just a few. This has all of the election-year earmarks of trouble, and the 33-19 loss to the Chiefs looked even more shaky when Kansas City was shut out seven days later.

Advantage: Jaguars

Jeff Legwold's prediction: Jaguars 26-21

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...ars-five-keys/

Originally Posted by Jrwiz

Time to put out the game day thread..

May the best team win.. Heres to a great game with NO injuries..

Correction ... may the Broncos win, whether or not they're better than Jacksonville.

The 2008 season has taken shape and one thing we know for sure is that the Denver Broncos and their ridiculous offense aren't going anywhere. Broncos fans — and I know plenty of them — may have something to cheer about come January.

Denver fans who drank the "John Elway is the greatest quarterback ever" Kool-Aid have moved on to Crystal Light Cutler. Once considered the third-best quarterback in the 2006 draft, Jay Cutler will in all likelihood throw three times as many touchdown passes as fellow first-rounders Matt Leinart and Vince Young combined.

While Leinart rots on the bench in Arizona, at least he's enjoying the nightlife and the reasonable price of import beer in Phoenix. Meanwhile, Young has played inconsistently, but at least he's made up for it by sulking. Both quarterbacks are sitting behind starters that are old enough to remember Van Halen pre-Sammy Hagar.

Meanwhile, Cutler has overcome struggles as a young quarterback, his well-publicized bout with diabetes and a very impatient fan base. Throw in Philip Rivers acting like Philip Rivers, taunting him in a blowout loss to the Chargers last year, and Cutler has jumped through the necessary life hoops to take the next step as a quarterback and as a person.

Perhaps that's what makes Cutler likeable. He has his own set of talents and his own set of problems like the rest of us and as we aspire to do, goes out everyday and performs in workmanlike fashion.

This week, Cutler and the Denver offense have another tough test, facing a physical Jacksonville defense that's hurting after an emotional loss to Pittsburgh. Like Cutler, the Jaguars have been talked up in the media lately, mostly because they're considered to be a contender ready to take the next step.

Unfortunately, a 2-3 start doesn't translate to fulfilling promise. At times, the once-stout defense has struggled, particularly the front four.

In this week's Film Study, the Jag defense meets the Broncos offense.


Film study
The Jaguars defense met Ben Roethlisberger Sunday night. Everything defensive coordinator Gregg Williams tried in the first half failed as the Steelers ran 40 plays, held the ball for all but eight minutes, and scored 20 points.

The principal problem for Williams was the lack of pressure or penetration from his defensive line. Paul Spicer, Reggie Hayward, Rob Meier and John Henderson all struggled at times, rarely taking advantage of the Steelers' offensive line. Yes, the same offensive line that allowed nine sacks to the Eagles a couple of weeks ago.

Williams' approach calls for the defensive tackles to occupy blockers, freeing up the linebackers to make plays. But that has happened about as often as Marc Bulger touchdown passes this season. Meier was blocked out of position several times Sunday night while Henderson continues to struggle getting a strong rush in 2008.

One play in the second quarter perfectly sized up the effect the poor front four's play had on the Jag defense:

Knowing he wasn't getting any pressure on Roethlisberger, Williams sent linebacker Mike Peterson on a blitz up the middle. The Jags played only three-deep, so as to cover the zone vacated by Peterson. But that meant leaving deep safety Pierson Prioleau alone with much space to oversee.

Corner William James, playing for an injured Drayton Florence, bit on the pump 'n' go and Prioleau couldn't get over in near enough time. Seconds later, Pittsburgh receiver Nate Washington was skipping into the end zone with a 48-yard touchdown.

It was the same old story to the Jags' young season: The opposing quarterback has too much time. Roethlisberger had all day to gleefully pump fake and bomb the secondary into submission.

In the second half, the Jags' offense, as well as David Garrard, came to life. Even the front four got an occasional pass rush, a big assist toward keeping the Steelers in check.

With the Jags holding on to a tenuous 21-20 lead late in the fourth quarter, Roethlisberger exploited their coverage and the sometimes-anemic push of the front four, marching right down the field. When Hayward and Henderson did get to the Pittsburgh quarterback, he shook them off and threw completions anyway.

Williams had no choice but to send people after Big Ben with the game slipping away. Finally, Jacksonville made a couple of stops inside the red zone to force one huge third down.

Third-and-five from the 8-yard-line: The Steelers come out in a double-tight end formation to the right, receivers split, with Mewelde Moore in the backfield.

The Jags' outside linebackers creep up, showing blitz, while Peterson follows Moore going in motion to the left. Six guys are coming on this play.

When tight end Heath Miller runs a skinny post, two defenders follow. That leaves Hines Ward in single coverage on the right side.

Fade route. Touchdown.

Blitzing because he felt he couldn't give Roethlisberger time to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich again, Williams left his corner on an island.

Ball game.


What I learned
It is incumbent on Jacksonville's front four to bring some pressure without help. I believe this game truly rests on their shoulders.

Blitzing to mask deficiencies on the line will not beat Denver. Cutler has foiled the blitz all season with a quarterback rating in the stratosphere when defenses use such tactics. In fact, Cutler has hit the ground less per pass attempt than any other quarterback in the league.

The Jags can't just play back either because when head coach Mike Shanahan sees linebackers several yards back of the line, or seven or less "in the box," he will run, run, run. He's been doing that since 1995.

So what can Williams' unit do?

Rotate the defensive lineman as much as possible, particularly Henderson, so they stay fresh. Second, beg offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to run Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor against the Broncos' less-than-stellar defense. A sustained running attack shortens the game and lessens the offensive possessions of the opponent. Fewer opportunities for Cutler means fewer points allowed as well as keeping the defensive lineman fresh. Lastly, take away the quick slants and short zones, forcing the offense to try a more vertical passing attack. If they don't, Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal will Jerry-Rice-and-John-Taylor the Jags to death.

But I don't think that will be enough as David Garrard and the Jacksonville offense may not be able to keep up with Cutler and Shanahan, especially in Denver.

Pick: Broncos

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8...against-Cutler

It will be interesting to see what the Broncos do in this game defensively. In his Monday press conference, Gruden said the Broncos only rushed 3 guys 23 times in last Sunday's game. He said in the NFL you normally see a 3 man rush 5 or 6 times, and by doing that, they had 8 guys clogging up the passing lanes, and they hadn't expected that, as Denver hadn't done that before in any games.

So, while the Broncos have been similar on O from game to game, they are all over the place on D. 4-3, 3-4, three man rushes, five man rushes, double corner blitzes, etc.

So, it will be interesting to see what today brings, and if the defense can look effective two games in a row.

Originally Posted by Tned

It will be interesting to see what the Broncos do in this game defensively. In his Monday press conference, Gruden said the Broncos only rushed 3 guys 23 times in last Sunday's game. He said in the NFL you normally see a 3 man rush 5 or 6 times, and by doing that, they had 8 guys clogging up the passing lanes, and they hadn't expected that, as Denver hadn't done that before in any games.

So, while the Broncos have been similar on O from game to game, they are all over the place on D. 4-3, 3-4, three man rushes, five man rushes, double corner blitzes, etc.

So, it will be interesting to see what today brings, and if the defense can look effective two games in a row.

Unless the Jags come out and try to pass against us the majority of the time I don't think that rushing 3 will be a wise move on our part. Just like last year the Jags offense is really predicated by the run. I think if we only rush 3 we may actually be helping them to be more effective.

I see us mixing it up but I expect to see more of the base 4-3 look to neutralize the run game and make Garrard beat us with his arm.

If we can be effective on defense I fully expect us to win this game handily. IF not it could be another long day just like last year.

I would sell out to stop the run, spy on the QB and hope the secondary makes enough plays to keep the jags between 17-24 pts.

Enjoy the game today everyone.....GO BRONCOS!!!!!

Go Broncos! Gotta keep the Jags run game in check and we'll be OK.

Originally Posted by BroncoJoe

Special teams

* The skinny: Broncos kicker Matt Prater, if he continues on his current pace - 11 touchbacks on kickoffs - gives the Broncos an advantage of forcing offenses to go the long way plenty of the time. Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee is 2-for-2 from at least 50 yards this season - Prater is 4-for-4 - and the Jaguars have shown some pop in the punt-return game, averaging 11.2 overall with cornerback Brian Witherspoon having done the bulk of the work.

* It's a fact: Jones-Drew averaged at least 26.7 yards per kickoff return in each of his two previous seasons - he was third in the league in 2006 - but has returned only two this season.

Advantage: Jaguars

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/new...ars-five-keys/

At the risk of understating, it's not clear to me the case he makes for JAX to have the better of the special teams. He talks about the touchbacks that Prater has, then about how MJD has a 26.7 KO return average...

Originally Posted by jlarsiii

Unless the Jags come out and try to pass against us the majority of the time I don't think that rushing 3 will be a wise move on our part. Just like last year the Jags offense is really predicated by the run. I think if we only rush 3 we may actually be helping them to be more effective.

I see us mixing it up but I expect to see more of the base 4-3 look to neutralize the run game and make Garrard beat us with his arm.

If we can be effective on defense I fully expect us to win this game handily. IF not it could be another long day just like last year.

Since the Broncos seem infatuated with the 3-4, I wonder if it would help them contain Garrard more. Last year, Garrard picked up a number of big 3rd downs, including from what I remember several 3rd and long.