Thread: Adam Gase's game plan for Broncos offense focuses on running ball more

Originally Posted by Joel

Mannings Colts teams had a 55/45 run/pass balance pretty much every year; in '05 (when they were the 14-2 #1 seed) it was almost dead even, 50/50. He also publicly said he called all those runs at the end of our 2012 playoff game; not his fault our line couldn't block any better than than now. Manning's not a pass-only QB: Denver's just a run-incapable offense.

Exactly. we werent a pass only team last year. Knowshon had nearly 1600 all purpose yards!

There may well be folks in Denver who don't grasp the basic concept of "run to establish the pass" or "run 'em out of Cover 2," but Manning's not among them; his knowledge of both the games strategy and history is too deep and broad to miss something that basic, or buy into the "passing fancy" that the new rules make running obsolete. The passing league makes teams more rather than less likely to drop 7-8 guys in coverage or send the house on a blitz, so it's more important than ever to find ways to deter that.

It needn't be spectacular (we have an elite passing game to hit home runs) but CONSISTENT running simply creates too many passing opportunities that flat don't EXIST otherwise. It slows the pass rush because defensive linemen must look over their shoulder, prevents Cover 2 and 3 because it forces a safety down into the box and—perhaps most importantly for our spread offense—forces LBs to, like, BACK the LINE by plugging holes, so they can't all squat on underneath routes so there's 4 DBs left to play those deep Cover 2s and Seattles beloved Cover 3. Manning knows all that, and acts accordingly.

He just can't block for his RBs, nor keep MLBs and safeties up the gut out of his face on passes. The NFL's not a 6-man league; I miss the Shanahan/Alex Gibbs Broncos who knew that well enough to win SBs.

Originally Posted by SeeingRed

I take anything this coaching staff says with a grain of salt. How many times have we heard "we need to run it more" this season only to see the run abandoned when an established run game can still be accomplished? No shit you need to run the ball more Gase...you called TEN run plays last week. TEN!

Exactly. Just as a fun coincidence, the article talking about this transitioned directly from Gase saying we needed to run the ball more, to DT talking about breaking a receiving record. . .

Obviously, running the ball effectively would be great, but even if they're not effective early they need to keep trying - if for no other reason to make the Dolphins have to defend the possibility.

Originally Posted by Denver Native (Carol)

Is there a possibility that Peyton is changing some of the plays at the los? Guess we will never know unless either Gase or Peyton say so.

If there is, Gase needs to put a stop to that. For as great as Manning is, sometimes he needs to let his team play too. I was thinking, Brady/McDaniels certainly run the ball, and they have been about as spotty as we have all year. For as great as Brady is I bet there's times throughout the game he isn't overruling McDaniels run calls.

I wonder if Manning is so dedicated on running his offense that Gase won't stand up to him.

Also, will be interesting to see if they even make an attemtp to run the ball. We've heard this before from them.

Originally Posted by spikerman

Obviously, running the ball effectively would be great, but even if they're not effective early they need to keep trying - if for no other reason to make the Dolphins have to defend the possibility.

That's the problem though: As long as we're only getting 3.7 yds/att, they don't HAVE to defend the possibility even IF we keep doing it. They can just keep selling out on the pass and ignoring play-action because, hey, even if it's NOT a fake, so what if they give up 2 yds or less? No DC in his right mind will divert forces from stopping PFM and historys best passing attack to stop THAT.

Just plugging away's not enough: We must run EFFECTIVELY to legitimize the threat. We don't have to bust 20-30 yd TDs twice per half; just consistently "matriculate the ball down the field" until we force a safety to come up and stack the box, LBs to come up and plug holes, and defensive linemen to look over their shoulder rather than everyone charging Manning or double covering our WRs.

Originally Posted by underrated29

Exactly. we werent a pass only team last year. Knowshon had nearly 1600 all purpose yards!

I agree, it's all the RB's fault. Good point.

Won't mean shit if the players don't execute.

Originally Posted by MOtorboat

Won't mean shit if the players don't execute.

True, but if a "top rated" RT and a bunch of All Pros in historys best offense don't execute, what's that imply? A bunch of elite players forgot HOW to play? If only we had someone paid to correct that mistake....

The o line needs to step up like Saturday did, let's just run the ****n ball

Originally Posted by Joel

True, but if a "top rated" RT and a bunch of All Pros in historys best offense don't execute, what's that imply? A bunch of elite players forgot HOW to play? If only we had someone paid to correct that mistake....

Get out the pitch forks.

Is Virgil Green back yet? He would definitely help.