epicSocialism4tw
09-25-2011, 03:33 AM
Anyone else have this at NFL.com? This is really cool. If you have it, we should talk about it the week after each game. Heck, anyone with DVR should join in, really.
When I went back through this week, the general feel for the team that I got was as follows. Here are a couple of observations.
1) The offensive line is out of synch.
A good offensive line has a rhythm to it in the way it works together from the snap to the whistle. The Broncos OL has no rhythm. Three guys specifically: Franklin, Walton, and Beadles. They are still unsure in their assignments on occasion, sometimes they make the wrong choices, and in their confusion sometimes they dont do their job. This is something that I think is directly attributable to their inexperience and the lack of a conventional offseason to prepare. It even bled over to the fullbacks and running backs who also looked confused and out of synch in picking up their blocking assignments.
I was, however, happy to see that Walton and Beadles both seem to be improving. Each of them is stil good for a couple of let downs a game. Their play is evening out though. Walton is no longer getting pushed around and he's doing a lot better in the passing game. Beadles actually opened a couple of holes in the run game, and the Broncos did get a first down on third and short using a FB dive over Walton, who got some push.
Franklin is playing like a rookie. He struggles in pass blocking on occasion.
Clady and Kuper were both consistently good. Clady is at times dominant in both phases of the game. On one play, he sealed the edge on a run off tackle by mastering the leverage on his man and literally throwing him downward at the feet of other pursuing defenders...taking 3 or 4 out of the play. I think that McGahee got 8 or 9 yards on that run.
There is reason to be optimistic about the OL though, as it is entirely possible that these younger guys become more sure of what they need to do, and in how effectively they execute their assignments.
2) The Broncos' Talent Level is Relatively Low
There were only two elite players in this game for Denver...guys that consistently handle their assignments in a way that leaves a tangible effect on the game. I would say that those are Von Miller and Clady.
Then I would put some talent on another tier. Here I would have Kuper and Decker. Decker is one of the best athletes on the team...just like Ed McCaffery was. ;D These guys had more holes in their performance than the guys above.
Below that tier I would put guys who were generally consistent in handling their assignments and made a standout play or two. Here I would put Ayers, Fells, Larsen, McGahee, and Colquitt.
Below that tier I would put guys who were a mixed bag with more good plays than bad. Here I would put Vickerson, Bunkley, Mays, Dawkins, Walton, Goodman, and Orton.
The next tier would be 'flat', where I'd put Moore, Franklin, Willis, Unrein, and Beadles.
These guys didnt have good games: Vaughn, Woodyard, Wilhite, Hunter, and McBean.
I think that the Broncos need more guys in the top three tiers to truly become a contender. When Bailey, Lloyd, Doom, and DJ come back, all of those guys will be in those tiers. Maybe Warren too if he ever plays. But the Broncos really need a running back and/or a QB in those tiers. They need DL guys in those tiers, and they need another secondary player in those tiers.
3) DL Is Still A Need, and Doom Alone Isnt Enough to Fix the Problem
The Broncos' only dominant front 7 player is a rookie linebacker...who still isnt sure of what hes doing on every play. The Broncos need 2-3 more high level defensive linemen to cause the opposing offense enough problems to have to adjust to account for them.
4) Andy Dalton Is Good
He's already a smarter player than Orton. He makes his reads extremely fast, gets the ball out in about 3 seconds, and makes really accurate throws. Even that 4th and 19 desperation play at the end of the game was a catchable ball that hit Green right in the hands. This kid could be the next Dan Marino.
When I went back through this week, the general feel for the team that I got was as follows. Here are a couple of observations.
1) The offensive line is out of synch.
A good offensive line has a rhythm to it in the way it works together from the snap to the whistle. The Broncos OL has no rhythm. Three guys specifically: Franklin, Walton, and Beadles. They are still unsure in their assignments on occasion, sometimes they make the wrong choices, and in their confusion sometimes they dont do their job. This is something that I think is directly attributable to their inexperience and the lack of a conventional offseason to prepare. It even bled over to the fullbacks and running backs who also looked confused and out of synch in picking up their blocking assignments.
I was, however, happy to see that Walton and Beadles both seem to be improving. Each of them is stil good for a couple of let downs a game. Their play is evening out though. Walton is no longer getting pushed around and he's doing a lot better in the passing game. Beadles actually opened a couple of holes in the run game, and the Broncos did get a first down on third and short using a FB dive over Walton, who got some push.
Franklin is playing like a rookie. He struggles in pass blocking on occasion.
Clady and Kuper were both consistently good. Clady is at times dominant in both phases of the game. On one play, he sealed the edge on a run off tackle by mastering the leverage on his man and literally throwing him downward at the feet of other pursuing defenders...taking 3 or 4 out of the play. I think that McGahee got 8 or 9 yards on that run.
There is reason to be optimistic about the OL though, as it is entirely possible that these younger guys become more sure of what they need to do, and in how effectively they execute their assignments.
2) The Broncos' Talent Level is Relatively Low
There were only two elite players in this game for Denver...guys that consistently handle their assignments in a way that leaves a tangible effect on the game. I would say that those are Von Miller and Clady.
Then I would put some talent on another tier. Here I would have Kuper and Decker. Decker is one of the best athletes on the team...just like Ed McCaffery was. ;D These guys had more holes in their performance than the guys above.
Below that tier I would put guys who were generally consistent in handling their assignments and made a standout play or two. Here I would put Ayers, Fells, Larsen, McGahee, and Colquitt.
Below that tier I would put guys who were a mixed bag with more good plays than bad. Here I would put Vickerson, Bunkley, Mays, Dawkins, Walton, Goodman, and Orton.
The next tier would be 'flat', where I'd put Moore, Franklin, Willis, Unrein, and Beadles.
These guys didnt have good games: Vaughn, Woodyard, Wilhite, Hunter, and McBean.
I think that the Broncos need more guys in the top three tiers to truly become a contender. When Bailey, Lloyd, Doom, and DJ come back, all of those guys will be in those tiers. Maybe Warren too if he ever plays. But the Broncos really need a running back and/or a QB in those tiers. They need DL guys in those tiers, and they need another secondary player in those tiers.
3) DL Is Still A Need, and Doom Alone Isnt Enough to Fix the Problem
The Broncos' only dominant front 7 player is a rookie linebacker...who still isnt sure of what hes doing on every play. The Broncos need 2-3 more high level defensive linemen to cause the opposing offense enough problems to have to adjust to account for them.
4) Andy Dalton Is Good
He's already a smarter player than Orton. He makes his reads extremely fast, gets the ball out in about 3 seconds, and makes really accurate throws. Even that 4th and 19 desperation play at the end of the game was a catchable ball that hit Green right in the hands. This kid could be the next Dan Marino.