Aikman's take on Denver

[Atlas]

The ground rules for excellence in Denver
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Troy Aikman /
Posted: 3 hours ago


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Were you were surprised when Reuben Droughns rushed for 193 yards against Carolina in Week 5? Shame on you. In Denver, the names of the ballcarriers change, but the system that produces their great performances doesn't.

Years ago, coach Mike Shanahan and his offensive line coach, Alex Gibbs, devised a running game that is not overly complicated but is very effective. It requires a talented running back, but it starts with an athletic group of linemen who can work in unison.

The Broncos' bread-and-butter, the stretch play, is a good example. When the ball is snapped, the entire line moves laterally in one direction -- to the right, let's say. Denver uses a zone blocking scheme, so each lineman puts a body on whichever defender is in his zone. Meanwhile, the blockers on the back side (the left tackle and left guard, in this case) focus on putting defenders on the ground. They use cut blocks, which aren't illegal, though they push the limits. Defenders fall.

The play requires patience from the runner because while he's sliding to the right, parallel to the line, he's looking for a hole to open. He can burst through any hole he spots, but the classic move is to cut back through the area where defenders are lying on the ground. Broncos backs have busted some long runs that way over the years.

The beauty of this scheme is that if defenders get wise and increase their backside pursuit, the quarterback can run bootlegs because the defense no longer has anyone to contain the outside perimeter. The Broncos run a lot of plays, but this general system of lateral blocking movement and utilizing cutback lanes has been enormously effective.

Continuity also is a big part of Denver's success running the ball. Gibbs has moved on to Atlanta, but coordinator Gary Kubiak, running backs coach Bobby Turner and line coach Rick Dennison have been with Shanahan since he arrived in Denver in 1995. Most of the linemen have been together for years, too. This is a well-schooled group.

SYSTEM OF THE GROUND
Mike Shanahan was hired as head coach of the Broncos in 1995, inheriting an organization that had gone 0-4 in Super Bowls and a pass-happy team led by QB John Elway. Since Shanahan arrived, the Broncos have had four different 1,000-yard rushers and won two Super Bowls.
Year 1,000 yard rusher
1995 Terrell Davis (1,117 yds)
1996 Terrell Davis (1,538 yds)
1997 Terrell Davis (1,750 yds)
1998 Terrell Davis (2,008 yds)
1999 Olandis Gary (1,159 yds)
2000 Mike Anderson (1,487 yds)
2001 none
2002 Clinton Portis (1,508 yds)
2003 Clinton Portis (1,591 yds)
In the early years under Shanahan, when Terrell Davis was racking up 1,000-yard seasons (and even a 2,008-yard season in 1998), the back got the glory. Davis was outstanding, but when you consider that Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson and Clinton Portis also rushed for 1,000 yards -- and that Droughns has rushed for 369 yards over the last two weeks -- it is apparent that the system and a gifted line have been equally responsible.


This isn't a knock on any of those backs. It's just a tip of the hat to Shanahan and a system that allowed his team to trade Portis for cornerback Champ Bailey and not miss a beat.

[Jason in LA]

Funny that all the people that have complained about Dennison haven't had much to say in a few weeks. Seems like the problem was just getting the right back in there.

[Atlas]

Funny that all the people that have complained about Dennison haven't had much to say in a few weeks. Seems like the problem was just getting the right back in there.

Dennison has gotten **** ever since his first year coaching special teams. He was an acedemic all American. I wouldn't be suprised if there was a head coaching job for him 10 years down the road.

[fontaine]

Dennison has gotten **** ever since his first year coaching special teams. He was an acedemic all American. I wouldn't be suprised if there was a head coaching job for him 10 years down the road.

I was one of the people that criticized Dennison and to a certain extent I still don't trust him but I'm glad he's getting the job done and the OL is playing up to expectations.

I'm hoping we can start bringing along some younger guys on the OL, especially the interior because I don't want too much of a dropoff when Nalen retires.

Aikman got it right though, defenders have a hard time going up against our OL because if they commit to the backside pursuit then Plummer will start rolling out and tossing easy passes to Lelie/Putz who are doing a good job so far. Lelie still needs to improve his ability to get off the line easily but he's been clutch for us so far this season when we needed him. A real key to the success of the running game so far has been the power bocking of Carswell/Hape and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank">Kyle Johnson</a> to a certain extent. With Carswell out, hopefully <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank">Kyle Johnson</a> can pick up the slack and we can continue to use Hape/Putz as H-Backs and use plenty of motion to stop defenses from guessing which side we're going to run to.

[orinjkrush]

i blast dennison more than anyone else around here. but, i have to admit, with RD back there, at least the last two weeks, the o line looks like a friggin machine. i hope it continues. and i hope RD stays healthy the rest of the way. so props to dennison.

[Mediator12]

The OL has been in transition with the new positions of Lepsis and Foster. Against some of the best Running defenses their timing was off and They were not winning the individual battles. Most people assumed that the Tackles would struggle with pass blocking more than the Running game. In fact, the opposite has been true.

The only thing Aikman misses on is that timing is critical in the zone blocking system. Witness the number of false starts v. Denver over the years. When the timing breaks down, the OL starts making mistakes in adjustments and loses its discipline. Its not complicated, but the timing IS critical.

OL have to be disciplined and Neil's False starts in INDY last year show how critical being out can effect the timing and effectiveness of the system. Indy's pathetic run defense was able to penetrate the line consistantly in Neil's gaps. As he worried about this he began to try and get a head start and the penalties started flying.

The same thing has happened with the OL consistancy this year. The Chiefs were simply not ready to defend the scheme in the first game. That attributed to the high number of rushing yds. The next few weeks saw the lack of timing and cohesion on the line. They also were playing against the JAGS DL at full strength and SD revamped run 3-4. SD totally commited to stop the run and Denver did not take full advantage of open WR's all day long to open the running game up.

Now, their timing has been vastly improved. The scheme has been adjusted. And, most importantly, Reuben is breaking tackles at an alarming rate. Very few first contacts have stopped Reuben. Add to the fact that he falls forward for an extra yd or two and the running game is back to working on all cylinders.

This week will be a different test as the Broncos get the luxury of playing the absolute worst run defense in the league. They absolutely have to dominate this team on the ground to continue to be consistant. They also have to pass more if the Bengals commit to stopping the run like SD did. Throw early to open up the running game later.

The real test for the OL will come against ATL the next week. Jim Mora has completely retooled their run "D" and they have also rushed the ball effectively. Now the OL has to go out and continue to improve each week.

[Jason in LA]

I think it's the back. If RD was the starter against the Jags, Chargers, and Bucs, they would have had a lot more rushing yards. RD probably wouldn't have ran over those defenses like he's run over the Panthers and faiders, but he would have had a lot more yards than Q had. RD fits the system perfect. Q doesn't. If Q became the starter again, the running game would struggle.

[baja]

Of course we should start RD because he has more than earned it but I think it would be a good idea if we play Q alot for two reasons.

One to build up a good players confidence and two to establish a two pronged attack at the running back position. Teams would have to game plan for two completely different types of effective runners.

[Mediator12]

I think it's the back. If RD was the starter against the Jags, Chargers, and Bucs, they would have had a lot more rushing yards. RD probably wouldn't have ran over those defenses like he's run over the Panthers and faiders, but he would have had a lot more yards than Q had. RD fits the system perfect. Q doesn't. If Q became the starter again, the running game would struggle.

I think RD's style does have a lot to do with it. But it all starts with the OL. I really do NOT think RD would have had a lot more yds. against JAX or SD based on the lack of running room and holes in those games. Reuben has made his yds on his own on a few plays, but for the most part he has had some excellent holes and Multiple options to run through. He has been able to choose a hole, where before the OL was not making even one hole to go through.

[Atlas]

I was one of the people that criticized Dennison and to a certain extent I still don't trust him but I'm glad he's getting the job done and the OL is playing up to expectations.

I'm hoping we can start bringing along some younger guys on the OL, especially the interior because I don't want too much of a dropoff when Nalen retires.

Aikman got it right though, defenders have a hard time going up against our OL because if they commit to the backside pursuit then Plummer will start rolling out and tossing easy passes to Lelie/Putz who are doing a good job so far. Lelie still needs to improve his ability to get off the line easily but he's been clutch for us so far this season when we needed him. A real key to the success of the running game so far has been the power bocking of Carswell/Hape and <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank">Kyle Johnson</a></a> to a certain extent. With Carswell out, hopefully <a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank"><a href="http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302059" target="_blank">Kyle Johnson</a></a> can pick up the slack and we can continue to use Hape/Putz as H-Backs and use plenty of motion to stop defenses from guessing which side we're going to run to.

I never said the criticicism wasn'
t deserved. He was really thrown in the fire and he probably wasn't the best choice but he has a great system and coach to learn from. I think he is the type of coach owners are looking for.. The Jack Del Rio type...

[Moon§hiner]

Rick is my adopted Bronco and I have ripped into him over the years, even going so far as to say that he had compromising photos of Shanahan to still be on this team...I'm impressed thus far...no more sunlight in a can for him, I'm letting him out of the dungeon.

[Jason in LA]

I think RD's style does have a lot to do with it. But it all starts with the OL. I really do NOT think RD would have had a lot more yds. against JAX or SD based on the lack of running room and holes in those games. Reuben has made his yds on his own on a few plays, but for the most part he has had some excellent holes and Multiple options to run through. He has been able to choose a hole, where before the OL was not making even one hole to go through.

I agree that RD wouldn't have had a lot of yards vs. SD and Jax. He probably wouldn't have put up 170 on them. But I'm pretty sure he could have gotten a good 70-90 yards, maybe toughed out 100. But no way does he get the low totals that Q had gotten. If RD roughed out 70 yards against Jax the Broncos would have won that game.

[Rock Chalk]

If RD just gets one freaking yard and holds onto the ball we win that Jax game.

And baja, I think Q is going to be used less and less. Bell got just as many carries as Q did last week, he is bigger, faster and, so far, has HELD ON TO THE BALL.

Q is going to get traded or be relegated to mop up work like a Derek Loville.

[DONKEYSHOW]

If RD just gets one freaking yard and holds onto the ball we win that Jax game.

And baja, I think Q is going to be used less and less. Bell got just as many carries as Q did last week, he is bigger, faster and, so far, has HELD ON TO THE BALL.

Q is going to get traded or be relegated to mop up work like a Derek Loville.


Which was exactly the Broncos' ideal role Q was drafted for in the first place In my opinion. He outdid himself in a few games, and got noticed, but eventually fumbled into his ideal slot.

[Atlas]

Which was exactly the Broncos' ideal role Q was drafted for in the first place In my opinion. He outdid himself in a few games, and got noticed, but eventually fumbled into his ideal slot.

I really don't see Q making the team this year. I might be wrong but he really isn't that fast and he doesn't break tackles... So does he offer enough to make the team??? Maybe....

[fontaine]

I really don't see Q making the team this year. I might be wrong but he really isn't that fast and he doesn't break tackles... So does he offer enough to make the team??? Maybe....


I would have thought Q would make the team, but the moment we drafted D. Williams I realized Q's days were numbered because he would be gotten a spot for KR or PR duties.

I can see Q sizing up to D. Williams and saying "This team ain't big enough for the both us (midgets)."

But seriously, the only way Q makes the team is if Anderson doesn't look like he's recovered enough to even play FB and if Ron Dayne is a total el busto.

[Ninjafied]

So does he offer enough to make the team??? Maybe....

I think we definitely have a lot better on the roster. IMO chances are that he’s out of here. Would we be able to get a trade for him?

Then again, maybe we should just keep him until after week 3 against the Chefs? rofl

[bloodsunday]

Funny that all the people that have complained about Dennison haven't had much to say in a few weeks. Seems like the problem was just getting the right back in there.
Not to mention that Gibbs quit (again). Shanny must have sensed that Gibbs is a bit unstable and thought better of keeping him around.

[bloodsunday]

This isn't a knock on any of those backs. It's just a tip of the hat to Shanahan and a system that allowed his team to trade Portis for cornerback Champ Bailey and not miss a beat.
I disagree with this sentiment whole-heartedly. There are degrees of effectiveness. Droughns got his yards last year, but he was a long way from being a special RB. He never got in the endzone and he was very unexplosive. Portis was explosive, but lacked the consistency to get at least something on every play. The reality is that despite the yardage, our running game has been in decline since the days of TD, Tony Jones, Stink, and Zimmerman. In fact, I think it has become a symbol of what's wrong with this team. Management think its better than it really is, it disappears when we need it most, and we are lacking the playmakers we had in the past.

[bloodsunday]

Aikman got it right though, defenders have a hard time going up against our OL because if they commit to the backside pursuit then Plummer will start rolling out and tossing easy passes to Lelie/Putz who are doing a good job so far.
Yeah but teams that can commit the right guy -- a DE or OLB -- to spy on that edge can stop our offense like molasis in January. Every year there are 3 or 4 teams that get it right and our offense goes directly in the crapper.

[fontaine]

Yeah but teams that can commit the right guy -- a DE or OLB -- to spy on that edge can stop our offense like molasis in January. Every year there are 3 or 4 teams that get it right and our offense goes directly in the crapper.

This is correct.

In particular Indy does this well because they have very fast DEs and lighter DTs who are quicker on their feet rather than stumbling, overweight DTs.

The zone blocking scheme works great against slower, bigger plodding DL rather than quick, athletic, energetic DL because they tend to have much quicker feet and better footwork to avoid the backside cutblock.

I don't fault our running game on this though. This comes back directly to the QB. Every QB in the league who's started knows that different defenses take away different parts of your game. Some D's are great in defending the short to intermediate stuff, some D's excel at stopping passes over the middle etc etc.

With Plummer he doesn't have a lot of depth in his game. Someone like Tom Brady is the ultimate utility QB because he plays well in all phases of the passing offense. Brady does well in the spread out 3/4 WR set offense, screen passes, and yes, he even does well throwing up the middle on deeper passes off play action with two WR/one TE sets.

Plummer though, is one dimensional. His playaction game is good, he can roll out and throw on the run but take that away and he's a very scattershot pocket passer who fails to impress especially when throwing the the sidelines. He can't go through two quick reads and quick release, he waits too long on just Rod to get open, etc, etc, etc.

[OrangeShadow]

simple, we grrom a back and trade him for an all pro player then get another back the next year,we'll have a good team in no time lol