SoCal's Denver vs. Miami Breakdown and Analysis

[SoCalBronco]

DENVER OFFENSE VS MIAMI DEFENSE

From Denver's Perspective:
One of the first things the offensive staff has noticed when breaking down Saban's past defenses is the amount of blitzing he does. Man-blitzes. Zone-blitzes. Safety-blitzes. From everywhere and every direction. A maddening nightmare to be sure but there is good news. In a recent Coaches Clinic article, Coach Saban has noted that he has employed the same overall defensive system at each of his stops (Michigan State and LSU) as he used as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1994. So what the staff is likely to see on film is not likely to be much different from what they see, schematic wise on game day. Former LSU defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has noted that while LSU had over 60 different blitz combinations, they only had 9 pass coverage schemes, so Denver will not have to wrack their brains anticipating the types of pass coverages they will see on various downs and distances. In order to compensate for all of Saban's blitzing schemes, expect the Broncos to start out in safe 7 man protections, either from the I, strong shifted I, weak shifted I and one back three wide and one back double TE formations, the latter of which will feature the back blocking the weakside backer and the TE checks for a Sam blitz before releasing into the pattern. This leaves only 3 recievers who release immediately into the route but Denver will find the weakest man to man player and configure simple 2 or 3 man route combos to attack that player. For example, when Denver anticipates man coverage with only 1 deep safety in the middle of the field from the scouting report, look for streaks or comebacks from Lelie against the corner opposite Madison. When its 2-man, look for crossing routes underneath formationed to get putzier or watts the ball running towards open grass away from the slowest linebacker.
In the underneath pass game, expect Denver to target the slowed down Junior Seau. In the Run game, expect Denver to test rookie starter Channing Crowder, who just beat out Donnie Spragan, with alot of misdirection and formations adjustments on his side of the field hoping all the dizzyness and change will force the rookie into multiple mistakes in his first NFL start. While Denver will stick with its bread and butter zone plays and basic lead plays with Anderson, but expect to see some more outside toss plays taking advantage of the speed Tatum Bell possesses over graybeards like Thomas and Seau, when Tatum is in the game. Bell will also be used on designed traps towards Jason Taylor's side to slow down his pass rush if he overwhelms Lepsis.

From Miami's perspective:
Knowing that Plummer often struggles when faced with defensive pressure, Saban will likely continue with many of his blitzes. In addition, we might see a hybrid of the 2-man and the 1-robber to counteract Denver's run and pass game. What we may see, is a coverage whereby Miami plays man to man underneath on all 5 targets, with Madison asked to shut down Smith and the weaker corner assigned to Lelie. As help against the deeper routes Lelie is likely to run, a safety will be assigned to the deep half on that side, but the other safety will not play deep half coverage as is the case in normal 2 deep man under, but rather will help out against Denver's run game as an 8th box player, who has "robber" responsibilities in pass coverage i.e. sit at 6-8 yards over the ball in a zone disrupting by bumping any crossers who cross the ball underneath. This puts alot of pressure on Madison vs. Smith without any help and also pressures the OLB who is covering the first offensive skill player inside Smith, since he also has no help on intermediate and deep routes to his side. They will likely make the athletic rookie Channing Crowder carry this assignment as opposed to Junior Seau. Saban will mix it up with three deep zones and quarters zones though just to keep us adjusting.

[Kaylore]

Great read! I love the Mane! I hope you are going to post our D Vs. their O ...

At finheaven they are all worried about the deep ball and the run game. good thing we have both. I'm so excited to watch this game.

[SoCalBronco]

MIAMI OFFENSE VS DENVER DEFENSE

From Miami's Perspective
Offensive Coordinator Scott Linehan has always been a spread em out and "play the numbers" game kind of guy, both at his time at Louisville under John L. Smith and with the Minnesota Vikings where he routinely used 3 and 4 WR formations and made plentiful use of audibles. Expect the same against the Broncos. Miami will likely borrow a page from Tom Moore and the Indianapolis Colts who hurt Denver in the run game in the preseason by using a trips formation with three recievers to one side with an expanded split between the middle reciever and the tackle. Miami's attack will change based on how Denver plays the trip side. If they move out an OLB like DJ Williams or Ian Gold, it takes a fast and explosive threat out of the box and the "numbers" dictate an inside run because Denver has 6 in the box vs. 6 blockers, a hat on a hat.The Colts had great success neutralizing DJ Williams this way in the preseason game Expect Miami to play a similar numbers game using an I formation but splitting out the TE and watching for Denver's reaction. If the Broncos put a safety over there and keep the backers in the box, expect Miami to check to routes that are good against the three deep zone and man-free which are the likely coverages here. . When a LB splits the difference between the tackle and the middle reciever, expect to see checks to bubble screens and outside tosses with the middle reciever cracking back on the OLB since he has a great angle as well as flood routes with one reciever going deep, the middle reciever running an out or a corner and the third reciever occupying the flat. Since the OLB is splitting the difference and closer to the box, he is in no position to get to sideline before the square out/corner route does and the flat defender is held by the flat and the deep defender is held by the streak route in zones. Miami will also use the more conventional 3 WR set (where the third WR is in the slot on the left) especially when the scouting report dictates man to man and in the red zone. This is so because it presents a great matchup with the tall and muscular David Boston, who has played well in the preseason and has surprisingly stayed out of trouble, on either the much smaller Ian Gold or Darrent Williams. Fades and Corners will be the routes of choice here.

From Denver's persective:
The Broncos have a good matchup here against this offense. Trevor Pryce and Gerard Warren will be too much for this below average line to handle. Especially with Pryce, he will be going up the young and inexperienced Vernon Carey who, while an improving young player, is still more a brute than an athlete and will have huge problems against a slimmed down, athletic Pryce who doesnt have to also battle TE chips. The availability of Courtney Brown will allow DJ Williams alot of freedom and the ability to knife through into the backfield relatively unmolested, since RT John St. Clair and TE Randy McMichael are no match. Expect to see alot more man to man out of Denver than we normally see. The matchups are solid on the outsides. Bailey should be able to hold Chambers in check and the rest of Miami's corps is unspectacular, although when David Boston checks into the game, Coyer will try and make sure that when he is matched up on a much smaller defender like Gold or Darrent Williams the defense is in a zone coverage where a specific player cant get picked on. Denver has alot of freedom with its two extra defenders. If the front four is getting a good rush but one of the CBs is having trouble, a safety can be aside to patrol that deep half on the hash or a full bracket can be called. If Gold and Williams are having trouble with McMichael, a safety can be assigned to bracket there as well. LB blitzes will also be called unhesitatingly since Denver has a great advantage with Bailey and Walls against Miami's corners. Denver has alot of options because of the talent advantages presented here.

Prediction: Denver 26, Miami 13.

[listopencil]

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to SoCalBronco again."


Thanks, great stuff!

[Kaylore]

Great stuff SoCal.

[UltimateHoboW/Shotgun]

Thats what I call a smart football fan!!!

[ClevelandBronco2]

Tell me why the Broncos don't employ you.

Or maybe I'm just assuming...?

[wabbit]

It is good analysis SoCal...better than anything I've read, particularly for the specifics.

One thing you can count on every game, every year...Shanahan will run some wild variations out of some vanilla sets.

It's a scheme he works on endlessly...how to make a run play-set look like a pass play set and vice-versa.

He will run all kinds of variations in his first offensive series to get a read on how the Dolphins will play it...then focus in on several formations, or plays, that gain the most success...& work in some pretty creative variations.

Actually, every team does this...seeking out the right match-ups, but Shanahan really does it especially well...as do several others; Belichick, Vermeil...Mike Martz is all about this kind of scheming, but sometimes he takes it to far & his players aren't really sure what he's trying to do.

I especially like the player-on-player analysis SoCal...it's precisely what the Bronco staff are studying in excruciating detail.

[watermock]

Geeze, I dissagree with everything...Bob will be here soon to back me up.

[ludo21]

It is good analysis SoCal...better than anything I've read, particularly for the specifics.

One thing you can count on every game, every year...Shanahan will run some wild variations out of some vanilla sets.

It's a scheme he works on endlessly...how to make a run play-set look like a pass play set and vice-versa.

He will run all kinds of variations in his first offensive series to get a read on how the Dolphins will play it...then focus in on several formations, or plays, that gain the most success...& work in some pretty creative variations.

Actually, every team does this...seeking out the right match-ups, but Shanahan really does it especially well...as do several others; Belichick, Vermeil...Mike Martz is all about this kind of scheming, but sometimes he takes it to far & his players aren't really sure what he's trying to do.

I especially like the player-on-player analysis SoCal...it's precisely what the Bronco staff are studying in excruciating detail.

Man, with SoCal and Wabbit this is the best analysis ive seen for a while.

Great job Socal, i will definitely be looking for those things!

[watermock]

Socal has an almost a mirror image of what I see. I'm not sucking ass, it's just what I see, with very few exceptions.

I totally agree they will try to move DJ Williams to get out of the box, it remains to see if they are smart enough to have time to cross direct him by reversing him behind the line and move DJ even more out of position.

This is where Al Wilson has to bark orders and tell gold and Williams to stand ground. You have to have a front 7 zone and secondary man to man. IMO, the hybrid.

That's how you beat it, and you still bump at the line. Problem is we don's have a closing safety if you gamble. I still play that tho.

SoCal has a very good grasp of football.

[Mr. Trout]

damn SoCal you are a diehard...i guess it is up to guys like me to drop in and lay down snide-ass comments from time to time...good job!!

[watermock]

Here is what I like, and what is going to give Denver two extra games.

Lelie looks buff, and he's going to fight for balls this year, just wait. Remember all the PI calls he got last year? Dont expect it to end. He's getting more confident every snap.

I'm pretty psyched man, the Bronco are so much better than people think and and the Hornhead too. I think the Broncos get to the AFC Championship if injury doesn't stop them. The team is very underrated, altho I don't agree with alot of late cuts, I'm hoping "The Plan" doesn't rear it's ugly head again.

[Pezman]

I'm wondering how Miami will implement their running back situation since Lamar Gordon isnt exactly going to inspire fear by our front line. I know that Ronnie Brown will see at least 15 carries in this one, but how effective will he be? Its not like Miami had a great preseason and Brown just didnt look quite sharp enough to really be ready for a full-time role.

Their recievers are still a quandry too. Beyond Chambers, who can they really rely on to catch the key balls down the field? I fully expect their offense to struggle all day against our secondary and especially if they get backed up by penalties.

[Atlas]

Socal has an almost a mirror image of what I see. I'm not sucking ass, it's just what I see, with very few exceptions.

I totally agree they will try to move DJ Williams to get out of the box, it remains to see if they are smart enough to have time to cross direct him by reversing him behind the line and move DJ even more out of position.

This is where Al Wilson has to bark orders and tell gold and Williams to stand ground. You have to have a front 7 zone and secondary man to man. IMO, the hybrid.

That's how you beat it, and you still bump at the line. Problem is we don's have a closing safety if you gamble. I still play that tho.

SoCal has a very good grasp of football.

You need to remember that DJ and Gold will be playing a little bit of both WILL and SAM. Thsi could go a long wasy of actually freeing up DJ because the Dolphins won't know exactly where he will be.

[SoCalBronco]

Thanks guys.

Even though we havent seen how Miami's players mesh in with the new systems, I am really encouraged by the fact that Shanny does well in openers even against teams with brand new coaching staffs e.g. Cincinnati 2003 and Arizona 2001.

[fontaine]

It'll be interesting to see what Miami do to protect their QB and young OL. Their interior is ok but they are pretty weak at T so I'm curious to see whether they keep McMicheal or a blocking TE at the line of scrimmage to give Frerrote more time to find Boston who they'll no doubt try to match up against our younger nickelbacks.

I don't know how comfortable they feel keeping Benson back there to pick up the blitz or help out in pass protection if Trevor springs free, but I like how our DL matches up against their OL regardless. They'll no doubt try to keep Boston on the field as long as possible because it'll keep Gold at bay and stop him or DJ from speeding in on the blitz.

Man, I'm almost foaming at the mouth here. Sunday can't come soon enough.

[Billy Clyde Puckett]

Thanks SoCal. Great stuff as usual. I expect Shanahan to throw out a couple of wrinkles just to keep other teams on their toes, both on offense and defense.

[Mediator12]

Socal, great work dude! Just a couple of things You missed:

1. Gus Frerotte has been here and both Coyer and Shanahan know his strengths and weaknesses very well. You can bet that they were praying he would start and have divised a specific gameplan to force him out of his stengths and into his weaknesses.

2. Scott Linehan v. Coyer- Denver did a very good job versus MIN with Randy moss and Culpepper two years ago. Most people remember just a few plays from that game but the "D" played well enough that Beurline and Kanell almost pulled that game out in MIN. Miami is nowhere near that talented as MIN two years ago.

3. The Miami Passing game is No Peyton Manning and the Colts. Period. The gameplan was to make the Colts run the ball by having the Safeties7 yards deeper off the LOS than they normally play. If Miami tries to mirror the Colts spread formations, Their will be multiple tackles for loss. Everyone remembers the second quarter Manning had and the running game they had against the SECOND team DL. That was with Denver also rushing three and dropping a DT into Coverage. Miami will never see that set on defense. They will have very aggressive blitzes and tight coverage with the safeties in normal or "pushed" positions. We will dare them to throw, not run.

4. On Offense, you will see a lot of two TE sets with a lot of "big" sets with one WR. Miami has a bunch of trouble stopping the run and we will run and PA them to death. Also, look for the TE's to split out as WR's if Miami puts one or both safeties in the box. All of our TE's can run like WR's, and Miami's secondary is truly weak with Tebucky Jones And Yeremiah Bell.

[Broncoman13]

I'm wondering how Miami will implement their running back situation since Lamar Gordon isnt exactly going to inspire fear by our front line. I know that Ronnie Brown will see at least 15 carries in this one, but how effective will he be? Its not like Miami had a great preseason and Brown just didnt look quite sharp enough to really be ready for a full-time role.

Their recievers are still a quandry too. Beyond Chambers, who can they really rely on to catch the key balls down the field? I fully expect their offense to struggle all day against our secondary and especially if they get backed up by penalties.

Don't know if anybody has pointed it out to you brah, but Lamar Gordon is an EAGLE!

[broncosteven]

Nice analysis Socal! Now it is up to the Broncos to Execute.

I am glad to see MA in backfield just for his Blitz pickup ability's, let alone the 100+ yards he should get. How many TD catches will Johnson have against Jr? I miss the old Toss with FB Lead to the outside the broncos used to run with Davis I hope Bell can bring that back, they used to execute it very well. Kept defenses guessing when run out of Strong I.

[bloodsunday]

It'll be interesting to see what Miami do to protect their QB and young OL.
Miami must be praying to win this game 10 - 7.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Great read Socal! Thanks a lot!

It's amazing how much I've learned thru the Mane.

I can't wait for sunday!

It kinds of sucks that I was going to this game (I had the tickets and everything), but my trip got cancelled and I'm stuck in Buenos Aires. Oh well... at least I get to watch it on DirecTV. (NFL ticket is FREE in my country... how great is that?)

I'll also get to make fun of my brother all year long after our boys kick their asses!!! (he's a Fins fan)

We're ready down here, let's play some football!!!

[i4jelway7]

god socal I need your analysis for my online play of Madden 2006


great job!

[i4jelway7]

my trip got cancelled and I'm stuck in Buenos Aires. Oh well... at least I get to watch it on DirecTV. (NFL ticket is FREE in my country... how great is that?)
!!!


Is that a hacked directv receiver/card blak? has to be to be getting Sunday Ticket free... you can't subscribe to DTV legally in Buenos Aires....

[rbackfactory80]

Great read Socal

[bendog]

The Colts had great success neutralizing DJ Williams this way in the preseason game Expect Miami to play a similar numbers game using an I formation but splitting out the TE and watching for Denver's reaction. If the Broncos put a safety over there and keep the backers in the box, expect Miami to check to routes that are good against the three deep zone and man-free which are the likely coverages here. .


I thought that the logic of bringing back little eon was that essentially he and lynch have interchangable skills, so that Den could disguise their three deep.

[BlaK-Argentina]

Is that a hacked directv receiver/card blak? has to be to be getting Sunday Ticket free... you can't subscribe to DTV legally in Buenos Aires....


No, it's all legal. DirecTV has been available in Argentina since 2001 I think. I used to have Cable but changed it to DirecTV two weeks ago so that I could watch all the Broncos games. (and it costs about the same)
When you suscribe to the service you get all the NFL games for free, and two or three MLB games a day.

It's great, I'm happy. :D I'll finally be able to watch all the games!

[TheReverend]

Very good and thorough analysis. I can only hope they throw Courtney in the starting rotation so he can pad stats through the season. His foot has got to be 100% by now and I was more concerned about reinjuring that than his elbow dislocation.

One thing: Usually Ashley takes the better corner. I think Madison will be playing on him.

[watermock]

The Colts had great success neutralizing DJ Williams this way in the preseason game Expect Miami to play a similar numbers game using an I formation but splitting out the TE and watching for Denver's reaction. If the Broncos put a safety over there and keep the backers in the box, expect Miami to check to routes that are good against the three deep zone and man-free which are the likely coverages here. .


I thought that the logic of bringing back little eon was that essentially he and lynch have interchangable skills, so that Den could disguise their three deep.

Your mirroring me Bendog. It all starts up front tho. I don't know why we didn't keep at least 10 on DL, I guess they figure Predator can play DE in a pinch. Predator brings quite a bit of flex.

I think this year the mantra is to move players around all the time. If that works, who knows. The depth chart shows Pryce at RDE but he's been playing LDE and LT, and who knows. Looks like scrambled eggs to me. That's fine if you confuse the offense, but bad, very bad if you confuse our green corners. To say our corners are green might be an understatement.

Anyone know if Dorsett Davis has been picked up? I would rather grab him back than Terrell...I dunno...if NE doesn't like him, why bother?

[epicSocialism4tw]

Great analysis SoCal, Mediator and co.

It should be nice to get the season rolling. I have yet to get the football fever yet because I havent seen a full down of Bronco ball, but maybe this will get me kick-started.

Go Broncos!

[TheReverend]

One thing I'm guessing about this game... MA takes 60% of the carries, Tatum used as a change up 30% of the time and Dayne sees the field 10%...

[Mediator12]

Very good and thorough analysis. I can only hope they throw Courtney in the starting rotation so he can pad stats through the season. His foot has got to be 100% by now and I was more concerned about reinjuring that than his elbow dislocation.

One thing: Usually Ashley takes the better corner. I think Madison will be playing on him.

Actually, Rod Still lines up on the Right with the better CB Rev. Not many teams switch that up.

[ØrangeÇrush]

It'll be interesting to see what Miami do to protect their QB and young OL. Their interior is ok but they are pretty weak at T so I'm curious to see whether they keep McMicheal or a blocking TE at the line of scrimmage to give Frerrote more time to find Boston who they'll no doubt try to match up against our younger nickelbacks.

I don't know how comfortable they feel keeping Benson back there to pick up the blitz or help out in pass protection if Trevor springs free, but I like how our DL matches up against their OL regardless. They'll no doubt try to keep Boston on the field as long as possible because it'll keep Gold at bay and stop him or DJ from speeding in on the blitz.

Man, I'm almost foaming at the mouth here. Sunday can't come soon enough.


They have John St. Clair on RT. Wasn't that the RT a couple of years ago that Strahan used as a turnstyle on the 4 or 5 sack game that basically ended his career in St. Louis? God!!!!! If thats him, I hope like hell Courtney Brown plays...he'll physicallly outmatch him by Levels of Magnitude.

FOCK YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FOOTBALL IS FINALLY ON!!!!!!!

[TheReverend]

Actually, Rod Still lines up on the Right with the better CB Rev. Not many teams switch that up.

The only team I can recall for 100% sure was SD sticking Jammer on Ash all day.

[broncogary]

DENVER OFFENSE VS MIAMI DEFENSE

From Denver's Perspective:
One of the first things the offensive staff has noticed when breaking down Saban's past defenses is the amount of blitzing he does. Man-blitzes. Zone-blitzes. Safety-blitzes. From everywhere and every direction. A maddening nightmare to be sure but there is good news. In a recent Coaches Clinic article, Coach Saban has noted that he has employed the same overall defensive system at each of his stops (Michigan State and LSU) as he used as defensive coordinator of the Cleveland Browns from 1991-1994. So what the staff is likely to see on film is not likely to be much different from what they see, schematic wise on game day. Former LSU defensive coordinator Will Muschamp has noted that while LSU had over 60 different blitz combinations, they only had 9 pass coverage schemes, so Denver will not have to wrack their brains anticipating the types of pass coverages they will see on various downs and distances. In order to compensate for all of Saban's blitzing schemes, expect the Broncos to start out in safe 7 man protections, either from the I, strong shifted I, weak shifted I and one back three wide and one back double TE formations, the latter of which will feature the back blocking the weakside backer and the TE checks for a Sam blitz before releasing into the pattern. This leaves only 3 recievers who release immediately into the route but Denver will find the weakest man to man player and configure simple 2 or 3 man route combos to attack that player. For example, when Denver anticipates man coverage with only 1 deep safety in the middle of the field from the scouting report, look for streaks or comebacks from Lelie against the corner opposite Madison. When its 2-man, look for crossing routes underneath formationed to get putzier or watts the ball running towards open grass away from the slowest linebacker.
In the underneath pass game, expect Denver to target the slowed down Junior Seau. In the Run game, expect Denver to test rookie starter Channing Crowder, who just beat out Donnie Spragan, with alot of misdirection and formations adjustments on his side of the field hoping all the dizzyness and change will force the rookie into multiple mistakes in his first NFL start. While Denver will stick with its bread and butter zone plays and basic lead plays with Anderson, but expect to see some more outside toss plays taking advantage of the speed Tatum Bell possesses over graybeards like Thomas and Seau, when Tatum is in the game. Bell will also be used on designed traps towards Jason Taylor's side to slow down his pass rush if he overwhelms Lepsis.

From Miami's perspective:
Knowing that Plummer often struggles when faced with defensive pressure, Saban will likely continue with many of his blitzes. In addition, we might see a hybrid of the 2-man and the 1-robber to counteract Denver's run and pass game. What we may see, is a coverage whereby Miami plays man to man underneath on all 5 targets, with Madison asked to shut down Smith and the weaker corner assigned to Lelie. As help against the deeper routes Lelie is likely to run, a safety will be assigned to the deep half on that side, but the other safety will not play deep half coverage as is the case in normal 2 deep man under, but rather will help out against Denver's run game as an 8th box player, who has "robber" responsibilities in pass coverage i.e. sit at 6-8 yards over the ball in a zone disrupting by bumping any crossers who cross the ball underneath. This puts alot of pressure on Madison vs. Smith without any help and also pressures the OLB who is covering the first offensive skill player inside Smith, since he also has no help on intermediate and deep routes to his side. They will likely make the athletic rookie Channing Crowder carry this assignment as opposed to Junior Seau. Saban will mix it up with three deep zones and quarters zones though just to keep us adjusting.

I predict the Broncos will use the roll-out alot, since this is Plummer's strength and they want to get him off to a good start It also tends to tire and frustrate the DL's.

[broncogary]

And I hope the special teams coaches are game-planning for us, too.

1/3 of the game.