Needa Pass Rush
10-20-2005, 09:38 PM
Posted on Thu, Oct. 20, 2005
Broncos' blocking system poses challenge for Giants' defense
DAVID PORTER
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - This season, the names are Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. Before them, it was Clinton Portis, and before him Terrell Davis.
Plug a running back into the Denver Broncos' lineup and chances are he will churn out impressive numbers. That is due to a system of run blocking that has been analyzed, scrutinized and ultimately legislated against by the NFL.
"I think it's a system thing," said Giants linebacker Nick Greisen. "Yes, they're great athletes, don't get me wrong. But at the same time they have a unique type of blocking scheme and linemen that are very athletic who get up to our linebackers quite often. As a linebacker corps, we're going to have a lot to deal with."
The Giants will have their hands full with the tandem of Anderson and Bell, who have run for 753 yards this season. The Broncos have averaged 153 yards per game, third in the NFL behind Atlanta and Seattle. New York has allowed 101 yards per game, 11th in the league.
On a more basic level, the Giants will have to adjust to a blocking scheme that makes frequent use of cut blocks, where the offensive line gets defenders moving one way before cutting back and blocking them, frequently below the waist.
"The way their linemen come off the line is totally different than most teams in the league," said Giants linebacker Carlos Emmons. "Their initial steps are pretty much sideways to get everybody running, then somebody's going to get cut and that creates a hole there. Their backs are patient enough to turn sideways and just wait on that one guy not getting to his gap. It's one of those things where you have to depend on your teammates and trust that they're going to be in their gaps."
The Broncos have fit their personnel to their blocking schemes, drafting or acquiring smaller, quicker linemen over the years. Aside from 338-pound tackle George Foster, Denver's other four offensive linemen - Matt Lepsis, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen and Cooper Carlisle - average 288 pounds, or 26 pounds lighter than the Giants' front five. The five also have a combined 35 years in the NFL.
It is generally assumed that the NFL's tightening of the rules on cut-blocking stems partly from opponents' complaints about the Broncos, as well as from some well-publicized injuries.
"I heard that a lot after our second Super Bowl because we were doing things in the running game and got a lot of recognition for it, and they put in different types of rules for the safety of players," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "And I agree with all the rules that were implemented. I really don't think it pops up very much anymore, because now if anything is done illegally, people get fined."
Even with the stricter rules, the Broncos' style forces opponents to divide their attention.
"You have to protect yourself," said Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce. "Most times you're worried about a guy hitting you in the mouth. Now you're looking at a guy at eye level and you've got to see what's going on on the ground. You've got to play with discipline, play square and keep your eyes on your work. At the same time, you can't worry about getting cut, or else you'll play tentative and they'll end up running for 400 yards."
Notes: Emmons, LB Reggie Torbor and S Gibril Wilson, all of whom are nursing ankle injuries, participated in practice Thursday, while LB Barrett Green (ankle) did not. All are listed as questionable for Sunday.
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/sports/12954111.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp
Broncos' blocking system poses challenge for Giants' defense
DAVID PORTER
Associated Press
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - This season, the names are Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. Before them, it was Clinton Portis, and before him Terrell Davis.
Plug a running back into the Denver Broncos' lineup and chances are he will churn out impressive numbers. That is due to a system of run blocking that has been analyzed, scrutinized and ultimately legislated against by the NFL.
"I think it's a system thing," said Giants linebacker Nick Greisen. "Yes, they're great athletes, don't get me wrong. But at the same time they have a unique type of blocking scheme and linemen that are very athletic who get up to our linebackers quite often. As a linebacker corps, we're going to have a lot to deal with."
The Giants will have their hands full with the tandem of Anderson and Bell, who have run for 753 yards this season. The Broncos have averaged 153 yards per game, third in the NFL behind Atlanta and Seattle. New York has allowed 101 yards per game, 11th in the league.
On a more basic level, the Giants will have to adjust to a blocking scheme that makes frequent use of cut blocks, where the offensive line gets defenders moving one way before cutting back and blocking them, frequently below the waist.
"The way their linemen come off the line is totally different than most teams in the league," said Giants linebacker Carlos Emmons. "Their initial steps are pretty much sideways to get everybody running, then somebody's going to get cut and that creates a hole there. Their backs are patient enough to turn sideways and just wait on that one guy not getting to his gap. It's one of those things where you have to depend on your teammates and trust that they're going to be in their gaps."
The Broncos have fit their personnel to their blocking schemes, drafting or acquiring smaller, quicker linemen over the years. Aside from 338-pound tackle George Foster, Denver's other four offensive linemen - Matt Lepsis, Ben Hamilton, Tom Nalen and Cooper Carlisle - average 288 pounds, or 26 pounds lighter than the Giants' front five. The five also have a combined 35 years in the NFL.
It is generally assumed that the NFL's tightening of the rules on cut-blocking stems partly from opponents' complaints about the Broncos, as well as from some well-publicized injuries.
"I heard that a lot after our second Super Bowl because we were doing things in the running game and got a lot of recognition for it, and they put in different types of rules for the safety of players," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said. "And I agree with all the rules that were implemented. I really don't think it pops up very much anymore, because now if anything is done illegally, people get fined."
Even with the stricter rules, the Broncos' style forces opponents to divide their attention.
"You have to protect yourself," said Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce. "Most times you're worried about a guy hitting you in the mouth. Now you're looking at a guy at eye level and you've got to see what's going on on the ground. You've got to play with discipline, play square and keep your eyes on your work. At the same time, you can't worry about getting cut, or else you'll play tentative and they'll end up running for 400 yards."
Notes: Emmons, LB Reggie Torbor and S Gibril Wilson, all of whom are nursing ankle injuries, participated in practice Thursday, while LB Barrett Green (ankle) did not. All are listed as questionable for Sunday.
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/sports/12954111.htm?template=contentModules/printstory.jsp