Rock Chalk
12-07-2005, 09:54 AM
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/ci_3286099
Denver defense refuses to panic
Obstacles ahead: The Broncos must improve to beat the AFC's elite teams
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
DENVER - They hover threateningly, like a storm building on the horizon.
Not only does the Denver Broncos' future eventually figure to confront Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, but perhaps Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Behind these offensive powerhouses is the Broncos' dream of playing in the season's final game in Detroit. In front of these potentially menacing obstacles is the 31 points the Broncos' defense just surrendered to the Kansas City Chiefs.
To get past the likes of Manning and Palmer and reach Super Bowl XL, it won't be enough if the Broncos' defense plays really well. It has to be great.
After what happened Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium, does anybody think the Broncos' defense is going to scare Bengals receiver Chad Johnson into silence?
''One particular week when we don't play well, it seems like everybody is wondering what's wrong with the defense,'' said Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson. ''That's why we believe in one another and we could care less about what people on the outside are saying.''
In one sense, the Broncos' 31-27 loss Sunday at Kansas City generates virtually no panic. The Broncos are 9-3 and their next three opponents are 4-8, 4-8 and 4-8. This seemingly ''soft'' portion of the schedule begins Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens visiting Invesco Field at Mile High. Then it's the Bills in Buffalo and Oakland Raiders back home on Christmas Eve.
Barring the unpredictable, the Broncos are in great position to bring a 12-3 record into their New Year's Eve season finale at San Diego.
But this season no longer is about winning the AFC West with an 11-5 or 12-4 record. It's about getting the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed, a first-round bye, and second-round home playoff game. It's about waiting until the AFC Championship before having to play the Colts at Indy.
It's about, as the Broncos to a man stated from the first day of training camp, getting to the Super Bowl. And after Chiefs quarterback Trent Green shredded their secondary in the first half Sunday and running back Larry Johnson ran through all defenders in the fourth quarter, it seems the Broncos have some work to do before they become a Super Bowl-caliber defense.
''One game does not define who you are as a team or as a player,'' said Broncos strong safety Nick Ferguson. ''We still have the same confidence we had until this point. I guess it's good for the media to
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start questioning.''
Maybe if the Chiefs won 21-17 instead of 31-27, there would be fewer questions. One concern Broncos coach Mike Shanahan quickly doused was the notion his defensive captain is unhappy with the staff's decision-making. After the Broncos had stopped the Chiefs on first-and-goal and second-and-goal in the second quarter, two defensive substitutions were made against Wilson's wishes. When Johnson rammed in on third-and-goal, Wilson walked toward his sideline and gestured angrily.
''He was right,'' Shanahan said. ''We had the wrong personnel in the game. We had the nickel instead of our base or our goal line. There was a communication breakdown on the sideline. There's nothing wrong with that. Heck, I'm excited he was disappointed we didn't get the right package in. Those things happen every game.''
Said Wilson: ''I have no problems with the coaches. It's just in the heat of the game sometimes things happen.''
More troubling communication breakdowns occurred in the Broncos' secondary, which Green exposed on touchdown passes to Dante Hall and Tony Gonzalez. The opposing passing yards have piled up in the Broncos' closely contested games recently against Dallas and Kansas City.
Meanwhile, Manning and Palmer have moved to the top two spots in the NFL's quarterback ratings and operate offenses seemingly capable of naming their score each week.
For now, all may be well for the Broncos. But once they're through playing the Ravens, Bills and Raiders, can their defense consistently play at Super Bowl-caliber?
''Yes, definitely,'' Wilson said. ''If we don't make the mistakes. Don't get me wrong, Kansas City made some plays, but there were some big plays they made [that] we gave to them by not being disciplined.
''We'll be all right. Every team in this league has talent. Where you separate yourselves is by being a great disciplined defense.''
Denver defense refuses to panic
Obstacles ahead: The Broncos must improve to beat the AFC's elite teams
By Mike Klis
The Denver Post
DENVER - They hover threateningly, like a storm building on the horizon.
Not only does the Denver Broncos' future eventually figure to confront Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, but perhaps Carson Palmer and the Cincinnati Bengals.
Behind these offensive powerhouses is the Broncos' dream of playing in the season's final game in Detroit. In front of these potentially menacing obstacles is the 31 points the Broncos' defense just surrendered to the Kansas City Chiefs.
To get past the likes of Manning and Palmer and reach Super Bowl XL, it won't be enough if the Broncos' defense plays really well. It has to be great.
After what happened Sunday in Arrowhead Stadium, does anybody think the Broncos' defense is going to scare Bengals receiver Chad Johnson into silence?
''One particular week when we don't play well, it seems like everybody is wondering what's wrong with the defense,'' said Broncos middle linebacker Al Wilson. ''That's why we believe in one another and we could care less about what people on the outside are saying.''
In one sense, the Broncos' 31-27 loss Sunday at Kansas City generates virtually no panic. The Broncos are 9-3 and their next three opponents are 4-8, 4-8 and 4-8. This seemingly ''soft'' portion of the schedule begins Sunday with the Baltimore Ravens visiting Invesco Field at Mile High. Then it's the Bills in Buffalo and Oakland Raiders back home on Christmas Eve.
Barring the unpredictable, the Broncos are in great position to bring a 12-3 record into their New Year's Eve season finale at San Diego.
But this season no longer is about winning the AFC West with an 11-5 or 12-4 record. It's about getting the AFC's No. 2 playoff seed, a first-round bye, and second-round home playoff game. It's about waiting until the AFC Championship before having to play the Colts at Indy.
It's about, as the Broncos to a man stated from the first day of training camp, getting to the Super Bowl. And after Chiefs quarterback Trent Green shredded their secondary in the first half Sunday and running back Larry Johnson ran through all defenders in the fourth quarter, it seems the Broncos have some work to do before they become a Super Bowl-caliber defense.
''One game does not define who you are as a team or as a player,'' said Broncos strong safety Nick Ferguson. ''We still have the same confidence we had until this point. I guess it's good for the media to
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
start questioning.''
Maybe if the Chiefs won 21-17 instead of 31-27, there would be fewer questions. One concern Broncos coach Mike Shanahan quickly doused was the notion his defensive captain is unhappy with the staff's decision-making. After the Broncos had stopped the Chiefs on first-and-goal and second-and-goal in the second quarter, two defensive substitutions were made against Wilson's wishes. When Johnson rammed in on third-and-goal, Wilson walked toward his sideline and gestured angrily.
''He was right,'' Shanahan said. ''We had the wrong personnel in the game. We had the nickel instead of our base or our goal line. There was a communication breakdown on the sideline. There's nothing wrong with that. Heck, I'm excited he was disappointed we didn't get the right package in. Those things happen every game.''
Said Wilson: ''I have no problems with the coaches. It's just in the heat of the game sometimes things happen.''
More troubling communication breakdowns occurred in the Broncos' secondary, which Green exposed on touchdown passes to Dante Hall and Tony Gonzalez. The opposing passing yards have piled up in the Broncos' closely contested games recently against Dallas and Kansas City.
Meanwhile, Manning and Palmer have moved to the top two spots in the NFL's quarterback ratings and operate offenses seemingly capable of naming their score each week.
For now, all may be well for the Broncos. But once they're through playing the Ravens, Bills and Raiders, can their defense consistently play at Super Bowl-caliber?
''Yes, definitely,'' Wilson said. ''If we don't make the mistakes. Don't get me wrong, Kansas City made some plays, but there were some big plays they made [that] we gave to them by not being disciplined.
''We'll be all right. Every team in this league has talent. Where you separate yourselves is by being a great disciplined defense.''