Does anyone else share this opinion about the last 2 Bronco games?

[phillybroncosnut]

I'm starting to think Shanny has gone very vanilla with the offense the past 2 games in order to hide chit for the playoffs.
The entire Baltimore game plan and the first half of tonights game were not the Denver Broncos we've seen all year. We passed when we normally run. I'll bet we ran more 1st down passing plays in the last 2 games then we have the previous 12 games combined.
There were also some very strange calls that you would never see us call against a tough opponent or a playoff type game. For example, there is no way we would call a fade pattern on 3rd and goal to a WR who has never even stepped foot on the field all season long.

Anyone else think Mike has gone very jr. high with the play calling the past 2 games for playoff reasons?

[errand]

You might have a point, but I'm thinking it's more that we played some pretty decent D's as well. Mike Anderson had only 21 carries over the previous 3 games, and he's the kind of guy who has to get the rock more than 7 times a game in order to be more effective.

As long as we can effectively run the ball, and play good defense, we are a threat to beat any team. I like our chances even if we have to travel to Indianapolis

[Old Dude]

I've been suspecting the same thing.

However, the first half passing craze tonight might have been due to field conditions. Maybe Shanny thought our WRs could take advantage of it. Hard to say. You have to assume he's got something in mind for the Colts down the road. Whatever it is, I think he's had it in mind since last January.

[SoCalBronco]

Last week I dont think we were hiding the ball, I think it was just Baltimore owning us as usual. I think the Bills surprised us with their heavy pressure in the beginning but we adjusted to it after the guys upstairs got the info to Shanny as to what kind of stuff they were running. I really liked the adjustments we made tonight. Earlier in the season, we had the opposite problem whereby we had gameplanned very well for the first 15, the script stuff and got out way in front, but we didnt seem to adjust well. Im glad to see we can change on the fly and do different types of things as a reaction to what we are seeing out there to get the run game going.

[DarkHorse30]

I'm starting to think Shanny has gone very vanilla with the offense the past 2 games in order to hide chit for the playoffs.
The entire Baltimore game plan and the first half of tonights game were not the Denver Broncos we've seen all year. We passed when we normally run. I'll bet we ran more 1st down passing plays in the last 2 games then we have the previous 12 games combined.
There were also some very strange calls that you would never see us call against a tough opponent or a playoff type game. For example, there is no way we would call a fade pattern on 3rd and goal to a WR who has never even stepped foot on the field all season long.

Anyone else think Mike has gone very jr. high with the play calling the past 2 games for playoff reasons?

tough call....I was getting a little aggravated at the Vanilla-offense in the first half.....but what really are you going to do against 10 in the box? The formula for beating Denver is stop the run, so why would defenses do anything different?

The biggest problem Denver has is finding another posession WR.....and a reliable TE. Without those two things, Denver will tend to struggle against defenses that settle on trying to make Jake beat them (which is the smartest defense for this team).

On Denver's first possesion they had a drive going when Jake hit Alexander in the hands and he muffed it on 3rd and one. I'm looking forward to the day when Putzier, or Alexander, or Lelie, or whoever gets into the habit of getting open at crunch-time AND making the catch.

The other wild card in the games-against-bad-teams scenario is the way they don't have anything to lose by gambling early. Denver stopped Buffalo on their first drive, but they went for it on 4th and 2 from the 10. What's a 4-9 team got to play for except as a spoiler. Bottom line, though, is that Denver found a way to be very successful on the road against a traditionally tough opponent.....and they did it with guys like Duke, a HOF performance by Rod Smith, and a tougher than nails Mike Anderson. Ultimately today's game was a bit frustrating, but all good.

[Kaylore]

Last week I dont think we were hiding the ball, I think it was just Baltimore owning us as usual. I think the Bills surprised us with their heavy pressure in the beginning but we adjusted to it after the guys upstairs got the info to Shanny as to what kind of stuff they were running. I really liked the adjustments we made tonight. Earlier in the season, we had the opposite problem whereby we had gameplanned very well for the first 15, the script stuff and got out way in front, but we didnt seem to adjust well. Im glad to see we can change on the fly and do different types of things as a reaction to what we are seeing out there to get the run game going.
I agree. People forget how we would be pulling our hair out trying to understand why we couldn't make adjustments at the half. I remember threads debating if Shanahan was too "locked in his ways" to keep a teams' playcalling fresh if need be.

[B-Love]

Yeah, I think Shanny is saving all of the plays where Lelie actually does something batween the hashmarks. <sarcasm>

Great catch by Ash tonight!! A game changer in fact. I screamed when he made it.

But when will this guy make a play between the hashmarks?? Playoff time??

[Northman]

Nah, i think we have played down to our opponents level. We tend to do that every year.

[FantomForce]

Props to you Philly, I was wondering about that and I think you nailed it on the head:thumbs:

[Man-Goblin]

I agree to a certain extent.

They busted out the fake reverse thingy today, which was a staple from last thingy from last year, which didn't work then, worked tonight once, but that's about it.

Plus, the Wesley Duke wild card is out of the bag. Oh well, but they needed the points at that point in the game.

They got the win. They're playing inferior opponents and they know it. If they need to, they will open it up, if not they'll play conservatively. Why not?

[watermock]

Yes, but we have to get the #2 seed before we start hiding plays...I think it's quite possible tho...Carson Palmer is taking pot shots on our rear fender, we can't coast...

I certainly hope we are, if we have playcalling like tonight again, we won't lanst one game...why were we constantly passing...where was tater? Where was Putz...

How in the hell did we even win? That was a very poorly called game...run up the middle, zone defense...we did everything to try to hand them the game, but they are a very bad team...I am not very pleased...everyone was screaming to run the ball...when we finally did, we pulled away...

[Bronco LB 59]

Plus, the Wesley Duke wild card is out of the bag. Oh well, but they needed the points at that point in the game.

I think Denver can go back to that play. Duke is far from a polished tight end, but there aren't too many defenders that can out jump him for a ball. He's just a physical imposing guy who creates a goal line mismatch on his God given ability.

[jayman_37]

I think Denver can go back to that play. Duke is far from a polished tight end, but there aren't too many defenders that can out jump him for a ball. He's just a physical imposing guy who creates a goal line mismatch on his God given ability.

But he needs to work on his endzone celebration.

[watermock]

The playcalling was totally horrific...

As soon as we started running the ball, we salted them away like yesterdays prunes...

God Kubiak makes me go crazy sometimes...

We broke their will in the second half running the ball...WTF was this Nintendo crap?

In the chat room everyone was chanting to run the damn ball...when we finally did, we broke their damn back...

I don't get it...I wouldn't call us a bunch of retards, but shouldn't they know what to do? Why do we know what to do and Kubiak doesn't? Oh, he doesn't like Plummer and wants him killed?

You tell me!

[watermock]

Tne new Duke of Denver's play was very impressive. Don't let this kid go, he's got serious upside....he needs alot more reps...

[orange crusher]

I think Denver can go back to that play. Duke is far from a polished tight end, but there aren't too many defenders that can out jump him for a ball. He's just a physical imposing guy who creates a goal line mismatch on his God given ability.

Funny thing was he didn't hardly have to leave his feet to catch that ball. He ran a good route and Plummer threw a great pass.

[orange crusher]

The playcalling was totally horrific...

As soon as we started running the ball, we salted them away like yesterdays prunes...

God Kubiak makes me go crazy sometimes...

We broke their will in the second half running the ball...WTF was this Nintendo crap?

In the chat room everyone was chanting to run the damn ball...when we finally did, we broke their damn back...

I don't get it...I wouldn't call us a bunch of retards, but shouldn't they know what to do? Why do we know what to do and Kubiak doesn't? Oh, he doesn't like Plummer and wants him killed?

You tell me!

I was saying the same thing myself when they kept putting the ball in the air. I wonder if they threw the ball so much early on because of the field condition. The field didn't stop us in the second half though.

[Odysseus]

Denver needs to be able to pass the ball. Getting the ball to Rod was probably the game plan in Buffalo but when are they going to feed anybody else like that? Ash made some key drops. He doesn't fight for the ball and despite being improved he seems to think he's better than he really is.

I really doubt Mike Shanahan was happy with the way our guys were catching the ball. Why do you think Duke got thrown in there? These guys need a spark on offense. They can't go sleep walking into the playoffs. I think Duke got thrown out there as a motivator more than anything.

How do you motivate spoiled professionals who won't do what they are asked? You keep rotating players until you get one whose willing to show up every Sunday. There were WAAAY to many key drops out there regardless of the weather. The Raiders did it in our backyard. What's up?

[Pezman]

I know that it would be dismissed in a win like this, but the fact of the matter is, penalties really masked our offensive output in that first quarter and I think it really untracked our output and scheme quite a bit early on today. While I wouldnt call it conservative by any stretch, the fact is, that the Bills defense is pretty solid despite their offensive woes.

One thing is for sure right now. This offense is in a weird way managing to produce yards but not at a consistancy that we would all like. I think the run game looks tired at times and our entire blocking seems off at times. Is that a sign of conservative playcalling? I dont know but my instinct tells me that this team might be needing a real show of heart since we seem to really be in automatic mode lately. Thoughts?

[DarkHorse30]

Denver needs to be able to pass the ball. Getting the ball to Rod was probably the game plan in Buffalo but when are they going to feed anybody else like that? Ash made some key drops. He doesn't fight for the ball and despite being improved he seems to think he's better than he really is.



Rod Smith said after the game that the Bills were doubling Lelie during the first half....

[sirhcyennek81]

Lelie also had a great catch...but hey...he had a drop in the first half, cut him...


:Broncos:

[El Guapo]

Rod Smith said after the game that the Bills were doubling Lelie during the first half....

I saw a stat on the FOX pre-game ticker yesterday that ash leads the league with plays more than 20+ yards. Kinda incredible to me since I personally think that he's been fairly quiet all year.

[dnvrbrncos]

I posted in the game time thread yesterday that the Broncos looked like they were just scrimmaging with the Bills. I couldn't believe that they were passing so much, and it was the only theory I could come up with that made any sense. I started paying attention to the players and you could see everyone was relaxed and doing their thing. When the game got a little too close in the third, the Broncs closed the door. I definetly thing some playoff planning was in effect.

[errand]

The playcalling was totally horrific...

As soon as we started running the ball, we salted them away like yesterdays prunes...

God Kubiak makes me go crazy sometimes...

We broke their will in the second half running the ball...WTF was this Nintendo crap?

In the chat room everyone was chanting to run the damn ball...when we finally did, we broke their damn back...

I don't get it...I wouldn't call us a bunch of retards, but shouldn't they know what to do? Why do we know what to do and Kubiak doesn't? Oh, he doesn't like Plummer and wants him killed?

You tell me!

Why fans complain in game we won by 10 or more points is beyond, me...but since you asked......

The first thing you do to beat the Broncos is turn them into a one dimensional team...you shut down their running game and dare Jake to beat you. He can, but you increase your chances of winning by doing this. You limit Jake's effectiveness as he cannot sell the play-fake if the running game is stymied.

Mike obviously saw something in the Bills D that enabled him to feed Rod the ball to the tune of 9 catches in the first half alone. You don't always stick to the same gameplan, sometimes you have to throw them a curve ya know.....

[watermock]

We totally changed the playcalling in the second half...only our defense saved us in round one...

Are you blind?

[watermock]

You feed rod because he's a gamer, period...the guy is a Warrior par excellance...

Rod Smith is a Road Warrrior...whoot...I'm a huge Rod Smith Fan...ROF for sure...who cares about the rest...

You talk about team leader...you talk about clutch plays, you talk about stamina...

Your talkin' bout Mr. Rod....

He's a great leader on this team...I couldn't draw one up better...

[DivineLegion]

Were resting our players for the playoffs...We have had two weak teams and next week the Raiders...We will probably come out strong early vs the Fade then vanilla it up but we are not going vanilla the whole game vs them. I think Coyer is being told to do the same or I hope so with some of his play calls it looks like hes having guys drop back instead of blitz wich should keep them fresher for the playoffs...Not as much grind in coverage as in the trenchs.

[OrangeShadow]

if we are holding back we better stop. we need the 2 seed

[Sassy]

if we are holding back we better stop. we need the 2 seed
Maybe they are playing just enough to win...

[enjolras]

The gameplan yesterday was spot on.. when your playing an opponent like the Buffalo that is absolutely reeling you go very conservative. You give them a chance to lose the game themselves while minimizing the risk of injury or turnovers that get you into a hole.

To Buffalo's credit, they didn't fold up and roll over. So the Broncos opened things up a bit and rolled over them in the second half.

Works for me.

[Drek]

penalties killed the first half, nothing else. You tell me before the game starts taht Rod will have 9 catches and over 100 yards in the first half, I assume we put up two TDs, bare minimum.

They stacked the line so Shanny said "fine, we'll beat your asses through the air" and we would have if a few key passes had been pulled in and a few less penalties committed, not to mention Rod's fumble. Regardless, at the half the Buffs realized they were going to get passed all over as soon as our guys started pulling in Jake's passes, they dropped back, then Anderson ran through them.

However, I think Shanny is being somewhat hesitant to show all the plays he's got up his sleeve. Come the playoffs expect the old offensive "genius" to role out a whole slew of tricks. Tatum motioning out of the backfield, Putz/Alexander + Duke packages, and all kinds of tricky runs with Bell and Dayne that he's been able to hold back on because Anderson is getting the job done with just smash mouth style down hill running.

[Rock Chalk]

I think you all are reading too much into this.

The Bills and the Ravens both have better than average defenses and both are more physical than most. They had their game plan to stop the run and for the most part succeeded.

We were forced out of our normal gameplan in the Ravens game and I think Mike just tried to get the Bills off balance. They had to be expecting run on at least half of the pass plays (because I certainly was) in that first half.

Didn't work so well until the end of the half in that game but the second half we returned to Bronco ball and they had already made their halftime adjustments to the way were playing in the first half. Brilliant move by Mike because Bronco ball kicked their ass playing pass when it was run.

I think the past two weeks were not so much vanilla, but strategizing, seeing possibilities that might be effective against certain playoff teams. I just have grave doubts that Mike is going vanilla before we have a playoff seed wrapped up, just doesn't make much sense to me.

[kappys]

I think you all are reading too much into this.

The Bills and the Ravens both have better than average defenses and both are more physical than most. They had their game plan to stop the run and for the most part succeeded.



Exactly. Both teams actually have good defenses coupled with horrid offenses. Both offensive debacles were on prime display in the last two weeks. In games like that the one thing that can kill you is turnovers. We had to play a little more conservatively to win that battle.