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10-20-2006, 05:05 PM
http://www.orangemane.com/article_125.php
;D
SOCAL’S BRONCO BREAKDOWN: Taking on Cleveland
By SoCalBronco
Oct 19, 2006, 01:36
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DENVER OFFENSE VS. CLEVELAND DEFENSE
Focus on the 2-back lead plays and 1 back fold runs- The Broncos should take advantage of the structural weaknesses that are inherent in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 system. Instead of the more traditional two tackle format, Cleveland prefers to leave both ILBs unprotected, with only massive NT Ted Washington expected to handle the opposing G-C-G trio.
In Denver’s pure-I and offset-I formations, expect them to run a great deal of lead plays, with the playside guard doubling-up with center Tom Nalen on the burly Washington, leaving FB Kyle Johnson or Cecil Sapp with a clear lane to bulldoze ILBs Andra Smith or D’Qwell Jackson, depending on whether the lead is run strong or weak.
If the Broncos FBs can’t overpower the linebackers at the point of attack to create running room, expect the Broncos to shift to single-back sets and run “fold” blocking plays, in order to get the more powerful linemen themselves on the ‘backers. In a typical fold scheme, the guard will block down on the NT, while center Tom Nalen will take a step back after initial contact and release on an upfield track behind the back of the guard to the ILB.
Get Tony Scheffler involved in the opening 15 play script- As many have pointed out, one possible explanation for Denver’s continuing offensive woes is the lack of production from the TE position. QB Jake Plummer has simply not developed any kind of chemistry with Tony Scheffler, the physically gifted rookie out of Western Michigan.
While Scheffler has had some struggles adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, the Broncos need to go out of their way to get the youngster involved. Scheffler flashed outstanding speed in training camp, repeatedly getting separation from OLBs, D.J. Williams and Ian Gold, as well as opposing linebackers in the preseason games. Even though he has had some drops, Plummer simply has to “keep feeding him” the ball.
One way Denver can increase the confidence and chemistry of their QB-TE combination is to come out in the first quarter with Scheffler featured in the designed 15 play opening script. In particular, Denver should start the game with all purpose routes that are designed to go to Scheffler regardless of the coverage, such as short 8-10 yd option routes that call for him to “sit down” opposite the closest defender against zones and run away from that defender in man, and deep middle option routes, calling for him to run a deep post or a deep square in depending on whether there is a safety in the middle of the field or not.
DENVER DEFENSE VS. CLEVELAND OFFENSE
Bait the young Charlie Frye into bad throws and bad audibles- Cleveland has struggled on offense this year in part because their young second year passer is still learning and adjusting to the NFL game. The Browns signal caller this year has a whopping 9 interceptions compared with only 5 TDs and a poor QB rating of 67.5. With only 10 NFL starts under his belt, the talented but raw former Akron Zip is susceptible to being baited into mistakes by a sophisticated NFL defense.
One way to bait Frye into mistakes is by giving him a false pre-snap read. A common staple of most NFL and college offenses (including that of the Browns) are automatic checks to quick outs, hitches, slants and “smoke” routes to take advantage of a corner who consistently plays off. The Broncos were victimized by QB Gus Frerotte in this fashion in last year’s opener at Miami.
Against Cleveland, the Broncos should anticipate that the Browns will try to get “free yards” as often as possible against the stingy Bronco D. To counter this, the Broncos should work hard at disguising their intentions. For example, when deciding to play tight man-press coverage, Denver’s corners should initially play off and move up to the line right at the snap, so that if Cleveland checks to the short quick game, Denver can quickly smother the wide receiver and possibly intercept the pass. By contrast, when Larry Coyer calls conservative coverages like the 3 or 4 deep zone, Denver should play their corners up tight at the line and bail only at the last second.
Contain Kellen Winslow with LB communication and matchup principles- Defensive Coordinator Larry Coyer has done a fine job this season with his simplified zone coverages using traditional spot drop principles as opposed to the more trendy match up concepts. However, against Oakland, when QB Andrew Walter had time to throw, he was sometimes able to find receivers who had slithered into the windows between spots occupied by the defenders.
We can definitely expect embattled and often criticized Cleveland offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon to devote a great deal of time this week to identifying such windows for his promising TE Kellen Winslow who leads the team in receptions with 30 and is second in yards with 283. Therefore, it would be a good time to change up Denver’s tendencies and use more matchup zone concepts, calling for linebacker communication during the play based on the release of the tight end.
For example, in two deep match up zones that were used by Denver last year, LBs D.J. Williams and Ian Gold would carry a TE vertical if he released right into their zone, but would yell “Banjo” to MLB Al Wilson if he released inside, calling for Wilson to collision him if he crossed underneath or carry the player deep if he turned upfield while the OLBs widened to shut off passing lanes to the outside receivers. These concepts would be a useful change up this week as the speedy linebacking crew definitely need to keep a mindful eye on the emerging Browns tight end.
;D
SOCAL’S BRONCO BREAKDOWN: Taking on Cleveland
By SoCalBronco
Oct 19, 2006, 01:36
Email this article
Printer friendly page
DENVER OFFENSE VS. CLEVELAND DEFENSE
Focus on the 2-back lead plays and 1 back fold runs- The Broncos should take advantage of the structural weaknesses that are inherent in Romeo Crennel’s 3-4 system. Instead of the more traditional two tackle format, Cleveland prefers to leave both ILBs unprotected, with only massive NT Ted Washington expected to handle the opposing G-C-G trio.
In Denver’s pure-I and offset-I formations, expect them to run a great deal of lead plays, with the playside guard doubling-up with center Tom Nalen on the burly Washington, leaving FB Kyle Johnson or Cecil Sapp with a clear lane to bulldoze ILBs Andra Smith or D’Qwell Jackson, depending on whether the lead is run strong or weak.
If the Broncos FBs can’t overpower the linebackers at the point of attack to create running room, expect the Broncos to shift to single-back sets and run “fold” blocking plays, in order to get the more powerful linemen themselves on the ‘backers. In a typical fold scheme, the guard will block down on the NT, while center Tom Nalen will take a step back after initial contact and release on an upfield track behind the back of the guard to the ILB.
Get Tony Scheffler involved in the opening 15 play script- As many have pointed out, one possible explanation for Denver’s continuing offensive woes is the lack of production from the TE position. QB Jake Plummer has simply not developed any kind of chemistry with Tony Scheffler, the physically gifted rookie out of Western Michigan.
While Scheffler has had some struggles adjusting to the speed of the NFL game, the Broncos need to go out of their way to get the youngster involved. Scheffler flashed outstanding speed in training camp, repeatedly getting separation from OLBs, D.J. Williams and Ian Gold, as well as opposing linebackers in the preseason games. Even though he has had some drops, Plummer simply has to “keep feeding him” the ball.
One way Denver can increase the confidence and chemistry of their QB-TE combination is to come out in the first quarter with Scheffler featured in the designed 15 play opening script. In particular, Denver should start the game with all purpose routes that are designed to go to Scheffler regardless of the coverage, such as short 8-10 yd option routes that call for him to “sit down” opposite the closest defender against zones and run away from that defender in man, and deep middle option routes, calling for him to run a deep post or a deep square in depending on whether there is a safety in the middle of the field or not.
DENVER DEFENSE VS. CLEVELAND OFFENSE
Bait the young Charlie Frye into bad throws and bad audibles- Cleveland has struggled on offense this year in part because their young second year passer is still learning and adjusting to the NFL game. The Browns signal caller this year has a whopping 9 interceptions compared with only 5 TDs and a poor QB rating of 67.5. With only 10 NFL starts under his belt, the talented but raw former Akron Zip is susceptible to being baited into mistakes by a sophisticated NFL defense.
One way to bait Frye into mistakes is by giving him a false pre-snap read. A common staple of most NFL and college offenses (including that of the Browns) are automatic checks to quick outs, hitches, slants and “smoke” routes to take advantage of a corner who consistently plays off. The Broncos were victimized by QB Gus Frerotte in this fashion in last year’s opener at Miami.
Against Cleveland, the Broncos should anticipate that the Browns will try to get “free yards” as often as possible against the stingy Bronco D. To counter this, the Broncos should work hard at disguising their intentions. For example, when deciding to play tight man-press coverage, Denver’s corners should initially play off and move up to the line right at the snap, so that if Cleveland checks to the short quick game, Denver can quickly smother the wide receiver and possibly intercept the pass. By contrast, when Larry Coyer calls conservative coverages like the 3 or 4 deep zone, Denver should play their corners up tight at the line and bail only at the last second.
Contain Kellen Winslow with LB communication and matchup principles- Defensive Coordinator Larry Coyer has done a fine job this season with his simplified zone coverages using traditional spot drop principles as opposed to the more trendy match up concepts. However, against Oakland, when QB Andrew Walter had time to throw, he was sometimes able to find receivers who had slithered into the windows between spots occupied by the defenders.
We can definitely expect embattled and often criticized Cleveland offensive coordinator Maurice Carthon to devote a great deal of time this week to identifying such windows for his promising TE Kellen Winslow who leads the team in receptions with 30 and is second in yards with 283. Therefore, it would be a good time to change up Denver’s tendencies and use more matchup zone concepts, calling for linebacker communication during the play based on the release of the tight end.
For example, in two deep match up zones that were used by Denver last year, LBs D.J. Williams and Ian Gold would carry a TE vertical if he released right into their zone, but would yell “Banjo” to MLB Al Wilson if he released inside, calling for Wilson to collision him if he crossed underneath or carry the player deep if he turned upfield while the OLBs widened to shut off passing lanes to the outside receivers. These concepts would be a useful change up this week as the speedy linebacking crew definitely need to keep a mindful eye on the emerging Browns tight end.