Red Zone Ideas

[Vegas_Bronco]

Once this party gets started, there may be only the Patriots end in site.

The announcer on Sunday hit it best when he stated, "Shannahan has all this talent and is still trying/learning what he can do with it". 14-20 new faces along both sides of the ball - but Christmas presents in September are never a bad thing. The true challenge for this up-and-coming young team is to put more points on the board when in the red zone, an all too familar drama ghost that has haunted the team for years everytime the team gets inside the 20. What is it about the red zone? True, blue and orange don't make red...but, the truth about the red zone script is that Denver's running game is highly predictable as fans are guaranteed at least 3-10 drive stalling run plays. Is it too much to ask for a bit of scripted creativity inside the red zone? The Patriots showed something last night that only the best can do: one drive with all 7-8 pass plays. The drive, which ended in a seam route for a touchdown to Moss, ON THEIR OPENING DRIVE, was creative. How many times have we seen LT throw for a 12-20 yard TD, creativity. Sure it was worth the risk as they have Brady and LT throwing ropes, but Jay can do the same.

Denver has a league best 455.5 yard per game on offense - the dominating offensive mastermind train has left the station for another compelling/promising year and looks really good with the leagues 4th best offense rushing the ball and 5th best passing attack (yards per game). But when this top notch cast of characters hits the red zone, there is dramatic fall off, crack in the track, warning: bridge out! The best offense in the league becomes just an average 17th best in scoring. This just won't get it done. 19 points per game when facing some sub-par defesive units is the exact disease that led Shannahan to start Cutler over Plummer last year. So the question remains? Who exactly is in charge of making the ball cross the pylon....the coach or the players who execute the coach's call? The play calling might need further review. It seems that there is no field too long for this quaterback yet Elam (6 for 9 on the year) has 7 fg attempts within the 30 yard line in just 2 games and 85+ yard drives are dead halting on the opponents 5 yard line?

Is the answer in the TE's, are we showing something in the running game...giving it away, or is it just bad play scripting. Whatever it be, we have 2 weeks and just 1 game before we begin a tougher relentless schedule where last minute comebacks might be out of reach if early red zone opportunities are not more successful.

Once we find the solution, can we please reverse the side of the ball and apply it to the defense who seems to be a mirror image of their offense touting the leagues best passing defense, a sub-par 27th in rushing yards, 3rd best defense in yards per game, and then again, spilling the beans inside the red zone with the leagues 15th defense in points allowed.

Sure it's been just two weeks, yeah everything is going to be okay, no this isn't an ungrateful thread to a 2-0 start... just looking for reasons and ideas as to why we have a dramatic relationship/bad marriage with the red zone?

[Rock Chalk]

Had we kept our best Red Zone threat Kyle Johnson this may not be an issue.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Prepare to get tarred and feathered.

[bronco militia]

Throw To The Friggen Te!

[Rock Chalk]

Throw To The Friggen Te!

Werd, especially since I have him on my fantasy team ;D

[BroncoFiend]

The funny thing is we have excellent red zone weapons. Two big recievers, a huge TE that can catch, a power RB.

I think it's just going to take some time for both Cutler and the O-line to settle down. Once that happens, we should be in good shape.

[broncofan2438]

Why not throw it to Graham? Isn't that what we got him for

[DivineLegion]

Calling Tony Sheffler...Calling Tony Sheffler...Jay Cutler and my fantasy team need you!!!

[Willynowei]

We ran the ball predictably this week b/c last week when we threw it, Jay got antsy near the redzone.

Once Jay settles down and Shanny gives him another shot in the redzone, he'll pull it off well and our Red zone offense will greatly improve.

[Kaylore]

We really haven't had that many redzone opportunities. Most of our drives seem to flare out around the thirty yard line. I agree that the few we've had have produced mediocre results.

[oubronco]

shanahan needs to turn the page in his playbook and open things up

[go_broncos]

Once Tony Sheffler starts playing, we will be more efficient in Red zone..

[TheChamp24]

I think Shanny's playcalling changes in the red zone, and it shouldn't. Like the end of the 1st half, 3 straight runs, resulting in a 23 yard field goal.
Although 1 drive did get killed because of some stupid penalties that seemed questionable.
Also, Cutler needs to not try to go deep every time on play action. Almost every time he tries to go deep, when the underneath guys are WIDE open.

[TheReverend]

Call Hape or Carswell?

[telluride]

This is all O-line related. If the line gets healthy and back at full strength, redzone problems will go away.

[c_lazy_r]

I say spread the offense. More 4 WR formations and fire away.

[Rock Chalk]

We really haven't had that many redzone opportunities. Most of our drives seem to flare out around the thirty yard line. I agree that the few we've had have produced mediocre results.

I believe we were 2/2 in the Red Zone yesterday and one was just because it was OT and we only needed to kick a FG. I could be mistaken on the total number though.

[Rigs11]

Bootleg!!

[WolfpackGuy]

That called back TD for Marshall was garbage. Let 'em play, ref.

[skpac1001]

I believe we were 2/2 in the Red Zone yesterday and one was just because it was OT and we only needed to kick a FG. I could be mistaken on the total number though.

Yeah, I don't think our problem is getting into the red zone and not being able to score as much as it is getting into the red zone in the first place. Since we are racking up the yards, I am tempted to think we are just losing the field position battle through run defense and special teams, our offense takes the ball and drives half the field then gets stopped before red zone and the cycle repeats. I don't think its anything to worry about yet, as JC gets better and the offense gets more consistent the drives will lengthen and produce touchdowns (I am not counting on much help from Run D and special teams for better beginning field position). At least thats what I am telling myself.

[philiptr2]

Two Words...Rod Smith!

[ward63]

I think if and when Rod comes back, he'll help out a lot, b/c he finds ways to settle in spots and can help the other guys out.

[BroncoMan4ever]

I say once they get into the red zone use the size and strength of our TE's and WR's.

I want to see more double TE plays in the red zone. Spread the field Stokely and marshall on opposite ends of the field, Stokely in the slot and Graham and Scheff on the line. IF THAT FORMATION CAN"T SCORE, I WILL BE AMAZED. This team has all the weapons to get it done.

Almost every one of our main pass catchers Walker Graham Marshall and Scheff are over 6'3 and over 215lbs, use that size and strength. And the 1 guy that isn't Stokely is an awesome possession slot receiver who can also contribute.

Also, i kinda think once Hamilton gets back on the field, the running game in the red zone will improve and Henry can put the ball in the end zone.

[mattbeymvp]

Shanahan hasn't known what to do in the red zone for the last four years.

[dsmoot]

This is all O-line related. If the line gets healthy and back at full strength, redzone problems will go away.

I agree with this 100%. When you get in a short field situation, teams can overload our offensive line. In recent years, we get holding penalties or simply get manhandled at the point of attack, blowing up our running game. In 97/98 we had superior players who simply were able to beat their man heads up. TD only need a crack.

[TheDave]

This message is hidden because mattbeymvp is on your ignore list. :thumbs:

[Bronco Billy]

I agree with this 100%. When you get in a short field situation, teams can overload our offensive line. In recent years, we get holding penalties or simply get manhandled at the point of attack, blowing up our running game. In 97/98 we had superior players who simply were able to beat their man heads up. TD only need a crack.

Totally agree. The O-line isn't big enough to get the push needed in the red zone against defenses stacking the LOS. We've always neutralized this with the naked bootleg and passes to the FB and TE. So far, it seems like we're relying on jump balls to Marshall or trying to run it right down their throats. Maybe put Sam Adams in as FB!

[red98]

and then again, spilling the beans inside the red zone with the leagues 15th defense in points allowed.

The Broncos D hasn't given up a TD in the red zone at all this year.

[Vegas_Bronco]

.

The Broncos D hasn't given up a TD in the red zone at all this year.

Yeah, good point - even more concerning, let them score from the 30 yard line (through the red zone in one play).

I also think their points allowed per game are dramatically high because I believe it includes Jay's 8 points given up yesterday between the pick six and the safety and Rosco Parrish's punt return. Too bad that it all counts against the defense in the end and makes our defense look worse than it really is.

The numbers don't lie in the running game though - we've much room for improvement in stopping the run. Engelberger needs to get some wheels and shed his blocks like he was in preseason and the two in the middle need to keep inside containment as we rush the outside from the two DE spots. All in all, our defense doesn't look bad at all considering the preseason performances.

[TheChamp24]

I will say Engelberger has looked like crap out there. Also, on McCown's freakin 25 yard run, that was pathetic. Both DT's got pushed to the left side of the field and there was a whole the size of a semi truck there. On that play, if theres a push from the middle STRAIGHT ahead, its a sack because Simeon was pressuring from the corner.

[Odysseus]

Red Zone offense is tied into field position.

Where are Special teams when we need a play?

Why can't defense stop the big run? 27th in the league? Our defense gets wore out on routine stuff forcing the offense to carry more than it's really capable of carrying. We might have a 50 points offense but we've got a 30 point leak.

The Broncos aren't executing in the trenchs. Those little things add up towards the end of the season.

I would not worry about the red zone offense until we actually get inside the 20.

[sirhcyennek81]

Give the ball to your money back. Henry can do it.


:Broncos:

[listopencil]

The Red Zone ineffectiveness is caused by ineffectiveness in our running game. Henry and Young have racked up yards but we can't run when we need to run. I've seen all the posts and threads about "Why are people bitching when...we are 2-0....we have exciting players...we shouldn't be expecting too much yet...players are making plays...etc." but the bottom line is that this team is not running the ball or stopping the run effectively. Defenses can line up and shut us down when they want to. Maybe D's are playing the run and that's why Cutler has been able to throw the ball well. Maybe our O-Line needs more time to gel. Maybe our run plays are stale. I noticed against the Raiders that we ran a lot out of some pretty obvious run formations. It seemed to me that there wasn't much of the 1RB/3WR/1TE going on in the run game that I like so much because the D has to stay honest. But...whatever. Go ahead and get upset because I'm complaining.

[fontaine]

This is all O-line related. If the line gets healthy and back at full strength, redzone problems will go away.

Absolutely correct. Our OL, especially our Guards are not consistent enough.

Neither is Pears and Lepsis is still only 80-90%.

Chris Myers is a less techinically sound Ben Hamilton (gets bull rushed backwards), doesn't do a great job in blocking out bodies once he gets to the 2nd level. Holland has his moments and actually looks decent but he's no big deal.

Until we have a better OL, Graham is going to stay at home and help out with the blocking and our running game will be inconsistent (1, 2, 1, then 11 yards).

Case in point: our longest gain so far in the running game has been the Selvin Young run which wasn't a classic zone block play by our OL. It was a shotgun play where our OL was setup to pass block with Cutler handing the ball off.

The positives:

Henry is as tough a runner as I've seen in Denver for some time. He finishes his runs, plows ahead for extra yards and is hard to bring down. This looks good but it's also going to get him tired and worn down in the 4th and late in the season.

Graham: This guy is beautiful to watch. His blocks are textbook and he looks more like a stud OL than our Guards and Tackles. His contributions in blocking have saved our bacon in the running game. I wish we had five more of him so that we could have the perfect OL.

[maher_tyler]

Absolutely correct. Our OL, especially our Guards are not consistent enough.

Neither is Pears and Lepsis is still only 80-90%.

Chris Myers is a less techinically sound Ben Hamilton (gets bull rushed backwards), doesn't do a great job in blocking out bodies once he gets to the 2nd level. Holland has his moments and actually looks decent but he's no big deal.

Until we have a better OL, Graham is going to stay at home and help out with the blocking and our running game will be inconsistent (1, 2, 1, then 11 yards).

Case in point: our longest gain so far in the running game has been the Selvin Young run which wasn't a classic zone block play by our OL. It was a shotgun play where our OL was setup to pass block with Cutler handing the ball off.

The positives:

Henry is as tough a runner as I've seen in Denver for some time. He finishes his runs, plows ahead for extra yards and is hard to bring down. This looks good but it's also going to get him tired and worn down in the 4th and late in the season.

Graham: This guy is beautiful to watch. His blocks are textbook and he looks more like a stud OL than our Guards and Tackles. His contributions in blocking have saved our bacon in the running game. I wish we had five more of him so that we could have the perfect OL.

i remember reading that his ypc goes up as the game goes on?? Which means hes a better RB in the 4th than in the 1st..he wears the defense down. Were not talking about Tatum Bell here, Henry is a beast and hope he runs like that all season long!!