Denver v. Pittsburgh questions

[DarkHorse30]

What does our line do about the loss of Nalen?

Would it be a good time to try someone else at MLB?

Does our offense have the potential to put up enough points to offset our terrible defense?

Will Bates figure out how to get Denver's D up to par?



I have no idea what the O-line will be like without Nalen. Sometimes when a good player gets injured the others pick it up. So far our O-line has been protecting and runblocking ok...can that continue?

The one thing about Webster that I like is that he plays fired up. He's about the only Bronco on defense that ever whoops it up when he makes a play.

Cutler has at least 2 weapons he can look to in Marshall and Stokely. Young may turn out to be a good player if given the chance....and Sheffler should be close enough to being full strength that he can contribute.

This Denver defense has looked so bad this year, it's nearly comical. Except that Denver tried to get the DC that would change things around. Nearly as inept is the ST.....which Denver also tried to change with a new coach. So does Shanahan try to switch things up? I don't think so.

[oubronco]

:ouwknow:

[SonOfLe-loLang]

The dead horse is pleading not to be beaten anymore

[Malcontent]

Good try there Dark, but were all exhausted worrying about the huge news that Priest Holmes is returning soon. Please bear with us...

[BroncoBuff]

What does our line do about the loss of Nalen?
The losses of both Tom Nalen and Ben Hamilton hurt badly ... Chris Myers has at least gotten his feet wet in the lineup, and I think he'k be okay at center. Chris Kuper at LG I'm not so sure. He's always practiced at RG, and was demoted from starter to 2nd string in camp. We'll see.

Would it be a good time to try someone else at MLB?
With the DTs doing such a horrible job, I think it's still too soon to give up on D.J. Williams at Mike. Bates' defensive scheme of course relies on the two DTs occupying 3 or 4 offensive-linemen, thus leaving the MLB free to roam. DJ has had little of that freedom so far, so it's hard to gauge his performance. I've been wont to point out that even Urlacher's and Ray Lewis's games suffered when their DTs were bad. In a way, DJ's lucky that the season has gone south - because he'll probably get a longer leash to grow into the position now.

Does our offense have the potential to put up enough points to offset our terrible defense?
No.

Will Bates figure out how to get Denver's D up to par?
The DTs are so poor, so, NO. Nothing Bates does can make Gordon, Thomas and Adams play better, although Marcus Thomas is the one guy on this roster who's played better each week this year.

I have no idea what the O-line will be like without Nalen. Sometimes when a good player gets injured the others pick it up. So far our O-line has been protecting and runblocking ok...can that continue?
No, but there is really no "so far" yet - Nalen played the entire SD game.

The one thing about Webster that I like is that he plays fired up. He's about the only Bronco on defense that ever whoops it up when he makes a play.
Yes ... he brings some personality to a team without any, but he's very un-disciplined in keeping his assignments. And besides, Lenny Walls and that flag-magnet Karl Paymah whoop it up too, remember.

Cutler has at least 2 weapons he can look to in Marshall and Stokely. Young may turn out to be a good player if given the chance....and Sheffler should be close enough to being full strength that he can contribute.
Good points ... we have excellent offensive skill position people. And you ommitted Javon Walker!

The Denver defense has looked so bad this year, it's nearly comical. Except that Denver tried to get the DC that would change things around. Nearly as inept is the ST.....which Denver also tried to change with a new coach. So does Shanahan try to switch things up? I don't think so.
Way too early to scrap the system ... and again, the Bates scheme starts with DTs, and our DTs are all scrubs. I still think Jarvis Moss wouldda been better off as a Demarcus Ware-type 3-4 guy. It seems counter-intuitive to draft a guy and immediately ask him to gain 15 pounds ...

Oh well, my three cents. I also wouldda traded this year and next year's #1s for the rights to Uber-MLB tackling machine Patrick Willis, plus a 2nd rounder for Kris Jenkins - an elite 340+ lb DT who was available. Plus now that I see Christian Fauria is on the Panthers roster, so it seems clear that Stephen Alexander might've been trade-bait for Jenkins. The Panthers were bare at TE this past off-season, and SA has the same skill-set as Fauria and is a bit younger. But I'm not always right! ... we did not re-sign Kyle Johnson ;D

[Hogan11]

We're gonna sink with the Bates D until the players "get it"....which'll probably happen in week 12. No way will they scrap it, not even if the team loses 10 in a row.

[broncocalijohn]

best thing to do is run. really far away but i like the fact that a broncos fan is still interested in our ..... WAIT! Holmes is coming back. Holmes is coming back. Gotta go. Figure it out yourself .

[62Olinesdad]

I may be a bit biased but I feel that the best possible scenario for the O line has been set with Chris at center and Kupes at left guard. Chris K is VERY capable of playing left guard and Chris M has played center in numerous pre season games and practices. The O line has been playing very well this season so far and I think they are one of the better units to date. I think this time next week a lot of answers to everyones worries will be settled. The O line will work together and pick up the slack I feel very confident on that.

[Octavias]

From a steeler point of view, Here are my questions:

1. How will the Broncos handle the leagues second best rush game

2. Will all the steelers stars be back in time for the game

3 How will Ike Taylor handle covering Walker (if he plays) since he had his worse day as a pro vs him last year (or: was last year because walker was better, bad luck, or the fact that Taylor thought he didnt have to practice since he won a super bowl last year)

4. will the steelers d give up a first half touchdown for the first time this year?

5. When do the talking heads around the league realize Ben Roethlisberger is having his best year yet?

6. Will the Broncos line, sans Nalen be able to handle the steelers pass rush

7. will this be the game that a runningback gets 100 yards on them?

8. how many TDs will the steelers TE's get?

9. Does denver come out fired up after that last loss, or do they roll over and die?

10. Which version of the steelers young right side OLmen will show up, the ones that play all out and look like furute pro bowlers or the ones that play halfheartedly and let guys blow past them?

Id say they are all fair points to ponder. Im on record saying I dont like the way this game feels. I hope I am wrong

[fontaine]

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/nfl/article/0,2777,DRMN_23918_5723845,00.html

October 16, 2007

. . . .

The Steelers have the league's No. 1 defense in yards and points allowed per game.

And the man behind the big headset is Dick LeBeau.

LeBeau is in his second stint as Steelers defensive coordinator, but he has been stirring up things in the league for more than three decades.

People know his game, but LeBeau, calling plays under first-year Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, has been set free.

. . . .

The result: The Steelers posted a shutout two Sundays ago without two Pro Bowl selections - safety Troy Polamalu and nose tackle Casey Hampton - in the lineup.

They now are an ever-changing formation before the snap, giving quarterbacks fits, and defensive end Brett Keisel - a native of Greybull, Wyo. - has been the most movable piece on the board as he shows up all over the field.

Eight Steelers players have produced sacks in five games and Pittsburgh hasn't surrendered a 100-yard rusher in the past 30 games.

Yikes! - damn, is that even legal?

Break it down

At its best, Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's zone blitz - a defensive lineman or two drops out of the rush as other players at linebacker or the secondary are added - always has been difficult for a quarterback to read.

The difficulty comes from players showing up unexpectedly in the passing lanes. But it's also tough for the quarterback to find the rushers before the snap because the same players don't always come upfield.

It also can be difficult for offensive linemen to pick and choose whom to take and whom to pass off to the adjacent lineman.

LeBeau's scheme has been especially difficult to read this season because players such as James Farrior, who weren't often added to the rush in the past, are showing up all the time this season. Farrior leads the team with four sacks.

Pro personnel scouts say the Steelers have manufactured the majority of their sacks out of four- and five-man rushes. The difficulty for the quarterback and his linemen is most of those four- and five-man rushes are coming out of seven- and eight-man fronts.

The Broncos will have to find the four or five headed to the quarterback before one of them gets to Jay Cutler. That might mean balancing out the formation with some two-tight-end looks so the Steelers have a more difficult time disguising their overloading one side of the formation or the other.

Get it done

When the Broncos won at Pittsburgh last season, they were plus-6 in turnovers. They forced six fumbles, recovering three of them, and intercepted Ben Roethlisberger three times.

The Broncos got the early lead - 14-0 in the first quarter - and Javon Walker had 134 receiving yards to go with a 72-yard touchdown run.

Times change, however.

This season, the Steelers have outscored their first five opponents 57-6 in the first half, they are plus-4 in turnovers and Walker has missed the Broncos' past two games because of swelling on the back of his surgically repaired right knee.

All in all, the Broncos, having been outscored 61-46 in the first half this season, have to find some continuity out of the gate. The scripted portion of the opening half must yield some points because playing from behind is not the way to deal with the Pittsburgh defense.

Hot spot

Last season, besides intercepting three of his passes, the Broncos sacked Ben Roethlisberger four times in a 31-20 win. Despite Roethlisberger's 433 passing yards in the November game, the Broncos forced turnovers on the Steelers' last two possessions to close out things.

However, in the Broncos' playoff loss to the Steelers to end the 2005 season, Roethlisberger stood largely unbothered in the pocket to go 21-of-29 with two touchdowns.

The Broncos have had neither a sack nor forced a turnover in their past two games, but they'll need consistent pressure in this one. In Pittsburgh's previous game, the Seahawks sacked Roethlisberger three times, but Seattle also forced just four incompletions.

The Broncos need to force the issue up front, especially in the middle of the field, and get up into Roethlisberger's face, which hasn't happened consistently this season.

Match game

Broncos LBs vs. Steelers RB Willie Parker

Parker might be only 5-foot-10, 209 pounds, but the Steelers hand him the ball like he's a much bigger back.

Last season, on his way to 1,494 rushing yards, Parker carried the ball at least 22 times in eight games, and in four of those, he had at least 29 carries. He's explosive, and if he clears the first wave of defenders, a big play is in the offing.

He's lower than most defenders, so those who don't take his legs out from under him usually watch him add a little more on to the run.

The Broncos have not consistently tackled well this season, and they will have to in this one or it's almost a sure thing they will add another tally mark to the loss column.

Parker has 17 career 100-yard games, including four this season. The Steelers are 16-1 in those games.

Numbers game

If his form of 2007 holds, Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is due for a dip in his play. His passer rating and interception totals this season sport an every-other-game look:

Date Opponent Comp. Att. Yards TDs Int. Rating

Sept. 9 at Cleveland 12 23 161 4 0 114.3

Sept. 16 Buffalo 21 34 242 1 1 80.8

Sept. 23 San Francisco 13 20 160 1 0 106.2

Sept. 30 at Arizona 17 32 244 2 2 72.9

Oct. 7 Seattle 18 22 206 1 0 120.8

[BroncoBuff]

1. How will the Broncos handle the leagues second best rush game?
Not well.

2. Will all the steelers stars be back in time for the game?
You're the Steelers fan - you answer that.

3 How will Ike Taylor handle covering Walker (if he plays) since he had his worse day as a pro vs him last year (or: was last year because walker was better, bad luck, or the fact that Taylor thought he didnt have to practice since he won a super bowl last year)
Javon will get his - if healthy.

4. will the steelers d give up a first half touchdown for the first time this year?
Probably. A no-touchdown first half for the Broncos is very rare, and the Broncos' strength is offensive skill positions (and secondary). Shanahan has some kind of record for 1st quarter and 1st possession scoring too.

5. When do the talking heads around the league realize Ben Roethlisberger is having his best year yet?
I'm not sure they're failing to realize that, I've heard it plenty. I think maybe they're focusing on Brady and Manning - 2 of the best 5 QBs in the history of the game, and the Pats - who one talking head calkled the best team in NFL history through 6 games.

6. Will the Broncos line, sans Nalen be able to handle the steelers pass rush?
No, not yet. Expect a few rollouts and gadget plays.

7. will this be the game that a runningback gets 100 yards on them?
50/50, leaning toward yes. Depends on the gameplan. A 100-yard back is always do-able in Denver.

8. how many TDs will the steelers TE's get?
More than their WRs. Our CBs are the only thing to fear on our defense, so why go there?

9. Does denver come out fired up after that last loss, or do they roll over and die?
Fired up. Too early for rollover, it's too early. We're just 1/2 game outta first place after all.

10. Which version of the steelers young right side OLmen will show up, the ones that play all out and look like furute pro bowlers or the ones that play halfheartedly and let guys blow past them?
The ones who play over Amon Gordon will do just fine.

[defenseman]

Good try there Dark, but were all exhausted worrying about the huge news that Priest Holmes is returning soon. Please bear with us...

I could care freaking less, the broncos are a sorry bunch right now. You could draft my grandmother as a RB against the broncos D and she'd notch a couple of TD's and rush for 150+...dman

[defenseman]

Not well.


You're the Steelers fan - you answer that.


Javon will get his - if healthy.


Probably. A no-touchdown first half for the Broncos is very rare, and the Broncos' strength is offensive skill positions (and secondary). Shanahan has some kind of record for 1st quarter and 1st possession scoring too.


I'm not sure they're failing to realize that, I've heard it plenty. I think maybe they're focusing on Brady and Manning - 2 of the best 5 QBs in the history of the game, and the Pats - who one talking head calkled the best team in NFL history through 6 games.


No, not yet. Expect a few rollouts and gadget plays.


50/50, leaning toward yes. Depends on the gameplan. A 100-yard back is always do-able in Denver.


More than their WRs. Our CBs are the only thing to fear on our defense, so why go there?


Fired up. Too early for rollover, it's too early. We're just 1/2 game outta first place after all.


The ones who play over Amon Gordon will do just fine.

You honestly believe this? I'm guessing the bronco O scores maybe 10 pts, I'm guessing 13 or 14 tops. The bronco D? Again will set record lows and get smoked hard on the ground. I see no reason to believe otherwise given their very poor play to date. Exceedingly poor is a better description. I'm guessing the steelers may embarass them if given the opportunity, and the broncos D seems to be handing out plenty of opportunities of late.......Shanahan said, no changes during the bye week, why should we expect them to do better this week against the Steelers? Sorry, don't see where you are coming from on this one..dman

[bronco militia]

Probably. A no-touchdown first half for the Broncos is very rare, and the Broncos' strength is offensive skill positions (and secondary). Shanahan has some kind of record for 1st quarter and 1st possession scoring too.



.

those days are long gone....

[defenseman]

We're gonna sink with the Bates D until the players "get it"....which'll probably happen in week 12. No way will they scrap it, not even if the team loses 10 in a row.

Just goes to show you, if it transpires as you have laid out, Shanahan has lost some lustre.......dman

[HorseHead]

we need to score td's off of those first 15 plays that will be scripted beautifully...watch...3's will not cut it....

we come out fired up...the all blues will be on...and i'm saying right now, the world gets to meet Elvis...DOOM is going to have a game...2 sacks, fumble recovery..

[defenseman]

we need to score td's off of those first 15 plays that will be scripted beautifully...watch...3's will not cut it....

we come out fired up...the all blues will be on...and i'm saying right now, the world gets to meet Elvis...DOOM is going to have a game...2 sacks, fumble recovery..

Give them a call, I'm sure they'd be glad to hear from you. I'm guessing though, presently, it would be falling on deaf ears. They appear to be not listening to anyone right now....dman

[NYC Bronco]

Willie Parker may run for 200

[defenseman]

those days are long gone....

That, is a factoid someone missed...dman

*Glory days are gone boys and girls, the lustre is worn off, time for some re-calibration..

[bronclvr]

Sunday night is not going to be fun.......(Gawd I hope I'm wrong)-

[defenseman]

Sunday night is not going to be fun.......(Gawd I hope I'm wrong)-

I'm thinking there is some good movies on sunday nite. So, it may not be as bad as you think..dman

[bronclvr]

I'm thinking there is some good movies on sunday nite. So, it may not be as bad as you think..dman

Great idea! (I just can't deal with the pain-):injured:

[c_lazy_r]

I'm thinking there is some good movies on sunday nite. So, it may not be as bad as you think..dman

You're killing me with all this doom and gloom. The season is NOT over after 5 games. Yes, we've struggled so far but there is absolutely no reason to throw in the towel yet.

No quit in this fan.

[BroncoBuff]

You honestly believe this? I'm guessing the bronco O scores maybe 10 pts, I'm guessing 13 or 14 tops.
I don't know what you're disagreeing with, I didn't say they'd score 30 or anything ...

I understand things look bad now, but the sky is not falling - at least not on offense. Our skill people on offense are excellent. Cutler is still learning, but anybody who thinks his San Diego performance will be repeated over and over are either: 1) not watching closely, or 2) are overly pessimistic. Plus, Shanahan has I think an all-time record for opening drive touchdowns, and even with the two young Chrises on the O-line, I would not bet against a first quarter Denver TD.

THE SKY IS NOT FALLING! WE WILL SCORE 20+! Anybody wanna bet avatars? :~ohyah!:

.

[Beantown Bronco]

Plus, Shanahan has I think an all-time record for opening drive touchdowns

This is the 2nd thread in which you've tried to pass this off as fact, but it isn't. The Broncos have scored a whole "one" opening drive TD so far this season, and last year was just as bad.

At one time the Broncos were money in the bank on opening drives, but those days have been over for some time now.

[Inkana7]

The worst part? I'm heading over to my girlfriend's Steeler-obsessed mother's house to watch the game. Oh lord...

[No1BroncoFan]

Would it be a good time to try someone else at MLB?
Nah, the Rockies are doing just fine at MLB. ;D

Ben

[BroncoBuff]

Plus, Shanahan has I think an all-time record for opening drive touchdownsThis is the 2nd thread in which you've tried to pass this off as fact, but it isn't. The Broncos have scored a whole "one" opening drive TD so far this season, and last year was just as bad.
When you say "I think," it means you're not entirely sure, weiner. And when I said "some kind of record," it meant I'm not clear which one it is - but I do know he/the team hold or held some kind of opening-drive scoring record this year. You're the one who seems so sure - sure he DOESN'T have a record like that (and btw, it's not the second thread, it's the second post in THIS thread).

We'll see ... wanna make a little wager that we score a first-qtr TD? How about avatars? :~ohyah!:

Actually, the SD game was bad, but we had the #5 offense in the league going in, why does one horrible game cause you to lose so much faith? And Shanahan has the extra week, too ... It's a slight reach even for my optimism, but I will wager a friendly bet we score a first quarter touchdown. :thumbs:

.

[Jason in LA]

Take the negative and you'll answer all your questions.

[Beantown Bronco]

Actually, the SD game was bad, but we had the #5 offense in the league going in, why does one horrible game cause you to lose so much faith?

One horrible game? This scoring offense has been crappy all season long.

That ranking you cling to has NOTHING to do with TD scores. It's based solely on yardage. They have gone two entire games this season without scoring any TDs. They've scored a whole 6 TDs all season, and only 2 of those came in first quarters. Yikes.

[DarkHorse30]

painful year...but Denver has been due one of those for a while now. There's only so many years you can go before paying the piper, and this is one of those years (last Denver sub .500 year was '99)......presumably.

However, since I'm an optimist, I presume the following:

Denver's D will improve.

Denver's ST will also get better.

Denver has not had this much talent on the offensive side of the ball since '98.
We may actually win this game.

Go Rockies.

[azbroncfan]

The only question I have is can Denver hold Parker to under 200 yards?

[RkyMtnThunder]

What does our line do about the loss of Nalen?

What other choice do they have? Plug in a backup and hope for the best.



Would it be a good time to try someone else at MLB?

Doubtful anyone available at this point in the season would provide much impact.



Does our offense have the potential to put up enough points to offset our terrible defense?

Yes, the 'potential' is and has always been there. Having it manifest seems to be a different story. They are due a good game sooner or later. Tough to say if it comes this week or not, obviously I hope so.



Will Bates figure out how to get Denver's D up to par?

Million dollar question! Bate's scheme was supposedly 'simple' so I am really confused at why players havent seemed to respond to it yet.

That and Sam Adams and other defensive line FA pickups have all been busts - that doesnt help matters much.

[go_broncos]

We are horrible on defense..

When the team doesn't have talented player's , it doesn't matter if we have bye week or not.

We will lose by more than 14+ points.

PIT 40
DEN 13

[RINGLEADER]

I do have to say that Denver's defense is spectacularly bad this year -- I'm surprised that Shanahan has allowed it to reach this level of mediocrity. I may root against your team but they're usually prepared and play hard. What's happened?

[Moon§hiner]

I'm thinking there is some good movies on sunday nite. So, it may not be as bad as you think..dman
My brother and I always talk during the game or after the game and he asks me what I thought of the movie. Some weeks it has a happy ending, some it's a sad one. Maybe it's just our way of distancing ourselves from the pain from a sad movie. I'll watch the "movie" again this week, not knowing how it's going to end and hope it has a happy ending....then I'll tune in again next week, knowing that I have no control of the ending.

[RINGLEADER]

One horrible game? This scoring offense has been crappy all season long.

That ranking you cling to has NOTHING to do with TD scores. It's based solely on yardage. They have gone two entire games this season without scoring any TDs. They've scored a whole 6 TDs all season, and only 2 of those came in first quarters. Yikes.


So true. You guys are piling up yards but are averaging the same number of points per game that the offensive juggernaut :strong: Chiefs score.

[go_broncos]

I do have to say that Denver's defense is spectacularly bad this year -- I'm surprised that Shanahan has allowed it to reach this level of mediocrity. I may root against your team but they're usually prepared and play hard. What's happened?

When we made the offseason moves..i immediately thought of Washington Redskins..

Redskins always try to get someone in offseason and most of the player's are busts..

This is the current situation of broncos.

[DarkHorse30]

When we made the offseason moves..i immediately thought of Washington Redskins..

Redskins always try to get someone in offseason and most of the player's are busts..

This is the current situation of broncos.

Snyder tends to overpay for hyped players. The only one....that wasn't exactly hyped, really...that we overpaid for was Henry; but he IS the football player we thought he was, leading the league in yards over the first 4 games. Yes, he has problems with the Devil weed; maybe he could consult Alec for help in this area.....or at least how to do it without getting into too much trouble.

The one area where I had hoped we would be following the redskins example was the hiring of an established DC. Williams revamped the Washington defense. I was hoping Bates would do the same. But consider what Bates is trying to do.....

-replace the MLB; with a player who has never played the position
-find impact safeties...with little or no help from draftday....ever.
-find large and in charge DTs like he's used to building his defense around: with little or no help from the front office
-rely on Bly and Champ to shut down the secondary; score one for Bates, right? Only when you can run all over a team, why pass?

So, to judge the ability of Bates based on so little help from Shanahan getting him established talent....is pointless. The guy has to teach our defense how to run his system, and stop the run. Apparently it's easier said than done with so little help from the top.

On the offense side of the ball, Shanahan likely has everybody he needs.....if he can get everybody healthy. A healthy Walker and Marshall is probably in the top 5 of WRs......and Stokely is likely the #3 we've never had. Sheffler, is still a question because his injury is slowing his progress. Henry is the chugger (if he doesn't get suspended, the idiot) and Young looks like a viable rookie candidate for future RB.

So what do we honestly expect from our team? To get better.....to get healthy.....and to learn the offense and defense as best they can. IMO, the defense can only get better.....because they've been so horrible at stopping the run. The offense has the skill players it needs to put points up.....but will need time to gel, especially with 2 of the key players coming off injury. The ST HAS to get better. Starting at the 20 and defending from the 45 is not the key to special special teams.

Bottom line: fire Dennison and Tuten. Just kidding......but seriously, Tuten should be looking for work with the amount of injuries this team has dealt with in the last 5 years.

[Los Broncos]

The worst part? I'm heading over to my girlfriend's Steeler-obsessed mother's house to watch the game. Oh lord...

Hang in there, i use to go to this Steeler bar for games.

It was brutal man, but this year we can watch from home.