One problem with this defensive "scheme"

[The MVPlaya]

Through 4 games, it's pretty obvious. Outside of not blitzing enough, our dlineman are taught to play the rush or the pass before the play actually occurs.

For those who record games, just take a look.

On downs where it seems to be a running play, our dlineman will NOT try to penetrate after the snap. Instead they will hold their position to prevent the run. Once they realize it's a passing play, they will start pushing once it's way too late.

It's very obvious...and it usually happens on first downs.

This is Slowik's way of stopping the run. Not over penetrating and creating essentially a wall with our dlineman leaving opportunities for our LB's to stop the RB.

Watch the top defenses in the league, and you'll realize they will penetrate and attack the ball on EVERY DOWN.

This is bull****.

[footstepsfrom#27]

Slow-wit sucks and so does his "scheme"...whatever it is. This _efense has become the personal punching bag for even a piece of crap team like the Chiefs. If Shanny keeps this pile more than another 4 games he needs to call Jim Bates and apologize. At this point I don't think they could stop CSU or Air Force from hanging at least 20 points on 'em.

Larry Coyer must be laughing hysterically.

[fontaine]

So uh, which DL are going to be able to penetrate if we change the scheme?

Peterson? Thomas? Or did you have Moss/Engelberger/Dumervil in mind?

We could have all four guys attack upfield but our DEs except for Engelberger are weak against the run and Robertson was inactive. All that would have achieved is KC calling more screen plays while their OL pave over the two undersized LBers we have in Bailey/Webster and non existent safeties.

It would be different if we had stud safeties like Lynch in his prime, excellent tacklers along with 250/260 lb Line backers built to excel against the run. Then we could draft and build a quick DL that could penetrate upfield more often against the run.

That last LB we drafted that was a thumper against the running game was Terry Pierce and he never saw action on the field. The rest of the LBers are coverage guys built for speed, not power.

[Broncoman13]

Through 4 games, it's pretty obvious. Outside of not blitzing enough, our dlineman are taught to play the rush or the pass before the play actually occurs.

For those who record games, just take a look.

On downs where it seems to be a running play, our dlineman will NOT try to penetrate after the snap. Instead they will hold their position to prevent the run. Once they realize it's a passing play, they will start pushing once it's way too late.

It's very obvious...and it usually happens on first downs.

This is Slowik's way of stopping the run. Not over penetrating and creating essentially a wall with our dlineman leaving opportunities for our LB's to stop the RB.

Watch the top defenses in the league, and you'll realize they will penetrate and attack the ball on EVERY DOWN.

This is bull****.

You'll also notice that Jarvis Moss, Doom, and Engleberger only bull rush as they cannot do anything else for fear of losing their responsibilities vs the run. This is not a Slowik scheme. This has been a part of our defense since Shanny got involved in the Ray Rhodes days. Trevor Pryce spoke publicly about his frustration with the defense and playing the run and reacting to the pass. If you go back about 4 years, there was a poor start to the season and then Coyer finally "turned" them lose against the Chiefs. Trevor Pryce was nearly unstoppable that night. Everyone was excited but the following week we returned to the same ole, same ole. This defense is built specifically to stop the run. The feeling is that on first and second down, if you don't allow 4 yards per and put them in third and long, you'll eventually get a stop on third down. Also after last year's gashing vs the run, I can see why we'd focus primarily on stopping the run.

Like I mentioned in the Jimmy Johnson thread. I don't see this defense having inferior talent, except at safety when compared to say the Eagles. I think Marcus Thomas and Dwayne Robertson are Good. Elvis is good. Jarvis is avg. Engleberger is actually above average. DJ excellent. Nate Webster is slightly above average. Boss Bailey is above average-good. Champ is great. Dre is above average to good. McCree and Manuel are both average. It all comes down to scheme. As I said in the thread for JJ style d, blitz your ass off. The worst that can happen is you give up 33 points to a team that had only scored 30 in the first 3 games of the season! If that doesn't embarrass Mike Shanahan it should! Come up with some creative blitz schemes. Especially out of that 3-4. The concern is that they'll pick us apart with the quick passes. Then play your CBs up and bring the pressure from two of the LBs and drop the other two into quick zones, but change up which two! Eventually we'll force a QB into a mistake! How many INTs do we have this season as it stands?!?

[Broncoman13]

So uh, which DL are going to be able to penetrate if we change the scheme?

Peterson? Thomas? Or did you have Moss/Engelberger/Dumervil in mind?

We could have all four guys attack upfield but our DEs except for Engelberger are weak against the run and Robertson was inactive. All that would have achieved is KC calling more screen plays while their OL pave over the two undersized LBers we have in Bailey/Webster and non existent safeties.

It would be different if we had stud safeties like Lynch in his prime, excellent tacklers along with 250/260 lb Line backers built to excel against the run. Then we could draft and build a quick DL that could penetrate upfield more often against the run.

That last LB we drafted that was a thumper against the running game was Terry Pierce and he never saw action on the field. The rest of the LBers are coverage guys built for speed, not power.

So what is your answer genius. You're pretty good at discrediting and arguing against everyone else's answers/suggestions. What is yours?

[NaptownChief]

Well the one thing that needs to happen is that the Rat needs to fire the DC and refuse any personal blame. Oh wait he has already done that several times.

[fontaine]

So what is your answer genius. You're pretty good at discrediting and arguing against everyone else's answers/suggestions. What is yours?

Your previous post is so homerish what's the point of responding?

Like I mentioned in the Jimmy Johnson thread. I don't see this defense having inferior talent, except at safety when compared to say the Eagles.

:spit:

The Eagles have a border line hall of famer in Brian Dawkins, three pro bowl types in Asante Samuel, Litto Shep, Sheldon Brown, and along the front four they're stacked with guys like Darren Howard, Cole, Patterson, Bunkley as their stars and then filled with backups who actually have a pedigree instead of being unemployed the last couple of years or roster cuts like Nic Clemons, Shaw or any other garbage we trot out at DL.

LBers are a wash maybe with DJ giving us the edge but the Eagles not only have athletic, and fast DLmen but guys who have experience and are starting to round into their potential. That's the biggest difference.

When we blitz, guys like McCree get their head kicked in because our DL is single blocked, whereas OLs have to get help just to stop the Ealges front four even without the blitz. That's the biggest difference and has been for years.

We've got guys playing that are still projects like Moss/Crowder/Thomas along the front four with scrubs like Peterson, Shaw etc. So there is no comparison.

As to suggestions and solutions I've already offered plenty (like having a guy with a track record to drafting D talent in the FO, continuing to build through the draft with high picks dedicated to DL instead of projects, and paying real money for good FAs instead of bringing in the usual bottom feeders)
instead of the usual knee jerk crap like fire Slowik, or blitz more!!!

[i4jelway7]

Through 4 games, it's pretty obvious. Outside of not blitzing enough, our dlineman are taught to play the rush or the pass before the play actually occurs.

For those who record games, just take a look.

On downs where it seems to be a running play, our dlineman will NOT try to penetrate after the snap. Instead they will hold their position to prevent the run. Once they realize it's a passing play, they will start pushing once it's way too late.

It's very obvious...and it usually happens on first downs.

This is Slowik's way of stopping the run. Not over penetrating and creating essentially a wall with our dlineman leaving opportunities for our LB's to stop the RB.

Watch the top defenses in the league, and you'll realize they will penetrate and attack the ball on EVERY DOWN.

This is bull****.

Wow you hit the nail on the head, this is the problem and has been for years.. we need to BLITZ, BLITZ, & then BLITZ some more, I'd rather get burned b/c you are blitzing than get burnt b/c you are getting picked apart and only rushing 4 lineman w/ no pressure what so ever

[Beantown Bronco]

Like I mentioned in the Jimmy Johnson thread. I don't see this defense having inferior talent, except at safety when compared to say the Eagles. I think Marcus Thomas and Dwayne Robertson are Good. Elvis is good. Jarvis is avg. Engleberger is actually above average. DJ excellent. Nate Webster is slightly above average. Boss Bailey is above average-good. Champ is great. Dre is above average to good. McCree and Manuel are both average.

So you are saying that, outside of 3 or 4 guys, our entire defense would be starting on at least 20 other teams in the league? And those 3 or 4 other (average) guys by definition would be starting on about half the teams in the league? I'm in pain right now from laughing.

[NaptownChief]

So you are saying that, outside of 3 or 4 guys, our entire defense would be starting on at least 20 other teams in the league? I'm in pain right now from laughing.


Orlandis Gary and Mike Anderson were worth 1st rounders in a trade as well. Tatum Bell was better than Larry Johnson.

These ideas have to come from somebody. ;D

[crawdad]

It's Olandis Gary. He didn't come from Orlando.

[fontaine]

So you are saying that, outside of 3 or 4 guys, our entire defense would be starting on at least 20 other teams in the league? And those 3 or 4 other (average) guys by definition would be starting on about half the teams in the league? I'm in pain right now from laughing.

No kidding.

OSKIE, you want to call Andy Reid to trade their DL for ours right now considering you don't think our talent is inferior than theirs?

Maybe if you throw in a double cheeseburger and chocolate milk shake he'll bite huh?

ROFL!

[BroncoFanatic]

The Eagles have a border line hall of famer in Brian Dawkins, three pro bowl types in Asante Samuel, Litto Shep, Sheldon Brown, and along the front four they're stacked with guys like Darren Howard, Cole, Patterson, Bunkley as their stars and then filled with backups who actually have a pedigree instead of being unemployed the last couple of years or roster cuts like Nic Clemons, Shaw or any other garbage we trot out at DL.

LBers are a wash maybe with DJ giving us the edge but the Eagles not only have athletic, and fast DLmen but guys who have experience and are starting to round into their potential. That's the biggest difference.

When we blitz, guys like McCree get their head kicked in because our DL is single blocked, whereas OLs have to get help just to stop the Ealges front four even without the blitz. That's the biggest difference and has been for years.

We've got guys playing that are still projects like Moss/Crowder/Thomas along the front four with scrubs like Peterson, Shaw etc. So there is no comparison.

As to suggestions and solutions I've already offered plenty (like having a guy with a track record to drafting D talent in the FO, continuing to build through the draft with high picks dedicated to DL instead of projects, and paying real money for good FAs instead of bringing in the usual bottom feeders)
instead of the usual knee jerk crap like fire Slowik, or blitz more!!!

You're over estimating the Eagles talent, IMO. They are good, but not great talent-wise. They are in a system that allows them to succeed though, unlike our guys

[broncofan2438]

Third and longs just kill us, it seems when it is third and anymore than 7, they get a first down on us

[BroncoBen]

The feeling is that on first and second down, if you don't allow 4 yards per and put them in third and long, you'll eventually get a stop on third down. Also after last year's gashing vs the run, I can see why we'd focus primarily on stopping the run.


You bring up a very good point.. The Broncos play the run first, then react and try to rush the passer when they see the play is a pass.

The Broncos try to force a 3rd and long situation.. but the problem is on those 3 and long downs... they get no pressure when they rush the passer.

I wish the Broncos would play like the Ravens or Steelers did last night.. those teams bring it every down. Compared to these teams.. the Broncos play defense very conservatively.

[JCMElway]

We used to have a pretty good defense during the Greg Robinson days. Not great, but we certainly made plays when we needed to. What's the difference between that scheme and what we have been running?

[NaptownChief]

It's Olandis Gary. He didn't come from Orlando.



and if he was more than journeyman turd I likely would have known how it was spelled.

[rovolution]

We used to have a pretty good defense during the Greg Robinson days. Not great, but we certainly made plays when we needed to. What's the difference between that scheme and what we have been running?

Robinson's Dline was light years better than what we have (Neil Smith, Alfred Williams, Tanuvasa, Pryce, Traylor, and Lodish).

We had better safety play as well with Atwater and Braxton.

Overall we had much better plays at most of the positions.

[NaptownChief]

One thing to keep in mind with Robinson is he used that zone blitzing scheme that Dom Capers ran. It worked great in the begining because it was new to lineman and offenses. After a few years they knew enough about it that it wasn't that effective because it basically just meant olinemen would pick up and block undersized linebackers. The problem with Robinson is he never changed or made any adjustements and completely lost his effectiveness.

[peacepipe]

We used to have a pretty good defense during the Greg Robinson days. Not great, but we certainly made plays when we needed to. What's the difference between that scheme and what we have been running?LBs, with the exception of DJ Williams we got perrenial back ups playing starter for us. We weren't this bad on defense when we had Al Wilson(before he started to fall apart) & co. Our LBing core used to be the strength of our Def. We weren't a top 5 defense but a top 10-15 defense which is what we need. As of right now all a RB has to do is get past a Dlineman & it's off to the races.

[DenverBrit]

September 30, 2008
THE COMMON DENOMINATOR
During the Broncos constant struggles to generate a pass rush, one thing has remained a constant
By James Merilatt

The Broncos can’t generate a pass rush. Anyone watching the team’s defense haplessly attempt to corral the opposition’s quarterback on a weekly basis can attest to this fact. Whether playing a 4-3, a 3-4 or any other combination of defensive linemen and linebackers, Denver rarely gets near the other team’s passer.

The stats bear out this observation. Through four games this season, the Broncos have recorded a grand total of five sacks, putting them on pace for a measly 20 in 2008. That paltry total would have been good enough for 32nd – dead last – in the NFL a year ago.

Needless to say, that’s not going to get it done. If the Broncos hope to achieve anything this year, they’ll need a better effort from their defense than they’ve received through the first quarter of the season. And if that’s going to happen, Denver will need to generate a much better pass rush during the upcoming dozen games.

While the Broncos don’t figure to remain on a last-place pace, there isn’t much reason to believe they’ll see significant improvement. A year ago, Denver was in the bottom half of the NFL with a mere 33.5 sacks. This continued a tradition of dwindling numbers, a trend that has began in 2002.

In the six full seasons beginning with that campaign, the Broncos have averaged 35 sacks per year. In the half dozen before that date, they averaged 44.

During this downward spiral, Denver has certainly tried to mix things up. After Greg Robinson was let go as the team’s defensive coordinator, Mike Shanahan has tried Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer, Jim Bates and now Bob Slowik – all to varying degrees of the same level of mediocrity. And the Broncos have certainly shuffled the deck on the personnel front, as well.

Since 2002, they’ve drafted 11 defensive linemen. Three more have been brought in as unrestricted free agents. Another seven have arrived via trade. And at least 13 more have been signed off the scrap heap. That’s a grand total of 34 d-linemen for those of you scoring at home.

That’s four different defensive coordinators, employing at least as many systems, and nearly three dozen different players, all in an effort to jump start a dormant pass rush. For the most part, it’s all gone for naught. New faces and schemes have had little impact, especially during the past three-plus seasons, when the Broncos have averaged less than two sacks per game.

If new coaches and players haven’t solved Denver’s riddle in the trenches, perhaps it’s time to begin searching for other answers. Maybe the answer is the guy hired to coach the Broncos defensive line.

Jacob Burney arrived in the Mile High City in 2002 after three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He inherited a defensive line that had helped the Broncos record at least 40 sacks in five of the previous six seasons – a group led by All-Pro Trevor Pryce. During his six-plus years in Denver, the Broncos have been on a steady decline.

While not all of this slip can be blamed on Burney, he certainly bears a fair share of the responsibility. His defensive lines simply haven’t gotten it done.

Since Burney arrived in Denver, the Broncos have drafted Dorsett Davis and Monsanto Pope in 2002; Nick Eason, Bryant McNeal, Aaron Hunt and Clint Mitchell a year later; Elvis Dumervil in ’06; the trio of Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas a year ago; and Carlton Powell this past April. With the exception of Dumervil, Burney hasn’t gotten anything out of this group. Not only did he fail to develop any of these 11 players into stars, he couldn’t pull even the slightest contribution out of most of them.

But it’s not just in the draft that the Broncos have searched for answers along the defensive line. They’ve looked under every rock imaginable.

Lional Dalton, Daryl Gardener and Marco Coleman were unrestricted free agents who didn’t pan out. Ellis Johnson, John Engelberger, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers, Gerard Warren, Jimmy Kennedy and Dewayne Robertson were all acquired via trade, with Ekuban being the only one to have contributed in any significant manner. Simeon Rice, Sam Adams, Amon Gordon, Alvin McKinley, Kenny Peterson, Josh Mallard, Kenard Lang, Demetrian Veal, Courtney Brown, Raylee Johnson, Mario Fatafehi and Darius Holland were brought in and given a chance; only Peterson remains on the roster.

That’s a lot of guys – with varying degrees of skills and experience – who have failed to blossom under Burney’s watch. Perhaps the coach has been dealt a hand consisting of 34 crappy cards. But doesn’t that seem unlikely? Doesn’t it stand to reason that a few diamonds in the rough were mixed in there somewhere?

Something tells me that if these same 34 players had arrived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or any other NFL city where they know how to get after the opposing team’s quarterback, they’d have done more than they have in Denver. Something tells me they would have been “coached up.” Instead, they’ve simply been a part of the revolving door along the defensive line for the Broncos.

Maybe it’s them and not Burney. But I’m reminded of the gal who has a different “boyfriend” every month, only to repeatedly discover that none of them are the “one.” At some point, it’s hard to ignore the common denominator. Eventually, it’s not them; it’s you.

The Broncos have tried draft picks, free agents and trade acquisitions. They’ve gone through different defensive coordinators and rolled out a variety of systems in an effort to generate a better pass rush. All to no avail. Perhaps it’s time to look at the one thing that hasn’t changed. Perhaps it’s time to ask whether or not Jacob Burney is getting the job done.

http://www.milehighsports.com/daily_september_30.php

[NaptownChief]

Probably time to hire a head coach that knows something about defense. Let Shanny stay around as the OC. ;D

[gyldenlove]

I have a plan!

We start Ekuban, Thomas, Robertson and Crowder on the defensive line. We rotate in Moss, Peterson, Dumervil and Engelberger as the situation requires, but we keep the starting 4 on the field for about 65% of the snaps. We have all 4 push inside and we have 1 of them stunt on every play. We start Koutouvides in the middle and let either him or DJ blitz from the outside on every play in a run blitz. Boss Bailey mans up on the best recieving tight end on every play and DJ or K2 whoever is not blitzing is manning up on the RB.

We put Lowry in at safety and he plays deep zone on every play. Mccree plays a shorter zone but lines up deep on every play. The corners play press coverage.

[Tombstone RJ]

I have a plan!

We start Ekuban, Thomas, Robertson and Crowder on the defensive line. We rotate in Moss, Peterson, Dumervil and Engelberger as the situation requires, but we keep the starting 4 on the field for about 65% of the snaps. We have all 4 push inside and we have 1 of them stunt on every play. We start Koutouvides in the middle and let either him or DJ blitz from the outside on every play in a run blitz. Boss Bailey mans up on the best recieving tight end on every play and DJ or K2 whoever is not blitzing is manning up on the RB.

We put Lowry in at safety and he plays deep zone on every play. Mccree plays a shorter zone but lines up deep on every play. The corners play press coverage.

You'd get killed on outside containment. Well, then again, maybe not...

[DenverBrit]

Probably time to hire a head coach that knows something about defense. Let Shanny stay around as the OC. ;D

Playing down the the awfulness of the competition is a common trait in sports. ;D
I don't think anyone really expected much out of this D, this year, except some progress from the younger players. Too early to tell.
But there is no doubt, that the Broncos haven't had a D coach, during Shanny's tenure, who can evaluate talent.

[Tombstone RJ]

I have a plan!

We start Ekuban, Thomas, Robertson and Crowder on the defensive line. We rotate in Moss, Peterson, Dumervil and Engelberger as the situation requires, but we keep the starting 4 on the field for about 65% of the snaps. We have all 4 push inside and we have 1 of them stunt on every play. We start Koutouvides in the middle and let either him or DJ blitz from the outside on every play in a run blitz. Boss Bailey mans up on the best recieving tight end on every play and DJ or K2 whoever is not blitzing is manning up on the RB.

We put Lowry in at safety and he plays deep zone on every play. Mccree plays a shorter zone but lines up deep on every play. The corners play press coverage.


On second thought, I like this idea. I might have champ play man to man on the hot receiver, at this time that is Hilliard.

Also, I'd bring Woodyard in certain packages, substituting him in instead of a safety.

[The MVPlaya]

Here's an idea...

Put Larsen in on 3rd and long's to blitz. :thanku:

[~Crash~]

hmmmmmmmmmmm

[maher_tyler]

Through 4 games, it's pretty obvious. Outside of not blitzing enough, our dlineman are taught to play the rush or the pass before the play actually occurs.

For those who record games, just take a look.

On downs where it seems to be a running play, our dlineman will NOT try to penetrate after the snap. Instead they will hold their position to prevent the run. Once they realize it's a passing play, they will start pushing once it's way too late.

It's very obvious...and it usually happens on first downs.

This is Slowik's way of stopping the run. Not over penetrating and creating essentially a wall with our dlineman leaving opportunities for our LB's to stop the RB.

Watch the top defenses in the league, and you'll realize they will penetrate and attack the ball on EVERY DOWN.

This is bull****.

After this weekend i think its safe to say that doesn't work either!

[azbroncfan]

The one and only problem with this defense is TALENT period.

[Lolad]

We need new talent and a NEW D-Line COACH! IT'S OBVIOUS!

[Tombstone RJ]

The one and only problem with this defense is TALENT period.

I think it maximizes what little talent this defense has.

[azbroncfan]

Like I mentioned in the Jimmy Johnson thread. I don't see this defense having inferior talent, except at safety when compared to say the Eagles.

Are you kidding me? OSKIE there no comparison about the talent on defense between Philly and Denver. That might take the homer post of the year.

[~Crash~]

The one and only problem with this defense is TALENT period.

you are full of crap .:thanku:

[~Crash~]

We need new talent and a NEW D-Line COACH! IT'S OBVIOUS!


Can't have both ways dip ****

[~Crash~]

Are you kidding me? OSKIE there no comparison about the talent on defense between Philly and Denver. That might take the homer post of the year.

You sir are silly.
:giggle: :giggle: :rofl:

[Beantown Bronco]

you are full of crap .:thanku:

You are confusing AZbroncofan with the Broncos defensive unit.

[~Crash~]

Our personal is built one gap (quick fast players)and we are not a team built for say 3-4 (strong over power team) our two gap.

we are on Scheme overload

[~Crash~]

You are confusing AZbroncofan with the Broncos defensive unit.

No the confused is our DC I think Shanahan is lost and toying with our DC .

[~Crash~]

Our personal is set up to be one gap not part time at it . there is not one player on this team strong enough to pay two gap !!!!!!! yet we play with it all game ... the Scheme is all jumbled up !

the CB's are set up crazy also

[~Crash~]

Say this slowly one gap one gap............................................

[~Crash~]

By the way I hate one gap but untile we draft some strong MFers we need to dance with the ones we got

[oubronco]

September 30, 2008
THE COMMON DENOMINATOR
During the Broncos constant struggles to generate a pass rush, one thing has remained a constant
By James Merilatt

The Broncos can’t generate a pass rush. Anyone watching the team’s defense haplessly attempt to corral the opposition’s quarterback on a weekly basis can attest to this fact. Whether playing a 4-3, a 3-4 or any other combination of defensive linemen and linebackers, Denver rarely gets near the other team’s passer.

The stats bear out this observation. Through four games this season, the Broncos have recorded a grand total of five sacks, putting them on pace for a measly 20 in 2008. That paltry total would have been good enough for 32nd – dead last – in the NFL a year ago.

Needless to say, that’s not going to get it done. If the Broncos hope to achieve anything this year, they’ll need a better effort from their defense than they’ve received through the first quarter of the season. And if that’s going to happen, Denver will need to generate a much better pass rush during the upcoming dozen games.

While the Broncos don’t figure to remain on a last-place pace, there isn’t much reason to believe they’ll see significant improvement. A year ago, Denver was in the bottom half of the NFL with a mere 33.5 sacks. This continued a tradition of dwindling numbers, a trend that has began in 2002.

In the six full seasons beginning with that campaign, the Broncos have averaged 35 sacks per year. In the half dozen before that date, they averaged 44.

During this downward spiral, Denver has certainly tried to mix things up. After Greg Robinson was let go as the team’s defensive coordinator, Mike Shanahan has tried Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer, Jim Bates and now Bob Slowik – all to varying degrees of the same level of mediocrity. And the Broncos have certainly shuffled the deck on the personnel front, as well.

Since 2002, they’ve drafted 11 defensive linemen. Three more have been brought in as unrestricted free agents. Another seven have arrived via trade. And at least 13 more have been signed off the scrap heap. That’s a grand total of 34 d-linemen for those of you scoring at home.

That’s four different defensive coordinators, employing at least as many systems, and nearly three dozen different players, all in an effort to jump start a dormant pass rush. For the most part, it’s all gone for naught. New faces and schemes have had little impact, especially during the past three-plus seasons, when the Broncos have averaged less than two sacks per game.

If new coaches and players haven’t solved Denver’s riddle in the trenches, perhaps it’s time to begin searching for other answers. Maybe the answer is the guy hired to coach the Broncos defensive line.

Jacob Burney arrived in the Mile High City in 2002 after three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. He inherited a defensive line that had helped the Broncos record at least 40 sacks in five of the previous six seasons – a group led by All-Pro Trevor Pryce. During his six-plus years in Denver, the Broncos have been on a steady decline.

While not all of this slip can be blamed on Burney, he certainly bears a fair share of the responsibility. His defensive lines simply haven’t gotten it done.

Since Burney arrived in Denver, the Broncos have drafted Dorsett Davis and Monsanto Pope in 2002; Nick Eason, Bryant McNeal, Aaron Hunt and Clint Mitchell a year later; Elvis Dumervil in ’06; the trio of Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Marcus Thomas a year ago; and Carlton Powell this past April. With the exception of Dumervil, Burney hasn’t gotten anything out of this group. Not only did he fail to develop any of these 11 players into stars, he couldn’t pull even the slightest contribution out of most of them.

But it’s not just in the draft that the Broncos have searched for answers along the defensive line. They’ve looked under every rock imaginable.

Lional Dalton, Daryl Gardener and Marco Coleman were unrestricted free agents who didn’t pan out. Ellis Johnson, John Engelberger, Ebenezer Ekuban, Michael Myers, Gerard Warren, Jimmy Kennedy and Dewayne Robertson were all acquired via trade, with Ekuban being the only one to have contributed in any significant manner. Simeon Rice, Sam Adams, Amon Gordon, Alvin McKinley, Kenny Peterson, Josh Mallard, Kenard Lang, Demetrian Veal, Courtney Brown, Raylee Johnson, Mario Fatafehi and Darius Holland were brought in and given a chance; only Peterson remains on the roster.

That’s a lot of guys – with varying degrees of skills and experience – who have failed to blossom under Burney’s watch. Perhaps the coach has been dealt a hand consisting of 34 crappy cards. But doesn’t that seem unlikely? Doesn’t it stand to reason that a few diamonds in the rough were mixed in there somewhere?

Something tells me that if these same 34 players had arrived in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh or any other NFL city where they know how to get after the opposing team’s quarterback, they’d have done more than they have in Denver. Something tells me they would have been “coached up.” Instead, they’ve simply been a part of the revolving door along the defensive line for the Broncos.

Maybe it’s them and not Burney. But I’m reminded of the gal who has a different “boyfriend” every month, only to repeatedly discover that none of them are the “one.” At some point, it’s hard to ignore the common denominator. Eventually, it’s not them; it’s you.

The Broncos have tried draft picks, free agents and trade acquisitions. They’ve gone through different defensive coordinators and rolled out a variety of systems in an effort to generate a better pass rush. All to no avail. Perhaps it’s time to look at the one thing that hasn’t changed. Perhaps it’s time to ask whether or not Jacob Burney is getting the job done.

http://www.milehighsports.com/daily_september_30.php

OK fire Burney and lets get a Bad MOFO up in this beeeatch any suggestions

[kappys]

I have a plan!

We start Ekuban, Thomas, Robertson and Crowder on the defensive line. We rotate in Moss, Peterson, Dumervil and Engelberger as the situation requires, but we keep the starting 4 on the field for about 65% of the snaps. We have all 4 push inside and we have 1 of them stunt on every play. We start Koutouvides in the middle and let either him or DJ blitz from the outside on every play in a run blitz. Boss Bailey mans up on the best recieving tight end on every play and DJ or K2 whoever is not blitzing is manning up on the RB.

We put Lowry in at safety and he plays deep zone on every play. Mccree plays a shorter zone but lines up deep on every play. The corners play press coverage.


Not bad we would have to keep our safeties up though to contain the outside run/reverse/bootleg. It would put a lot of pressure on the CB's, but I think it might be a good start.