Broncos don't throw to the backs

[cutthemdown]

I was thinking to myself that Cutler never seems to throw to the RBs so I checked. He's only completed 14 passes to the RBS through 6 weeks.

Seems to me that our offense doesn't have that many facets to it. The deep ball isn't that great, we don't run enough, we don't through to the RB's enough.

I'd like to see the Broncos throw some balls to the backs in the flat, some more screens. If they aren't doing it because the RBS aren't good enough then we need better RB's.

[Popps]

Seems like we've tried some delayed screens, but more early in the season. You're right, haven't seen so much lately. That may be a byproduct of how teams are trying to defend us. My guess is that they're not sending heavy blitzes at Cutler, and our line is doing a good job in PP, so dump-offs and screens may not be the medicine just yet.

We'll see it, though... as soon as teams get aggressive. I'd like to see Hall on the delayed screen. We need to try to get that dude out into open space once in a while.

[cutthemdown]

Seems like we've tried some delayed screens, but more early in the season. You're right, haven't seen so much lately. That may be a byproduct of how teams are trying to defend us. My guess is that they're not sending heavy blitzes at Cutler, and our line is doing a good job in PP, so dump-offs and screens may not be the medicine just yet.

We'll see it, though... as soon as teams get aggressive. I'd like to see Hall on the delayed screen. We need to try to get that dude out into open space once in a while.

The reason I mentioned it is I see RB's open in the flat for 4-5 yrd gains often and Cutler doesn't even look at the them. He never checks down it's a serious weakness in his game IMO.

[Crushaholic]

Cutler apparently is refusing to throw to receivers not named Marshall..

[bpc]

The one big weakness I see in Cutler's game is that he lacks touch on his passes to HB's out of the backfield. We've tried it before, I just don't think he is very good at it. He often drills it to the HB incomplete instead of putting a little touch on it, making it a nice catchable ball.

Just my 411 though.

[backup qb]

I believe Pittman caught two passes on the opening drive last week. I could be wrong though.

[Broncoman13]

1. I think getting a guy like Alridge back will probably open this facet up next year.

2. The Broncos haven't faced too many blitzes. Cutler has been pressured on rare occasion and typically you like to use that screen pass to soften the pressure.

3. The defenses we've played all use a similar approach b/c of Cutler's tendencies. They more often than not drop LBs into intermediate zones which is probably a major reason why Cutler doesn't look to the backs.

4. When has Shanny ever used a back a lot? I personally like throwing it to Hillis and letting him get 5 or 6 yards a couple times per game. Larsen doesn't bring that presence to the FB position or at least we haven't seen it yet if he does.

[Lolad]

I heard in the press conference that Jay hasn't been blitzed that much the past couple of games because teams have seen how excellent our pass protection is. So they don't even try to send that many people after him which leaves more people in pass coverage. I think Jay needs to spread the field and hopefully open some things up.

[Dedhed]

The only thing wrong with this offense is fumbling the ball. This "we're not throwing to the rbs enough" is just nitpicking garbage because we've turned the ball over and haven't put points on the board.

Throwing screens into a LB umbrella is like pi$$ing into the wind. Stop fumbling; it's that simple.

[Peoples Champ]

I agree, we should throw to the backs more.

[originalsultan]

The only thing wrong with this offense is fumbling the ball. This "we're not throwing to the rbs enough" is just nitpicking garbage because we've turned the ball over and haven't put points on the board.

Throwing screens into a LB umbrella is like pi$$ing into the wind. Stop fumbling; it's that simple.

I agree that the biggest problem the offense has had is the turnovers. When we don't turn the ball over, we win. When an NFL team turns the ball over 3+ times in a game, that team usually loses. If our offense stops turning the ball over as often as it has the past 3 games, it will start to look like the offense we saw during the first 3 games.

[montrose]

We did it a lot more in the preseason than we had in the past. Pittman's a very good pass-catching RB, while Young and Hall aren't bad either. With that, I've noticed most of our shotgun passing attempts with a RB on the field have resulted in the back chipping a DE and going out on a delayed pattern. It's worth thinking about, but on many of the plays where Jay's been forcing it to Brandon there have been other guys open - mainly Stokley and Scheffler. Last week, we really missed Royal though as his speed scares defenses into at least respecting the deep ball. With Brandon, D-Jack and Martinez at WR - There was no one for Jacksonville to be concerned about going deep. If Stokley's going to be out a while, I'd recommend bringing in a faster scrub WR than another Cliff Russell-type that will at least keep defenses honest.

[elsid13]

We did it a lot more in the preseason than we had in the past. Pittman's a very good pass-catching RB, while Young and Hall aren't bad either. With that, I've noticed most of our shotgun passing attempts with a RB on the field have resulted in the back chipping a DE and going out on a delayed pattern. It's worth thinking about, but on many of the plays where Jay's been forcing it to Brandon there have been other guys open - mainly Stokley and Scheffler. Last week, we really missed Royal though as his speed scares defenses into at least respecting the deep ball. With Brandon, D-Jack and Martinez at WR - There was no one for Jacksonville to be concerned about going deep. If Stokley's going to be out a while, I'd recommend bringing in a faster scrub WR than another Cliff Russell-type that will at least keep defenses honest.

You do realize Russell was clocked at 4.29 coming out of school? Even with knee injury and age he was still a pretty quick WR.

[montrose]

You do realize Russell was clocked at 4.29 coming out of school? Even with knee injury and age he was still a pretty quick WR.

I don't doubt he was quick, but watching him play against NO, he couldn't outrun Mike McKenzie - who isn't regarded as a particularly fast CB. My statement was more of a blanket one that we should have more than one "speed WR" on the roster, that's all.

[bronco militia]

throw to running backs more=punt more

uh oh, here comes the Donk 'd' again

[broncofan2438]

I was thinking about as well. I dont get why Shanny can't mix it up. Granted they are college teams, but why can't we have something like the "wild cat" formation as do the Phins? Or some more reverses or something?

[Ironlung]

Has Shanahan ever been one to throw to backs (other than FB off the bootleg?) You guys are just NOW noticing this?

[tsiguy96]

I was thinking about as well. I dont get why Shanny can't mix it up. Granted they are college teams, but why can't we have something like the "wild cat" formation as do the Phins? Or some more reverses or something?

you need an elite level RB to be able to run that formation.

[Kaylore]

We threw to our running backs more when teams were blitzing us and so we called some screen plays that worked pretty well. Cutler could probably check down more, but calling it a "serious weakness in his game" is hilarious.

[jonny1]

I was thinking about as well. I dont get why Shanny can't mix it up. Granted they are college teams, but why can't we have something like the "wild cat" formation as do the Phins? Or some more reverses or something?

Marshall's fumble against the Chefs was a reverse . . . .

[tsiguy96]

2 of marshalls fumbles were unforced though :D

so im not worried about that, but reverses havent worked much for us if i recall correctly. i think royal had a good one...

[Ironlung]

Marshall's fumble against the Chefs was a reverse . . . .

It was a pitch. If Denver wants to pitch the ball, pitch it to a back!

[cutthemdown]

The only thing wrong with this offense is fumbling the ball. This "we're not throwing to the rbs enough" is just nitpicking garbage because we've turned the ball over and haven't put points on the board.

Throwing screens into a LB umbrella is like pi$$ing into the wind. Stop fumbling; it's that simple.

screens are only one way to throw to the RBS.

[maher_tyler]

The one big weakness I see in Cutler's game is that he lacks touch on his passes to HB's out of the backfield. We've tried it before, I just don't think he is very good at it. He often drills it to the HB incomplete instead of putting a little touch on it, making it a nice catchable ball.

Just my 411 though.

I agree with most of the posts...if we have all day to throw then why not throw downfield?? Like you say i just don't think its one of his strengths right now...he does need to put more touch on his passes when he does throw them the ball...not every one is Marshall and Stokely.

[yavoon]

you need an elite level RB to be able to run that formation.

lol yes you need an elite rb to run a high school formation.

[The Moops]

Here's a bit of trivia for you . . . who was the last Broncos back to have a 100-yards receiving in a game?

None other than Floyd Little, who had 127 yards receiving against the Chargers in 1974.

Floyd was the most versatile and complete back of his era:

Retiring ...
7th all-time in NFL history in rushing
8th all-time in NFL history in yard from scrimmage (rushing and receiving)
8th all-time in NFL history in total yards (rushing, receiving and returns)

And still no call from Canton.

[bronco_diesel]

Cutler apparently is refusing to throw to receivers not named Marshall..

close..it's receivers not named "brandon"

although, one brandon is highly favored over the other...

[bpc]

I agree with most of the posts...if we have all day to throw then why not throw downfield?? Like you say i just don't think its one of his strengths right now...he does need to put more touch on his passes when he does throw them the ball...not every one is Marshall and Stokely.

I agree for the most part. The pass blocking has been good. Then again, Cutler has never really thrown to backs out of the backfield and when he does, he drills it to them too hard.

I think we have backs that can run and catch equally effective. Especially Pittman. Gotta put the ball in their hands. As good as our blocking has been, passing out of the backfield is a great weapon. Most of the great QB's use it. Cutler is one of the only one's that I can think of who does not. He'll need to improve this to make it to that next level. Guys like McNabb, Brees, Rivers, and Dallas are just stealing chunks of yards using this part of the field and they are having to labor a lot less than Cutler is to hit the same amount of yards. Hopefully it will come with time or a better HB.

As for Shanahan not ever using the HB option in the passing game, Ricky Waters was pretty good at catching passing from Steve Young. It was a huge weapon for them in 94'. Waters was great in that aspect.

[broncosteven]

I was thinking about as well. I dont get why Shanny can't mix it up. Granted they are college teams, but why can't we have something like the "wild cat" formation as do the Phins? Or some more reverses or something?

Remember that play vs KFC that had a pitch going to Marshal who was lined up at RB?

I think that resulted in a loss of 9 yards.

Teams that use Wildcat have power run games and cannot throw and have to resort to trickery. We can throw and we do well in our 4 wins. It is the 3 turnovers in the 2 losses that is the problem as mentioned above.

If anything I would like to see more of the option than Wing T.