Is it the O-Line or the 3-4 Defense Causing our Offensive Problems?

[footstepsfrom#27]

Everyone seems to be agreed that our offense, specifically the O-line, is having problems. I've thought for years we needed an upgrade in talent to go with "the system", but year after year they suprise me by crankin' out thousand yard backs nobody else wanted. I still think Carlyle isn't an NFL starter but I was skeptical on some other moves in the line in the past. So here's my question; Is it possible that the problems we witnessed the last two weeks with our O-line are more to do with the fact we just have problems against the 3-4 defense instead of it being talent, the scheme or some other issue? Both Miami and SD have the standard 350 pound blob anchoring the middle and we don't seem to fare well with this scheme. I'm not arguing either way...just wondered what you guys think.

[dsmoot]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Everyone seems to be agreed that our offense, specifically the O-line, is having problems. I've thought for years we needed an upgrade in talent to go with "the system", but year after year they suprise me by crankin' out thousand yard backs nobody else wanted. I still think Carlyle isn't an NFL starter but I was skeptical on some other moves in the line in the past. So here's my question; Is it possible that the problems we witnessed the last two weeks with our O-line are more to do with the fact we just have problems against the 3-4 defense instead of it being talent, the scheme or some other issue? Both Miami and SD have the standard 350 pound blob anchoring the middle and we don't seem to fare well with this scheme. I'm not arguing either way...just wondered what you guys think.

You can't judge the success of an offensive line by the consistancy of 1000+ yard backs. Its all about putting points on the board and making the opposition pay dearly for turning the ball over. For the last few years, we simply struggle to get turnovers and struggle to maintain drives in the redzone. Some people take the viewpoint that we primarily lack skill in the receivers to produce in the redzone. Although there is a dropoff from Sharpe, Smith and McCaffrey, I think the much bigger dropoff is in the OL and the ability to open up running lanes in tight areas of the field. As much as the league has changed, the constant is in the trenches. Our guys have to physically beat theirs along both the OL and DL. Our dropoff at OL level is not hard to see when you compare the names of those then and now.

It is difficult to see the detail of what is happening along the line from play to play but what is apparent to me is that we are physically pushed around in this area which results in busted assignments or more notably, OL penalties when they are trying to make a play to score. The typical redzone pattern that emerges on the opposing defenses is when the Broncos see 8 men in the box to either disrupt the running lanes or bring pressure to Jake. The only play that seems to be moderately successful are these short slants to Rod Smith.

I don't have alot of confidence at seeing our offense running against teams like Pittsburgh, New England, Baltimore or an improved Indianapolis.

[DBroncos4life]

Originally Posted by footstepsfrom#27

Everyone seems to be agreed that our offense, specifically the O-line, is having problems. I've thought for years we needed an upgrade in talent to go with "the system", but year after year they suprise me by crankin' out thousand yard backs nobody else wanted. I still think Carlyle isn't an NFL starter but I was skeptical on some other moves in the line in the past. So here's my question; Is it possible that the problems we witnessed the last two weeks with our O-line are more to do with the fact we just have problems against the 3-4 defense instead of it being talent, the scheme or some other issue? Both Miami and SD have the standard 350 pound blob anchoring the middle and we don't seem to fare well with this scheme. I'm not arguing either way...just wondered what you guys think.

Well I would buy into that if we couldn't run at all but the fact is when we needed to run we ran off the left side of the line. We also are running more 2 TE sets and that still isn't helping. With that said I guess we will find out against KC.

[24champ]

Originally Posted by DBroncos4life

Well I would buy into that if we couldn't run at all but the fact is when we needed to run we ran off the left side of the line. We also are running more 2 TE sets and that still isn't helping. With that said I guess we will find out against KC.

Time to ride the dayne train!