Broncos defense needs attention - The Orange Mane

dragondawg · 08-09-2008, 03:53 PM

BY MARIO AGUIRRE
THE GAZETTE

ENGLEWOOD • Last season the Denver Broncos learned the significance of training camp and exhibition games when their preseason defensive woes lingered throughout the year.

The Broncos finished last in rushing yards allowed during the 2007 preseason. They went on to post a 7-9 record, never challenging the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers and missing the playoffs.

Tonight, Denver has its first opportunity to dust away the residue from last year and establish a new foundation. It begins at the Houston Texans in the first of four exhibition games.

“It’s really important for us just to set the tempo off for the rest of the year,” defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said. “Last year we (were) really coy at defensive line, and I was a part of the problem. This year I feel a lot more confident and good.”

Blatant defensive errors, largely the inability to stop the run, marred the 2007 campaign. The defense allowed 142.6 rushing yards per game. Correcting that problem was a high priority among players at training camp this week, even for those who recently joined the squad.

“I wasn’t here last year, but I can feel a sense of urgency with the guys just trying to get better than last year,” said defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets.

Denver released its first depth chart earlier this week. Of the 11 defensive starters, three — Robertson, Boss Bailey and Marlon McCree, the latter two obtained through free agency — are new faces.

Despite the subtle changes, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik believes the defense needs to improve in “all areas.” The Broncos ranked 19th in total yards allowed and 30th in rushing yards allowed.

“We’ve got a long way to go,” Slowik said. “We’re still just learning the defense. … They’re picking (up the terminology) a little every day. We just got to keep progressing as this preseason moves on.”

The players’ assessments, though, vary — somewhat.

Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban believes the players are grasping the terminology and defensive schemes, but admits they’re “not there yet.”

“But that’s what practices are for. That’s what preseason games are for,” said Ekuban, a 10-year veteran. “I saw a lot of good things in practices from those young guys, hustling to the ball. In my estimation, (Tuesday) was the first day of good things to come.

“The difference maker, I think, is Slowik. He’s been here a long time and he knew the challenges we went through last year. So I think the biggest difference is him simplifying the game plan and letting guys play football.”

And the Broncos have done just that through three offseason minicamps and training camp since July 25.

“Routinely this is when people have that big hump that they have to get over,” Ekuban said.

“But we have a game (today) and you have to be mentally tough to work through it and be ready for that game.”

http://www.gazette.com/sports/attent...s_defense.html

Popps · 08-09-2008, 04:31 PM

The big smoke and mirrors trick since Elway left has been that this team just needed to find the right quarterback.

This team's biggest problem has been defense for over ten years, and this year will be the same test.

Mike Shanahan can get enough out of his offenses to stay competitive. The question is, can he field a defense that can get other team's off the field... stop big passing offenses or stop anyone on third down.

Again, with an above average defense last year... this team would have probably made the playoffs.

2KBack · 08-09-2008, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

The big smoke and mirrors trick since Elway left has been that this team just needed to find the right quarterback.

This team's biggest problem has been defense for over ten years, and this year will be the same test.

Mike Shanahan can get enough out of his offenses to stay competitive. The question is, can he field a defense that can get other team's off the field... stop big passing offenses or stop anyone on third down.

Again, with an above average defense last year... this team would have probably made the playoffs.

Man, I'd go so far to say that with a merely average defense last year they could have made the playoffs. It was that bad.

BroncosinDC · 08-09-2008, 04:48 PM

What do you guys think we can give up a game? If our avg is above say 20 can the O consistently put up more?

Cito Pelon · 08-09-2008, 04:54 PM

Good to see an article this time of year that isn't pure fluff. Thanks for posting that, dawg.

Cito Pelon · 08-09-2008, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Popps

The big smoke and mirrors trick since Elway left has been that this team just needed to find the right quarterback.

This team's biggest problem has been defense for over ten years, and this year will be the same test.

Mike Shanahan can get enough out of his offenses to stay competitive. The question is, can he field a defense that can get other team's off the field... stop big passing offenses or stop anyone on third down.

Again, with an above average defense last year... this team would have probably made the playoffs.

Well, the D this year won't give up 409 points, I'm fairly certain of that. I haven't looked to see if last year was a low point in TO's commensurate with the other low points in Bronco D history since 1968, but I wouldn't be surprised to see that it was. So I also expect to see more TO's generated this year. 3rd down conversions I don't know if that will go up significantly. Sacks I don't know what to expect.

A decrease in points allowed and an increase in TO's generated is a good direction to be following. Hopefully that combined with better ST play will make this a playoff year. I'm assuming the O will be productive again, but I think that's a fair assumption.

2KBack · 08-09-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroncosinDC

What do you guys think we can give up a game? If our avg is above say 20 can the O consistently put up more?

20 ppg is pretty average, which i guess is better than the 25 last year. The last time Denver was relevant (2005) they gave up 16ppg. I'd like to get under 20 personally.

snowspot66 · 08-09-2008, 05:45 PM

I'm of a mind that when the offense hits it's stride in the next year or two that our defense will merely need to be top 15 to give us a shot at the Superbowl. We have playmakers in the defensive backfield. We just need some average or slightly above average play on the line to make us potentially dangerous. We made it to the AFCCG on a pretty piss poor d line (but lots of play making in the backfield) and our offense is potentially much better when they get things in synch.

2KBack · 08-09-2008, 06:11 PM

What Denver needs is a defense that gives the offense more opportunities. That was the magic formula in 96-98. the defense wasn't a world beater but it was opportunistic. Denver is putting together another punishing offense which hopefully will turn the TOP back in our favor, and force other offenses to be more one dimensional to keep up. That should in turn allow the defense to attack and be aggressive.

08-09-2008, 03:53 PM	#1
dragondawg All Pro Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 2,009	Broncos defense needs attention BY MARIO AGUIRRE THE GAZETTE ENGLEWOOD • Last season the Denver Broncos learned the significance of training camp and exhibition games when their preseason defensive woes lingered throughout the year. The Broncos finished last in rushing yards allowed during the 2007 preseason. They went on to post a 7-9 record, never challenging the AFC West champion San Diego Chargers and missing the playoffs. Tonight, Denver has its first opportunity to dust away the residue from last year and establish a new foundation. It begins at the Houston Texans in the first of four exhibition games. “It’s really important for us just to set the tempo off for the rest of the year,” defensive tackle Marcus Thomas said. “Last year we (were) really coy at defensive line, and I was a part of the problem. This year I feel a lot more confident and good.” Blatant defensive errors, largely the inability to stop the run, marred the 2007 campaign. The defense allowed 142.6 rushing yards per game. Correcting that problem was a high priority among players at training camp this week, even for those who recently joined the squad. “I wasn’t here last year, but I can feel a sense of urgency with the guys just trying to get better than last year,” said defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson, who was acquired in a trade with the New York Jets. Denver released its first depth chart earlier this week. Of the 11 defensive starters, three — Robertson, Boss Bailey and Marlon McCree, the latter two obtained through free agency — are new faces. Despite the subtle changes, defensive coordinator Bob Slowik believes the defense needs to improve in “all areas.” The Broncos ranked 19th in total yards allowed and 30th in rushing yards allowed. “We’ve got a long way to go,” Slowik said. “We’re still just learning the defense. … They’re picking (up the terminology) a little every day. We just got to keep progressing as this preseason moves on.” The players’ assessments, though, vary — somewhat. Defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban believes the players are grasping the terminology and defensive schemes, but admits they’re “not there yet.” “But that’s what practices are for. That’s what preseason games are for,” said Ekuban, a 10-year veteran. “I saw a lot of good things in practices from those young guys, hustling to the ball. In my estimation, (Tuesday) was the first day of good things to come. “The difference maker, I think, is Slowik. He’s been here a long time and he knew the challenges we went through last year. So I think the biggest difference is him simplifying the game plan and letting guys play football.” And the Broncos have done just that through three offseason minicamps and training camp since July 25. “Routinely this is when people have that big hump that they have to get over,” Ekuban said. “But we have a game (today) and you have to be mentally tough to work through it and be ready for that game.” http://www.gazette.com/sports/attent...s_defense.html

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08-09-2008, 04:31 PM	#2
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,785	The big smoke and mirrors trick since Elway left has been that this team just needed to find the right quarterback. This team's biggest problem has been defense for over ten years, and this year will be the same test. Mike Shanahan can get enough out of his offenses to stay competitive. The question is, can he field a defense that can get other team's off the field... stop big passing offenses or stop anyone on third down. Again, with an above average defense last year... this team would have probably made the playoffs.

08-09-2008, 04:48 PM	#4
BroncosinDC Now Live From Baltimore! True Men have Facial Hair Join Date: May 2008 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 530 Adopt-a-Bronco: Kyle Orton	What do you guys think we can give up a game? If our avg is above say 20 can the O consistently put up more?

08-09-2008, 04:54 PM	#5
Cito Pelon Attack at all times . . . Happy dog at the Divide Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: AFC West Championshipville Posts: 15,192 Adopt-a-Bronco: Elvis	Good to see an article this time of year that isn't pure fluff. Thanks for posting that, dawg.

08-09-2008, 05:45 PM	#8
snowspot66 Ring of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 4,642	I'm of a mind that when the offense hits it's stride in the next year or two that our defense will merely need to be top 15 to give us a shot at the Superbowl. We have playmakers in the defensive backfield. We just need some average or slightly above average play on the line to make us potentially dangerous. We made it to the AFCCG on a pretty piss poor d line (but lots of play making in the backfield) and our offense is potentially much better when they get things in synch.

08-09-2008, 06:11 PM	#9
2KBack Rumblin' Bumblin' Cake is delicious Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wash DC Posts: 7,273	What Denver needs is a defense that gives the offense more opportunities. That was the magic formula in 96-98. the defense wasn't a world beater but it was opportunistic. Denver is putting together another punishing offense which hopefully will turn the TOP back in our favor, and force other offenses to be more one dimensional to keep up. That should in turn allow the defense to attack and be aggressive.