Scouts Inc Breakdown of Denver Defense - The Orange Mane

Rock Chalk · 09-24-2008, 01:06 PM

I thought this was a good read:

Denver D Back To Drawing Board
The Denver defense is ranked 30th in yards allowed per game and last in passing yards allowed per game. The Broncos are 3-0 because the offense is the highest-scoring in the league. Obviously, the Broncos can score, but until they find a way to stop teams with more consistency, each game becomes a back-and-forth contest that could turn disastrous with one play.

Time to hit the panic button? No.

Why: The Broncos should stay the course because they have options on defense and the problem is fixable. First of all, look at who they've played -- New Orleans and San Diego, who are both in the top five in passing offense. No one else has played two offenses of this caliber, much less in back-to-back weeks.

The Broncos have an elite CB in Champ Bailey, who can match up with any WR in the game and play solid defense on his side of the field. Most teams don't have a player of this caliber in their secondary and his playmaking ability often forces a QB to look another direction. The other players in the secondary could benefit from an improved pass rush. One reason Denver hasn't had a lot of success in pressuring the QB is partly due to its personnel. The Broncos don't have an elite pass rusher who can consistently defeat blocks or force double teams to free other players up front.

Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has recently implemented a new look with a 3-4 alignment. This package can cause a lot of confusion. To run a 3-4, you need two important pieces -- linebackers and a nose tackle. The Broncos are carrying seven LBs, and they already have an experienced NT in Dewayne Robertson, who started in this role for the Jets last season and is strong enough and quick enough to hold up inside. The OLB roles in this scheme help give the pass rush and pass coverage a lot of flexibility with their ability to rush or drop from an outside alignment. Because the Broncos have some depth in this area, they can start incorporating different looks to disrupt blocking schemes and cause confusion for an offense's pass-protection principles. Trying to prepare for a 4-3 or a 3-4 individually is tough enough for an offense, but when a team uses both in the same game, it can be extremely effective. By overloading one side of the formation, it can create mismatches. The Broncos will have the option of rushing five players, four players or three players at any given time with this look.

Once the Broncos' players get a full understanding of their individual roles, they will have a ton of flexibility to attack opposing QBs, which should leave their DBs less exposed in coverage. The key for them will be to getting to the point where they can run this scheme without breakdowns as quickly as possible.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3604861

Tombstone RJ · 09-24-2008, 01:25 PM

Hmmm. Looks like they corrected a typo...

09-24-2008, 01:06 PM	#1
Rock Chalk Cheeky Bastards Laus Deo Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: The Backside of the Internet Posts: 29,940 Adopt-a-Bronco: Chris Harris	Scouts Inc Breakdown of Denver Defense I thought this was a good read: Denver D Back To Drawing Board The Denver defense is ranked 30th in yards allowed per game and last in passing yards allowed per game. The Broncos are 3-0 because the offense is the highest-scoring in the league. Obviously, the Broncos can score, but until they find a way to stop teams with more consistency, each game becomes a back-and-forth contest that could turn disastrous with one play. Time to hit the panic button? No. Why: The Broncos should stay the course because they have options on defense and the problem is fixable. First of all, look at who they've played -- New Orleans and San Diego, who are both in the top five in passing offense. No one else has played two offenses of this caliber, much less in back-to-back weeks. The Broncos have an elite CB in Champ Bailey, who can match up with any WR in the game and play solid defense on his side of the field. Most teams don't have a player of this caliber in their secondary and his playmaking ability often forces a QB to look another direction. The other players in the secondary could benefit from an improved pass rush. One reason Denver hasn't had a lot of success in pressuring the QB is partly due to its personnel. The Broncos don't have an elite pass rusher who can consistently defeat blocks or force double teams to free other players up front. Broncos defensive coordinator Bob Slowik has recently implemented a new look with a 3-4 alignment. This package can cause a lot of confusion. To run a 3-4, you need two important pieces -- linebackers and a nose tackle. The Broncos are carrying seven LBs, and they already have an experienced NT in Dewayne Robertson, who started in this role for the Jets last season and is strong enough and quick enough to hold up inside. The OLB roles in this scheme help give the pass rush and pass coverage a lot of flexibility with their ability to rush or drop from an outside alignment. Because the Broncos have some depth in this area, they can start incorporating different looks to disrupt blocking schemes and cause confusion for an offense's pass-protection principles. Trying to prepare for a 4-3 or a 3-4 individually is tough enough for an offense, but when a team uses both in the same game, it can be extremely effective. By overloading one side of the formation, it can create mismatches. The Broncos will have the option of rushing five players, four players or three players at any given time with this look. Once the Broncos' players get a full understanding of their individual roles, they will have a ton of flexibility to attack opposing QBs, which should leave their DBs less exposed in coverage. The key for them will be to getting to the point where they can run this scheme without breakdowns as quickly as possible. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3604861

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09-24-2008, 01:25 PM	#2
Tombstone RJ Ring of Famer Old School Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: In the Tetons! Posts: 19,283 Adopt-a-Bronco: WorrellWilliams	Hmmm. Looks like they corrected a typo...