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Broncos report: Running game has been stuck in neutral so far

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published October 3, 2008 at 3:22 p.m.

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He said it

"The guy can run, he can throw the ball with no lower body movement, his torque, his body, the quickness of his arm is unbelievable and he's got some really good receivers to throw to. But he's a got a rifle for an arm. Very good mobility, he's tough as hell and I just see a charismatic guy the team really believes in."

Jon Gruden, Buccaneers coach, on Cutler.

Numbers game

10 career touchdown returns

- interception or fumble - for Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber, tied for third most in NFL history. Rod Woodson holds the record with 13.

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Over the past four seasons it has been the Broncos' unluckiest of numbers.

When they run the ball 22 times or fewer in game - because of either the way the scoreboard looks early or how they have decided to game-plan - they almost certainly lose.

They are 1-9 in those games since the start of the 2005 season, including Sunday's loss in Kansas City, where they rushed 22 times for 95 yards in a game they never trailed by more than six points until the fourth quarter.

"I look at the production," said Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, who has tabbed quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates to call plays this season. "I've always said the thing I'm concerned with, the thing I like to do, is score points. But I think when you have run the ball in the past and you start throwing it like we have thrown it in the first few games, there's always going to be questions.

"But we do what we think gives us the best chance to win.

They have won a 23-carry game in that span - in Pittsburgh in the 2006 season - but it took a 72-yard touchdown on an end around from wide receiver Javon Walker to do it.

The Broncos, who have finished among the league's top 10 in rushing 11 times during Shanahan's previous 13 seasons as head coach, are currently 14th in the league and have not had a 100-yard rushing game from any of their backs while rotating carries among Selvin Young, Andre Hall and Michael Pittman.

They never have finished below 12th in Shanahan's tenure.

They also have thrown the ball on 60 percent of their offensive snaps this season, easily the highest percentage of Shanahan's time as coach. By comparison, in the three years the team at least advanced to the AFC Championship Game under Shanahan - 2005, 1998 and 1997 - they threw on 45, 47 and 48 percent of their offensive snaps.

"I like what we're doing," said Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler, who already has attempted at least 49 passes in two games. "I think they're doing a great job putting things together upstairs. We know there are going to be times we have to run the ball this season and we can do that."

Cutler has also lined up in the shotgun - in the backfield, instead of directly over center - just over 27 percent of the time this season, far more than last season, his first as a starter. That total includes 31 pass plays against the Chiefs on Sunday.

Many defensive coordinators, and Shanahan has publicly agreed at times in the past, believe it does add some predictability to an offense because there are fewer ways to run the ball out of it.

The Broncos ran seven times out of the shotgun Sunday - for 40 yards - but that total included an 8-yard loss as well as a fumble by receiver Brandon Marshall on one of the runs, along with an 18-yard run by Pittman on the last play of the game.

"If you're in the shotgun, you've got to be able to do some things in the running game to keep a defense honest and we have the ability to do that," Shanahan said.

Cutler and Shanahan also have expressed the belief the return of rookie Ryan Torain, who is expected to be cleared to practice soon as his elbow injury continues to heal and could play as early as Nov. 2 against Miami, should help.

Push comes to shove

Part of the Cover-2 defense - named for having the two safeties deep, each covering a half of the field - is having the cornerbacks be as physical as possible with an offense's wide receivers in the 5-yard zone where contact is allowed.

And the Broncos have spent some time this week making sure they can wrestle their way free and still get to the places they're supposed to be in their pass routes.

"Because they try to reroute you," said Broncos wide receivers coach Jedd Fisch. "As a group, we want to avoid the reroute, where you still get to your landmarks and not let them knock you off that."

Marshall, who still leads the Broncos in receptions, yards and touchdowns this season, got a heavy dose of double coverage from the Chiefs last week. He said he's tried to concentrate this week on making sure he does what he has to do to escape the line of scrimmage without getting tangled up.

"It is just working on technique, how to release against a Cover-2, push them outside or push them inside," Marshall said. "I am just going to polish up some things."

"The most important thing in our mind is beating (cornerbacks)," Fisch said. "No matter what the defense is doing . . . it's been a huge focus for the group."

Welcome back

This weekend, the Broncos will have their annual alumni gathering, with 150 former players expected to attend various activities.

That total includes 12 Ring of Fame members, including the team's most recent Hall of Fame selection tackle, Gary Zimmerman, as well as 20 players from the 1998 team that finished 14-2 and defeated Atlanta 34-19 in Super Bowl XXXIII.

The group attended a dinner and will be honored at Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Invesco Field at Mile High.

Etc.

* When asked about former running back Travis Henry's fate Friday, Shanahan said, "Obviously, when a guy gets an opportunity, you were hoping he takes advantage of it from a football side and when he didn't do the things he was supposed to do in the offseason program, obviously we released him. But for him to experience what he is experiencing right now, I wouldn't wish that on anybody. He's going to spend a number of years in prison."

Henry, who played the 2007 season with the Broncos before being released earlier this year, was arrested and charged this week on federal drug trafficking offenses.

* Broncos fullback Peyton Hillis was excused from practice Friday because of a death in his family.

* Shanahan said the team moved receiver Clifford Russell to injured reserve because tests had shown he had a spot in his neck that would take at least a month to heal. Russell was removed from the field on a backboard Sunday in Kansas City. He briefly lost feeling on his right side and was taken to a hospital before returning to Denver on the team's charted flight Sunday night.

* Defensive end John Engelberger (knee) and defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson (knee) took part in Friday's practice; both were listed as participating fully and are listed as probable for Sunday's game. Robertson was held out of last week's game against the Chiefs. Receiver Darrell Jackson (calf), who returned to practice this week and has not played since the regular-season opener, is listed as questionable.

Comments

  • October 3, 2008

    4:09 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    jr_mcmillin writes:

    I really hope the Broncs play a run game this week. They have talent up front and solid backs. It would be nice to see a ground game for a change. I like Gruden and was happy to see him get traded from Oakland and do so well with Tampa. Sunday though, I hope his team goes totally flat. After Sunday, Griese and the Bucs can start winning again. This will be an interesting game!

  • October 3, 2008

    4:29 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TXBRONC writes:

    The Bucs aren't bad against the run they rank 12th in rush defense. We might dink and dunk them to death to win this one. What really hope is that the defense can get pressure on Griese and force some turnovers.

  • October 3, 2008

    6:20 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    TXBRONC, Of course, Denver will try to establish the run, as is usual. If successful it will open up the long passes downfield. If not, then, as you said, the "dink and dunk". We need to put KC behind us and start rolling again. Make the "big plays" on O, like we did before. I'm just thankful our next 2 games are at home. We will need every advantage to get the confidence back. Home field is always a plus.

  • October 3, 2008

    7:12 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Brain writes:

    Cutler will be on; Broncos will score 30+ points and hopefully only give up 20+ points. Interesting game though with Greise coming in as the starter; he should = 2 ints.??! (I hope)

    Broncos (as usual) 31-27

  • October 3, 2008

    7:48 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    Brain, yeah, I have a good feeling about Cutler, as well. He has great composure. He trusts in himself and that will help him. Griese was just the opposite in the past. He gets rattled much easier the Jay. He still does. I will be sitting at my Bronco bar, as usual, playing the "cheerleader" for the rest of the Bronco fans, again, as usual. I get the bar hyped up. I expect a shootout. I figure 34-24.

  • October 4, 2008

    3:04 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    NJBroncosFan writes:

    Best of luck to the entire team this sunday. We have always been successful with the run but when you have the kind of weapons the Broncos have at wide reciever how cant you utilize the talent here?

  • October 4, 2008

    8:47 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Norv4Prez08 writes:

    regardless with shanahan its just another name n number. but WEEK 17 SD will mop up da brancos. so denver dont get your hopes up too high (no joke intended towards T-HEN!)

  • October 4, 2008

    10:10 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    Dynamicdave writes:

    NJBroncosFan, they can use the weapons at WR but when they don't establish the run, they become more 1 dimensional, which KC showed, last week. That's when Jay is more apt to throw those interceptions. Establish the run and force the D to play the line. Then Denver can attack the corners and safeties.

  • October 4, 2008

    8:35 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    angryman1n writes:

    WHAT?!?!?!? You mean Cutsoon isn't the panacea that Denver thinks he is? Really you can't just pass? Who would have thunk it?

    Dude's a diabetic. The more you pass. The quicker he tires. Just look at his performance late in the game. Balance may be more important here than anywhere else in the league.

  • October 4, 2008

    9:54 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    TXBRONC writes:

    No offense angryman but you seem to be ignorant about diabetes. If he takes his insulin and watches what he eats it wont impede his ability to play the game. FYI Jay has attempted 157 passes in four games that's average 39.25 per game and from what I have seen he's done well from beginning to end.

  • October 4, 2008

    10:31 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    BlueSky writes:

    Quote:
    Best of luck to the entire team this sunday. We have always been successful with the run but when you have the kind of weapons the Broncos have at wide reciever how cant you utilize the talent here?
    ---------------------------

    Perhaps the passing game is so explosive, all the drive ended so quick, putting the D back on the field too soon before they can catch the breath might contribute to all their weaknesses. You have to notice the D stayed in the game in the first half and only got burned in the second half. This reminds me of San Diego during Dan Fouts' days......