Shanahan: Broncos' third-down play is at core to turn points into more
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published October 9, 2008 at 10:05 p.m.
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Broncos running back Michael Pittman says third is "a big, big down. . . . Guys get bigger, faster every year, the game evolves and the game is a lot more situational now. Offenses spend a lot of time on third-down packages, things they can do because you have to convert those. Because if you don't keep the ball, you don't stay on the field and your defense is wondering why they have to go out there again."
The league's top-five offenses in third-down conversions:
| Team | Pct. | W-L |
| Dallas | 58.1 | 4-1 |
| Arizona | 47.0 | 3-2 |
| New Orleans | 46.0 | 2-3 |
| Denver | 45.8 | 4-1 |
| San Diego | 44.3 | 2-3 |
The league's bottom-five defenses in third-down conversions allowed:
| Team | Pct. | W-L |
| Detroit | 45.3 | 0-4 |
| Cincinnati | 45.7 | 0-5 |
| Indianapolis | 46.4 | 2-2 |
| Kansas City | 48.6 | 1-4 |
| Jacksonville | 49.2 | 2-3 |
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Presto, change-o.
Yes, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan says he can look at the 16 points the Broncos scored in a win against Tampa Bay on Sunday, wave the playbook and turn it into 30.
Just like that.
"Sure, I can," Shanahan said. "Very simple, and I've said this. We didn't convert the third downs we could have. We missed three third-and-2s, missed two third-and-3s and one third-and-4.
"That's six drives we could have kept going, six times we could have kept the ball, run some more plays, do some more things. So we make those, or even some of them, that's 30 points, not 16. So, third down, that's a big down."
For many in the vocation of football, third down is the money down for an offense, the game changer on defense.
For the teams that convert the most on offense, the ones who keep the most drives alive usually score the most points and win the most games.
The top-five offensive teams in the league on third down are a combined 15-10. The bottom-five defenses on third down are a combined 5-18.
And Sunday, it could offer the deciding factor for the Broncos and Jaguars at Invesco Field at Mile High. The Broncos offense is fourth in the league at a little more than 45 percent; the Jaguars are last in the league, allowing offenses to convert 49.2 percent of the time.
"It's a big, big down," Broncos running back Michael Pittman said. "Getting bigger all the time. Guys get bigger, faster every year, the game evolves and the game is a lot more situational now. Offenses spend a lot of time on third- down packages, things they can do because you have to convert those.
"Because if you don't keep the ball, you don't stay on the field and your defense is wondering why they have to go out there again."
Broncos quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who is the primary play caller on game day, said the goal for the Broncos is a conversion rate of 45 percent. The team is at 45.8 percent at the moment, one of only four teams above that benchmark.
The Dallas Cowboys, who also are the highest-scoring team in the league with 151 points, lead the way at 58.1 percent, and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo is second in the league on third- down passing.
Romo has thrown for 448 yards and five touchdowns on third down.
Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler is 17th in third-down passer rating, throwing for 290 of his 1,502 yards on third down to go with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
But all involved with the Broncos believe any success the offense has on third down - or what it even can send at a defense - begins with keeping Cutler safe and secure.
"It starts right up front," Bates said. "You've got to have an offensive line to get everything going. It's situational football; that's the fun part of the game, so many different situations and so many different ways defensive coordinators can call their games.
"But you're going to see things in the rush and in coverages you may not see on other downs, or even in other games, with some coordinators."
Also, because third-and-long situations make things predictable for an offense to try to convert by largely passing, consistently keeping things "manageable" as Bates called it, also is key.
"Produce on first down, then second down," Pittman said. "Then protect on third because, you know, generally, you're going to throw the ball on third down a lot of the time and they're going to come after your quarterback. So if you have a play where you could run or pass because it's only third-and-1, -2 or -3, it slows those defensive guys down some.
"But if you're always in third- and-8, third-and-7, third-and-10, they're coming for you because they know what you have to do and they know where the routes are going to be run. You have less options, not more."
Which requires a running game for a defense to think about. Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, for example, the Broncos threw on third down nine times, converting three.
On five of those plays, the Broncos were facing third-and-3 or less.
"And that's exactly what I'm talking about," Shanahan said. "Those plays right there lead to something else. They, when you look back at it at the end of the day, can be the difference of why you won or lost. We have to make those plays."
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October 10, 2008
8:06 a.m.
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Jubei writes:
Maybe Bates will be a little more willing to use Pittman on those 3rd and short situations. I seem to remember him calling pass plays on at least two of those 3rd and 2 plays last week.
Maybe a screen, or a draw, or even just a simple dump off in the flats, and Pittman has that two yards and then some. Jeez, those kind of plays kept SD and TB in those games with Sproles and Bush against our defense, so why not use it on our opponents?
Or for that matter, just line up in the I-formation with Hillis or Larsen at FB and pound it right at those fat-boy DTs. Make the defense stop it even when they know it's coming. Misdirection has its place, but a great offense does what it wants when it wants, against any defense.
Jason
October 10, 2008
9:47 a.m.
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aragornzxl writes:
I do agree with you on dumping off Pittman for a couple of yards to the first down. A screen against the Jags aggresive defense may be the way to go. However, letting Hillis run up in the middle might be a mistake. The jags d-line, especially the tackle position, can clog up the holes real fast, and unless Hillis is a 300 pound gorilla, he is gonna get stopped. brute force vs the jags is not going to cut it. I say give pittman the ball and let him work it out.
October 10, 2008
10:32 a.m.
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barryvictor writes:
A consistent run game will alleviate all those mad hatter pass rushes on critical downs...as the article indicated, make it so they have to respect the run, and the passing lanes become open...Pittman running the ball consistently with short yardage gains has to figure in any opponent game plan...the Broncos in turn, need to make it happen consistently. The O-line will only get better as the season progresses, and if they stay injury free, look out after the bye week! That's when the playoffs will be won or lost. The Chargers will certainly be looking at it that way, and this year, whoever wins the division will make the playoffs, the loser might not make it.
October 10, 2008
10:36 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Jubei, what Denver likes to do is run off-tackle. That's why they block to the side and low. A couple of times, you will notice that a defensive player got into our backfield and sacked Selvin for a loss. Those were just missed assignments. Even Pittman will go down if that happens. However, I still agree that Pittman is crucial on 3rd and short plays.
aragornzxl, I had read that the Jags D is giving up over 100 yards a game in 3 out of the last 5 games. I don't know where the breakdown is, but it usually starts with the front 4. I'm just hoping that the breakdown continues and Denver has a good running game. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 10, 2008
1:38 p.m.
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isiddiqi writes:
Don't forget we will be using Larsen more than Hillis @ FB, so it will be a different story when we run against even a physical front 4 of the JAX DL. Larsen also was the FB against TB last week. So I say bring hell:
Larsen+Pittman = 1st Downs
October 10, 2008
3:27 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
isiddiqi, agreed, Larsen is an animal, but he played last week because (according to conflicting reports), Hillis was dealing with a death in the family. But I have noticed that the Broncos coaches won't always be upfront with their players and will lower the boom on them in a slow "around-about" way. We will see on Sunday who starts.
October 10, 2008
3:46 p.m.
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isiddiqi writes:
Yes, but Shanny said it in his presser that it will be an open competition, and also said that was not the reason why Hillis did not dressup.
Even though I agree that Hillis is a natural FB, but we need a hard hitting FB against the JAX this week who can also block the defenders. After this week I would rather see Larsen as a LB than a FB, but it is so nice to know the kid can play both positions
October 10, 2008
4:07 p.m.
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Jubei writes:
Dave, if there is a knock on the O-line so far it's in regard to run blocking. As you mentioned, Denver likes the off-tackle runs and stretch plays, and if the line can't seal off the edge, then you have defenders in the backfield. That said, I can already see the run blocking getting better with time. First priority is keeping Jay upright anyway.
As far as the FB position goes, I'd like to see Hillis back in there. It was my understanding that it was the death in the family that kept him out. Larsen did a great job in relief, though. If I had my way, I'd put Hillis at FB and mix Larsen in at MLB in the wannabe 3-4 that Denver's been running. A few more de-cleaters on ST, and I think the kid deserves a look.
Jason
October 10, 2008
4:27 p.m.
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R8R_H8R writes:
Larsen is in their because Shanahan believes he is a playmaker. He clarified this during his press conference. Death in family or not, Larsen is getting a chance, ahead of Hillis, to take over the fullback position.
October 10, 2008
6:09 p.m.
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TXBRONC writes:
Yes if you go back and watch or read about Shanahan's press conference, he said that Hillis' family issue had nothing to do with Larsen starting at fullback. In other words, Larsen was going to start anyway.
October 10, 2008
7:27 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
TXBRONC, I guess the bottom line is that whoever is playing better, deserves the time. If it's Larsen, then let him play. I'm all about the W in the end. But I still think Hillis is going to be a very good FB. I keep it in mind that he is still a rookie. He has skills.
October 11, 2008
6:29 a.m.
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DenverDon writes:
I have been excited about Hillis since the draft. I have felt the Broncos needed a physical FB. I have always been jealous of the teams the Broncos play that have a physical FB who block hard and punishes tacklers when he catches it out of the backfield. I thought Sapp was not worthy of playing FB. Larson adds some intrigue for sure. I just hope one of them develops into the type of FB I enjoy watching.