Broncos report: Bly: High-powered offense a help to 'D'

By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published September 19, 2008 at 3:08 p.m.

Text size  

• 15 Comments
• Email
• Print

Broncos quick links

Drew on the NFL

Scores and statistics

• Broncos statistics
• Broncos schedule
• Broncos roster
• Broncos depth chart
• NFL scoreboard
• AFC standings
• NFC standings

Broncos inbox

• Submit a question for Jeff Legwold's inbox and look for the answer each Wednesday morning in the Broncos 24/7 blog.

The points have come in waterfalls, the quarterback is already getting some of that hey-he- might-win-the-MVP chatter both near and far, and the runners and receivers are spread across the field, pushing defenses to the limit.

Yes, Broncos cornerback Dre Bly has seen all this before.

Bly was a St. Louis Rams cornerback when the Rams became the first team in league history to score at least 500 points in three consecutive seasons.

"And when you play defense for a team with that kind of offense, an offense that scores points like this one does, that's going to give us opportunities on defense," Bly said. "And that's the way it's going to be for us all year, and we have to accept that and be ready for it."

Because an offense that scores - the Broncos lead the league in points, with 80, after two games - can crank up the pressure on offenses that then believe they have to do something to keep up.

So, perhaps they ditch the running game a little sooner, take a few more chances in the passing game, throw the ball in places a quarterback shouldn't in an effort to "match touchdowns," as Bly called it.

The 1999 Rams, who eventually went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV, were known for Kurt Warner's MVP season at quarterback (41 TDs and only 13 interceptions), Marshall Faulk's running and two 1,000-yard receivers in Faulk and Isaac Bruce.

But the Rams' defense also reaped the benefits of that production.

"Because we had arguably the best offense in a long time, putting up points and having the playmakers that we did, it just opened things up and gave us opportunities on defense," Bly said. "We could make plays, because we knew week in, week out, our offense was going to put up 30, 40 points and teams were going to have to match that."

That season, the Rams had eight touchdown returns on defense, including one by Bly, and Kevin Carter led the league in sacks (17) as the Rams almost continuously played with the lead. In their 13 wins that season, the Rams trailed only about six minutes on the game clock.

The Broncos have yet to create many of those types of plays after two games and enter the weekend with the 27th- ranked defense in the league in yards allowed per game, 29th against the pass and 26th in points allowed per game.

"But it will come, that's what I'm feeling here with (quarterback) Jay Cutler with the confidence he has right now, the zone that he's in," Bly said. "He just has so many weapons.

"And you know that means that on the other side of the ball, we have to know, as a defense, we're going to have a chance to make plays. Really, it's going to be up to us. We should never lose a game because of our team not scoring points, because this team is going to score points. It's all going to be based on how well we play on defense and how well we create some turnovers on defense."

Red alert zone

Recent history has shown that if the Broncos let the Saints inside the Denver 20-yard line, New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees likely will get some points on the board.

"We know what he can do down there," Broncos linebacker Boss Bailey said.

Brees didn't throw an interception all last season on a play that began inside the opponents' 20-yard line and hasn't thrown one in the red zone in two games this year.

The Saints led the league in 2007 in touchdown percentage as well, scoring touchdowns on 72 percent of drives inside the opponents' 20. Brees also had an NFL-best 116.8 passer rating in the red zone, with 23 of his 28 passing touchdowns last season coming on red-zone plays.

Brees wasn't sacked on any of those drives either. This year, the Saints are eighth in the league in touchdown percentage inside the opponents' 20.

"We're still getting there, but you know, it's only been two weeks," Saints running back Reggie Bush said.

Think fast

The Broncos' offensive line has surrendered only one sack this season - it was a team sack credited to the Chargers on the controversial fumble play Sunday - but the Saints will offer a little something different to deal with in some passing situations.

New Orleans has a rush package - it's called Cheetah - with three defensive ends across the front four as well as the team's No. 1 pick in the April draft, defensive tackle Sedrick Ellis.

The Saints used it for the first time against the Redskins this past week, and it included ends Charles Grant, Will Smith and Bobby McCray to go along with Ellis. Grant bumps down from end and plays tackle in the look.

Saints defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs certainly isn't an unknown quantity to Broncos coach Mike Shanahan. Both had their first coaching jobs on the University of Oklahoma staff in 1975.

Etc.

* Broncos rookie tackle Ryan Clady was fined $5,000 by the NFL for a chop block Sunday against Chargers defensive end Igor Olshanksy. Clady and guard Ben Hamilton were called for the penalty on the play, with Hamilton having blocked Olshansky low and Clady having engaged him above the waist. Hamilton wasn't fined.

* Linebacker D.J. Williams, who was flagged for a roughing-the-passer penalty in the second quarter Sunday, wasn't fined. Williams hit Philip Rivers in the chin after Rivers threw a 7-yard completion to Antonio Gates.

* The Saints have dealt with plenty of injuries in the secondary this season. Cornerback Aaron Glenn (ankle), who injured his ankle Sunday in Washington, will not play. Randall Gay and rookie Tracy Porter will start at the two cornerback spots. Mike McKenzie, who hasn't played since having reconstructive knee surgery in the offseason, is expected to be activated and could play as the Saints' third cornerback.

* Shanahan, above, was selected NFL Coach of the Week by voters at NFL.com in the wake of the Broncos' 39-38 victory against the Chargers. Shanahan elected to go for a two-point conversion, and the win instead of a tie, after the Broncos scored with 24 seconds remaining in the game.

* The Broncos held center Tom Nalen out of practice Friday and will wait until next week to see how his ailing left knee feels. "I just felt like after watching him practice for a couple days, it wasn't in his best interest to practice," Shanahan said. "When you watch a guy 14 years, you know when he's hurting."

• September 19, 2008

  5:34 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Opeth1972 writes:

  Well said Bly. I agree and have thought that should be the case. Now show us what that looks like!

• September 19, 2008

  7:14 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Pigskin writes:

  "That season the Rams had eight touchdown returns on defense, including one by Bly, and Kevin Carter led the league in sacks (17) ..."
  Yes, there's the catch. Unfortunately, with this defense, "matching touchdowns" is what we're going to have to worry about.
  Anyone on this team capable of putting up 17 sacks? Can we get anywhere near the kind of consistent pressure that generates a stat like that?
  Engelberger? Ekuban? No.

• September 19, 2008

  7:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  broncodano writes:

  Dumervil shoud be getting the cast off his hand this week. he had a broken pinky. This is major for us. Elvis uses his hands to grab the offensive lineman and throw him aside. He was unable to do this with the cast. After removing 4 pins from his pinky this week, he will be able to rehab the little finger.

  This could be a big reason why the sack leader hasnt posted a sack this season.

  Broncos have also indicated that Jarvis Moss will be activated this game.

  Look for one heck of a pass rush.

  Broncos by three touchdowns, and an couple of interceptions by Champ and the gang.

  Just hope they activate CB jackson for the game because Paymah got beat like a harp seal cub at Ted Nuget's Redneck Barbacue.

  bd

• September 19, 2008

  7:44 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Opeth1972 writes:

  I hope so bd, because if they don't get a pass rush, it is going to be a lot like the SD game. And it wouldn't hurt to not allow the opponent to score or come close to scoring on special teams either.

• September 19, 2008

  7:49 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  bearfoot0405 writes:

  OK people. Let's not forget that this team crushed a bad team week one, and barely escaped with a win against a good team at home (when they were favored) week two. Comparing them with the best offense of all time and a Super Bowl winning team after two weeks is premature!

  Don't get me wrong, I am going out to get my Cutler jersey just like the next guy, but let's see how games against the Saints and Jacksonville go before we start calling them Super Bowl contenders.

• September 19, 2008

  8:27 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  bearfoot0405, just a quick question. Did you mean that "SD" was favored last week, because they were. Denver was the underdog. I do agree, though, to your previous comment. It's too early in the season to make them into the new, "Greatest Show on Turf". However, I will say that for 2 games, their O has been consistent and extremely impressive. Plus, the Saints are ranked 29th on D, so don't expect our offense to get shut down. It will be a great game, a shoot out.

• September 19, 2008

  8:57 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncody writes:

  I like the DJ Williams wasn't fined. If he would have been I would have sent in $10 to him to help out. Any hit on that panzy is worth the money. I'm sure many people feel the same. I'm looking for alot of points this sunday. This game could take a Loooonnnngg time with all the passing that should be anticipated. 52-45 Broncos win. Just kidding, but who knows.

• September 20, 2008

  12:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  BCC233 writes:

  I have a question. If the Broncos arent getting any pressure on the Quarterback on passing downs anyway why not just let Jarvis Moss play on those downs. It seems like Moss has the most upside so why not let him work his way in to or out of a job?

• September 20, 2008

  8:30 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  BCC233, as one of the other articles stated, they are going to cut Jarvis loose against the offense of the Saints, this Sunday. We will see how he performs. He has talked the talk, now it's time to walk the walk. I'm hoping he has a great game. He has the tools and he's healthy now. It's crunch time (literally).
  Broncody, Hey, I'd love to see Denver score a lot. Keeps us secure as the #1 Offense. It hurts me when I bet on the books, here in Vegas, because it becomes more difficult to beat the spread. 5 1/2 this week and it's projected to be 7 at KC. But if we consistently score a lot, there should be no reason the Broncos can't beat the spread. What they have done, to date, is no fluke. Now we play a team outside of our division. To me, this is a litmus test. Get by this game in dominant fashion and it will silence many of the critics. Notice that most of the big, bad, Raiders fans, who were talking smack on our blog, are nowhere to be found? Typical. But not to worry. Rest assured, they will be back when we play the Raiders again. They are gluttens for punishment.

• September 20, 2008

  9:22 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SirRealist writes:

  By the way, D.J.Williams wasn't fined for a helmet hit on Rivers chin, because THERE WASN'T ONE, as could be seen on the instant replay during the game. I'm all for not letting guys tee off on the QB, but that was just another example of things that favored the Chargers, like many holding calls and a hard block-in-the-back on Sproles kick-off return.

• September 20, 2008

  10:04 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Dynamicdave writes:

  SirRealist, yeah, you know, a lot of my friends who are not Broncos fans, kept crying about how Denver was handed the game. I told them they are seeing the game with tunnel vision. I told them that if they would have paid attention, they would have seen, not 1, but 2 blocks to the back by the Chargers. Numerous holds on our DE's to prevent what would have been sacks. If they would have taken these into consideration, the Chargers would never have made the game as close as it was. We should have led the game by 15. But, football has it's share of "bad calls", so everything has it's way of working out. Call it Karma. It came out and reared it's ugly head at the Chargers and they lost. If they can't deal with as players and the fans can't deal with it, good. I love to hear them crying. Be it the Raiders or the Chargers or the Chiefs, I love to stick it to the whiners who claim to be a fan of their team. GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• September 20, 2008

  11:27 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  SirRealist writes:

  Dynamic - absolutely! I saw one guy who posted last week who said he counted 9 blatant holds where jerseys were being yanked on and guys actually taken down, some right in front of refs, and the penalty was never called.

  I put up with the same kind of childish whining and crying from buddies who are SD fans last week, and like I told them, since I've been really avidly watching the Broncos (1982) I couldn't begin to count the games that we've lost due to incorrect calls, non-calls, and just plain bad luck - ya gripe about it for an hour or two, have another cold beer, chalk it up to being part of the game, and look forward to next week.

  I will say that if I see another instance of turning conservative with the lead, like in the third quarter, I'm going to write a nasty-gram that will be sure to grab Shanny's attention. The man and his folks know better than that. You do what works until they stop you, and if you get the chance to step on their throats and shove the ball down their gullets, you do it. The Chargers are too good a team to lighten up on them and hope they squeal "uncle". I personally hope that on 12/28 we go to SD and kick their asses over their shoulders in a totally clean game so they'll shut up. My kids didn't cry like that when they were two.

• September 20, 2008

  12:18 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  vvsignin writes:

  Hopefully, if things follow suit as they've started this season thus far, by the time the Broncos go into SD they will have more than a one game lead over the Chargers and will sit Cutler, keeping him out of harms way for the playoffs. Wouldn't that be hilarious to have SD all ready to exact revenge just to have Shannahan make it a pointless game by starting Ramsey? I can already hear Norv Turner moaning and complaining like he did last week as his team prepares to sit out the playoffs with an 8-8 mark. Norv, you're only 6 losses away from that mark, buddy...I know you can get there! Anyhow, Broncos need to avoid having all of the hype go to their heads and continue to let the passing game open up the run game. Put Cutler in the shotgun on 1st down, especially with a rookie starting at CB for the Saints. Run those quick slants and quick outs that gain 7 and 8 yards on 1st down, opening up the playbook for 2nd down. Be relentless with a three touchdown lead. And, for God's sake, DON'T punt the ball to Bush, angle it out of bounds. And please kick the ball through the end zone on kickoffs. Nice to hear that Moss wants to be a part of this defense. This D line really is only one good player away from making the defense a middle-of-the-pack defense. Just a few good pressures a game in critical situations would make a world of difference, and with the offense getting off to fast starts, the D will have its chance to apply some pass rush.

• September 20, 2008

  12:37 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Rutabaga writes:

  I think the defense is just playing possum. Just when we think they are sleeping on the field, boom, they will wake up block a pass or something. I don't mind so much that the other team scores a ton of points, just so long as we score a few more.

  Go Broncos... To The Championship and Beyond...

• September 20, 2008

  6:01 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  Broncosfan75 writes:

  SirRealist, despite what Cutler would have us believe, the offensive play calling didn't get conservative in the third quarter. He was 1-3 in three of our six offensive plays for -1 yard on the two drives; while we had very successful runs of about four yards each. He missed the receivers and couldnt get the ball out quick enough on the receiver screen. It is one of the problems of relying on the pass--you can be taken off the field quickly. He had an otherwise great game, but on third and one after running for nine yards on two plays I would like to see another run...and we need to never, ever call the bootleg inside the five, he had the potential for two turnovers on that play that cost one touchdown and could have cost the game.

Featured

• DNC in Denver

  

  Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.

• The Crevasse

  

  A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.

• Deadly denial

  

  Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.

• Final Salute

  

  The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.

• 'Colorado's burning'

  

  Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.

• Columbine shootings

  

  Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.

• The Crossing

  

  Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.

• Osveli's journey

  

  Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.

• Wake for an Indian warrior

  

  Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.