Tuesday morning QB: Defense, changing history in K.C. top agenda
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published September 22, 2008 at 11:20 p.m.
Photo by Darin McGregor © The Rocky
Broncos linebacker Boss Bailey celebrates after the Broncos stopped the Saints on fourth-and-goal during Sunday's game. Despite the stop and Denver's 3-0 record the Broncos are still ranked last in the league against the pass so far this season.
A look at the highest scoring outputs by the Broncos offense through three games in franchise history.
2008: 114
2000: 111
1998: 103
2003: 98
1976: 97
1985: 94
1989: 93
Are the Broncos' defensive shortcomings as bad as last season?
Drew on the NFL
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It became official Monday.
Somewhere, deep in the statistical dungeon where the numbers get crunched each week, the hard drives were set in motion and the 3 and the 2 came spitting out right next to the Broncos.
As in 32.
As in last.
The Broncos, a 3-0 touchdown factory, are now last in the NFL in pass defense. And they are 30th in defense overall.
That puts them in a neighborhood with Detroit (30th and 0-3) and St. Louis (31st and, yes, 0-3).
There is a thought in the real-estate world that you don't want to have the nicest house on the block, that it affects its value.
Well, the Broncos are certainly the nicest house on that defensive block.
"And there's no excuses," defensive end Ebenezer Ekuban said. "We know we have to be better than that."
"It's a good thing our offense is playing the way they are because we haven't held up our end," cornerback Champ Bailey said. "It sounds strange, but we know how good we can be, we know how good we are, we just haven't played up to our capabilities."
By winning the past two weeks, the Broncos showed all who were interested a little something about themselves. They went touchdown-for-touchdown with two of the most explosive offenses in the league.
They sent home two of the best quarterbacks with losses after each had what will be one of his better games of the season.
They played, no matter what the score said about other things, in tight games and finished out both with wins.
But this week will tell its own story about these Broncos. They go to Arrowhead Stadium, where they won 27-11 last season.
That bit of information is key since the Broncos haven't won regular-season games in Kansas City in back-to-back years since the 1978 and 1979 seasons. They did win a playoff game there in 1997 and followed with a victory in the '98 regular season, which just happened to be the franchise's past two Super Bowl winners.
Otherwise, a win at Arrowhead one year usually means a loss there the next.
But, at the moment, the Chiefs have a 12-game losing streak overall, dating to last November.
They are currently trying to decide whether a second-year player, Tyler Thigpen, coming off his first NFL start or 35-year-old Damon Huard should start at quarterback against the Broncos.
The Chiefs are 28th in offense, 25th in defense and squarely in the middle of a rebuilding project that has the appearance of being a long-term affair.
Arrowhead has long been a trouble spot for the Broncos, a place where small problems have often become big ones.
Sunday, they'll see if that's true this time around.
GET IT DONE
The Broncos have outscored opponents 72-36 in the first half of their first three games.
Another quick start Sunday will take one of the NFL's tougher crowds to deal with out of the game. The Chiefs have struggled mightily this season with injuries, youth and the mistakes that come with both.
Sunday in Atlanta, Kansas City's offense went three plays and a punt in the first six possessions of the game, and the Chiefs punted four times in the first quarter alone.
The Broncos long have dealt with the difficulty of playing in Arrowhead - and without much success. They know the drill and they've seen games get away, with even struggling Chiefs teams feeding off the energy of the place.
But this Chiefs team has had enough problems this season that a quick start by the Broncos could quiet the place or even send some of the fans home early, leaving the two teams to play it out on their own.
BREAK IT DOWN
When a team plays with a high-octane offense, it not only keeps opposing defenses off balance, it also can be difficult for its own defense to keep up.
But the teams that have pulled it off the best made some impact with their pass rush, possessing at least one consistent finisher when it comes to chasing down opposing quarterbacks.
The 1999 Rams, a Super Bowl winner, made it happen with the league's highest-scoring offense that year - 526 points - and a defense that finished tied for sixth overall in yards allowed per game.
That total included a No. 1 ranking against the run. But teams ran it, on average, only 21 times a game against St. Louis because the Rams rarely trailed and teams rarely had the patience to keep running to catch up.
The Rams also finished 20th against the pass that season, but they did have defensive end Kevin Carter, who led the league in sacks with 17, and D'Marco Farr, who finished with 81/2, so they did get pressure when they had to.
The lowest-ranked defensive teams to reach a Super Bowl were the 1991 Buffalo Bills and 1993 Buffalo Bills, both of which finished the season ranked 27th overall in yards allowed per game. In 1991 and 1993, that was a No. 27 ranking out of 28 teams.
Both of those defenses also shared the field with the Bills' no-huddle offense, which consistently ran plays without much regard to using up the clock.
Cornelius Bennett led the 1991 Bills with nine sacks - Bruce Smith was injured - out of a 3-4 look, getting pressure up the middle at times with nose tackle Jeff Wright, who had six sacks. In 1993, Smith had 14 sacks, Bennett five and Wright 41/2.
And, despite outscoring their opponents 458-318 in 1991, the Bills ran 30 fewer offensive plays that season. In 1993, they outscored their opponents 329-242 and ran 41 fewer plays.
MATCH GAME: Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams vs. Chiefs running back Larry Johnson
Despite getting only 12 carries in the Chiefs' loss to the Raiders two weeks ago, Johnson still has toted the ball more times this season (58) than the Chiefs have completed passes (50).
Williams, playing on the weak side - away from the tight end - in the Broncos defense, is important in the pursuit of plays. When the Chiefs try to push Johnson wide in the run game, Williams must run him down.
And when Johnson goes up inside, Williams and middle linebacker Nate Webster have to be there.
With all of the Chiefs' struggles on offense this season, particularly at quarterback, Johnson is the one thing that could settle things down, especially if the Broncos let him find any rhythm early in the game.
HOT SPOT
Two weeks ago against Denver, San Diego running back Darren Sproles caught two passes for 72 yards, including a 66-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown. In the same game Chargers fullback Mike Tolbert had a 67-yard reception.
Sunday, Saints running back Reggie Bush had 11 receptions, including a 6-yard touchdown catch. He also had a 39-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown that was called back because of a holding penalty.
As the Broncos continue to drop their linebackers into zone coverage in some of their three-man rush packages, their past two opponents have worked the open spots for some big gains by getting the ball to the running backs on the edge of the formation or in the spaces left behind in the pass drops.
Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who had a career-high 41 catches in 2006, has only one this year, but it would be a surprise in this one if the Chiefs don't at least try to get him the ball some in the passing game.
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September 22, 2008
11:50 p.m.
Suggest removal
LarryB writes:
Somehow, I don't find much comfort from the words of encouragement coming from Denver's players on the "defense." That might have something to do with my having heard similar remarks recently as the year 2007.
September 23, 2008
12:12 a.m.
Suggest removal
Broncody writes:
The LBs are good. The rest of the defense is hasn't impressed me. Where are the picks from the "ballhawkers". Is Elvis in the building, yeah he has a broken pinky but still... The strong play from Webster and DJ is the only reason (in my oppinion) that the saints didn't win. Foxy trade was a mistake, Paymah isn't as good as him and less experienced. I would love to see Lynch resigned but he probably doesn't want a reduced role and I can respect that from a future HOFer. Get a few years to rebuild the defense (hopefully only 1 or two years) and we are looking at a Superbowl contender. Or the defense could tell themselves they arent going to be manhandled anymore and come out and make a statement. KC game doesn't constitute a statement game... They lost to the raiders.
September 23, 2008
6:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
leon writes:
The Broncos need John Lynch...like the United States needs John McCain. Broncody, it is time for a change. John Lynch cannot be the solution to the Broncos woes. How can a guy that got beat out...fair and square...on the practice field...be the answer to our defense. As bad as we are this year, we were just as bad last year...and Lynch is a year older. It takes a while for new teammates to get a feel for each other and learn where they are supposed to be. You can watch Champ and other veterans pointing during plays...which means that some of the players are still learning where they are supposed to be as a play develops. Practice helps...film helps...but playing together during a game is the only way for a defense to gel. Obviously, an effective pass rush helps too. I guess that what I am trying to say is...vote Obama.
September 23, 2008
7:59 a.m.
Dynamicdave writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
September 23, 2008
8:09 a.m.
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Broncody writes:
Who better to help teach these people who are still learning then a great, smart, veteran player. Lynch made an impact and made his presence felt. We need a leader on the defense, DJ is doing what he does but I just don't see him as the guy inspiring the whole team. A smart, older man with leadership qualities, who has fought in the trenches for us, is what we need. I guess what I'm saying is Vote McCain.
I'm not saying that Lynch is the answer for all situations. He couldn't hurt things though. The worst thing that could happen; he comes back (if he would accept the lesser role) and help the run defense and mentor some of the younger defensive backs. Who wants that though. ;)
September 23, 2008
8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
fastnloose writes:
It's hard to lead from the sideline(Lynch).Make him a coach if you feel you need him around,do not eat up a roster spot for an over the hill player.
September 23, 2008
9:13 a.m.
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Orange_Crush18 writes:
Leon, please leave......
September 23, 2008
9:16 a.m.
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Orange_Crush18 writes:
Broncody, please leave.......
This is not a politcal blog.
September 23, 2008
9:23 a.m.
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surffisherman writes:
The best way to improve our pass coverage is with a strong consistant pass rush. We have a couple of extra draft picks for next year with the trade of Colbert and others. Let's see if Shanahan can put them to good use and find a DL who can help this year. We are so close to having a really great team, I for one think we can go far this year with the addition of a player or two.
Oh yeah, let's leave the politics out of the sports section! If I want to hear drivel from the left I can always go read it at the Democratic Underground.
September 23, 2008
10:20 a.m.
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opinionatedcolo writes:
I am far from convinced that Lynch is the answer but I agree that this defense seems to lack toughness and leadership. Their best players (Champ and Williams) do not seem to be the vocal type and no one else has stepped up. The best defenses have a guy (or more than one) that stand up and refuse to let the team lose. I can admire players who just do their job, but some one has to lead and I just do not see that here.
September 23, 2008
11:16 a.m.
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STR8SHTR writes:
@ leon....i STONGLY AGREE WITH THIS STATEMENT...."it is time for a change",(and that's it) that is why John and John are out...out with the OLD and in with the NEW. GO BRONCOS!!!!
September 23, 2008
11:22 a.m.
Suggest removal
RustyWon writes:
Davey, relax. There are plenty of us left.
We will need a pass rush if we are going to be truly successful.
I believe our DB's and LB's are fine, and I think we're looking ok against the run, but even I could sit back in the pocket and find an open receiver if given enough time.
Schemes, players - whatever.
Let's get that fixed this week against one of the worst teams in the NFL over the last 5 years.
September 23, 2008
11:52 a.m.
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jvill writes:
DforDavid, let up on the steroids, fella. Your road rage is starting to interfere with other drivers.
To be concerned about your favorite team's play does not make you a fair weather fan -- it makes you a real fan interested in how the game (and your team) works.
To blindly cheer no matter how they play does make you a borg.
September 23, 2008
12:13 p.m.
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BoNaFiDe writes:
I was going to say that the potential for the defense to become better than average is there, and while there is obvious work to be done no one in their right mind projected the Broncos to win the Super Bowl this year, so why everyone is getting all hyped up about the D right now is beyond me. Besides, they have played 2 of the top 5 offenses, what do you expect the stats to look like at this time.
I was going to say that, but I forgot that David is the only Denver sports fan left.
Look-up the definition of fair weather fan, I don't think it means what you think it means.
September 23, 2008
12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Brain writes:
The raiders only scored 14 points and 7 of that was late trash time and then they have scored 23 points in the next 2 games Buffalo has a decent Defense and gave-up 23 to the raiders. The chargers scored 24, 38, 47; saints have scored 24, 24, 32 and the 24's were against decent D's. The defense needs to play better and the next 3 weeks they play average O's at best, we will see then how bad the defense is; it is better than last year but not much better. It all starts on the D-line and they are not getting enough pressure on the good QB's; in my opinion we have NO pro-bowl LB's, we probably will need to upgrade there and at DE to get better next year.
Broncos 38 KC 10
September 23, 2008
1:13 p.m.
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greg684 writes:
i know their 30th but Phillip Rivers and Drew Brees had something to with that. i'm concern if Damon Huard or Thigpen from the Chiefs put up the same numbers or LJ gets 100 or 200 yards on them Sunday at Arrowhead.
September 23, 2008
1:15 p.m.
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Nick_Shadow writes:
Broncody,
John Lynch cannot cover the pass, which is the problem, why do want him to return?
September 23, 2008
1:17 p.m.
Suggest removal
Rutabaga writes:
The Broncos need John Lynch like Yogi bear needs BooBoo. He couldn't hurt the defense too much. They already make me sick to my stomach. Last game I ate a whole pack of tums in the 4th quarter. Then I really felt sick. So maybe if John Lynch was back they could be 27th or 28th in defense. Who knows, he might even block a pass or something...
Go Broncos... To The Championship and Beyond...
September 23, 2008
2:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
elgin99 writes:
Dfordavid writes:
You fans are all posers! The D will get better through time!
Go be a Cowboys fans you fair weather jerks!
WAA WAA WAA THE BRONCOS D WAA WAA WAA! but wait they are 3-0!
Cry babies every one of you!
Oh my team has to win by a blow out for it to be a win!
FAIR WEATHER JERKOFFS!
I am calling out all Broncos fans! email me so we can meet up in person so I can say it to your faces! lets meet up you cowards! in a very public place. buckingbronco65@yahoo.com
AMEN DFORDAVID, JUST DON'T FORGET THE DENVER SPORT WRITERS IN YOUR JERKOFF LIST.
Food for thought: It was 1972 the last time a Cardinal football
started out 3-0. Something to ponder for whiny #ickwads fans and sport writers.
September 23, 2008
2:29 p.m.
Suggest removal
SteveC writes:
Sounds like little davey boy missed his nappy poo. Does little davey wavey need him a nappy?
Settle down dude, there are lots of fans here, that's why we're here. All we are saying is that the defense needs to improve their pass rush and pass defense or somebody will figure out a way to score more points than us. Take a pill or something.
September 23, 2008
5:35 p.m.
Suggest removal
AKuser writes:
David hopefully a psychiatrist will email you and you guys can meet in a public place like a hospital. You are officially fruit loops. The Broncos have 30+ years of sellouts, you can call Bronco fans a lot of things but "fair weather" is not one of them. Thankfully the Broncos coaches have not totally lost their mind in a fit of rage and are concerned about the defense as most fans are. Failure to recognize a problem removes any chance of solving it (see your mental state and the Broncos defense).
September 23, 2008
5:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Cutlers_the_bomb writes:
This defense does need to get its act together, but their is some bright spots. For example, if our team falls behind early to some other team, then our run defense is capable of stopping them from just pounding us like last year. That was the reason for putting all their focus on the run defense, because IF we fall behind early, then we can stop them from just grinding it out and using up the clock, and can get us back in the game. I don't think even Shanahan imagined that we were capable of leading even anywhere near as much as we do so early, if ever that early, because that just seemed so unreal. That's why our pass defense isn't good enough. It's a gamble on defense because you need to base it off of your offense. He ended up building our defense wrong, because it should have been built like the Colts' defense. It's a surprise to almost anyone how impressive our offense has become.
If we can get a pass rush, then our pass defense will become better than it is. That is the main ingredient we are missing, because without pressure, even a quarterback like Brodie Croyle can tear us to pieces. If we can blitz more and get some more pressure, then our pass defense will figure itself out.
September 23, 2008
8:05 p.m.
Suggest removal
deepwater805 writes:
Now we know the real reason Shanahan went for two against SD. He knew the defense would never survive OT if the SD were to win the toss, so why not take a gamble on going for two? It was his best chance to win.
Having a the worst pass defense in the league is a coaching problem. The players are habitually out of position. Why is that? It's because they're where their coaching schemes say they should be, opposing teams know this, and pass accordingly. With mucho success. Methinks the coaching scheme needs to be rethunk.....
September 23, 2008
9:08 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dynamicdave writes:
I guess they didn't like my remark to the political comment made by leon. Oh well, freedom of speech is not allowed (I never cussed). Anyways, DforDavid, relax. You are far from the only Bronco fan, here.
Now, on to business. The D needs to focus. If what they said is true, that miscommunication is causing the trouble, then they need to pay more attention. Regardless, I still would be happy to see Williams (Jack) in place of Paymah. KC is going to get torched by our offense. Don't really care what QB KC plays. It's time for our D to get re-energized. Get some confidence. Read their playbook....