Official Denver Broncos Thread

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Today's game really exposed our defense. It showed just what can happen to us when the game remains close. I'm shocked, however, that our defense rolled over like that. They looked lost and unprepared. They made the Cowboys' offense look amazing. How do you allow over 500 yards passing?! 13 yards per pass?!

This was an embarrassment for Jack Del Rio and the defense. He's darn lucky Danny Trevathon atoned for some of his earlier plays. I'm glad this happened now, though. I hope we can really look at what's wrong (no pass rush, for starters). Our defense was great when stuffing the run. 2nd and 10 should be a good thing for our defense, unless you're allowing 13 yards per pass.

Considering our coach is John Fox, and with Jack Del Rio, for our defense to perform like this is utterly unacceptable. We've seen, historically, what happens to high-powered offenses that have mediocre defenses. They lose Super Bowls.

[TRC]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

This game should be the wake up call that they needed minus the loss. I think not having a consistent pass rush was the problem. Romo will kill any team that gives him time. And the arm tackling... guys just weren't hitting the way they have all year thus far. However, this Defense will greatly improve once they have all of their starters back in 2 weeks. Anyone heard anything regarding Ayers' shoulder injury. Woodyard and Harris should be fine according to reports.

Best part: Teams had better score on all of their possessions if they want to beat this team. Maybe Fox should think about making Colquitt inactive for the Jax game to provide defensive depth.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

A lot of what you saw, IMO, stems from not being sure of what you're doing. When you're not confident in what's going on, when you're confused and hesitant, then you look slow and you're not in position to make good tackles. That was our defense, all game long.

Jack Del Rio clearly didn't have an answer to the Cowboys. He was fishing for solutions, and he never did find one. The only one who did was Danny Trevathon, who went on instinct and recognized a play. Of course, that only helps to make up for the missed coverages he had (and he was pulled from the game in the first half because of it). Del Rio was trying all kinds of packages, and none really had success.

The scheme against Pryor and Vick were the same. We didn't want pressure on them; we wanted containment. Make Vick and Pryor throw the ball. Against the Cowboys, when we needed that QB pressure, it wasn't there.

Maybe Tony Romo just happened to be in the zone so much that day that he had the game of his life. He seemed to be throwing with Tom Brady precision and quickness. He was hitting those seam routes perfectly, recognizing blitzes early, and punishing our defense for it time and time again. Maybe it just happened to be that Romo was in top form that day, and our defense just didn't have its best outing.

All that being said, we're doing this without Von Miller. So that's encouraging. His presence alone changes everything. And the other side to all of this is that good teams find ways to win. Poor teams find ways to lose. Our defense didn't have the best day, but our team found a way and our defense never did give up. So long as they keep that mentality, I think we'll be okay (even though my heart may not survive the season).

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

The defense was horrible, no denying that. However, I'm not concerned at this point. Losing Woodyard really hurt the on-field communications and it seems that when he left, that's when things really went down hill. I think that's why they looked so lost in the second half. They came around in the first half after giving up a quick 14 points. It really should have been 28-17 going into the half, but they blew the coverage again to allow Dallas into FG range. That was inexcusable.

After Denver scored a TD to open the second half, Carter gave up that huge play on the Cowboys' second play of their answering drive. IMO, that's the play that opened the flood gates. Carter needs to figure that out - he's there most of the time with good coverage, but he's not finishing the play (mostly because he isn't finding the ball). I'm also not sure where the safety help was on that play.

Romo and the Cowboys came at Denver with absolutely everything they had. Everything. Romo was playing at an unbelievable high level, whereas that WAS Denver's level (at least offensively). Denver suffered some key injuries on defense, and at one time they were missing 5 starters on defense (including Champ and Miller).

I think it's good that Denver was in a game like this AND came out with a win. They came from behind to win the game and they made plays when they had to do so.

Denver's D just had a bad day under weird circumstances, and there is no doubt in my mind that they will improve.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

The Jaguars game was something I watched and thought "why aren't we winning by more?" All week long, the team talked about how the Jaguars were a team to respect and could play. It was evident on Sunday that the Broncos had trouble getting pumped for the game. I also think Manning got rattled by the early hits. I also hope Champ gets some good practice in this week. On Sunday, there were times he looked more like Boss Bailey in coverage.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Yeah... the game was frustrating at halftime to say the least.

Last week's game was Jacksonville's Super Bowl and Denver seemed only mildly interested at best. It's easy for teams to play down to their opponents because, like you said, they just aren't up for the game.

Good or bad, it appears we are all becoming somewhat spoiled as Broncos fans. Scoring 35 is now considered to be a 'down' week and winning by 16 isn't very impressive. It's funny how that works. Two years ago, scoring 20 was considered a good week offensively and just winning was a big deal.

I am looking forward to seeing how they look Sunday night.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

My POV:

1) Our offensive line is too beaten up to be playing in shotgun or most of the game. They need help, and we'll need to play in formations that offer additional blocking. Two TEs, a FB, etc.

2) Peyton is wary of being hit. The hits clearly shook him up and disrupted his timing.

3) We have just one running back who can hold onto the ball. Hillman's fumble problems still persist, despite the fact that fumbling was "addressed" in preseason.

4) Our linebackers are struggling in pass protection. We keep getting beat down the seams and over the middle.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Denver remains their own worst enemy. They lose when the holes they dig themselves into get too deep.

If Ronnie Hillman never touches the ball again, I think I'd be okay with that. Why would you ever put him in the game at the three yard line given his history, especially when Moreno has been getting it done? I didn't understand that at all. Hillman HAS to be out of chances. He's hurt the team way more than he's helped them.

I also think Manning is hurt to some degree. I don't know what it is, but something's just not right with him. He doesn't seem to be stepping into his throws. Some of the balls that he was throwing yesterday were just complete ducks. There was also an unusually high number of swing passes and dump-offs. I hate to say it, but he looked old last night.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I think Manning has lost trust in his offensive line. He's quickly checking down in order to avoid hits, and looks worried about his blind side. And for good reason! We won't have any success if Manning can't step into his throws and has time to throw down field. It's the offensive line. And where someone like Luck can scramble, Manning is a sitting duck.

I expect more I-formation and two-TE sets next week to help with the blocking. Running out of the shotgun isn't working anymore, and defenses aren't respecting it. They're just straight up blitzing, and having success.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

No doubt about that. His receivers didn't help him out either. They couldn't win their battles with man coverage. Decker had an okay game, but at times he seemed more interested in trying to draw PI than going after the football. DT was nearly non-existent. JT can't block.

A lot of things went wrong last night. Onward and hopefully upward. They need to get a win versus Washington and heal-up a bit through the bye week.

This is a very undisciplined football team at times.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I think this was a good time to lose. A good wake up call, a good exposure of issues.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Apparently something is up with Manning. He's being held out of practice today.

**EDIT** - Held out of practice because of treatment on ankle. He is expected to practice tomorrow and play Sunday.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I don't think Manning plays beyond this year. Super Bowl or not.

[Jonsco28]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

I honestly think there is more to this than his ankle. Something is going on that the Broncos don't want known. He's always thrown a wobbly ball, but some of the throws he made against Indy were really weak. I haven't seen so many check downs and swing passes since Orton was here. Manning didn't work the middle of the field at all.

The truth is Manning hasn't looked right for a couple of weeks. He didn't look right against Jacksonville.

Denver needs the running game to get going. I don't get why Hillman has been granted so many chances. Moreno fumbled last year against Atlanta and he found himself on the inactive list and it took half of the year before he was back again. Is it simply because Moreno isn't 'their' guy? I'd like to see Hillman deactivated and bring in CJ. Maybe he could jump-start this running game.

[Broncos86]

Re: Official Denver Broncos Thread

Ronnie Hillman will not even dress for this next game, CJ Anderson will.