Denver Broncos @ Detroit Lions

[belcherboy]

Hey thanks for coming over to the board. Question for you would you being willing or any other Detroit fan to do a "ask the enemy" type post. What I mean is Bronco fans ask you questions about your team as honestly I and I'm sure others don't know a whole heck of a lot about your team.

Absolutely, although I'm only on this message board about 4-5 times a week (mostly weekends). Most my Lions conversations come from a message board at motownsports.com.

 

[cdumler7]

Absolutely, although I'm only on this message board about 4-5 times a week (mostly weekends).

Cool well you can let your other Detroit brethren know they can chime in on the questions as well if they want.

So just a few from me right now?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this year?

How healthy is Matthew Stafford as I heard he is pretty beat up?

How is your new rookie RB working out? I am a somewhat Huskers fan as my wife is from Nebraska so followed his career a little.

If you were a coach coming into Detroit how would you game plan to attack them on both sides of the ball?

What is going on with the OL this year? They looked pretty decent last year from what I could tell.

 

[belcherboy]

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this year?

Our biggest weakness has to be our OL. Stafford just doesn't have enough time, and our running game just doesn't seem to have enough space. I wouldn't put all the blame on our OL, because it seems that our playcalling has become pretty predictable IMO. But the bottom line is that they have to protect Stafford enough for the receivers to get open, and keep him from getting hit so much.

Our only strength IMO is our passing game right now, and it isn't looking very strong. Our defense isn't a strength just yet, but I wouldn't call it a weakness by any means.

How healthy is Matthew Stafford as I heard he is pretty beat up?

He looks pretty beat up, but Stafford is a lot like Favre in terms of playing hurt. If something isn't broken or torn, Stafford's a pretty tough kid and will play it out. I suspect we'll see him on Sunday, although the Lions have the Seahawks the following week, so they may choose to rest him. The biggest problem with that is that without Stafford, there is little chance the Lions win on Sunday. So resting him puts them in an 0-3 hole to start the season, with a game against Seattle the next week.

How is your new rookie RB working out? I am a somewhat Huskers fan as my wife is from Nebraska so followed his career a little.

He had a pretty decent game against SD, but was non existent against Minny. Typical rookie. He has a lot of potential, but I think we will only see it in flashes this year.

If you were a coach coming into Detroit how would you game plan to attack them on both sides of the ball?

On Defense, I'd try to make Manning throw over the top. I haven't watched Denver this year, but Manning has typically been the king of the precision passing from the little I've watched him the past few years. I think his deep ball is his weakest attribute right now. So if it were me, I'd try to force him over the top and play tight in the short passing game (15 yards and less).

On Offense, they've got to get Calvin the ball. Both him and Tate can carry the offense, and hopefully it will open up some RB dumps and runs. Of course, they can't get open if the OL isn't giving the QB time or is allowing the QB to take hits on many throws.

What is going on with the OL this year? They looked pretty decent last year from what I could tell.

Good question. They are fairly young with the majority of the starters having less than 4 years experience, but they shouldn't be this bad. Again, it could be 100% them, or their poor play may have to do with the playcalling.

 

[CEH]

Our biggest weakness has to be our OL. Stafford just doesn't have enough time, and our running game just doesn't seem to have enough space. I wouldn't put all the blame on our OL, because it seems that our playcalling has become pretty predictable IMO. But the bottom line is that they have to protect Stafford enough for the receivers to get open, and keep him from getting hit so much.

Our only strength IMO is our passing game right now, and it isn't looking very strong. Our defense isn't a strength just yet, but I wouldn't call it a weakness by any means.



He looks pretty beat up, but Stafford is a lot like Favre in terms of playing hurt. If something isn't broken or torn, Stafford's a pretty tough kid and will play it out. I suspect we'll see him on Sunday, although the Lions have the Seahawks the following week, so they may choose to rest him. The biggest problem with that is that without Stafford, there is little chance the Lions win on Sunday. So resting him puts them in an 0-3 hole to start the season, with a game against Seattle the next week.



He had a pretty decent game against SD, but was non existent against Minny. Typical rookie. He has a lot of potential, but I think we will only see it in flashes this year.



On Defense, I'd try to make Manning throw over the top. I haven't watched Denver this year, but Manning has typically been the king of the precision passing from the little I've watched him the past few years. I think his deep ball is his weakest attribute right now. So if it were me, I'd try to force him over the top and play tight in the short passing game (15 yards and less).

On Offense, they've got to get Calvin the ball. Both him and Tate can carry the offense, and hopefully it will open up some RB dumps and runs. Of course, they can't get open if the OL isn't giving the QB time or is allowing the QB to take hits on many throws.



Good question. They are fairly young with the majority of the starters having less than 4 years experience, but they shouldn't be this bad. Again, it could be 100% them, or their poor play may have to do with the playcalling.

The book on Manning has been written. I bet you;ll see DET use the same defensive scheme as the other two teams until Manning can show he can connect on the deep patterns. He's been close this year but no cigar. In the playoff game last year, he was horrible. Part of the problem is he is throwing too early on the deep patterns because he is either seeing ghosts now with a sub par line or is actually getting pressure forcing the ball out just a tick too early.

The NFL has instituted only 12 padded practices a year during the reg season so our line will have to gel in actual games . Hard to get the scheme down in shells .

The good news is Denver is winning and gelling at the same time.

 

[randymon]

I like the fact were 2-0 but I would say this offense is not quite gelling yet. Off the top of my head mind you, I believe they've rushed for 60 odd yrs per game and Manning has been sacked more in 2 games than in a season just about. No, I would say their far from gelling just yet but hopefully soon. Go D in meantime.

 

[Draft Crazy]

I am hoping to get an early lead unlike the last two weeks thus allowing the D to pin their ears back a bit and get some sacks and picks on a team that has to pass the ball to win.

 

[randymon]

Yeah DC and I hope the early lead comes from a good rushing attack as well.

 

[RobBase]

What are the strengths and weaknesses of your team this year?

No stand out strengths. The era of the feared D line is over with Suh in Miami. He masked a ton of holes in the back 7 all by himself.

Biggest weakness, oh man, good question. Both O line and D line are equally full of gaping holes.

How healthy is Matthew Stafford as I heard he is pretty beat up?

He might not play. Although he practiced today. He's tough.

How is your new rookie RB working out? I am a somewhat Huskers fan as my wife is from Nebraska so followed his career a little.

We don't use him for some reason. Has very few carries. Has one catch.

If you were a coach coming into Detroit how would you game plan to attack them on both sides of the ball?

Same as everyone else. Play man, put a safety over Calvin every play and blitz on 3rd down. Force anyone but Calvin beat you.

On offense you'll be able to run and pass effortlessly all game same as the Chargers did. Peyton might have 5 TDs and next week everyone will be saying he's back to prime form.

What is going on with the OL this year? They looked pretty decent last year from what I could tell.

Injuries. Warford is the only really good one and he hasn't been the same since suffering some injuries.

 

[randymon]

Yeah Rob I'm pretty surprised they haven't involved Abdullah more into the play calling. Kind of a mind boggler. But I am a little surprised Detroit is looking so unorganized on offense esp. Figured they might give GB a run for the money for div title this yr. Still possible. A win over Denver would be a much needed confidence booster for sure. Good luck Sun. nite my man.

 

[cdumler7]

I appreciate the Detroit fans coming over and answering my questions. Here are some more if you guys don't mind continuing this. Just like to know a little more about teams we are playing. Especially considering we only see you guys every 4 years.

Who is maybe an unknown player right now that you think could develop into that household name in the next year or two?

Kyle Van Noy was a guy I was very high on last year in the draft...How has he looked? Same question for Darius Slay

Now that Calvin Johnson is turning 30 are you still seeing the same dominant force that has been the unanimous best receiver in football or is his heavy workload slowing him down just a bit?

Did you like the hire of Jim Caldwell?

Any news injury wise as I saw that Ansah, Levy, and Pettigrew all did not practice? How is Ngata coming along from his injury?

Anyway again thank you for answering the questions. Just don't get enough chances to talk to some of you guys from the NFC with so few games.

 

[cdumler7]

So by DVOA stats the Broncos have the best defense in the NFL with the Jets the only one half way close and the rest of the NFL pretty far down. What is surprising more though to me is that our Special Teams ranks 4th so far this season. The only area of weakness so far on Special Teams has been our return game. The coverage units have done outstanding and of course we all know how McManus has done. Colquitt has actually been pretty close to a top-10 punter as well. Which that finally lines up with his contract as he is the 11th highest paid punter in the league. Good to see him having a bit of a bounce back year as well.

 

[TDs3nOut]

So by DVOA stats the Broncos have the best defense in the NFL with the Jets the only one half way close and the rest of the NFL pretty far down. What is surprising more though to me is that our Special Teams ranks 4th so far this season. The only area of weakness so far on Special Teams has been our return game. The coverage units have done outstanding and of course we all know how McManus has done. Colquitt has actually been pretty close to a top-10 punter as well. Which that finally lines up with his contract as he is the 11th highest paid punter in the league. Good to see him having a bit of a bounce back year as well.

Defense and STs have been outstanding, though it is disappointing that we don't have much of a return game. Would love to see if Bennie Fowler could earn his check.

 

[cdumler7]

Defense and STs have been outstanding, though it is disappointing that we don't have much of a return game. Would love to see if Bennie Fowler could earn his check.

Fowler has done well as a coverage guy on Special Teams. So he is contributing just not in the big splash plays. I wouldn't mind seeing him return a punt or two but so far I have been happy with what Sanders has been. Above all SAnders is a guy with great hands that we know we can trust to field a punt. He also has the great first step quickness to make a play or two. In fact he has made a couple of nice returns to only have them called back because of penalty. Maybe this is the week that he finally busts one out. The one guy I don't want to see on kick off returns ever again though is Caldwell. I think I have seen him have one nice return during a preseason game and ever since then he has tried to have a big play and usually gets stopped somewhere between the 10 and 15 yard line putting our offense in a huge hole.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Fowler has done well as a coverage guy on Special Teams. So he is contributing just not in the big splash plays. I wouldn't mind seeing him return a punt or two but so far I have been happy with what Sanders has been. Above all SAnders is a guy with great hands that we know we can trust to field a punt. He also has the great first step quickness to make a play or two. In fact he has made a couple of nice returns to only have them called back because of penalty. Maybe this is the week that he finally busts one out. The one guy I don't want to see on kick off returns ever again though is Caldwell. I think I have seen him have one nice return during a preseason game and ever since then he has tried to have a big play and usually gets stopped somewhere between the 10 and 15 yard line putting our offense in a huge hole.

Didn't realize that Fowler has been contributing on coverage unit ... good to know. You are right that Sanders is reliable to field punts, which is certainly the primary criteria. Not too enthused, however, about having such a critical player in that role. Guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about the days when a guy like Trindon Holiday could return it to the house. Also realize, of course, that he didn't meet the "primary criteria".

 

[cdumler7]

Didn't realize that Fowler has been contributing on coverage unit ... good to know. You are right that Sanders is reliable to field punts, which is certainly the primary criteria. Not too enthused, however, about having such a critical player in that role. Guess I'm feeling a bit nostalgic about the days when a guy like Trindon Holiday could return it to the house. Also realize, of course, that he didn't meet the "primary criteria".

Honestly it just seems so hard to find one of those type of guys that meet both criteria. If only the Broncos had listened to you on Lockett we wouldn't be in this mess. I agree not a fan of having Sanders as our primary guy but at the same time you want as many opportunities to get the ball in the hands of your playmakers and right now offensively there is no better playmaker on our team. When you throw in how dismal the offense has been so far getting some kind of special teams spark is maybe what we need. I can't see anybody else on our roster other than Sanders giving that to us.

 

[cdumler7]

Well if there was ever a week for the Broncos to get things going on offense this is definitely the one. Detroit ranks 30th in total defense, 24th in passing yards allowed, and 29th in rushing yards allowed. They have allowed QB's so far to have a 108.3 Quarter Back Rating so far. Obviously 2 games is a very small sample size but this is definitely an opportunity for the Broncos to take advantage of a team that is struggling right now really on both sides of the ball. This is still a playoff team from last year though so can't take this game lightly.

 

[Orange Crush77]

Broncos will 'stay committed' to Kubiak's playbook - NFL.com
Looks like I'll be screaming at the tv again...

 

[cdumler7]

Broncos will 'stay committed' to Kubiak's playbook - NFL.com
Looks like I'll be screaming at the tv again...

I actually liked what Kubiak had to say. Come December and January the Broncos have to have some kind of rushing rushing offense. Now yes we didn't do terrible out of the shot gun in the run game the last couple of years but it wasn't anything anybody feared either. To me our best bet to actually win a Super Bowl this year is that of having both Manning's and Kubiak's style of offense available to use at a high level come playoff time. Even if that means maybe a loss or two in the regular season while trying to get it worked out. It is not how you play in the regular season that matters come playoff time. If that was the case then Broncos should have won the Super Bowl 2 of the last 3 years. It is about how you are playing leading up to and into the playoffs. So yes there will be some frustrating times as this will be a painful growing process but to me in the end it will be worth it. If it doesn't work then we are right back where we have been the last few years in not bringing home the Lombardi. If it does work though we could finally see our team get over the hump.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Broncos will 'stay committed' to Kubiak's playbook - NFL.com
Looks like I'll be screaming at the tv again...

Subterfuge? Certainly hope so!

 

[Broncos6482]

So I was pretty nervous about this game, but the more I learn about the Lions the more confident I feel. I have a pretty good friend who's a Lions fan, so I asked him a bunch of questions about the Lions and how he sees this game going.

It starts with the offensive line: we think our line has played poorly, but it sounds like the Lions line is in much worse shape. Stafford is getting hit nearly every time he goes back to pass. There was one play last week where the Vikings rushed 3 guys and the Lions had 6 blocking, and the Vikings line still broke through and put a hit on Stafford as he released his pass. The fact that the line is so bad is keeping CJ and Tate from dominating as they're capable of doing.

The Lions defense hasn't been particularly good, either. Losing Suh has killed them, and Ngata hasn't played well at all. He told me this is the game he expects the Broncos offense to get things going.

He gave me a prediction of Broncos win by blowout. Even if Stafford plays, with the Broncos pass rush my friend will be surprised if he lasts the whole game (not questioning his toughness at all, but there's only so much a guy can take). So he thinks the Lions will really struggle to put points on the board, and with the extra prep time for the Broncos he thinks they'll get their offense going and win fairly easily.