A Thought About the Bronco Running game

[Mingo]

If Jano can play the FB role - CJ Anderson - Booker and Hillman are the most dangerous when they get past the LOS. Last year - they would have had to make a guy miss or break a tackle to get past the LOS. This year they get to play off the block of the FB - that will increase explosive running plays. The Kubiak offense thrives when it can place more blockers at the point of attack than there are defenders.

There is real evidence that the Broncos have a grand plan to get the running game going - Unlike last year they will have:

1) A QB who can run the roll out and the reverse roll out and all three can execute that play. Sanchez has great form in squaring up his shoulders before he passes on roll outs - going right or left - he should have done it more often in his pro career - because it is a skill.

2) The new Oline is meaner and stronger in the run game (unproven in the pass game) - and it will easily be 4 new starters.

3) Playing a Full Back (when the rest of the league doesn't) - gives you an advantage over the defense and if he can block, run and catch the ball - the defense has to account for multiple options by the offense - in other words - he sets them on their hills trying to recognize their keys.

4) The coaches and the players don't have to adapt their game to one of the all time greats as his talents exfoliate before our vary eyes. The Broncos will be playing for and staffed for Kubiak's offense -which is run first.

5) This year - the Broncos have QBs who can go deep accurately enough - that the defense has to respect the DT and Sanders downfield threat - and therefore = they can't afford to load the box with 8 defenders.

 

[iknowftbll]

^ All very good observations and presented in a concise and clear manner. Far better than I ever could have. I am excited as hell about this running game this year. We've seen a lot of skepticism about the O-line. That Okung and Stephenson are not the best players. To that I say they don't have to be. They just need to be the right players. If something clicks in this group it's going to suck to have to play defense against the Denver Broncos.

 

[Mingo]

Gary Kubiak must rediscover the offensive mastermind within himself

Add to that Kubiak's reputation. Nice article

 

[randymon]

I will just say this in regards to the OP.......it better be a hell of a lot better than last year and whoever is behind center is going to be major factor in that becoming a reality. We all saw what a qb who is no threat to run ( or even move ) or hurt you with the deep ball,did to that running attack. Like I mentioned before ( I know nobody cares ), you saw what happened to Dallas with that great O line, when Romo went down. Running game suffered big time. Defenses didn't respect Cassell or the other piss poor qbs they used so they jammed it up. The running game only works if the qb has the D's respect.On paper you have to say Denver has improved the O line and the addition of Booker and a healthy Huerman plus a FB looks promising, but......I have high but guarded optimism Mingo. I think all the qbs on Denver's roster are capable of orchestrating this offense if they can earn the respect.

 

[SpiritOf77]

Last season, Kubiak was handcuffed - he was playing the hand he was dealt, and with the physical condition Manning was in at that point of his career, he was basically unable to throw over the top, completely restricting what Kubiak likes to do ..

CJ, Booker and Jano will give this offense a completely different angle - with, of course, Lynch or Sanchez

If we can keep the guys on the OL healthy and in their correct spots, the running game will be formidable .. I'd love to see us give Foster a shot too ..

 

[Draft Crazy]

Be interesting to see who wins the 3rd RB job between Bibbs, Hillman and Thompson.

 

[iknowftbll]

Last season, Kubiak was handcuffed - he was playing the hand he was dealt, and with the physical condition Manning was in at that point of his career, he was basically unable to throw over the top, completely restricting what Kubiak likes to do ..

CJ, Booker and Jano will give this offense a completely different angle - with, of course, Lynch or Sanchez

If we can keep the guys on the OL healthy and in their correct spots, the running game will be formidable .. I'd love to see us give Foster a shot too ..

I agree: Kubiak wasn't able to fully implement his offense because of Manning's limitations. Credit Manning for being willing to play to a system even after a career of demonstrating his ability to run his own offense. It came with a lot of setbacks and frustrations but he figured it out when it mattered most.

With that said, it'll be a different story this year. Sanchez can run Kubiak's offense. He's a more natural fit. Now the nay-sayers who actually look past the butt fumble but are still skeptical of Sanchez will say his better athleticism won't make up for Manning's intellect. But I think it's also fair to counter that Manning's intellect didn't help the Broncos much in the regular season. Really only from his re-entry in the final game and through the playoffs. And the defense still carried the team to a 12-4 finish.

My point is this: Manning's skill and his intellect didn't factor into the Broncos offense this season so it can't really be used a reason why Sanchez won't be an upgrade in the system. And with the more athletic QB and a system that is clearly bulking up to stress the ground game, it appears Sanchez won't be asked to do much. Everyone hates the game manager description, but I think Sanchez will have a year similar to Plummer's 2005 season. Not flashy but very efficient.

 

[Mingo]

My point is this: Manning's skill and his intellect didn't factor into the Broncos offense this season so it can't really be used a reason why Sanchez won't be an upgrade in the system. And with the more athletic QB and a system that is clearly bulking up to stress the ground game, it appears Sanchez won't be asked to do much. Everyone hates the game manager description, but I think Sanchez will have a year similar to Plummer's 2005 season. Not flashy but very efficient.

Absolutely brilliant insight in this remark - IKno

 

[Mingo]

Ramification of a good running game #2

The Broncos have DT and Manny Sanders - two huge playmakers with speed and Yac ability at WR. Last year with no running game, an oline unable to protect - in a passing offense for a gimp armed QB -or a deer scared rookie starter - the defenses were able to shrink the field of coverage.

When the running game is going the WRs match ups become much more 1 on 1- the pass protection is easier because the defense is initially looking for the run keys - and the QBs have arms with reach - then you get two top play-makers with good chances to make a play.

If you can demonstrate an ability to run the ball explosively and hit the deep vertical in the passing game - the defense now has to cover the long field and the middle to the TEs running inside the seam is open.