Feels like we are preparing

[cdumler7]

I have been reading some Bronco news over the season that has been very upset with this team continuing to try and run the football. I must admit I have been one that has been very frustrated with this offense and the output we have seen so far. We all know they can be better than what they have been so far this season. Some though have said we should just completely abandon the run game and stick with what we are good at in the pass game. I mean we did set all the records last season for offensive output. Why try to change up what looks like it works?

Today I was reading something that got me to thinking though of the Broncos continuing even without much success (until this past week) to try and develop a run game. I think the Broncos have figured out that as great as the passing game can be that against the top defenses in the league being that one-dimensional team just doesn't work. If we want to find great success moving forward against teams like Seattle and San Fran then we need the run game to at least be something they respect. The Jets did not respect our run game one bit and why should they this past weekend. We finally saw the Broncos take that slap across the face and do something about it. The OL players took that as a personal insult and it showed in the game where they finally got nasty. That is why I think we have continued to run the football and bang our head against the brick wall. Yes it stinks to be stopped so many times but once you break through and see on the other side of what is possible I like the idea that this team is really working towards balance. Yes Peyton is still our greatest weapon and we should make sure to use him but how much more dangerous is that weapon with the threat of the run game? Very is my opinion.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

I'm not too worried about running the ball, I think our short passing game is our running game. I don't think the Super Bowl was lost because we couldn't run the ball or that we can't win the SB without a running game. That said I would like to see us get to mid pack running so that we can have a more dangerous unpredictable attack. There will also be times where the weather dictates we have to run more than pass. I think we lost the SB because our O-Line was overwhelmed not because we couldn't run the ball. There were times in the game Suday that the line looked as they did in the SB. I hope they get better and they just need some time to gel.

 

[Davis_Mike]

Teams need to be able to run the ball so that their own defense aren't left out on the field for a disproportionate amount of time. You don't necessarily have to be overwhelmingly successful at running the ball, but you do need to commit to it. This ensures time of possession & allows your defense to rest. Constantly scoring fast or having drives that don't eat up the clock cause the defense to wear down.

 

[TDs3nOut]

I think it's important to be able to run the ball some. Seems to me that we committed to run the ball the last few games of the regular season, right after we lost at home to SD in a game in which we only possessed the ball about a third of the game.

I thought that we ran the ball pretty well after that loss. Also thought that Ball was very instrumental in that success. This year, however, Ball was running very tentatively, much like he was to begin last season.

I'm encouraged by how we were apparently able to run the ball last week with Hillman and Thompson. Would love to see those guys continue to have success.

 

[TDs3nOut]

Teams need to be able to run the ball so that their own defense aren't left out on the field for a disproportionate amount of time. You don't necessarily have to be overwhelmingly successful at running the ball, but you do need to commit to it. This ensures time of possession & allows your defense to rest. Constantly scoring fast or having drives that don't eat up the clock cause the defense to wear down.

Agreed. Also adds a lot to the offense if you force the defense to respect play action in the passing game.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Teams need to be able to run the ball so that their own defense aren't left out on the field for a disproportionate amount of time. You don't necessarily have to be overwhelmingly successful at running the ball, but you do need to commit to it. This ensures time of possession & allows your defense to rest. Constantly scoring fast or having drives that don't eat up the clock cause the defense to wear down.

While I agree with this, it isn't indicative of the Broncos. They're 13th in the league in TOP and are a couple of ticks away from 10th. They finished 15th last year and 8th the year before. Not a big issue and probably a misnomer amongst a lot of NFL fans.

 

[cdumler7]

I'm not saying it is absolutely necessary to be able to run the ball. I'm saying it is a nice thing to add to our already potent passing attack. I do think we can win the Super Bowl even if we have a bottom tier running game. Heck we made it to the Super Bowl last year with a pretty mediocre running game so our passing attack is good enough to make up for the shortcomings.


What I am saying is by us working on our running game now though it can be something that can help us come playoff time to really be that 2-dimensional offense that teams have to really guess what is coming. On Sunday the Jets had many of times where they had 3 guys rush and 8 drop back into coverage. They were essentially doing what the Seahawks did in the Super Bowl of just daring us to run and see what happens. In those moments I do think we need to make teams pay. Manning can still throw even when teams drop 8 back but running the football is so much easier in those situations and forces the defense to have to adjust. I just would rather be a well rounded team come playoff time. Again doesn't mean we absolutely have to be as we showed last year we are good enough without a run threat to make it to the Super Bowl. I just think we become that much more unstoppable if we can get it figured out this year.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

I agree cd. I was just referencing the end game.

 

[cdumler7]

I agree cd. I was just referencing the end game.

Yeah not sure TOP is that big of a concern to me at this time. Yes it is nice to win that every week and really like you pointed out the Broncos are not too bad in that area. I don't think you have to have a great run game to win the TOP especially with all the high percentage throws that Peyton makes having the clock continue to run. I know people see our offense sometimes score pretty quickly but Peyton's version of the hurry up is a bit different than some make it to be. It isn't about number of plays to him but getting the right match ups. He will go to the no huddle but will still take the play clock down to nothing on most plays. This forces the defense to have to keep the same unit on the field but with Peyton knowing where he can force a mismatch. So it is hurry up more in the sense of he hurries everybody to the line but then goes to work.

 

[HOF-ELWAY-7]

Yeah not sure TOP is that big of a concern to me at this time. Yes it is nice to win that every week and really like you pointed out the Broncos are not too bad in that area. I don't think you have to have a great run game to win the TOP especially with all the high percentage throws that Peyton makes having the clock continue to run. I know people see our offense sometimes score pretty quickly but Peyton's version of the hurry up is a bit different than some make it to be. It isn't about number of plays to him but getting the right match ups. He will go to the no huddle but will still take the play clock down to nothing on most plays. This forces the defense to have to keep the same unit on the field but with Peyton knowing where he can force a mismatch. So it is hurry up more in the sense of he hurries everybody to the line but then goes to work.

I agree our hurry up is a bit different in the sense that Manning lines them up to trap the D on the field for favorable match ups not necessarily to run 100 plays per game.

 

[Mondo Jay]

I liked seeing Hillman's burst. His fumble was a bit concerning (he has that rep) and it was fortunate Denver recovered it.

Ball (when healthy) seemed a bit slow into the hole. I think Hillman has a lot more upside catching passes and perhaps they will put a few more screens for him in the game plan. My concern is his ability to pickup blitzes when not out in a pattern.

 

[Mondo Jay]

Peyton is such a great play-action passer, but you need the threat of a running game to make that work.

 

[MileHigh64]

Obviously, Hillman had a great game and I agree that he is getting to the hole quickly and has shown a real burst of speed in the open field. However, I'm still intrigued more by Juwan Thompson. He has a bigger, more powerful frame and comes at the defenders with more weight behind him. Given that he's not that tall, it seems like he is able to get under defenders and shoot forward for an extra couple of yards on every run. The guy runs with power. Yards after contact are going to be very important for us as we get into lousy weather and tougher, playoff opponents. I think Thompson could really be our diamond in the rough.

MH64

 

[TDs3nOut]

Obviously, Hillman had a great game and I agree that he is getting to the hole quickly and has shown a real burst of speed in the open field. However, I'm still intrigued more by Juwan Thompson. He has a bigger, more powerful frame and comes at the defenders with more weight behind him. Given that he's not that tall, it seems like he is able to get under defenders and shoot forward for an extra couple of yards on every run. The guy runs with power. Yards after contact are going to be very important for us as we get into lousy weather and tougher, playoff opponents. I think Thompson could really be our diamond in the rough.

MH64

Me too. Really hope to he continues to run like he has ever since he's gotten carries in the preseason.

 

[Malibu]

I liked seeing Hillman's burst. His fumble was a bit concerning (he has that rep) and it was fortunate Denver recovered it.

Ball (when healthy) seemed a bit slow into the hole. I think Hillman has a lot more upside catching passes and perhaps they will put a few more screens for him in the game plan. My concern is his ability to pickup blitzes when not out in a pattern.

Dead on and have been saying this for a while. Ball I still think could end up being a solid RB but since he went down the running game has been better the last 6 quarters. Hillman hits the hole quick but like you said his blocking and fumbling issues are a concern. Thompson just makes one cut and goes straight ahead. Ball is use to running through holes that I could even get a few yards in running at Wisconsin. I do expect Ball to figure it out and when he does the Broncos RB depth will be looking pretty good.

 

[Malibu]

Obviously, Hillman had a great game and I agree that he is getting to the hole quickly and has shown a real burst of speed in the open field. However, I'm still intrigued more by Juwan Thompson. He has a bigger, more powerful frame and comes at the defenders with more weight behind him. Given that he's not that tall, it seems like he is able to get under defenders and shoot forward for an extra couple of yards on every run. The guy runs with power. Yards after contact are going to be very important for us as we get into lousy weather and tougher, playoff opponents. I think Thompson could really be our diamond in the rough.

MH64

 

[randymon]

No doubt whatsoever Denver needs to run the ball and have at least the threat of being able to do so. No way in hades do they win a SB or even make it there, without one. They don`t need to run over people they just need to have the threat of decent run game. They need to avg around a 100 yds per game to keep Ds off balance. They do that and they have a much better chance, along with their passing game, to go all the way. I sure would like to know what CJs prob is because they need him and Thompson for those short ydge plays because Hilman isn`t going to fair well in those situations at all. I don`t know why they don`t use a 2 back set ( short ydge). At least give it a try. Even if you don`t run it. you give the look and force them to tighten the box up, and then your options to throw are better if the D dictates with their coverage. IMO of course Gents