Chargers @ Broncos -- Second Quarter Open Thread

by John Bena on Oct 7, 2007 2:51 PM MDT in 2007 Denver Broncos Game Day Threads

Date: Sunday, October 7, 2007

Time: 2:15 p.m. MST

Teams: San Diego Chargers (1-3) at Denver Broncos (2-2)

Location: Invesco Field @ MileHigh - Denver, CO

Chargers Second Drive cont.... --

--Broncos sending their corners now, which doesn't bode well...
--Gates again, this time against Curome Cox. How much have the Broncos missed Sam Brandon
--Another screen, another big play. The trouble with sending DBs in a run-blitz is you are vulnerable to a screen...
--Can we not celebrate a defensive play when we are losing by 14??
--Another 3rd down....this time the Broncos make the stop and force the field gaol. A small victory, at least.
--Field Goal is good extending the lead...Chargers 17 - BRONCOS 0

Broncos Third Drive --

--All pass, all the time for the Broncos from now on I'd imagine.
--A timeout by the Chargers delays the 3rd and two...
--Another nice catch by Marshall and the Broncos are moving again. They just can't score Touchdowns...
--Now that is how you defend the screen...
--Another punt upcoming and this has the makings of a bottoming out game for the Broncos.

Chargers Third Drive --

--Elvis Dumervil the only consistent defender for the Broncos
--Even when the Broncos make a stop there is a penalty...but the Broncos defense makes a stand and force the punt. Maybe having their backs against the wall is exactly what the defense needs.

Broncos Fourth Drive --

--Solid return by Martinez and the Broncos have good field position to try and make a run at getting back in the game
--Once again the Broncos shoot themselves right in the foot with a holding penalty.
--Two solid plays turns a 1st and 20 into a manageable 3rd and 5. Martinez runs a nice 6-yard route and the Broncos pick up another first down. Broncos need a Touchdown.
--Travis henry running hard, using the stiff arm, and finishing it off by delivering some punishment instead of running out of bounds
Two-Minute Warning -- Chargers 17 - BRONCOS 0
--A drop by Young brings up another 3rd down. Obviously a critical play upcoming...
--The Broncos once again cannot score a touchdown inside the red zone. The battle continues
Chargers 17 - BRONCOS 3

Chargers Fourth Drive --

--I'll say it again. When was the last time the Broncos have forced a turnover??
--Too bad the Broncos have already used their timeouts. As always.
--Absolutely embarrassing. THE DEFENSE SHOULD NEVER LOOK FOR THE PASS BECAUSE THEY CAN'T STOP THE RUN!!! EVER!!!
--The BYE week coming at the perfect time
--The Chargers, simply trying to run out the clock, get a gift 3 points, even with the penalty.
--HALFTIME -- Chargers 20 - BRONCOS 3

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Comments

Can we just replace Webster

with Jarvis Moss at OLB?

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 2:54 PM MDT reply actions

And those boos will start coming faster

if there are anymore plays like that one by Tomlinson.

Purple Row

by Russ Oates on Oct 7, 2007 2:55 PM MDT reply actions

run, run, pass, run, screen, run

It's almost like the original Tecmo bowl where SD is choosing from 4 plays. Too bad that is all they need since we can't stop them.

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 2:59 PM MDT up reply actions

Crowder looks terrible on this drive

he's the only single blocked lineman on Gates' first down catch and struggled to gain gorund in his bull rush. Then, he correctly diagnoses the screen but runs way out of the play and is easily blocked.

Overall, he's looked bad today. Let's see more Moss, please.

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 2:56 PM MDT reply actions

Really need a stop on D here

Followed by some points before halftime. If you take away the turnovers, it has been a pretty even game. So if we can break our turnover drought and get some takeaways we can make a game of this yet.

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 3:10 PM MDT reply actions

Did I just see a broken tackle

on a Bronco punt return? I must have been dreaming. :)

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 3:14 PM MDT reply actions

Yeah

we can get down there but we either take the wrong angle or...wait, that was our punt return?

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:15 PM MDT up reply actions

Might be time to buy a Glenn Martinez jersey

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Credit that hold to Henry

he did a poor job of reading blocks and should have been aware that Graham had the inside shoulder of Phillips. Just lower your shoulder and take the off-tackle gap.

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:17 PM MDT reply actions

agreed

saw that coming as soon as Henry decided not to cut inside Graham

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 3:19 PM MDT up reply actions

Lost in this mess of a half

is the fact the Cutler looks great. Stokley has two drops (though both were of the tough variety), and another incompletion came at Henry looking unsure about getting a screen pass.

He's done exactly what he's been asked to do today, and with some help, he can get them back in this.

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:22 PM MDT reply actions

there is a reason s.young wasn't drafted.

Rod Smith is a Hall of Famer.

by Jake The Stash on Oct 7, 2007 3:23 PM MDT reply actions

Too much Young in the red zone this year

He's been a decent surprise, but not this good. With better players like Marshall, Scheffler, Stokley, etc. in this offense, no reason to give this guy two straight plays, and the several unsucessful draws from the last few weeks.

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:27 PM MDT reply actions

Two major breakdowns on the long run

One, Dumervil was absolutely engulfed by Olivea. This has happened quite often this year, and Elvis is our worst run defender (that has been drafted before). He has to play because of what he can do against the pass, but he really needs to be in a sub-package role, because he kills the run D.

Second, Ferguson showed little awareness in his blitz and ran right in to Olivea and out of the play.

When two players blow assignments on what was the "weakside" on that particular play, a big run will always happen.

Just another case of a player being asked to do too much (Demveril) and one with limited skills playing too big a role (Ferguson).

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:35 PM MDT reply actions

bye week

Will it really help?

Let's be real here, the Broncos have had a poor defense since August. According to Shanny, they've been "working on it" the whole time.

I fail to understand how one week off will magically solve the Broncos' problems. And guess who they play after the bye? Oh yeah, the Steelers. Oof.

It's just been frustrating to watch this year.

by binford04 on Oct 7, 2007 3:37 PM MDT reply actions

bye week can't hurt

I would think the real advantage of the extra week would be the opportunity to experiment with changes in practice (ie. flipping DJ Williams and Webster).

by MattR on Oct 7, 2007 3:41 PM MDT up reply actions

Please No

Williams may need to go to the weakside soon, but the next position Webster needs to go to is the inactive list. He doesn't execute his assignments and plays way too out of control. He's been one of the biggest problems on D this year.

by ohnokoolaid on Oct 7, 2007 3:45 PM MDT up reply actions