Bread and Butter
by MN Bronco on Apr 25, 2008 10:42 AM MDT
14 comments
Since Shanahan arrived, the Broncos' offense has thrived on running the ball in a zone-blocking scheme to set up the play action pass. Last year was a tough year for their offense and although there are reasons for hope, maybe it is time for the Broncos to abandon their "old reliable" and build anew. That is the argument made in this article:
Sports Illustrated's Mike Lombardi
I think there are valid reasons for making this change:
1) The league is "on to" the Broncos' scheme and tendencies and are better able to stop them than in the 90's.
2) Other teams have adopted the same zone-blocking scheme and are therefore competing for the same type of OL that the Broncos look for.
3) Cutler is more of a straight drop-back passer than Elway or Plummer were so he would benefit from a traditional, beefier line.
There may be other reasons to change, too. That said, there are several reasons to stick with it:
1) The fact that other teams are switching to the zone-blocking system shows that many believe it is still a highly effective system.
2) The confusion and additional guesswork it creates on the defensive side of the ball can make up for less talent. The fact that they never run the same play out of the same formation twice in the same game means that the defense has almost nothing to see before the snap of the ball.
3) Changing their preference for OL to larger linemen means they enter into competition with the vast majority of the rest of the league for the same guys. Even though other teams are starting to look for Bronco-type linemen, they are still fewer in number.
4) Most importantly, there is already too much talent and investment in the current system to make a change without spending at least 3 seasons in NFL purgatory. There is absolutely no reason for the Broncos to do this. They are not a team looking back at 2 or 3 4-win seasons in a row. They had one off year with a ROOKIE QB and major injuries at WR and RB!!! The cost-benefit of upgrading the talent in the current system vs. blowing it up and starting over is absolutely in favor of the former.
Overall, while I understand Lombardi's position, my personal opinion is that the Broncos would be crazy to blow this offense up and try to start from scratch.
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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I don't want to lose
one of the things that has made the Broncos unique. Other teams that are using it now “stole” it from Denver :) Kubiak went and did it with Houston, but he learned it all in Colorado. I think it’s cool to identify the Broncos as “a zone-blocking team.” It’d be tough to see them lose that stigma. I think it can still be successful, especially with some of the RB prospects in this year’s draft and their capabilities and personal talents. However, whatever brings wins is fine with me.
by phantom818 on Apr 25, 2008 11:00 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Excellent job (and recommended!)
I think we should stick with the ZB. Your points are EXCELLENT, and the thinking is very sound. I’m heading out to work right now, but I’ll have the long and thought out response your post deserves when I get home.
(Yes, I voted NO; but hey, I clicked the “recommended” button for your post!)
Again, very thoughtful post!
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Apr 25, 2008 11:11 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok, I'm back.
First, I apologize for missing the last line of your post. I see now that you agree that we should keep the ZB. Terrific!
I won’t go over the four points in favor, since I agree with them. I will, however, show why I disagree with the 3 points in opposition to the ZB.
1. About the League being on to the Broncos.
Well, the League has always been onto the system. There’s no mystery to it, and every defensive coordinator knows how to counter the ZB. The catch is that it is that you really need a defense built to stop it, and most teams are built to stop what a majority of other teams run. It is also cheaper to build a ZB system than to build a defense to counter it.
Given this, why don’t more teams employ it? Several reasons. For one, a team is likely to get battered for a few years changing personnel.
As with any scheme, you need a coach to run it who is versed in it. (The truth is, ANY offensive coordinator can set up and run a ZB. But with very few “experts” in the system, are you as a head coach going to take the chance on being battered for a few years AND handing the reigns to someone with little or no experience running it?)
Also, the League hasn’t “caught onto it” in another context, and this is demonstrated whenever the Broncos stick a power, one cut back behind the OL. We have plenty of “no names” who go over a 1000 yards.
2. Other teams are competing for the same OL personnel.
True, but still FAR less than for “standard” OLmen. Also, the typical ZB OL is found throughout the draft, but the best “standard” OLs are found near the top. This converts into savings for the initial contract.
3. Cutler’s style.
This argument holds no weight at all in my opinion, and for several reasons.
First, regardless of Cutler’s style, the Broncos remain a “run first”/misdirection type of team. This is what the ZB is intended for. Second, Cutler is still a strong armed / scrambling QB. He just happens to be one that can sit in the pocket and be accurate (something that Denver fans haven’t seen with many QBs). He continues to be used for bootlegs and even a few QB options here and there. But he has a gift for the pocket too.
Would he benefit from a beefier pass protection line? I say not really, and here’s why. The ZB system (along with the frequesnt runs and misdirections) is what protects the QB. Teams have to disproportionately defend against the run, and the pass plays are often play action. It is the “deception” that protects Jay, and that’s how Denver schemes it.
Thanks again for a good, thought provoking post!
"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe
by Steve Nichols on Apr 25, 2008 9:02 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
People forget that Travis Henry was on pace for
1500+ yards before he got injured and had legal problems. We were basically running two rookies who couldn’t stay healthy…we even ahd to resort to using Mike Bell again.
I don’t believe our ZB techniques are being threatened at all. I think our stability at RB and the durability of our RB are being called into question. All the more reason to draft a stud like Mendenhall at #12. Which we won’t, for reasons I already went over in my previous FanPost. ;)
Our OL is only as good as its familiarity with the RB they are blocking for. Which is why we started out on pace for Henry to gain 1500+ yards last year, because they were familiar with him. Then the crap hit the fan. Let’s just watch how this next season unfolds. It’s going to be pretty.
by Tim Lynch on Apr 25, 2008 1:47 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Ok, this guys whole assertion that
our guys are too small is just a repeat of what the pundits were saying in the mid 90’s about our OL.
If the ZB is executed properly then it does not matter how big you are. Period.
And for him to say Cutler is a drop back passer is not true either. Cutler does well staying the pocket and he is quick enough to throw on the move.
The guy sounds like another pundit shooting straws from the hip. He needs to understand that we’ve dominated the league with NO NAMES…wait until we get ourselves a stud RB. He’ll be singing the praise of our ZB scheme. :)
MENDENHALL! MENDENHALL! MENDENHALL! MENDENHALL!
I know it won’t happen, but it’s my last day to dream big ok? ;)
by Tim Lynch on Apr 25, 2008 1:59 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
For the most part, anyway. The ZBS works, and there is no reason to abandon it. That said…there seem to be several elite LT prospects who either have worked in a zone blocking system, or who have the attributes necessary to learn it. I’m more than a little curious about the prospect of having a tackle who can work in the ZBS AND be an elite pass blocker as well. The system works…but an improvement in talent is never a bad thing.
by Disco_Stu on Apr 25, 2008 2:11 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just hold on, Zap
Who says we won’t land Mendenhall? It wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see them pick Mendenhall or Stewart and go OT later.
Keep the faith, bro.
Or so I'm told.
by MN Bronco on Apr 25, 2008 2:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still think we are trading up
to get Ellis. I don’t believe Shanny wants a third round pick as much as Guru does. I’d much rather get Mendenhall(he looks more complete to me than Stewart).
by Tim Lynch on Apr 25, 2008 3:10 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you
Zap. I’m one of the bigger Rashard fans as well. I’m hoping hoping hoping, but in drafts, you just can’t find yourself hoping. If they do it though, I think I’m gonna go crazy for no reason at all that an unproven commodity was just added to our team in the first round.
by phantom818 on Apr 25, 2008 3:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rashard already visted Dove Valley...
I bet it turns out to be his only visit this year. :*(
by Tim Lynch on Apr 25, 2008 3:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah and
teams don’t always draft the players they talk to, unfortunately. I’m pretty sure you already saw it, but here’s one of the typical draft day situations I already posted, from the perspective of DJ. I hope they prove the norm wrong this year ;-D
by phantom818 on Apr 25, 2008 3:49 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would rather
trade completely out of round one, and get Maurice Jones-Drew #2 (Ray Rice out of Rutgers) and a good o-lineman and DT in rounds 2 and three. I’d be completely fine with that. That would be perfect IMO. If we could move out of round one for a round 2 and 3 pick, or something simmilar to that, I would not complain at all.
"I could never quite get the hang f Thursdays..."
by FlaBroncoFan on Apr 25, 2008 3:20 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I am up for trading out of the first round
this year to pick up two first rounds next year. Preferably from a team like the Lions or Dolphins.
by Tim Lynch on Apr 25, 2008 3:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
heck, I just want
another 2nd round pick this year, and a third this year. Anything we could get next year would be icing on the cake, but this class is all about depth, which is a priority on the o-line. An early, quick RB, a run-stuffing DT, K/P, and the center from Wake Forrest are the things I want most in this draft… and not even in that exact order. A wide reciever, LB, or saftey would please me greatly too.
"I could never quite get the hang f Thursdays..."
by FlaBroncoFan on Apr 25, 2008 3:59 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
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