Hope for the Defense.

by The Gun Young on Sep 16, 2008 7:33 PM MDT

Yes, we all can agree that the Denver defense will not be one of the top defenses in the league. However, they will improve, and as I predicted in the pre-season they will be at least a top 15 Defense, and I agree with stuckinSD, that an average D is all we will need when we have the best offense in the league.

Here is the half full argument on the defense.

First of all, our defense gave up 3 TDs and 3FGs against one of the best offenses in the league (SD is currently ranked 5th). And of course a 2 point conversion.

31 points is not good, but remember they are a top offense. Dallas and Philadelphia and SD were all forecasted to have three of the best defenses in the league, and they have all given up more points in a contest than we did. So when playing a great offense, much like in basketball, the offense usually wins. So we need to keep that in perspective.

The good news is holding a powerful offense to 3 FGs out of 6 scoring drives is pretty good. I guarantee you if we can hold that kind of percentage or better each game, we will always win. Remember the game would not have even been close if not for the special teams TD, which is not going to happen every game, or hopefully never again this year.

Second, remember this is a brand new scheme. I saw a lot of confusion and players running quickly to spots without really keying into the offense. I also see a lot of scheme variations from Slowik, which tells me he is still trying to find the recipe that works best with his crew. Look at all the new faces playing on that defense who even just arrived in the last month - Shaw (DL), Bailey (just started practicing again, and definitely looked rusty), Lowery (S). These guys are still learning.

Thirdly, two of the big plays by the chargers, the two little RB dump passes for over 133 yards, and setting up two TDs, can easily be fixed with improved play and schemes.

In the next few weeks you will start to see more consistency and success out of our defense. Remember all they have to do is be average, and hold to FGs once in a while. Our offense will score 30 every game.

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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injuries

I think what was is disappointing is that the defense allowed so many points against an injured Chargers team. Gates, LT, O’Line was injured. I expected more blitz packages against Phillis because of the injuries.

Not sure if SD would be considered top offense with the injuries or just above average.

I am willing to wait till the bye week to allow the defense a chance to jell. Hopefully, the defense will be a top 15 or better by then.

Victor Frankl:

What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him.

Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.

by wyoeng on Sep 16, 2008 9:02 PM MDT reply actions

Alternatively...

Maybe we held off blitzing because we knew they were injured. Trying to save our big guns for when the games are really critical late in the season and into the post-season.

by JR_G on Sep 17, 2008 6:38 AM MDT up reply actions

That's good thinking...

But against a division rival, in the second half, when the game has closed to within a few points would have been a great time.

We wouldn’t be showing much in that limited time, and the effect would have been stunning.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 17, 2008 10:17 AM MDT up reply actions

Very Well Stated Gun Young

I think you have hit the nail directly on the head. Thank you! Recommended.

That’s ok with me. We’re playing for wins, not media publicity....HT 9/11/08

by firstfan on Sep 16, 2008 9:05 PM MDT reply actions

Hope...

http://www.milehighreport.com/2008/9/16/615566/here-is-an-accurate-repres#comments

That is what I saw Sunday.

Is it wrong to laugh at this video? I did when I first watched it…but only because I saw our team(defense and ST) in the fiery wreckage.

If God is not a Bronco fan, then WHY are sunsets Blue and Orange? - Jon Tollerud 5/22/08

I got a high ankle sprain in college and it still hurts! ~ TSG 8/13/08

by Tim Lynch on Sep 16, 2008 9:51 PM MDT reply actions

I agree that San Diego

probably has a very good offense, but there is a certain circularity to excusing our defense for giving up 3 TDs and 3 FGs against an offense that “is currently ranked 5th”. A week ago Raider fans could have similarly excused their defense for giving up so many points to an offense that was, after all, averaging 41 points a game.

"In the empty spaces - lacunae, vacuums, pauses, voids, black holes - new things begin. We are born anew from the unexplored space, the badlands, the outlaw territory." - Sam Keen

by spock on Sep 16, 2008 11:52 PM MDT reply actions

I caught that too.

SD is ranked fifth, in part, because of what they did to us.

"Greater is an army of sheep led by a lion, than an army of lions led by a sheep" Defoe

by Steve Nichols on Sep 17, 2008 4:49 AM MDT up reply actions

They did the same thing to the Panthers, but in only one half of the game.

While our D’s performance last week was unacceptable, I think they still have time to grow into the mold we need them to. With our offense, the D doesn’t have to be spectacular, they just have to limit red zone oportunities and force opponents to settle for field goals. If they can keep the opponent under 25, we have an excellent chance to win the game.

2-0.

by papigrande on Sep 17, 2008 5:29 AM MDT up reply actions

Great post Gun!

I love your optimism!!

Broncos broncos everywhere and all the league did blink,
Broncos broncos everywhere think moldy faiders stink!

by Mike Clark on Sep 17, 2008 7:27 AM MDT reply actions

RB dumps?

Why are RB dump passes easily fixed? I’m not arguing, just curious to hear the logic.

by bushwah on Sep 17, 2008 10:02 AM MDT reply actions

Not speaking for GY

but the killer play by sproles was a screen, and I understand that disciplined players who maintain their responsibilities are the key to defeating the play. Typically screen passes are an “adjustment” play by offenses, used to counter particular defensive tendencies, like all out blitzes and dominant pass rushes.

And overpursuing LBs….

Mountains, forest, sea: these render man fierce, but yet do not destroy the man.

by Jeremy Bolander on Sep 17, 2008 10:53 AM MDT up reply actions

I also remember Nate Wester missing Sproles on a huge play.....

had he wrapped up like he is supposed to do, it would have been a 5 yard gain instead of a huge play. Is it time to switch and bring in Niko at MLB?

fader nation is a conquered nation

"Jerry Jones is Al Davis with a smile!"

The creator of the following names: conquered fader nation, Phyllis and his merry men

by mdierk on Sep 17, 2008 11:22 AM MDT up reply actions

I saw it more of flying into the

gap to be surprised by Sproles and only able to get a shoulder pad on him and bounced right off.

Luckily, the play was called back because of holding by the Offense.

"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game

"I love your analysis of our team. Its kinda like watching a spider monkey trying to figure out a jar of peanuts.. you know whats going on.. you know whats in there, but to actually figure it out, is just a bit beyond your mental skills..."
- Bronco Dano

by DesertBroncoFan on Sep 17, 2008 12:58 PM MDT up reply actions

Because a man is not being beat on a route.

Instead, in these two situations the Broncos were caught in a bad defensive play call or a missed assignment.

On the other hand, Champ getting beat by Chambers from a perfect pass from Rivers is not defendable. Any time a QB makes a throw that good, the DB loses. So that is not fixable. The only think Champ could have done differently is to go for the tackle instead of the deflection. So he would have given up a long pass, but not a TD.

by The Gun Young on Sep 17, 2008 7:21 PM MDT up reply actions