No Huddle not exactly No Problem for the Broncos against the Colts
by John Bena on Dec 9, 2009 6:56 PM MST
in 2009 Denver Broncos Game Previews
54 comments
The Broncos have had their struggles against the no-huddle offense this season, specifically starting with the game in Baltimore against the Ravens. Several teams during the 4-game losing streak did much of the same, keeping the Broncos from doing what they like to do on defense - rotate several players in and out, especially along the defensive line, depending on down and distance. Of course, no quarterback may be better at running a no huddle than Peyton Manning, who seemingly spends much of the game calling plays from the line of scrimmage.
The topic seemed like a good one to pass along to Frank Schwab, who covers the Broncos for the Colorado Springs Gazette. Schwab, who often asks fans via his Twitter Page(@fs3142) for their suggestions, was nice enough to report on what Josh McDaniels said when asked about the no huddle.
Broncos coach Josh McDaniels had a pretty blunt response when asked about defending Indianapolis' no-huddle offense, basically conceding that Denver won't be able to freely substitute because of the threat.
"We're not going to try to run a bunch of guys in and out the game," McDaniels said. "Nobody does against this team and we're not going to try to do it either."
One of the reasons teams have hurried up against the Broncos is to stop their substitutions. The Broncos rotate defensive linemen, and on passing situations bring in linebackers Wesley Woodyard and Robert Ayers and cornerback Ty Law. When McDaniels was asked how it would affect the defense if it can't substitute often, he again said it wasn't a viable option.
"We will not try to do something that's impossible to do, and that's impossible to do," McDaniels said. "If you don't have the right time - if the ball hasn't been thrown downfield 40 yards, if there's not a timeout on the field - you don't try to do that and disrupt the entire flow of your game by allowing (Manning) to create situations where you have to call timeouts or get 5-yard penalties that keep drives going. We're going to play with the guys that are out there and when we feel like we can substitute without issue, then we'll substitute if we need to."
In a lot of ways that answer was to be expected and much of it is coach-speak. Common sense tells us the Broncos will likely try and find ways, especially early in the game, to keep the Colts from getting into a rhythm in the no huddle - using timeouts perhaps - especially in the first half.
Whatever the case, the Broncos need to have an answer if they are going to have a shot at the upset on Sunday. Thanks, Frank!
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This is a GREAT discussion topic.
Thanks for bringing it up John!
My take is this. The no-huddle will not be as big of a concern for us this week as it might first appear. I believe the Nolan/McDaniels defense strategy each week is to attack the opponents weakest link. We know that we will see heavy doses of no-huddle and Manning calling audibles att he line. Manning does not do well in two situations: one is when he is on the bench looking at all those still shots. We will controll the ball. He also does not do well when he is sitting on his kiester in the backfield. I think we see a heavy dose of extreme pass rush. This means DOOM, Ayers, Dawkins #55 and the waterboy. We might give up some long runs, but we will be doing our best to disrupt Manning with the personnel on the field.
I like our chances. Thanks agin for bringing this up. What’s everybody else say?
It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09
i say good luck with the second situation. it doesn't happen much our O-line has been amazing with keeping manning upright
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 9, 2009 7:54 PM MST up reply actions
How many league leaders in sacks have you guys faced this year?
We confide in our strength without boasting of it; we respect that of others, without fearing it. -Thomas Jefferson 1793
really?? i dont think so
the possible traps for us i think were in the begining with the back to back Prime time games each on diffrent sides of the country (miami and then arizona
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 9, 2009 7:55 PM MST up reply actions
Yup
They’re due, they have been playing with fire for too long and the Broncos are too good in close games. Looks like you are even overlooking this game.
no i think it will be a good game but dont think it is a trap game like seems like you do
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by TheAngelsColts on Dec 9, 2009 8:32 PM MST up reply actions
Yeah it's hard to imagine a
“trap game” when the Colts know the Broncos are good and 8 and 4. A trap game would be more the kind you’d look past, when you play a struggling team that has some talent. So I don’t see the Colts looking past the Broncos.
Which doesn’t mean they definitely can’t lose it, but I wouldn’t call it a trap.
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants country, and damned proud of it.
Broncos are too good in close games?
How have the Colts fared in their close games this year?
I'd feel if this was more of a trap
if homefield advantage wasn’t on the line for the Colts. Caldwell doesn’t want to go undefeated and he wants to rest his starting players as soon as possible.
If anything, this is a playoff game for the Colts.
The fact that Caldwell is answering questions
about going undefeated and resting starters makes this game a trap. The Colts (and most teams in this situation, for that matter) have a history of late-season losses when the “undefeated season” talk starts coming into play. And, frankly, it sounds like Caldwell is looking ahead to the playoffs if he’s already talking about resting players. The Broncs are only thinking about winning THIS game, and I say that gives us the advantage.
I don't know about that man...that's kind of stretching the trap theory
I think the Colts want to be in the driver’s seat with regards to earning the #1 seed throughout. If they win against Denver now, they won’t have to depend on luck or the Chargers/Bengals misfortune.
Maybe so....
but this is the point in the season where a whole lot of previous undefeated teams (Colts included) stumbled. I’d be a bit worried if we were undefeated and JMcD was focusing on when to rest his starters. Manning is scary good, but if any team has a shot at beating him, it’s us. Let’s hope Josh brought his NE magic with him…..
The Colts will definitely stumble, and it very well may be against the Broncos…but the Colts just have too much to play for this Sunday.
Going undefeated in the past would’ve been nice but it never hinged on immediate rest for the starters…but #1 seed and home field throughout this year is just too much of a tangible goal to pass up.
Good luck next Sunday.
Love your avatar
I’ll shove that bat up your * and turn you into a Popsicle.
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
Cotton McKnight: I'm being told that Average Joe's does not have enough players and will be forfeiting the championship match.
Pepper Brooks: It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em.
This is directed at NYCBronx
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
Cotton McKnight: I'm being told that Average Joe's does not have enough players and will be forfeiting the championship match.
Pepper Brooks: It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em.
That is a classic line OB
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
This is going to be a great game
But I’m thinking of it less as a trap game and more of just two good teams going at it. Wouldn’t you think of a trap game to be something like the Saints/Skins game last weekend? Where the team supposedly has no chance of winning? Of course the Colts are picked to win the game (I think it’s a 7 point spread?) but this is going to be a tough game for both sides. Maybe we have a chance to steal a game in the 4th Q like they’ve been doing to so many teams all season long. Either way, it’s going to be close.
by orlyinnation on Dec 10, 2009 8:51 AM MST up reply actions
thanks for passing this allong BENA.
and it really is a lot of coach speak though :). put he kinda hints that it will have an effect and looks like they will sub. any time they have a chance pretty much.
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
I just hope
I dont get to see many cramps and player dropping to the turf on their own just to be back 1 or 2 plays later , i hope for a fair game and will accept defeat if it comes , broncos are a good ball team not an upset if they win. I hope billichick trickery against our no-huddle stayed in NE.
I doubt it very seriously, as we all know Billichick was McD's mentor.
And by the way, what’s fair about having Manning on the field? [grinning like a possum hitting crap through a picket fence]…The guy is unhuman, that can’t be fair and I say the Colts spot us 14 to start with, then it might be fair…haaaaaaa.
14?
I’d say 60-pt lead with 10 minutes to play would be better.
But you mean fair? OK 14 is probably near “fair” – by the way, if there is any wisdom in the masses (ie democracy) then Vegas’ iterating points to get to 50% of money wagered on either side; the “point spread”; is the ultimate definition of fair. The spread this week says 7 pts is what the Colts are expected to out-score the Broncos by, which sounds both reasonable, and OVERCOMABLE to me.
Not the broadest spread this week by a long shot. The Broncos are better than most people think.
"Aggression, discipline, accountability, effort" Brian Dawkins 9/29/2009
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace
by PositivIntegral on Dec 10, 2009 7:42 AM MST up reply actions
I mean
The Broncos are better than your average columnist thinks. Democratically (statistically: most people) they are only 7 points per game worse than the Colts. By official rankings (total offense, total defense, etc.) they are pretty closely matched in opposition.
"Aggression, discipline, accountability, effort" Brian Dawkins 9/29/2009
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace
by PositivIntegral on Dec 10, 2009 7:45 AM MST up reply actions
this ain't the shanahan broncos
McDaniels has been burning the midnight oil on this one. Larry Coyer is a wonderful man but he isn’t on the level of McDaniels or Nolan. Indy is a very good team and Peyton is a legend. If anyone other than the Saints can stop Indy, my money is this week vs Denver.
I would hope you would support who we are. Not, who we are not. Coach Norman Dale "Hoosiers"
by dmitchell624 on Dec 9, 2009 8:10 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Don't dicount the 'ol codger, he's a wiley ass't coach.
I’m sure they will have something up their sleeves as well.
Win or lose
(And the Broncos can win this one with their A game) – Orton has been calling more audibles or at least tweaking plays more as the season progressed, and I think watching Peyton will spark Kyle’s ascention to the next QB level.
"Aggression, discipline, accountability, effort" Brian Dawkins 9/29/2009
"Life is a daring adventure or nothing." Helen Keller
"He will always be a slave who does not know how to live upon a little" Horace
by PositivIntegral on Dec 9, 2009 8:11 PM MST via mobile reply actions
Yeah that competitive nature of the beast. I love me some Orton.
I just hope he is very focused for this game because it is a very important game as far as our season goes. In the 4 game skid I believe McD was counting on a win with the Redskins and SD losing a couple along their 7 game winning streak. So this game is important for us
It seems like
every week has been this or that the Broncos have to overcome. It is also true of the Colts as they had their own off season changes to deal with. Maybe not as extreme but they have felt the same clouds of doubt as the Broncos this year. Anyway my point is, the Broncos handled all the supposed difficulties pretty well on the way to a 6-0 start. The Redskins game started very well, then KO got hurt and BAM… A four game losing streak. Well, B Dawk got the team together, and working together again. We have seen two good games since starting with Thanksgiving and a W we were not supposed to get. Follow that with a Blowout win (despite mistakes we cannot afford) in KC, IN DECEMBER . Oh no, right? Well, that just strengthens our belief that this is a different Broncos team.
This weekend is going to be a fun game, a tuff game. I do believe it is possible for the Broncos to play well together and I think the players believe that they can win. I do love not dreading the inevitable :-D
All Props to the Colts and Colts fans that have been visiting. No harm no foul intended. Just a firm Rah rah for the team. I can’t wait.
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
Manning is highly
effective vs. the blitz…we need to bring pressure without blitzing too much. And when we do blitz it needs to be disguised perfectly. I agree we need to pressure Manning but it will also be key to beat them up all over the field. Smack their WR’s and RB’s. As we’ve seen in the Miami game keeping Manning off the field means nothing unless you can put up a lot of points in the process and keep them from striking quickly. It would be better to force them into long drives if they are to score and at the same time have some long scoring drives of our own.
Exactly!
And that is why not being able to subsitute freely on the front 7 will not hurt us as much as many might think. We will be able to get pressure with those front 7 without blitzing or numerous personnel changes. We will see a lot more Ayers and Larson. We might see a whole lot more Hillis. Their D is fast, but that doesn’t bother (our) Peyton’s style.
It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09
That's why TOP will be so important
Our offense has to stay on the field to help keep the D rested. I really hope we can run it down their friggin throats. All I want for Christmas is at least 2 punts from them…well and to be wingman for Tiger :0
At sea level, but I'll always be a mile high.
TOP isn't neccessarially a menu for success against the Colts, but it does help when you are scoring.
Look below.
Nope, but it pretty much guarantees defeat if we don't win TOP.
At sea level, but I'll always be a mile high.
by DaytonaBronco on Dec 9, 2009 9:59 PM MST up reply actions
That's true but if we don't score when we have ball it will be hard to win.
Indy held the Ravens to just 5 FG’s and no TD’s. That’s not good. We have to score TD’s to have much success with them. TOP is important though and it goes hand in hand with not turning the ball over.
The key to winning this game is not letting Manning convert on 3rd down,
if that’s the position they are in. It is critical not to let him hit the receivers for big 1st downs. His stats on converting are outrageous and that will be one of the keys for the defense. I am not sure if the Dolphins had Joey Porter for the game where Miami controlled the ball 45:07 of the game and lost. Manning threw for 303 yds in 14:53 and won….Still scratching my head…
Yeah Doom has to dominate
He has to channel the real LT for this one. Wow, 303 yards in 1/4 of the game…sick.
At sea level, but I'll always be a mile high.
by DaytonaBronco on Dec 9, 2009 9:55 PM MST up reply actions
That'll definitely be a challenge for Denver - keeping the 3rd down % low that is.
We’ve been number 1 in the league on 3rd downs for the past 5 years with a ridiculous 56.2% our superbowl year.
I mean obviously if you keep it low, it’ll be an advantage, but chances are it won’t happen.
A few years ago when KC beat the Colts, they attacked the middle of the offensive line.
Manning is a super QB, but when he sees a rush up the middle coming in his face about every play, he will probably be doing a 3 step drop. This may not give his receivers sufficient time for separation – prompting quick hits over the middle where his receivers risk getting discombobulated. Also screens to offset the rush. McD said the other day that both pressure and coverage is important. I agree.
Miami beat themselves against the Colts. They let them off the hook after they dominated most of the game.
I have utmost respect for Manning. I think, though, that we have the personnel to stay with the Colts and to beat them if we win the turnover battle and TOP ( like 40+ minutes). Gonna be a helluva game!!! Run the rock, run the rock, run the rock.
Go Broncos!!
I like that BlackKnigh, putting pressure up the middle in his face.
Manning loves the comfort of his pocket and trusts his OLinemen to protect him as they usually do. This might just be the key to make him hurry his throws. It will be interesting and I can’t wait for the game. There has to be many disguises by the defense, we can’t let him know our play until the last second. If we get predictable he will store those little things in the back of his mind to use them against us later in the game. Mix it up, smash mouth football and lay the lumber on the receivers when the ball comes their way no matter if they catch it or not. The defense has to make a statement in this game.
Just think of the ramifications and satisfaction it would be to beat them. Knock them out of a NFL record and put the squeeze on them to have to play hard against the Jags Thursday evening. They need this victory just as bad as we do, let’s see who’s hungrier.
Having a 12-0 record has to prompt the Colts to think about running the table this year.
That takes away from the game at hand just enough to give the other team a slight advantage in their preparedness for the game. It hurt the Pats a couple of years ago – it will hurt the Colts. It already has affected NO.
Go Broncos!!!
If the Chargers and Bengals lose this Sunday they will only need one win to be #1 seed and home field throughout.
Since this is an early game, they won’t know if they won or lost until we are finished. Records play an issue here too and it adds to the resume down the road to Canton not necessarilly for Manning but for others on the team, not say the prestige of it. The only problem they have is playing 2 games in 4 days, that’s tough on anybody.
The Colts have been done this road too many times
to want to go undefeated. It seems like the musings from Caldwell are more focused on rest than anything else; they win this game now and they’ll get that much needed break. I don’t think the Colts want to wait around and not be in the driver’s seat with regards to the #1 overall seed and rest for the starters.
Whether football fans and reporters like it or not, the Colts coaching staff’s goals are not an undefeated season…if you believe Tony Dungy.
Or...
This team can do what others teams have done in the past namely the schmuck coach from San Fransisco and the Zen Master in New England… and that is fake injuries… either way the entire world will know when a team fakes injuries and it looks like it hasn’t worked against Peyton and the crew this year either…
Not sure if you are refering to the Colts
but maybe they are faking injuries maybe not…I don’t know I’m not Bill Polian/Caldwell. But I would hope Gonzalaz, Freeney, and Donald Brown are not faking it since they’ve been damn productive when they’re out on the field.
With a 3-game lead in the AFC ...
and only four games to play, I don’t think the Colts are overly concerned about clinching home field for the playoffs with this particular game. They have about 20 players with various injuries (according to the injury report on BroncoTalk.com), and may be more concerned about resting some of them this week.
Knowing the history between the Colts and Chargers
The Colts shouldn’t rest on their heels and depend on the Chargers to f@*k up the rest of December. Say what you will about Norv Turner…but the man and his team are on fire during the holiday season.
Just an interesting side note
This article was referred to in SBNations weekly picks, as the reason the Colts will win :-(
Opinions are like......, Well anyway, this is mine.
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