Broncos' Running Game Should Get Back on Track Against Colts

They will need to.

I have been advocating Andre Brown for a while now so don’t let me down Brown!

77 yards per carry.

I think you mean per game. ;-) Per carry would be awesome, we wouldn’t be worried if that were the case! Hee.

With Harris healthy does Zane Beadles necessarily move to left guard? I would say the answer is no. I believe Stanley Daniels has won the starting left guard spot because he has been the better run blocker. I think Beadles will be used a valuable backup.

Good points here. Although, I question the use of multiple different a couple times; it’s either multiple or different not both.

And pull the on-side kick at halftime. Manning really is that good, and really the only way to beat him is to keep him off the field. Take away at least one possesion.

Now the perfect time for our running game to get going. I am very happy that Kuper and Harris have practiced. Someday we are going to this team and I hope it’s Sunday.

Not do we need to run well, we need our run defense to keep the Colts in check.

Always a good read from you. I also believe that we need to run the ball. Having said that, I also believe that Indy may be thinking the same thing. My hope is that Kyle will get us checked into the right play. Any team can take away the run if they want to. If they stack the line of scrimmage, I pray that we check to the pass. I think that Kyle is way smart enough to do this. It will be a MUST this week. If we can keep them off balance and guessing on defense, it will go a long way towards time of possession and scoring. I guess what I’m trying to say in a rather long winded rant is: Run the ball to win, but only when it sets up right for us.

that they would activate all four running backs?

Bob Sanders is hurt. Indy is year in year out a smaller/quicker Defense. They are a good matchup for our new Power look OL.

Clady is also getting better each game. Lets not forget he came back late in the preseason. Weeks 1 and 2 were pretty much weeks 3 and 4 of the preseason (if he’d been healthy for its entirety). I expect him to be more improved each week.

Moreno (or Marino like the deuches from CBS like to call him) is also getting more and more healthy. The moves he put on Seattle last week were the first time he’s looked like the 1st round pick from Georgia we thought he’d be.

I’m very encouraged at this point. Go BRONCOS!!!

I think we all agreed that Denver was in a good position to exploit Seattle’s weaknesses if they wanted to win, and for the most part they did. They didn’t mount an effective pass rush but they came up with turnovers in the passing game when it counted and our own passing offense zeroed in on the Hawks’ soft spots and prospered.

This week, we face a poor run defense but a pretty solid pass rush. Running the ball will be critical and if we can’t get it done with two key starters (hopefully) back on OL and (possibly) two former first round picks in the backfield then I don’t know what to tell you, friends.

That, combined with our reborn passing attack should (hopefully) make for a solid day offensively. Needless to say, keeping Manning on the bench is the best way to beat him.

But he is going to have the ball at some point. And I think we all know that if you can’t get in the backfield and knock this man down he will find your weaknesses and pick you apart one pass at a time all day. And if we can’t defend what has come to be a surprisingly consistent, if not spectacular run attack as well, it is going to be a tough slog.

I really think we have a shot this weekend, despite what some might say. I am not holding my breath but it the Broncos seriously intend to make a playoff push this year, these are the kind of games they have to find a way to win.

I absolutely refuse to knee-jerk a reaction to our recent running woe’s. We all knew coming into the season that our offensive line would need time, a work-in-progress. We knew that we’d be starting two rookie’s and that our two bookends were coming off injury. Kuper’s status has only compounded our issues.

It certainly doesn’t come as a shock that our running game has issues. Up until now we’ve had more questions than answers. And I’m not even convinced that the Colts game will give those answers we so desperately seek. But with ‘The Ryans’ now back from injury, Kuper too, and the rooks now positioned to get their third game behind them, the answers should start becoming more clear over the next couple weeks.

I hope we like those answers – and I still tend to believe we will. But it’s time for Knowshon to show up. Even with the issues on our OL and even with his 50-yard run the other day, it’s time for him to earn his highly drafted position. The Colts game would be a good start in showing himself as a game-changer.

From Football Outsiders:

If you need to pass the ball against the Colts, your best bet is to spread the field. In 2009, the Colts were an average defense or better against formations with one, two or three wide receivers. However, they were 24th in defensive DVOA against formations with four or five wide receivers.

Another great post. Establishing some kind of (semi) effective running game would open up so many more opportunities for KO and all those stud receivers. I was bummed when Lendale White went down, and am hoping Maroney can fill that power back role.

they were running when the game was already over and it was over by the start of the third If the Broncos want to run the ball effectively, they better establish it early and make it a focal point. It will completely moot how many yards they put up if the Colts put them in the deep hole the Giants were put in

hopefully our line is stepping up we need them 4 kyle to win this MFing GAME!! lol

And I hope that the Broncos rushing attack has a breakout game against Indy.

But I have to disagree with this:

The Broncos are going to need to run the ball if they are going to beat the Colts on Sunday.

We tried to be a run first team in 2009 vs the Colts. Result: our first three drives (9 runs/5 passes) produced 0 points while the Colts put up 21 on three of their first 4 drives.

The only two drives that resulted in touchdowns were ones that had 3 runs/9 passes and 3 runs/7 passes.

We also had 6 drives (11 runs/15 passes) that resulted in no points in that game. I would suggest that we need to use the intermediate passing game to control the clock and put up points, and run just enough to keep the Colts’ defense honest.

We also need to see our defense put hands on Manning on nearly every play and to come up with take aways (we had 4 vs Seattle & intercepted Manning 3 times in ’09).

Denver needs to come out and get a lead, which is what should’ve been done against Jacksonville. If we’re gonna be a pass-first team, then let’s start acting like it and give the Colts a taste of their own medicine.

Build a lead, then run to keep the lead. If we’re struggling to run, go back to the passing game and make it really hurt.

Nice post Sayre! Too bad Harris will be out, but at least Kuper will improve the line with his return.

early Broncos and we shall see Peyton Manning playing from behind. He’ll be flawless, I’m sure, but if our lead’s big enough, it won’t matter, just like the Texans in Week 1.

I truly hope we don’t get behind by 21 like we did last year. Even so, the team stepped up and made a very good challenge for the Colts in Indy.

This year it’s at our place, and that HAS to be a factor. Fans should be the loudest they’ve ever been….and also the quietest when we have the ball.

I believe our running game will be used effectively and will keep them honest. KM ran hard and with purpose last week. We’ll see more of that on Sunday.

The Bears coaches made the right adjustments last week when Cutler was getting killed by the Blitz. They changed to 2-3 step drop-back throws…..I believe we should do the same, if we struggle with Freeney and Mathis.

Go Broncos!!

I’ve seen several occasions where Buck has dived or rolled into the legs of his blocking linemen when it appeared unnecessary. I keep thinking “damn bro, hook up your blocker and make one last move to dive to the side. You’re going to need him going forward.” I haven’t noticed this with our other rb’s. When he rolled onto Harris’ legs, I could hear Harris scream, Buck didn’t even acknowledge him…wtf