Denver Broncos vs Chargers: Breaking Down The O-Line Film

by Bewsaf on Nov 29, 2011 9:40 AM MST

Week #12

The Denver Broncos get a win over the San Diego Chargers, 16-13. The Broncos improve to 6-5 on the season, while the Chargers drop to 4-7.

For the 2nd game in three weeks, the Denver Broncos run the ball 50 or more times. That is a healthy dose of smash mouth football...but the Broncos are making it work along with a very good defensive effort.

This week I am going to highlight, Orlando Franklin. His pass protection, at times, has overshadowed his performance in the run game. However, since the Broncos have been running the ball more...Orlando has had an opportunity to show off his run blocking and ease his way into pass protection.

This week, Orlando Franklin ends the game with a 85% run blocking grade with a +0 power score, and a 94% pass protection grade. The biggest difference in Franklin's performance is consistency...especially in the passing game.

Let's take a look at the rest of those grades...

Team Run Blocking		Power Blocking		Power Blocking Score		2nd Level Blocks
Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the mid 80s to 90% is a decent score.		How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? These scores are good for comparing across teams and finding the most dominant lineman in the league.		Anything over zero is a good score. The more over zero the more the lineman dominated the defender. Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the defender.		The number of successes over failures for the lineman when blocking linebackers and safeties on the second level. The lineman must be athletic to accomplish a high second level score.

Run Blocking Grades

Percent

Grade Bar

Power

Pull

2/Level

Grade

http://profootballspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/100-rating-run-bar.png

Blocking

Blocks

Clady

85%

http://profootballspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/80-rating-run-bar.png

-2

Beadles

73%

http://profootballspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/70-rating-run-bar.png

-3

-1

Walton

76%

Kuper

85%

-2

Franklin

85%

-2

Clark

85%

Run Blocking Notes:

Chris Kuper and J.D. Walton get nice movement with their double team block at 11:27 in the 1st quarter. They drive the defender 3 yards deep. You can see them driving the defender in the pic below.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

At 10:15 in the 1st quarter, Zane Beadles misses a 2nd level block and the defender makes the tackle. Second Level blocks are critical for getting big gains.
Nice drive block by Ryan Clady at 9:41 in the 1st quarter.
At 6:39 in the 3rd quarter, J.D. Walton picks up a key 2nd level block and springs the runner for a long run. You can see Walton in the pic, below. He is just engaging the defender as the back exits the hole.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

If you would like to see where the Broncos ran the ball and where they were getting their yards against the jets then go here, Broncos vs Chargers Week #12: Post Game Stats Analysis.
At 14:24 in the 3rd quarter, Zane Beadles is unable to hold the run blitz out and gives up a tackle in the backfield.
Spencer Larsen gets a nice lead block on the defender when the Broncos run the ball to the left of the formation. You can see him in the pic below...he is at the bottom of the screen shot, just engaging the defender. As always, the Tight Ends and Backs grades are, here.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

Team Pass Blocking		Passing Power Blocking		Pressures		Combo Help
Did the lineman get the job done or not? These grades are good for understanding value for a team and not necessarily for comparing across teams. A game in the 90% is a good score for pass blocking.		How often did the offensive lineman dominate the block or how often did he get dominated? Each lineman is scored a minus for being dominated, a zero for a draw, or a plus for dominating the block.		How often did the offensive lineman give up pressure on the quarterback? Every once and a while a lineman can do his job but give up pressure on the QB. This stat will help glean more info from the line grades.		How often did the offensive coordinator provide help for a tough defender or a struggling lineman. Yea, two lineman ended up with the same grade...but how much help did either of them get?

Pass Blocking Grades

	Percent	Grade Bar	Power	Pressures	Sacks	Combo
	Grade		Blocking	Allowed	Allowed	Help
Clady	94%		+1	1	1	3
Beadles	88%		-1	3	0	7
Walton	98%		0	0	0	6
Kuper	98%		0	0	0	5
Franklin	94%		0	1	0	4
Clark	98%		0	0	0	2

Pass Blocking Notes:

Zane Beadles gives up 3 pressures in the game and Ryan Clady gives up one sack.
4:17 in the 3rd quarter, Tebow is finally flushed from the pocket after 5 seconds to throw the ball.
At 2:25 in the 3rd quarter, Ryan Clady gets beat and Tebow must run. Walton does a nice job blocking his defender but his man ends up gets a sack because Tebow was flushed from the pocket. Clady gets the sack...Walton gets a job done.
Orlando Franklin puts his defender to the ground at 3:02 in the 3rd quarter. Better job of pass blocking.
You can check out the line performance in past games, here.

Check out the Tight Ends & Backs Film Breakdown!

(click it)

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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Comments

Love the pictures great visual

Thanks bewsaf

by goosepitts on Nov 29, 2011 10:32 AM MST reply actions

thnx

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Bewsaf@comcast.net

by Bewsaf on Nov 29, 2011 11:25 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks Bewsaf-One Question

In reviewing the o-line over the course of the season. Do you think that the Broncos are getting more rushing yards due to:
A)Improved o-line play,
B) The presence of Tim Tebow and the read option
C) playing weak opponents in the middle of the schedule,

or is it some combination of all of the above or another reason that I may have missed. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 29, 2011 10:46 AM MST reply actions

I think

A) The line has improved over the course of the season, for sure.
B) The read option has been helping the run production, to this point. Yes.
C) Some due to schedule, I think. Jets are good on defense, though.

The NFL doesn’t just stand around and let you run the same thing over and over, though. You better be constantly innovating to keep ahead of the game. I like what the coaching staff has done with it, so far. They have been cranking out some good wrinkles and keeping a step ahead so the run game doesn’t get stagnant and predictable.

I’m still waiting for the option pass. When the play looks like an option to the outside, pitch man ready. Then the QB steps back after running a few steps down the line and…oh, no…its a pass. And the safety has already committed to cover the pitch man.

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by Bewsaf on Nov 29, 2011 11:23 AM MST up reply actions

John Fox "We are going to have the most advanced running game in the NFL" - quote from preseason

Win the individual battles at the LOS - all else flows from that.

by DE_BroncoFan on Nov 29, 2011 12:01 PM MST up reply actions

"the most SOPHISTICATED" actually...

But the man made it. When he stated it, I really didn’t know what to expect, but he really gave me a pleasant surprise by really having the most sophisticated running game in the NFL. It’s not a new one, it’s just an unexpected one and it’s working very great!

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 29, 2011 2:42 PM MST up reply actions

Keep the o-line together

Hopefully we can keep these 5 guys together for a while. Hard to get sophisticated if there are changing parts constantly.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 29, 2011 2:50 PM MST up reply actions

No OL injures. It's a real bless and for sure it helps us.

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 29, 2011 3:36 PM MST up reply actions

Please knock on some wood!

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 29, 2011 4:48 PM MST up reply actions

Beat me to it

"It's all over fat man!"
-Tom Jackson
"When John Elway is standing in lava with a football, he will stay there and sink until you're open"
-Seanbaby

by Calikula on Nov 29, 2011 8:51 PM MST up reply actions

I'm thinking the option pass will come in for the Pats.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Nov 29, 2011 1:54 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the feedback

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Nov 29, 2011 2:48 PM MST up reply actions

Walton seems to consistently do well in the pass game and struggle in the run game.

Do we need a new C? Is Walton a bad fit?

Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you.

by McGeorge on Nov 29, 2011 10:56 AM MST reply actions

Good question to Bewsaf, who is a better versed man in terms OL than us

My shot is no. He is very young, he has a big upside, so for now I still trust him and think he will become a good or great starter, but not a Pro Browler (who knows).

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 29, 2011 2:44 PM MST up reply actions

Is Beadles getting replaced at the end of this season?

Tim Tebow is Denver's 2012 starting QB. I'm not even kind of sorry that offends some of you.

by McGeorge on Nov 29, 2011 10:57 AM MST reply actions

I don't know

I would think he is low man on the pole, though.

It’s funny. The AFC West really doesn’t have very good left guards. Except Kris Dielman from San Diego, of course.

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by Bewsaf on Nov 29, 2011 11:25 AM MST up reply actions

I'm hoping that we get a stud left guard and relegate Beadles to Mr. fixit.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Nov 29, 2011 1:56 PM MST up reply actions

We already have one...

So I hope we adress the RT position and use our beast LG (Franklin) relegating Beadles to the 2nd stringer for all the spots. I really like his versatility.

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 29, 2011 2:45 PM MST up reply actions

I can see that logic, but...

isn’t it harder to find a quality RT? Franklin is clearly coming along nicely in passing situations, so why not keep him there and use a later pick on a LG? That way we can use our earlier pick for another, more urgent need.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Nov 29, 2011 3:45 PM MST up reply actions

Yes, indeed it is

But do you think Beadles is that bad to lose the job to a late pick LG? For me he would be worse only than a 3rd or earlier one. To pick a late LG and see the kid behind Beadles it’s better just to keep him there and let’s wait a few more time…

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 29, 2011 3:52 PM MST up reply actions

Yeah, you might be right...I'm sure this will be a discussion that EFX will have.

I just think that if we want a stud RT, we’re probably talking the first pick with our draft position (maybe around 20 or so). I for one would be steamed if we used our first pick on RT instead of a CB/DT/LB…or maybe even RB depending on who’s there.

Actually, as I type this, I’m thinking that all those positions are a much bigger need so we may just stay with the line we have. They ARE playing MUCH better and hopefully Beadles improves a bit.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Nov 29, 2011 6:04 PM MST up reply actions

Yes, he still has some upside to improve, let's hope

Our OL is the 2nd youngest of the NFL, so mayba another season of patience can show us what we have in our hands… an entire offseason will be very good to this unit as well.

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I bleed Orange & Blue.

by Fabio Broncos on Nov 30, 2011 3:33 AM MST up reply actions

I think a 1st round RT could be awesome.

I just think the offensive line is what makes the great teams. Look at the Cowboys in the 1990’s. Emmit Smith and Troy Aikman got all the credit, but their offensive line is what really dominated for them. The same is somewhat true for the Broncos when they won their two championships. Terrel Davis is still one of my favorite players of all time, but his offensive line was very, very good especially at what they did.

I think our recent game against the Jets showed that our offensive line still needs an upgrade. Franklin would probably be a huge upgrade over Beadles at left guard and if we could get a dominant right tackle to replace him that could be huge.

I guess I think EFX should go with best player available at either CB/DT/LB or RT.

by Quietone on Nov 30, 2011 8:41 AM MST up reply actions

Awesomeness

Drafting is about strategically adding assets in the right spots to add wins to the bottom line. Sometimes it doesn’t seem like that’s the thinking coming out of the front office, but that’s what it’s suppose to be.

Replacing Beadles using a high 1-5th round draft choice isn’t keeping within the strategy of adding assets to add wins. Only half the draft choices wind up being good enough to help in the W column. The Broncos need to fill holes in too many other places.

If the Broncos don’t get a solid QB that can get wins and replace Tebow, then Denver better have a hell of a good defense because the Broncos will only have a chance to win in the low scoring games.

If the Broncos wind up with Tebow being the starter for the next few years, in addition to the defense, they need more RB’s especially ones that can block and catch passes coming across the middle.

In my opinion, the Broncos won’t waste draft choices trying to improve an O line that’s getting it done now when other needs are significantly higher. So awesome aside, it ain’t likely to happen.

by FormerUMP on Nov 30, 2011 12:13 PM MST up reply actions

Apparently you did not like my choice of words.

I guess awesome might have been a bad choice of words. However, I personally think that having a dominant offensive line is a good “strategy” for winning football games, and I do think that Beadles has been the weakest link. I also do not believe that the O line was “getting it done” against the the defensive tackles of the Jets. It seems to me that the interior O line was “getting owned” by the defensive tackles of the Jets up until the final drive when Denver spread it out, Tebow started scrambling, and the Jets got gassed. Of course that is just my opinion of what happened.

I am all for drafting defense and later round running backs, but if the right offensive lineman prospect comes up at the right time I think it would be a fine choice for the Broncos.

by Quietone on Nov 30, 2011 1:11 PM MST up reply actions

True, but draft strategy varies.

You hear a lot of GM’s talk about drafting the best player available, but then when the time comes most teams seam to vear from that a bit depending on need.

EFX showed last year that they stayed very true to their board and didn’t draft for need. They were tempted to trade picks and drop down for a DT, but they didn’t do it. Remember all the “there are several pools” talk, which proved to work out rather well!

Based on last year I think they are going to stay very true to their draft board, which means that they could be picking almost any position with any pick really. So, I actually wouldn’t be that surprised if they did take a RT…would just mean that he was the highest available on the board.

As far as the Tebow stuff…I’m not even gonna argue…there is a lotta football left. My opinion is that he’ll win even the most critical fans over…even Elway. :) We shall see.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Nov 30, 2011 5:38 PM MST up reply actions

Tebow

I wasn’t implying that Tebow isn’t a good QB. I’m saying he’s an odd QB. There have only been 4 or 5 QB’s in the last 30 years that were similar in style and execution to Tebow.

A couple of those QB’s were successful in the NFL so different can work out sometimes. It may work well for Denver, if they build the team around Tebow’s style. I can’t tell if they’re willing to do that or they just see him as short term solution.

If they do decide to mold the team around Tebow, then they’ll need the defense I mentioned along with the other parts. They’ll have to get those parts from somewhere. In the draft, in free agency or through trades. Denver doesn’t have much cap room so I don’t know how likely free agency is.

Tebow will become a better passer, but no matter how much a QB coach works with him, his game is only going to change a little. QB’s tend to change more as they age than they do from coaching. Tebow is young so I’m guessing he has 7 years or so to stick to his style of play. If he remains uninjured and retains his athletic abilities he may be productive in the W column.

II don’t think Denver will stick to the best athlete strategy in the next couple of drafts. They will vary some to fix problems. Of course, no one will know until next year.

by FormerUMP on Nov 30, 2011 10:56 PM MST up reply actions