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

by Bewsaf on Dec 20, 2011 9:36 AM MST

Week #15

The Denver Broncos lose to the New England Patriots, 23-41. The Broncos are still atop the AFC West by 1 game with an 8-6 record.

If Denver fans didn't know already, they now know that the Broncos don't play well when they have to overcome a lot of points. Denver's offense just isn't ready for that, yet. Keep the opponents close until the 4th quarter...and the Broncos are dangerous.

As far as AFC West standards, PFS grades all of the AFC West lineman, the Bronco's offensive line did an average job. No offensive lineman really had a stellar day...but no one really laid an egg, either.

Chris Kuper ends his day with a 83% run assignment grade with a +1 dominance score, and a 92% pass assignment grade.

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

79%

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

Beadles

83%

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

Walton

79%

Kuper

83%

Franklin

79%

Run Blocking Notes:

At 11:20 in he 1st quarter, Orlando Franklin has a nice drive block. You can see him in the pic, below. He is just coming out of the left of the pile. The fullback, Lance Ball, has a nice block also to spring the running back.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game on CBS

At 5:09 in the 1st quarter, Orlando Franklin and Chris Kuper have a nice cross block. Franklin comes down on the defender on the line of scrimmage and Kuper pulls around him, inside the tight end, and picks up the linebacker...A nice little blocking wrinkle the Broncos brought to the Patriots game.
At :57 in the 1st quarter, Zane Beadles has a nice pull block to spring a big run. You can see him, below. He has already pulled left and is just engaging a linebacker. Nice down blocks by the other offensive lineman, as well.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game on CBS

If you would like to see where the Broncos ran the ball and where they were getting their yards against the Patriots, then go her Broncos Week #15: Post Game Tendencies and Performances.
Ryan Clady has a nice motor on the backside of a run on the play at :03 in the 3rd. I like to see that backside energy.

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	80%		-2	3	1	6
Beadles	76%		-2	5	0	12
Walton	92%		-2	1	1	16
Kuper	92%		0	2	0	13
Franklin	84%		0	2	1	6

Pass Blocking Notes:

Orlando Franklin started the game with a +4 dominance score. He had a very good 1st quarter....and even into the 3rd. However, at the end of the game he was beat 3 times...which brought his dominance score back down to +0. It appears Franklin has improved in pass protection from the beginning of the year but still is not ready for the quarterback to be in shotgun in a situation where the defender can pin his ears back and worry about nothing but rushing the passer for 10 plays straight.
At 10:16 in the 4th quarter, Chris Kuper is knocked to the ground in pass protection. Kuper ends the day with a 92% pass assignment grade and was beat in pass protection 1 time.
At 10:10 in the 4th quarter, Tebow was sacked after 4 seconds to throw the ball. You can see the Broncos in the pic, below. It is a shot of the play around 3.25 seconds after the snap. You can see the defender who eventually gets the sack coming around from the left end position. He will sack Tebow from the middle. This is a good example of the types of sacks that go down as a negative for an offensive line where the problem really wasn't necessarily the problem. The problem was either the receivers didn't get open or the quarterback didn't get rid of the ball in an appropriate amount of time.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game on CBS

At 3:39 in the 4th quarter, Ryan Clady gets beat to the outside. Ryan didn't have a very good game against the Patriots. He ends the day with a -2 dominance score.
You can check out the line performance in past games, here.

Check out the Tight Ends & Backs film breakddown

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

Thanks again

I smell some OL depth coming this off season.

Has anyone put a list together of OL free agents this year?

The glass is usually twice as big as it needs to be.

by BaldMatt on Dec 20, 2011 9:45 AM MST reply actions

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2012/fa/ol.html

That’s a good site to see who the future free agents are going to be. It covers every position.

by tiderfootball09 on Dec 20, 2011 10:43 AM MST up reply actions

Thanks...

It looks like there are a few names that could challenge Beadles.

The glass is usually twice as big as it needs to be.

by BaldMatt on Dec 20, 2011 10:48 AM MST up reply actions

Or at least provide deepth .

by tiderfootball09 on Dec 20, 2011 1:31 PM MST up reply actions

Do you think we draft or FA depth?

I agree that we need rotational depth more than a starter hole filled. We’ve been lucky with OL injuries. But if one happens I have no idea whether the roster depth we have (which is shallower than league average anyway) would be able to step in. We really don’t seem to rotate them — which makes me believe that we don’t have depth.

by yibberat on Dec 21, 2011 11:31 AM MST up reply actions

Beadles with the lowest pass protect grade and surrendered the most pressures. Again, a below average day for a below average starter. He’s slightly less than okay and needs to compete for a starting job in 2012 vs someone that has real game.

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

by McGeorge on Dec 20, 2011 9:52 AM MST reply actions

He's an excellent pull blocker, though, which was proved again by these scores

They have a good measure of success with Tebow running to the right behind Beadles’ pulling.

by si_ice on Dec 20, 2011 10:11 AM MST up reply actions

And Denver suffers a lot of stress when Tebow drops back to pass and Beadles gets turnstyled over and over again by the flavor of the week DT he’s supposed to stop. Or at least lay hands on…

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

by McGeorge on Dec 20, 2011 11:02 AM MST up reply actions

I've said it before, he's the weakest link on our line

while he’s played well the last 5 games, he’s still the weak link.

I don’t mind upgrading over Champ Bailey if we find a replacement who is better. Not that we will with Champ, just making a point.

The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl.

by Broncs55 on Dec 20, 2011 10:57 AM MST up reply actions

“while he’s played well the last 5 games’”

Are you talking about Beadles? Because he sure has NOT played well the last five games. He’s made several gaffs that screwed up plays. At best, Zane has been passable during the win streak.

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

by McGeorge on Dec 20, 2011 11:04 AM MST up reply actions

"Passable" is what I meant

I should have said “he’s played well enough”. I didn’t mean to sound like “he’s played great!” or “He’s played phenomenal!”

I only say stuff I don’t mean when I’m drunk. If you ever hear me say “I’m going running” You’d know I was drunk cause I’m about 100 lbs over weight now lol

The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl.

by Broncs55 on Dec 20, 2011 11:08 AM MST up reply actions

Funny

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

by McGeorge on Dec 20, 2011 11:43 AM MST up reply actions

At least Hochstein isn't playing...

Von Miller and Dumervil are basically racing to see who's first to the QB...Love this feeling!!!

by DaLostBoy4 on Dec 20, 2011 11:12 AM MST up reply actions

That clown is still on the team?

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

by McGeorge on Dec 20, 2011 11:42 AM MST up reply actions

Yes

Yes he is. I hadn’t realized that until just now. Wow.

A pessimist sees the difficulties in every opportunity.
An optimist sees the opportunities in every difficulty.
- Winston Churchill

First (and only, in our lifetimes) team to three consecutive SB wins (perhaps and then some)!!!! ( =

by PearlJamBroncoGFunk on Dec 20, 2011 12:53 PM MST up reply actions

I think they used him as an Hback a couple of times this year, but other than that he is a bench warmer...

"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 20, 2011 3:29 PM MST up reply actions

Thank you so much

for doing these each week. I never thought I’d be interested in the O-line grading, but I read them every week and enjoy them tremendously.

Seems to me that this O-line has performed pretty well this year, given their youth. Franklin seems to get better in pass blocking and has done a creditable job in spite of some suggesting that he’d be a flop. And I still don’t see why one or two people here seem to have a hard-on for Beadles. Could he be better? Sure! But he’s a second year guy and seems to run block pretty well, and Walton seems to be a good center. Kuper has played well, too.

Only Clady has performed worse than expected, and that’s only in comparison to his prior Pro-bowl level performance. The O-line weakness, to me, seems to be the lack of quality depth behind the starters.

by bill2975 on Dec 20, 2011 10:02 AM MST reply actions

Franklin has progressed a long way from week one.

If he continues to improve then I see no reason for EFX to draft another one early in the draft…There are other holes that really need to be addressed in the 2012 draft…

"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 20, 2011 3:28 PM MST up reply actions

Thank you sir.... once again

I know this is slightly off topic, but I’ve been going through and doing my Pro Bowl voting and I always get stumped when it gets to the O-Line portion. Who do you all feel should make the Pro Bowl as O-Lineman, league wide?

"If you went to the Fair with this guy and you played that game where you have to throw the ball through the hole..... HE may never get it through the hole, but he's still gonna be walking away with all the stuffed animals" Prime on Tebow!!!

"As iron sharpens iron, so will one man sharpen another"

"If I had to choose between an abundance of football intelligence, or football wisdom, I'd choose wisdom 100% of the time...... Foxy has this in spades!!!"

by PaleHorse78 on Dec 20, 2011 10:11 AM MST reply actions

I voted for Clady, Walton and Kuper

I forget who I voted for elsewhere lol I voted about 2 weeks ago I think.

The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl.

by Broncs55 on Dec 20, 2011 10:58 AM MST up reply actions

I did an article

around the mid-point of the year, here.

I have watched every AFC West offensive lineman on every play…so, I can speak on them from a source of credibility (IMO). The rest of the AFC, however, I have not graded. So it would be my simple observations when talking about the AFC as a whole.

I can tell you that the Chargers have Kris Dielman (injured) and Louis Vasquez who are by far, hands down, the best left guard and right guard in the AFC West. No one is close. They are true representations of Pro Bowl lineman.

Ryan Clady, despite his down game this week, is also the best left tackle in the AFC West. There is no-one in the AFC West at left tackle I would want on my team besides Ryan.

Right tackle and center is not a strong position in the AFC west. The only right tackle I would want in the AFC West is Khalif Barnes for his pass protection ability…although, he has been consistent in making mental errors during games: a lot of false starts. Clary (Chargers) and Franklin (Broncos) are good run blockers but have trouble in pass protection.

Pro Football Spotlight
Bewsaf@comcast.net

by Bewsaf on Dec 20, 2011 11:27 AM MST up reply actions

no love for Kuper Troopa?

The Definition of an optimist: A Buffalo Bills fan waiting at Buffalo Niagara International Airport for the Bills to return from winning the Super Bowl.

by Broncs55 on Dec 20, 2011 12:15 PM MST up reply actions

I like Kuper

he is a keeper. But he is not as dominant or in control of the defenders as much as Louis Vasquez in the 2011.

Pro Football Spotlight
Bewsaf@comcast.net

by Bewsaf on Dec 20, 2011 2:12 PM MST up reply actions

season

Pro Football Spotlight
Bewsaf@comcast.net

by Bewsaf on Dec 20, 2011 2:12 PM MST up reply actions

Kuper has reached his ceiling and there should be upgrades out there.

Whether the Broncos want to go that way or just jel this OLine is yet to be seen…

"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 20, 2011 3:26 PM MST up reply actions

That is a great idea!

Just as our O Line is starting to come together as a unit and start playing team ball, let’s shitcan our leader in favor of an “upgrade”. Let’s see, who’s cast-off would be an “upgrade”? Damned if I know, but I’m sure you do.

It all starts in the trenches - HT 11/11/08
Leave the hateful vitriol to the uninformed - HT 3/16/09

by firstfan on Dec 20, 2011 11:42 PM MST up reply actions

HaHaHa...I was referring to depth not replacing Kup...

"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 21, 2011 4:15 PM MST up reply actions

What happened on the Tebow fumble play?

It looked to me as if Clady or the left TE totally missed his blocking assignment and the RDE came out untouched during a left side option pitch to Royal. That was a killer turnover and led to a Pats TD.

Also, what’s with Tebow and fumbles? 5 in the last 4 games. You know, those are just as bad as interceptions, and possibly are a bit worse since they tend to happen in the backfield.

by Linmoo on Dec 20, 2011 12:42 PM MST reply actions

maybe he should work on protecting the ball.

can’t be running around with it in one hand and out to his side. Makes for an easy target, just have to hit the forearm and the ball will come out…..Protect the ball, that simple..

by pwsbronco on Dec 20, 2011 1:47 PM MST up reply actions

I hope Mr Elway looks at the OLine when he says Timmy has to become a pocket passer to compete in this league...

You look at OLines that protect star QBs and they maneuver their opponent where they want them, usually into a half-moon ‘pocket’ for their QB to work in. Definitely there has to be work done on the OLine in the offseason leading up to the draft. Maybe a free agent or 2 might be better…

"What's better than 5 - 0?!?...[The whole locker room] 6 - 0"!!!
Head Coach John Fox in the locker room madness following a 13-10 victory over the Bears...

Follow @bfree2bronc

by bfree2bronc on Dec 20, 2011 3:21 PM MST reply actions

Great post

Good to see fan posts about the trenches

by yibberat on Dec 21, 2011 11:36 AM MST reply actions

I'm impressed

For me, without seeing any numbers, the OL was decent pushing for the run and ugly pass proctecting. The numbers tell the opposite… I’m surprised and impressed.

Thank you for the job again.

This signature was sacked by Von Miller.
I bleed Orange & Blue. GB².

by Fabio Broncos on Dec 21, 2011 9:12 PM MST reply actions