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

by Bewsaf on Dec 6, 2011 9:42 AM MST

Week #13

The Denver Broncos get the win over the Minnesota Vikings, 35-32. Denver is currently tied with Oakland for the division lead.

If you ask me, the best thing that ever happened to the Denver Broncos in 2011 was elevating Tim Tebow to starting quarterback. This is not an assertion that Tebow is the missing link to the Denver offense. It is a realization that the move to put Tim at starting quarterback started a chain of events that got this team headed in the direction they needed to go...and that is running the football.

The focus on grinding it out has helped every offensive lineman this season, especially Orlando Franklin. Franklin is a young player that needed to get his feet wet in the passing game, raise his confidence, slowly. And that is just what appears to be happening with the current offensive game plan.

This week, Orlando Franklin ends the game with a 91% run assignment grade with a +2 dominance score, and a 95% pass assignment grade with a +0 dominance score. That is a big improvement from the numbers he was putting up at the beginning of the year.

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

83%

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

Beadles

87%

-2

Walton

75%

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

Kuper

87%

Franklin

91%

http://profootballspotlight.com/wp-content/uploads/90-rating-run-bar.png

Clark

75%

Run Blocking Notes:

At 12:42 in the 1st quarter, Chris Clark comes in as an extra tackle and just goes crazy monkey (my child's term) on the Vikings. He down blocks on a defender and drives him inside...then he comes off the block and locks onto a safety and drives him down the field about 10 yards. The safety didn't seem to like that much...but if your a Bronco, you loved it.
Zane Beadles has a great down block at 1:22 in the 1st quarter to spring the running back for a nice gain. You can see him, below. He is in the middle of the screen with his back (#68) to the view. The running back is about to dart through the hole.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

At :10 in the 1st quarter, the Vikings start with 6 on the line and a total of 8 in the box. That is committing a lot of defenders to the run.
J.D. Walton and Zane Beadles get a good push and wall of the defenders at 14:29 in the 3rd quarter. The Broncos were really taking it at the Vikings at this point on the offensive line. You can see them in the pick, below. You could drive a truck through that 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 Vikings, then go here, Broncos vs Vikings Week #2: Post Game Stats Analysis.
At 14:45 in the 4th quarter, Minnesota has 5 defenders around the line of scrimmage and 8 total defenders in the box...with another corner close and ready to help with the run.

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	85%		+2	2	1	1
Beadles	90%		0	2	0	12
Walton	89%		-2	1	1	15
Kuper	90%		-1	2	0	8
Franklin	95%		0	1	0	7

Pass Blocking Notes:

At 3:51 in the 1st quarter, Orlando Franklin does a nice job help blocking and then picking up a blitzing linebacker.
J.D. Walton gives up a sack at 2:48 in the 2nd quarter. Daniel Fells defender also beat him on the play. If you would like to see how the tight ends and backs graded out...then click the button, below.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

At :47 in he 2nd quarter, Zane beadles and his defender get in the way of Ryan Clady and his chance to block his defender. The Defender cuts back inside and makes the sack. You can see the pic, below.

**Pic from Sunday NFL game

Despite the two pics of Bronco lineman getting beat, Denver had a nice pass blocking day overall. Every player score in the high 80s or 90s in the game. Great job this week!
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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YOU ROCK

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Release the Tebow.

by hydrowardaddy7 on Dec 6, 2011 10:21 AM MST reply actions

Deserving Credit

As much as Tebow and the Defense should be celebrated. The play of our offensive line is a huge reason for our recent 5 game win streak.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Dec 6, 2011 10:22 AM MST reply actions

I agree

however they do have a lot of penalties the last 5 weeks. I would love to see this stuff with penalties included. A 5 – 10 yard penalty is almost like taking a sack, other than you don’t have a loss of down.

Q. What's the difference between the Chicago Bears without Forte & the Taliban?
A. The Taliban has a running game!

by Broncs55 on Dec 6, 2011 12:37 PM MST up reply actions

strongly agree

It’s amazing that there are still some people who ignore the contributions of blockers, as if RBs could be successful entirely on their own.

The play of the OL is a big part of our success this year, and we’ve been aided by having good health on the OL, too. It should be noted that our best years often coincide with having a healthy OL playing together, although this is not the only thing going on. For instance, 2008 was marked by the fact that we had no lost starts on the OL, yet many fans think that ‘everything but’ was responsible for our offensive success. The best example of this is the post suggesting we bring Selvin Young back despite the fact that he’s been ignored by the rest of league since 08. Both 2009 and 2010 are stories of O line play, whether of starts lost to injury, advancing age or the inexperience of youth. And we see again in 2011 that having an O line together and healthy contributes greatly to a team’s success.

******* George Santayana described fanaticism as -- "redoubling your effort after you've forgotten your aim"

by Colinski on Dec 10, 2011 11:53 PM MST up reply actions

WOW!

check out the improvement by the rookie Franklin. Dude had a monster game. Thanks Bewsaf.

It is better to keep silent, and appear to be wise, then to ramble on aimlessly and remove all doubt! The Wisest Man, Solomon.

by metalman5050 on Dec 6, 2011 11:03 AM MST reply actions

I know there's been a lot of talk to move Franklin to Guard

Too premature!!!

"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"

by PaleHorse78 on Dec 6, 2011 12:03 PM MST reply actions

yup thats me

just ask my wife – I’m way to premature! lol

Q. What's the difference between the Chicago Bears without Forte & the Taliban?
A. The Taliban has a running game!

by Broncs55 on Dec 6, 2011 12:37 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the post; I look forward to it every week

I see two things worth mentioning in that final screen shot:

1. Tebow has his eyes down field even as he’s being pressured.
2. He doesn’t see the running back at the 27 yard line who should be his outlet receiver.

The first point is a positive. But when Tebow feels that pressure, he needs to check down asap and pick up positive yards by dumping the ball to his running back.

by EddieRoyalwithCheese on Dec 6, 2011 12:47 PM MST reply actions

looking at the picture

perhaps that one Vikings defender was in the throwing lane. Seeing as how there are only 4 rushers, perhaps there is a linebacker just out of view on the right, too close for a pass Tim would need to loft to get over the D-lineman

Drinkin the kool-aid, smokin the Orange Kush

by boanst on Dec 6, 2011 1:38 PM MST up reply actions

Thanks for the post

Kinda confirms what my eyes are saying, as well. Both of our lines are playing much better than they have for a long time- and it shows in the W’s. It really is nice to NOT see the opposing D-line in our backfield before the ball is even handed off……….

I know some of it is their Defense doing contain, rather than attacking- but I don’t care why. I like the result. If the threat of a scamble holds them up…. I’m good with that.

And on the other side of the ball……. our D-line is rarely 5 yards back, anymore. I am liking what Fox and crew have installed, so far.

by baselinedenver on Dec 6, 2011 2:07 PM MST reply actions

I'm getting ready to eat some crow with regards to this OL.

I’ve been very critical of them all year and they just keep getting better.

Part of me thinks the whole “option” offense was more for the OL (read Franklin and Beadles) than it was for Tebow.

I look forward to this post every week! Thanks

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

by BaldMatt on Dec 6, 2011 2:19 PM MST reply actions

Holy crap gameball to Franklin!!

Not bad for a rookie who supposedly can’t pass block.

McGeorge, what say you! ;)

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Dec 6, 2011 6:17 PM MST reply actions

I never said Franklin was going to struggle at run blocking. I said Franklin would be fine in this area.

I hated him as a RT with Orton as the QB. I always said it was obvious our O-line hated blocking for Orton because he was such a statue and made them often look worse than they were. Seeing Tebow run around out there and seeing the Chargers refuse to rush the passer have a profoundly strong and positive impact on our O-line. So do all the running plays that make Denver’ line in attack mode. O-linemen vastly prefer moving forward than back peddling.

I’d still like Denver to consider Franklin at LG, but he is better (much better) in pass protect than I was expecting. I think a lot of that is Tebow’s mobility and limited passing attempts, but it sure is working wonders for our O-line.

Good on Orlando Franklin. Too my surprise, he has proven to be the much better 2nd round pick vs Moore. It’s more important to have a good blind side tackle than FS.

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

by McGeorge on Dec 7, 2011 7:50 AM MST up reply actions

I agree with everything you've said save the LG part.

I’m sure that Franklin would be an upgrade at LG, but who’s going to play RT? The only way I can see this happening is if EFX sticks to their “best man available in the draft” strategy and we take a tackle in the 1st or 2nd. Could definitely happen though. Otherwise we’d be downgrading by plugging Beadles or Clarke in.

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Dec 7, 2011 1:58 PM MST up reply actions

I could see it happening, and it wouldn't be because of Franklin, IMO

I was just looking at the numbers for Franklin over the season and it indicates truly massive improvement in pass blocking as the season has progressed. He gave up 25 pressures in the first three games and 26 pressures in the last 11 games. And he’s not requiring as much help, either.

I consider Beadles the weak link in the line, and I could see Fox drafting a new OT early on so that we could start either him or Franklin at LG and the other at RT. Beadles played LT in college, so that would make him a quality, versatile backup. He’s bad in pass protection – requires a lot of help and still gives up a lot of pressures. His run defense isn’t enough to make up for his deficiencies in the pass game. So I wouldn’t be surprised at all if we drafted a high-profile RT and let he and Deebo wrestle over who has to start at LG.

DROY is almost an insult to the great Von Miller at this point. Methinks he deserves a back-door pass to the next Victoria's Secret Fashion Show for a chance to sack an Angel - Miranda Kerr, maybe.

by Rodney A on Dec 7, 2011 6:29 PM MST up reply actions

Why not just draft a LG then?

Wouldn’t it be “cheaper” (you can get a quality guard in a later round) just to get a LG instead of trying to fix something that aint broke at the RT position?

I really do think it’s mostly moot though because I believe that they are simply going to stick to the best man available, which makes mocking draft picks an exercise in futility! :)

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Dec 8, 2011 2:55 PM MST up reply actions

Not unlike Big Foot and pillow fights at girls' sleep over parties, drafting BPA is a myth

The reason I would prefer to draft a RT than a guard (say in the 2nd round-ish) is because tackles convert to guards in a pinch, and often excel at the guard spot better than most starting guards, but you try putting a guard at your tackle spot in a pinch and you’re generally screwed. Guards often have shorter arms and limited athleticism, which is usually why they remained guards in college instead of moving outside to tackle.

I’d draft a tackle in the 2nd round to let he and Deebo fight over who has to move to guard. I would do it that way because I like having the versatility. The biggest reason I see us upgrading the LG spot isn’t because I think Zane Beadles is such a weak link that he has to be upgraded; it’s because our team is built around the run. If we lose the ability to run the ball, we lose the ability to win. Having a quality backup at the tackle position is immensely important. Drafting a tackle that can play guard early in the draft kills two birds with one stone. It gives you an upgrade at LG and it gives you substantial depth and security on the outside of the line in a pinch.

Our Broncos have lost three home games this year while no only division leader has lost more than one. It's time to make Mile High our house again. And it starts Sunday with Caleb Hanie.

by Rodney A on Dec 9, 2011 4:34 PM MST up reply actions

Tebow and our new offensive mentality also have played a big part in this turn around in pass protection.

Defenders HAVE to stay in their gaps and not overpursue. We have 8 men in the box, but very little blitzing and they’re scared to death to get beat on the outside holding the ends and LB’s home.

Now that phase II is underway (actually passing a little), defenses are going to have a SERIOUSLY hard time stopping us! I’m excited to be a Broncos fan again!!

by Mile High ThundaDownUnda on Dec 6, 2011 6:24 PM MST reply actions

Does JD Walton suck? His grades are always terrible, esp in the running game?

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

by McGeorge on Dec 7, 2011 7:50 AM MST reply actions

He struggles from time to time

Some games I like him and think he is coming along…then he will have a down game at the line of scrimmage or at the second level. 75% in the run game isn’t horrible. Its ok if the other lineman around you are good at run blocking. Which is what has been happening lately.

Pro Football Spotlight
Bewsaf@comcast.net

by Bewsaf on Dec 7, 2011 7:58 AM MST up reply actions

As a 3rd round pick in only his second year I would be sad if Denver bailed on Walton too soon.

It would be great (although unlikely) if we could keep this group of young linemen together as a unit for the next 5 years.

What would Blackie Lawless do?

by British Bronco on Dec 7, 2011 10:32 AM MST up reply actions

from these grades week in and week out

it has seemed Beatles is regularly the weak link. Walton, has some off games but I don’t recall to many. Beatles I thought was in major need of being replaced until a couple weeks ago when he seemed to do better. Of course I expect a 3rd or 4th round OLine pick regardless as a backup or replacement.

But Fox clearly has brought the run game promised and I trust he’ll make better decisions then I possible could.

Bronco Learning Curve

by sbhchawk on Dec 7, 2011 5:21 PM MST up reply actions

Walton is a good NFL Center

Most Center’s aren’t completely dominant, because they have to be smart. I think the scheme fits Walton, he is smart, tough, and will get nasty when he needs to. He will continue to get better with coaching from Magazu IMHO.

Von Miller doesn't sleep, he waits

by RockyMountainThunder on Dec 8, 2011 12:21 PM MST up reply actions