Bronco's defense

[dannydyn]

I wonder…. From a roster standpoint, that defense is largely unchanged from last year, yet looks completely different. You can say what you want about Wade Philips, but he managed to take an overpriced and underachieving unit, and turn them into the #1 overall ranked defense. These guys are flying all over the field, wrecking havoc and generating turnovers left and right. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the donkeys sitting at 0-5 if not for that defense.


Is it really all because of what one coach managed to do with them? I’m not even talking about schemes, formation, and overages. Just pure aggressiveness and speed these guys are all of a sudden playing like maniacs… The look like Seattle’s defense from 2 years ago.


Any thoughts?

 

[Guts]

They haven't really been tested yet. Credit to them though winning is winning and they're undefeated thanks to the defense. Haven't really watched any broncos game this year besides that Chiefs one so I can't really contribute with pure football talk. I will say this though that core of players on the defense have yet to slow down the Patriots offense when Gronk is healthy not really worried about them.

 

[ViperGTS]

I wonder…. From a roster standpoint, that defense is largely unchanged from last year, yet looks completely different. You can say what you want about Wade Philips, but he managed to take an overpriced and underachieving unit, and turn them into the #1 overall ranked defense. These guys are flying all over the field, wrecking havoc and generating turnovers left and right. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the donkeys sitting at 0-5 if not for that defense.


Is it really all because of what one coach managed to do with them? I’m not even talking about schemes, formation, and overages. Just pure aggressiveness and speed these guys are all of a sudden playing like maniacs… The look like Seattle’s defense from 2 years ago.


Any thoughts?

Not even close to Seattle. They will get undressed by a quality offensive unit. Ware is already breaking down, as he does every season. Miller disappears every season past the halfway point. Talib is Talib, comes out smoking then fizzles out due to wear and tear.

Nothing remotely close to Seattle.

 

[Kontradiction]

Check out what Brady has done in the past to Wade Phillips coached defenses. If we can seal off the edge from Miller and Ware (should he be back), that back end is going to be there for the taking. They still don't have anyone that can cover Gronk.

 

[rexxar]

Check out what Brady has done in the past to Wade Phillips coached defenses. If we can seal off the edge from Miller and Ware (should he be back), that back end is going to be there for the taking. They still don't have anyone that can cover Gronk.

No-one does. Only Gronk can cover Gronk.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It was obvious they were not coached very well with Del Rio because their players were better than their numbers, even though their numbers were quite good. The Broncos defense is very top-heavy. Miller, Ware, Harris, and Talib are highly paid assets that get pressure on the QB and take away the intermediate to deep passes. Beyond those guys, this team is not very deep, so they try to be aggressive and force the offense's gameplan; they are also not versatile. They just want teams that have two traditional outside receivers on both sides and like to establish the running game, which is the worst mistake against them. Their run defense is pretty good. I am surprised at how many teams have fallen right into this trap, rather than attack the Broncos subpar linebackers and safeties (yes, Ward is not good in coverage even he is a good cheap shot artiest.) I've also been shocked watching the stupidity of almost all these teams running on first and second down; these offenses against them have been so predictable and stupid. This is why a team like the Patriots should move the ball on them because they will use the middle of the field and short passes rather than the seven step drop fifteen yard pass that plays right into the teeth of that defense on 3rd and 8.

Last thing: they have beaten Baltimore, Kansas City, Detroit, Oakland, and Minnesota. These are all offenses that are struggling mightily. Not a single opponent has a positive offensive DVOA on Football Outsiders. I think we'll get a much better idea of how good they are when the play Rodgers in two weeks. Even with McCown this week will be the best passing offense they have faced this season.

They are still good, no matter what the scheme, so I would expect they'll be tough to beat, especially in Denver. I just think their flaws and lack of good players will be exposed against a good offense. Four star players can do some serious damage against crummy offenses but will struggle against good offenses.

 

[Oswlek]

Denver was very good on defense last year, 8th in passer rating, 9th in sacks, 5th in third down defense, 4th in ypc, 5th in passing DVOA and 3rd rushing. Ware looks better, and they are blitzing more, but the rest of the unit appears to be about the same to me. There were never any questions about how they'd play in the first half of the year, it was whether they could hold up over the course of the entire year, which we still don't know.

 

[Wheelman]

Overrated Wade Phillips D.

Tom Brady owns Wade Phillips D.

Moving on....

 

[JMC00]

Ware looks better

Don't be fooled like other people. Ware for the past few years has looked this good in the first half of the season and then basically goes missing in the 2nd half.

 

[Oswlek]

Don't be fooled like other people. Ware for the past few years has looked this good in the first half of the season and then basically goes missing in the 2nd half.

I know, I just said that.

There were never any questions about how they'd play in the first half of the year, it was whether they could hold up over the course of the entire year, which we still don't know.

 

[1960Pats]

I wonder…. From a roster standpoint, that defense is largely unchanged from last year, yet looks completely different. You can say what you want about Wade Philips, but he managed to take an overpriced and underachieving unit, and turn them into the #1 overall ranked defense. These guys are flying all over the field, wrecking havoc and generating turnovers left and right. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the donkeys sitting at 0-5 if not for that defense.

Is it really all because of what one coach managed to do with them? I’m not even talking about schemes, formation, and overages. Just pure aggressiveness and speed these guys are all of a sudden playing like maniacs… The look like Seattle’s defense from 2 years ago.

Any thoughts?

I have to see Denver play a decent team before I make a judgement. The combined record of the 5 teams they've defeated is 6-18.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have to see Denver play a decent team before I make a judgement. The combined record of the 5 teams they've defeated is 6-18.

After the Browns, they have the Packers. We'll get a good idea of what they're made of then.

 

[Gronkowski123]

cannon trying to block von miller scares me

 

[SVN]

Our yearly obsession with manning teams continues where we question how good they really are every time without giving much credit most of the time They beat oakland - oakland sucks. If they beat packers - packers suck on the road anyway

 

[oldrover]

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/teamdef

According to Football Outsiders, while the Donkey D is #1, their schedule played thus far is ranked #26th toughest.

OTOH, the Pats D is #9... and their schedule played thus far is ranked 7th toughest.

Just sayin'...

 

[50-yard-line]

I've been watching Denver all year. Their defense is very good yes, but no, not Seattle!

The Chiefs put up 24 on them, the Vikings 20. The Lions are crap, the Raiders are crap and the Ravens...well, they just aren't good, especially on offense.

What struck me most when watching teams play Denver was the lack of good game-planning, honestly. The Chiefs just choked, as per usual, but Minnesota had them beaten. Really had them beaten. So you've got Adrian Peterson back there, and you're dropping Bridgewater back time and time again?

No hurry up? No pounding the run right over Miller and/or Ware to wear them down a bit? No short-passing game? I couldn't believe it.

They've got some legitimate horses - Miller, Ware, Talib, Harris, Ward... Miller is really good. Ware is a monster, but for how long? 33 years old with a history of wearing down and now a back issue.

If they stay healthy and Ware doesn't slow down too much, they have a really, really good defense. They'll be a tough out. Right now, the AFC boils down to NE, Denver, and Cincinnati. I don't see anyone else close unless Pittsburgh sticks around long enough to make a run with Ben back. If Denver takes a hit to one of their top-end guys on D, it all comes tumbling down.

If Ware can't go Sunday, the game in Cleveland could be much different than most people think. Cleveland is a different team with McCown (they were about to go up 14-0 on the Jets when he fumbled in the end zone nad left with a concussion, they got blown out thereafter).

 

[TommyD4207]

cannon trying to block von miller scares me

Von Miller runs himself out of plays if you scheme him right.

I'm far more concerned about a motivated and healthy Demarcus Ware than I am with Von Miller. Thankfully the chances of Ware being both healthy and motivated is pretty low.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Thats it! I can't stand it!

 

[aluminum seats]

Yeah, if they play well enough someone's bound to give Phillips the opportunity to fail as head coach again.

 

[sevengables_2207]

To piggyback onto the insights some of the posters here have mentioned regarding the Denver defense, and the mistake teams have hitherto made by lining up in traditional formations, and running the ball into the teeth of the front seven, this upcoming matchup against Cleveland is intriguing because since Josh McCown came back from injury, their offense has been very pass heavy out of a lot of spread sets.

While this alone may not predict success against the Denver defense, it is nevertheless fascinating to see how it unfolds, keeping in mind that Denver has to play some OTHER pass-happy teams down the road with more talent