Can anyone here intelligently explain Gary Kubiak's offense for a layman?

I consider myself an amateur when it comes to schemes, having never played football in the NFL (or, any level in fact, including pee wee, but it sounds better if I just leave it at NFL.) To many coaches, the idea of a run first offense is an archaic idea, and particularly with the Broncos not having superior talent at the RB position. Kubiak, though, seems to get the most out of the running game and in particular seems to bet a lot of chunk yards, committing to it when most would panicked. I've heard that Kubiak uses a different type of blocking scheme and that also a lot of the offense depends on the tight end sprinting up the seem, presumably to take defenders out of the box. It has also been referred to as "smashmouth" but that seems like a misnomer for a guy who widely regarded as an innovator...that is, smashmouth seems to denote a very basic idea of being bigger and stronger and therefore winning. That is about all I know, so beyond that, it's hard to understand how the Patriots stack up to the Broncos. On paper, it would appear the Patriots can just rush eight guys into the backfield and hold the Broncos to -142 yards on the day, and I suspect that won't happen and there is plenty of opportunity for even a neutered Manning to do some damage.

Can anyone add any insight that doesn't sound like an experiment in subatomic physics?

Useful google searches:
1) Inside zone run scheme
2) Outside zone run scheme
3) Defending zone run from 4-3
4) Play action stretch plays
5) Play action zone bootleg at nine

Then you'll see why Manning cannot implement the old Shanahan system.

He endorses and implements a crack-back blocking scheme for run plays and he is a douche.

Watch the Ravens/Pats game from last year. His linemen dive right below the hip and at the knees...but its never called. They love those sweep plays will Hillman and Anderson.

robertweathers said:

He endorses and implements a crack-back blocking scheme for run plays and he is a douche.

Watch the Ravens/Pats game from last year. His linemen dive right below the hip and at the knees...but its never called. They love those sweep plays will Hillman and Anderson.

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Actually the crackback block is one of the tenants of the New England offense, not Denver. A crackback is a sealing technique commonly used in any motion based offense. It can be accomplished via either the slot or the tight end, though more commonly by the tight end.

Denver is a zone scheme and really has been since Shanahan took over. Kubiak's system is not even a derivation of it, it is literally the Shanahan blocking scheme. In zone, the linemen downblock either at or away from the TE, and the RB reads certain blocks to identify and hit a crease. The reason it is deemed dirty is that the backside of the play typically cuts the defenders to open not only the cutback but to give the bootleg more time to develop should they run play action.

jays52 said:

Actually the crackback block is one of the tenants of the New England offense, not Denver. A crackback is a sealing technique commonly used in any motion based offense. It can be accomplished via either the slot or the tight end, though more commonly by the tight end.

Denver is a zone scheme and really has been since Shanahan took over. Kubiak's system is not even a derivation of it, it is literally the Shanahan blocking scheme. In zone, the linemen downblock either at or away from the TE, and the RB reads certain blocks to identify and hit a crease. The reason it is deemed dirty is that the backside of the play typically cuts the defenders to open not only the cutback but to give the bootleg more time to develop should they run play action.

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I have no interest in pointing fingers at New England or finding fault with their play. I'm working my way up to fan boy mentality for Sunday's game.

Schematically and technically speaking- I agree with you. Kubiak has embraced Alex Gibbs' methodology to the fullest. However, if you watch the HOU games and BAL games, his guys go for the knees.

cut block, cut block, play action pass, cut block, cut block, play action pass....

Actually, the Broncos basically run a spread offense with zone blocking. It isn't really that complex.

TomPatriot said:

Actually, the Broncos basically run a spread offense with zone blocking. It isn't really that complex.

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Plus they've apparently dumbed it down for Peyton if that article someone posted is to be believed.

TomPatriot said:

Actually, the Broncos basically run a spread offense with cut blocking. It isn't really that complex.

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Couldn't resist

The Gary Kubiak offense:
Malicious cut-blocking and vicious pick-setting, NONE of which are EVER called.
I wish that somebody would take out his knees the same way he encourages his OLmen to take out the opponenets' knees.

Punt, Punt, Punt, Lucky Bounce, Punt, Punt, Punt, Fumble Recovery, Field Goal

I want to fight Gary Kubiak