Broncos Stuff...

[boozeman]

Gameday: Broncos’ Offensive Success Has Dictated Defense

Posted 8 minutes ago

David Helman DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

Does this season feel familiar yet? Through four weeks, the Cowboys have followed up a home win with a road loss on two occasions, continuing the roller coaster ride the team has been on the past several years. In 2012, the Cowboys broke that up-and-down trend in Week 5 with a road loss to a Super Bowl contender – Baltimore – to fall to 2-3.

This year, the Super Bowl contender comes to Texas, as the red hot Denver Broncos will pose a serious challenge if the Cowboys are to stay above .500.

Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is the No. 3 rusher in the NFL after a month with 356 yards, but the Cowboys have only rushed for 100 yards as a team once this season. In the same vein, quarterback Tony Romo has been efficient as any signal-caller in the league, with eight touchdowns and just one interception. But the Cowboys’ passing offense is ranked 21st in the league.

The Dallas defense took a step or two backward from its budding reputation in the Sept. 29 loss to San Diego, as well. The Cowboys gave up 500 yards of offense, including 400 through the air, despite scoring a defensive touchdown. San Diego quarterback Philip Rivers threw for 401 yards and three touchdowns while completing 83 percent of his passes. What’s even more troubling is that the Dallas pass rush – an early success story – was rendered virtually silent in the second half after causing a sack and several pressures before halftime.

The defensive line would be bolstered if defensive ends DeMarcus Ware and George Selvie are healthy when the Broncos get to town. Ware strained his back in San Diego, but has said he is fine, while Selvie appeared to suffer a concussion and. His status is unknown as of yet.

Wide receiver Miles Austin is another unknown. Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the veteran has been doing some running in hopes of returning from a hamstring injury. His status will become clearer later this week.


As Garrett said himself Monday evening, Denver quarterback Peyton Manning just might be playing the quarterback position better than it has ever been played. Manning was a guaranteed Hall of Famer before this season even started, but he is putting up unprecedented numbers in the early going of 2013 with 1,470 yards, 16 touchdowns and no interceptions through four games.

Manning makes the offense hum, but the weapons around him are nothing to scoff at. The Broncos have four different 200-yard receivers to this point in Demaryius Thomas, Eric Decker, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas. Three of those four – everyone except Decker – have at least four touchdown catches, as well. Lest anyone forget about the ground game, Denver has 481 combined rushing yards between tailbacks Knowshon Moreno, Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball.

The Broncos are without starting left tackle Ryan Clady, who was lost for the season during the Week 2 win against the New York Giants. Denver allowed two combined sacks in its wins against Oakland and Philadelphia, and Manning is among the least-sacked starting quarterbacks in the league so far with five on the year.

Much was made in the offseason of the Broncos’ loss of linebacker Von Miller to a six-game suspension, which will keep him off the field this weekend. It hasn’t mattered to this point, as Denver has won all four games by at least 16 points. But the Broncos are tied for 14th in the league in sacks with just 11 – seven of those coming from pass rushers Robert Ayers and Shaun Phillips.

Denver has also been without Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey, which may be part of the reason the Broncos are 30th in the league in pass defense, with 1,265 yards allowed through the air. A bigger reason might be the large leads Denver has held in the second half of all of its games, thereby forcing the opposition to air it out. Further corroborating that point: the Broncos boast the No. 3 rush defense in the league with 296 yards allowed on the ground – the fewest among teams to have played four games. However, opponents have only attempted to run 92 times in four games – again, the lowest total among teams to have played four games -- largely thanks to second half deficits.

 

[boozeman]

3 Questions: Broaddus On Test With Manning; Chances To Win

Posted 2 hours ago

Bryan Broaddus Football Analyst/Scout


IRVING, Texas - With one of the best quarterbacks of all-time coming to AT&T Stadium this week, football analyst Bryan Broaddus addresses the many concerns in facing Peyton Manning and his Denver offense. Broaddus also breaks down the Broncos’ other weapons and discusses the way the Cowboys can win this game.

Other than Peyton Manning what Broncos player is most dangerous?

With Von Miller serving his suspension, you take him out of the mix. It would be easy to say Wes Welker for what he has done through four games since coming over from the Patriots. Trindon Holliday can take a punt or kick and score from any point on the field or Demaryius Thomas but the guy I feel like is the most dangerous, is Eric Decker.

When I sat down Monday night to begin studying the Broncos on offense, Decker was one of those players that was always getting the ball thrown in his direction and making plays. He is not the most dangerous because of his speed or quickness but where he hurts you the most is his ability to make a catch no matter where the ball is thrown.

He is one of the best bad ball catchers I have ever seen. There are times where Manning just pushes it in his direction and he makes the catch. He is a crafty route runner and will find ways to get open despite of how slow he appears to be moving. There is not one area of the field where Decker is better than the other. He has the ability to hurt you at all levels. Manning has complete confidence in all these Broncos receivers but when he needed a big play or a tough catch, the direction of the ball went toward Eric Decker and he would deliver.

How do you play Peyton Manning?

It all starts with Peyton Manning and how he manages the game. He is the ultimate chess player. His ability to read defenses and understand what they are trying to do to him, makes him rare. There are smart quarterbacks in this league, but it’s one thing to be smart but can you take advantage of being smart by making all the throws, and that is what you have in Manning.

What I have learned over the years in watching him play, you have to have two game plans for him. I learned this from Bill Belichick years ago. Belichick would never show Manning his best stuff early in the game. He would show him three and four man fronts, an extra blitzer from the weak side or a different coverage but Belichick always wanted to keep Manning guessing in what he was trying to do. The idea of the plan was not to show Manning any consistent looks, then in the fourth quarter, he would run a scheme or two with a different coverage that would throw Manning off.

Throughout his coaching career, Bill Belichick probably has had the most success of playing against Peyton Manning than any other coach in this league. There are not many schemes that Manning has not seen in his career but if you run the same scheme over and over, you make it very easy for him to function and that is a problem.

Do you feel like this is a winnable game?

Despite the way the Broncos have started the season, I really do believe the Cowboys can win this game. I have been in this league too long and seen too many games where the situation looked bad or impossible and a team finds away played their best game. The Broncos have had plenty go right this season and they deserve to be in the position they are currently in but there is a saying in this league about any given Sunday.

There is no question that Peyton Manning is playing at a high level but so is Tony Romo. As long as he is taking snaps, this team has a chance, just take a look back to Philip Rivers and what quarterback play can do for a team that might be undermanned. There is enough talent on this team to give the Broncos problems of their own.

With that being said, it’s going to have to be a collective effort. Poor coaching decisions, dropping the ball on 3rd down or not playing your technique in the defensive scheme cannot happen if the Cowboys are going to win this game. To be the best, you have to play your best. Are the Cowboys capable of playing their best game against the Broncos? Without a doubt they are, but them talking about it should not be the focus, them actually doing it should be, that is how they are going to win this game.

 

[Cotton]

Gosselin: Broncos test will show if Cowboys truly have elite secondary

Rick Gosselin Columnist rgosselin@dallasnews.com
Published: 02 October 2013 12:52 AM
Updated: 02 October 2013 01:02 AM

Jerry Jones has made a considerable investment in his cornerback position.

In 2011, Jones gave Orlando Scandrick a five-year, $27 million contract with $10 million of it guaranteed because he liked what this cornerback brought to the nickel package.
Then in 2012, Jones gave Brandon Carr a five-year, $50 million contract with almost $27 million of it guaranteed. A few months later, the Cowboys traded first- and second-round draft picks for the right to draft LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne.

Jones believed with Carr and Claiborne on the corners and Scandrick in the slot, the Cowboys had constructed a pass defense that could match up with the NFL’s best passing offenses.
Well, the best shows up Sunday when Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos visit Cowboys Stadium. Manning’s brother Eli has already thrown for 450 yards against the Cowboys this season — and he’s the lesser of the two Mannings. San Diego’s Philip Rivers also lit up the Cowboys for 401 yards in September.

The Broncos simply go deeper in quality receivers than any NFL defense can go in quality corners. And that includes the Cowboys. Manning doesn’t have a favorite receiver. He has three of them.
Wes Welker, Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker are all Pro Bowl-caliber wideouts. All had 1,000-yard seasons in 2012. Welker led the AFC with 118 receptions at New England, Decker ranked second in the NFL with 13 touchdowns and Thomas ranked fourth in yards with 1,434.

Signing Welker away from the Patriots in free agency and plugging him into the slot elevated Manning’s pass offense in Denver from great to the league’s very best.
“When we signed him, I think our defense was more excited than our offense because we didn’t have anyone who can cover him,” Broncos coach John Fox said.
All three Denver wideouts rank in the top 20 in the NFL in receptions. Welker caught nine passes in the season opener against Baltimore, Decker caught nine the following week against the Giants, and Thomas caught 10 in the third game against Oakland and nine more last weekend against Philadelphia.

Welker leads the NFL with six touchdown receptions. Thomas has caught a 78-yard TD pass this season and Decker scoring bombs of 61 and 52 yards.
Scandrick will have his hands full with Welker, and neither Carr nor Caliborne should look for much help from the safeties. Both Barry Church and J.J. Wilcox have their hands full with Denver tight end Julius Thomas, who has scored four touchdowns already and rang up a 100-yard game against Baltimore.

The Cowboys have underachieved against the pass this season, ranking 27th in the NFL. Another Sunday of underachievement could translate into embarrassment.

 

[Texas Ace]

Gosselin: Broncos test will show if Cowboys truly have elite secondary

WUT

First of all, did anyone ever think we had an elite secondary? And if they did for some unknown reason, I think this season has proven that we do not but yet that idiot Gosselin is acting as if that's still up for debate.

 

[Cotton]

Yeah, I laughed, too.

 

[Texas Ace]

Seriously, what do you guys think the score is going to be in this one?

I think we get absolutely hammered and our defense has its worst performance yet.

45-24, Broncos win.

 

[Cotton]

Seriously, what do you guys think the score is going to be in this one?

I think we get absolutely hammered and our defense has its worst performance yet.

45-24, Broncos win.

I think that's probably pretty close.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Seriously, what do you guys think the score is going to be in this one?

I think we get absolutely hammered and our defense has its worst performance yet.

45-24, Broncos win.

That was around my initial thought too.

The more I think about it though, the more I wonder if we can even hold them under 50.

 

[Texas Ace]

That was around my initial thought too.

The more I think about it though, the more I wonder if we can even hold them under 50.

I honestly think 50 is possible for them.

If Rivers with no real passing weapons completed 80% of his passes and threw over 400 yards on us, then what is Manning going to do with his weapons?

It's not going to be pretty.

 

[Simpleton]

I had a dream that the defense was getting good pressure on Peyton with Greg Ellis, so that probably means we lose by 24 or so.

 

[Cotton]

Whatevs, hatahs!

 

[Simpleton]

I'm pretty sure it was Lee who had the pick 6 in 2010.

 

[Texas Ace]

I'm pretty sure it was Lee who had the pick 6 in 2010.

They both did in the same game so it's actually 3 pick 6 vs Manning.

 

[Cotton]

Monte Kiffin vs. Peyton Manning
October, 2, 2013

By Calvin Watkins | ESPNDallas.com

IRVING, Texas -- The quarterback that's on an unheard of pace for basically every passing category visits AT&T Stadium on Sunday.

That same quarterback threw reporters off during a conference call with a comment about not being familiar with the Tampa 2 scheme run by the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.

"I can't really say I'm that familiar with it," Denver quarterback Peyton Manning said Wednesday. "I don't know if that really holds true. This is an unfamiliar opponent. Still early in the season, so there's still some what-ifs. You never quite know how a team is going to play you. Playing a team that's tough at home that is capable of creating a lot of turnovers. They're good at getting you off the field on third down. They're good at creating sacks, so it's going to be a tough bunch and it's gonna be a real challenge in my opinion."

Few teams run the Tampa 2, but Manning is quite familiar with it. While spending his years in Indianapolis, Manning practiced against the Tampa 2 scheme run by former coach Tony Dungy. Dungy brought the Tampa 2 with him from Tampa Bay where he learned it under the teachings of Kiffin.

Manning is 2-0 against Kiffin in his career. In 2003, Manning threw for 386 yards and rallied the Colts with 28 fourth-quarter points to beat the Bucs, 38-35, in overtime. In 2007, Manning threw for 253 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-14 win.

The next season, Manning faced off against Kiffin's former defensive line coach, Rod Marinelli. This time, Marinelli is running the Tampa 2 for the Detroit Lions and Manning broke a 21-21 fourth quarter tie with 10 fourth quarter points in a 31-21 victory. Manning threw for 318 yards and just one touchdown in the victory.

Maybe Manning has forgotten what the Tampa 2 has looked like because it's been four seasons since he's played against it, but Kiffin hasn't picked up amnesia when it comes to the quarterback.

"He studies, most of the quarterbacks do, but there are a select few who really, really, they're all like coaches on the field," Kiffin said. "They say that, but he is special, now. He's been doing it so long. There is no look you can give him that he doesn't know. There are looks you can give quarterbacks, but not a guy who studies the game that hard."

The Cowboys' defensive issues of late might come to hurt them against a quarterback like Manning who spreads the ball around and doesn't spend a lot of time studying the field. Manning has a fast release, good for avoiding sacks, he's been taken down five times and for spreading the ball around. Manning has completed a pass to 10 different players this season and has completed pass plays of 78, 61, 44, 36 and 33 yards this season in addition to his short throws.

"This guy gets the ball out quick. Unbelievable. The ball is coming out quick," Kiffin said. "He's the best at getting it at quick. And the rush. You have to have good coverage and that's why it's called a coverage sack. You got to do both."

Coach Jason Garrett was critical of the Cowboys' pass rush in last week's loss against San Diego. There were coverage issues with nickle corner Morris Claiborne, who gave up four receptions, and linebacker Bruce Carter, who allowed two touchdown receptions. Kiffin is thinking of sitting Carter in the nickle defense for veteran Ernie Sims and Claiborne is trying to bounce back against one of the NFL's greatest players. Manning's abilities to throw the deep ball will test a Cowboys' defense that starts rookie J.J. Wilcox at one of the safety spots.

"The one thing I would say is nobody is building him up, he's doing it," Garrett said. "You know it's not like this is false bravado. It's on the tape. You are going to watch the tape and see how good they are, and see how well he is playing, and the weapons that he has and how he's using them and just how efficient and effective they've been. So, we are going to watch the tape and evaluate and put a plan together and we are going to go play."

 

[Cotton]

Cowboys offense needs to help defense against Manning, Broncos by taking advantage of own chances

There is a lot of pressure on the Cowboys defense to hold up against quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos Sunday.

After giving up 506 yards, including 401 yards passing, in last Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, it's task the defense can't shoulder alone.

They will need help from the offense to not only control ball but also take advantage of it's own opportunities _ something that didn't happen against the Chargers when it converted only three of nine third down chances and didn't score in the second half to help stem the tide.

The driving-killing offensive failures included dropped passes by tight end Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant and fumble by receiver Terrance Williams in the second half.

"You got to keep those drives extended and I think it shows when your'e going against a good offense, how important every drive is and every opportunity you have," tight end Jason Witten said. "You look at that game last week, seven eight plays in the third quarter, you're not getting a lot of opportunities at it, you got to execute and make play. 100 percent (that's the mission with Manning this week). You got to do things to keep drives alive and take advantage of your opportunities."

Guard Brian Waters was in full agreement. He said the offense let the defense down against the Chargers and will need to be up to the task against the Broncos.

"It's human nature to feel you have to do something," Waters said of the need to keep pace when the opposing offense is rolling. "You can't keep going out there and go three and out.You have to answer back. You cant feel panic about it. But you definitely have to have a a sense of urgency. You can't allow your defense to go right back out there. You have to make some first downs and move the ball.And put yourself in positions to score. And when they give you some opportunities you have to take advantage of it. So that’s the key. Limit the opportunities they get and take full advantage of the opportunities you get."

Clarence Hill

 

[boozeman]

I love it when players try to be PC and gracious and end up saying stupid shit like Manning saying the Cowboys are "tough at home".

 

[p1_]

bottom falls out, they score 50. We score 21. Claiborne get ass raped again. Prepare more excuses.

 

[Cotton]

Sean Lee has good memories of his last game vs. Peyton

Peyton Manning has played the Cowboys four times. He is 2-2, having lost the last two. Manning has completed 67.3 percent of his passes for 1,184 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions and a passer rating of 85.5.

In a 2010 game, Dallas upset Manning's Colts 38-35 as Sean Lee had two of the team's four interceptions against Manning. Lee returned his first interception 31 yards for a touchdown, and his second pick led to a game-winning field goal in overtime.

"I still have that [game] ball," Lee said Wednesday. "That’s one of my [top] plays, and that was a great win for us. Anytime you go into Indianapolis against that team, it was a tough game, and we won. I thought it was a great win for us, but this is a new year and a different time and different team. This is going to be an extreme challenge."

Lee is the only active player with picks of both Manning and Tom Brady, two of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. Lee, though, wasn't interested in talking about the past. His future is this week in a second career appearance against Manning.

"Some of those picks were the guys getting pressure, and there were some situational things that helped me," Lee said. "I’m looking straight forward to this game, and I’m trying to concentrate on this year and improving from the Chargers game with the mistakes we made and try to get a win against this great team."

Lee had his second career interception return for a touchdown last Sunday, with a 52-yarder against Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. But it came in a losing cause.

Lee has allowed four touchdowns this season, second in the NFL, according to STATS. He has given up 12 catches for 153 yards. He allowed the game-clinching touchdown Sunday when Chargers tight end Antonio Gates caught a 56-yard score in the fourth quarter.

"There were some mistakes that were made that we’re going to have to improve on," Lee said. "Technique-wise, we can play wiser against routes. We can’t give up big plays. That’s what we gave them in the Chargers game, and that’s why we lost.

"If we give up big plays, we’re going to be in trouble against this offense."

-- Charean Williams

 

[boozeman]

Cowboys offense needs to help defense against Manning, Broncos by taking advantage of own chances



There is a lot of pressure on the Cowboys defense to hold up against quarterback Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos Sunday.

After giving up 506 yards, including 401 yards passing, in last Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Philip Rivers and the San Diego Chargers, it's task the defense can't shoulder alone.

They will need help from the offense to not only control ball but also take advantage of it's own opportunities _ something that didn't happen against the Chargers when it converted only three of nine third down chances and didn't score in the second half to help stem the tide.

The driving-killing offensive failures included dropped passes by tight end Jason Witten and receiver Dez Bryant and fumble by receiver Terrance Williams in the second half.

"You got to keep those drives extended and I think it shows when your'e going against a good offense, how important every drive is and every opportunity you have," tight end Jason Witten said. "You look at that game last week, seven eight plays in the third quarter, you're not getting a lot of opportunities at it, you got to execute and make play. 100 percent (that's the mission with Manning this week). You got to do things to keep drives alive and take advantage of your opportunities."

Guard Brian Waters was in full agreement. He said the offense let the defense down against the Chargers and will need to be up to the task against the Broncos.

"It's human nature to feel you have to do something," Waters said of the need to keep pace when the opposing offense is rolling. "You can't keep going out there and go three and out.You have to answer back. You cant feel panic about it. But you definitely have to have a a sense of urgency. You can't allow your defense to go right back out there. You have to make some first downs and move the ball.And put yourself in positions to score. And when they give you some opportunities you have to take advantage of it. So that’s the key. Limit the opportunities they get and take full advantage of the opportunities you get."
Clarence Hill

 

[EZ22]

Assuming we get blown out, which I think is the general consensus among people who aren't just die hard homers, I think it will break the teams will (if it isn't already broken) and we'll win very few games the rest of the way.

On the flip side though a win could really swing things attitude wise.