Broncos Stuff...

[Chocolate Lab]

Denver is traveling coming off a Monday night win. That often spells letdown. I feel good.

Game is in Denver, but still, the short week helps. And it was even a little extra late.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Game is in Denver, but still, the short week helps. And it was even a little extra late.

Yeah I hated the super late game. I literally fell asleep during it. After watching the early game it was way too hard to stay up for the second one.

 

[boozeman]

I wasn't impressed with Denver's D last night...the Chargers WR group seemed to be open, a LOT.

Cutting T.J. Ward probably wasn't the smartest move.

Just goes to show you where economics impact the game. Ward had not noticeably slipped, but he was going to earn too much money to be a guy who wasn't going to be part of the nickel.

They have a few good young guys in Justin Simmons and William Parks, but you cannot expect a 2nd year player to fill those shoes.

 

[Genghis Khan]

Game is in Denver, but still, the short week helps. And it was even a little extra late.

But they were in Los Angeles Monday night, so they are traveling.

 

[fortsbest]

I watched a bit of the SD game and I was more disturbed by SD's poor play early than Denver's defense. I think with a balanced attack we should win that game handily if the D shows like they did Sunday night.

 

[1bigfan13]

I think the key to the game will be to go with a run-heavy attack. We had over 40 called pass plays versus the Giants. That's a little high for our style of play. That number should be around 30.

I want to limit the number of pass rush attempts for Denver. Von Miller is a far better pass rusher than run stopper.

 

[Rock Slamdance]

But they were in Los Angeles Monday night, so they are traveling.

They were in Denver last night

 

[Genghis Khan]

They were in Denver last night

What the hell am I smoking and why am I not sharing?

 

[ravidubey]

I think the key to the game will be to go with a run-heavy attack. We had over 40 called pass plays versus the Giants. That's a little high for our style of play. That number should be around 30.

I want to limit the number of pass rush attempts for Denver. Von Miller is a far better pass rusher than run stopper.

Key here is run-pass balance. I don't like the empty backfield because rushers can pin heir ears back and attack. None of those looks please.

Stay balanced and this is a 10 point win. Dak will have plenty of big play opportunities without forcing it.

The Broncos offense stinks and they are more lucky than good right now.

 

[dallen]

Without Wade Phillips they are doomed

 

[Texas Ace]

Key here is run-pass balance. I don't like the empty backfield because rushers can pin heir ears back and attack. None of those looks please.

Stay balanced and this is a 10 point win. Dak will have plenty of big play opportunities without forcing it.

The Broncos offense stinks and they are more lucky than good right now.

I really hate how much we run empty backfield, especially when we do it in what are favorable run/pass down and distances.

We're only cheating ourselves when we do that.

With that said, I too would like to see us not use much of that vs Denver, but it's clear that our staff considers it an integral part of our offense so I'm sure we'll see plenty of it.

 

[Smitty]

I really hate how much we run empty backfield, especially when we do it in what are favorable run/pass down and distances.

We're only cheating ourselves when we do that.

I don't think that is true. So there is no benefit to running an empty backfield play on a favorable down and distance? Then why do I see it every week from other teams?

I get what you are saying, that putting a RB in the backfield gives the defense something to think about. But there must be another angle that you are glossing over with this analysis.

I can't believe it's so black and white. What about spreading out the defense for a QB draw, potentially?

With that said, I too would like to see us not use much of that vs Denver, but it's clear that our staff considers it an integral part of our offense so I'm sure we'll see plenty of it.

Do we do it more than other teams do?

 

[Texas Ace]

I don't think that is true. So there is no benefit to running an empty backfield play on a favorable down and distance? Then why do I see it every week from other teams?

I get what you are saying, that putting a RB in the backfield gives the defense something to think about. But there must be another angle that you are glossing over with this analysis.

I can't believe it's so black and white. What about spreading out the defense for a QB draw, potentially?

Maybe I'm stuck in the past, but I believe a certain formula for winning football games is tried and true.....and that formula is being able to run the ball.

We do it so well, and there are teams that try so hard but fail to put defenses in the kinds of situations that we put them in week in and week out. And despite having such a weapon on our side, we fail to capitalize on it because too many times on 2nd and 3's and 3rd and 2's, we're going empty backfield.

Often times, those empty backfields come immediately after a 6 or 7 yard gain on the ground. That's what makes it more frustrating. We have the defense in a position of great vulnerability and we essentially let them off the hook.

And yes, I have already considered that our staff must love our matchups when we go empty backfield in certain down and distances. I'm sure they've watched tape and crunched numbers and found that we are pretty successful out of that set in certain scenarios. But see, there's such a thing as getting too cute and I feel our staff is guilty of this.

Look no further than last season's heartbreaking loss in the playoffs.

Green Bay's defense is reeling and can't stop the run to save their lives. We are desperately trying to mount a comeback and are at a point in the game where we can't afford to have any drives stall, especially by our own hand. We are down 28-13 late in the 3rd quarter and we're already in scoring position, and this happens:

1st and 10, Zeke gets 9 on the ground.

2nd and 1, we go shotgun and throw a screen and it's intercepted.

This is a perfect example of what I mean. I don't give a shit what they think they saw or what their analytics tell them, sometimes you need to use common sense and just keeping running the ball or at least go playaction from a run/pass look. To make it so blatantly obvious that you're going to pass when the running game is giving you such an advantage is idiotic and it doesn't do us any favors.

We did the same thing vs Green Bay in the 2015 Divisional game. It's 3rd and 1 at the GB 27, we've scored 14 unanswered points and have a chance to increase the lead before the half. Up to this point, we are 4 for 4 on 3rd and 1 conversions in the half -- all 4 instances we ran the ball.

So what do we do in this instance? We go shotgun, pass incomplete, miss the FG, and Green Bay gets a FG to turn what should've been a 10-14 point lead into only a 4 point lead.

Sometimes, Schmitty, you just gotta use logic and go with the simple answer instead of always trying to outsmart your opponent. That's all I wanna see us do.

When we have the advantage, use it.

Do we do it more than other teams do?

Like I told you yesterday, I don't care what the rest of the league is doing.

One of your favorite coaches of all time, Bill Parcells, didn't care which way the league was trending. While I didn't agree 100% with everything he did, I did agree with staying true to running the football because this formula will ALWAYS be successful.

There's a difference between falling behind others and not modernizing yourself and intelligently sticking to something you know works despite others trending in another direction. I believe that Parcells in regards to running the football was in that latter category, and I want us to be in that group as well.

 

[Texas Ace]

Going back to that 2nd and 1 pick I mentioned, I wanted to look at the reactions in the chatter:

ROFL!!!!!

Pass happy cunt of a team.

WTF was that???

You have got to be kidding me.

Coaching staff.

Never fricking fails.

Let's throw more.

Stupid fucking playcall

2nd and 1....WHY THE FUCK ARE WE PASSING!!!!!!

Ezekiel Elliott knows how Marshawn Lynch feels.

That's what pass happy bullshit gets you. Fuck Linehan and fuck Garrett. That's what teams that can't run do. Not teams with the league's top rusher.

God we fucking insist on being cute.

That was the dumbest fucking call I have ever seen

If you're passing at least make it play action and actually take advantage of the run game. Just fucking dumb.

Like I said, [MENTION=24]mschmidt64[/MENTION], I know we aren't all football geniuses, but you gotta just go with the simple solution sometimes. No reason not to run the ball on 2nd and 1 there.

You like to give the benefit of the doubt to the staff, but you have to admit that they do pass too much.

At least give me that much.

 

[Smitty]

Maybe I'm stuck in the past, but I believe a certain formula for winning football games is tried and true.....and that formula is being able to run the ball.

We do it so well, and there are teams that try so hard but fail to put defenses in the kinds of situations that we put them in week in and week out. And despite having such a weapon on our side, we fail to capitalize on it because too many times on 2nd and 3's and 3rd and 2's, we're going empty backfield.

Often times, those empty backfields come immediately after a 6 or 7 yard gain on the ground. That's what makes it more frustrating. We have the defense in a position of great vulnerability and we essentially let them off the hook.

And yes, I have already considered that our staff must love our matchups when we go empty backfield in certain down and distances. I'm sure they've watched tape and crunched numbers and found that we are pretty successful out of that set in certain scenarios. But see, there's such a thing as getting too cute and I feel our staff is guilty of this.

Look no further than last season's heartbreaking loss in the playoffs.

Green Bay's defense is reeling and can't stop the run to save their lives. We are desperately trying to mount a comeback and are at a point in the game where we can't afford to have any drives stall, especially by our own hand. We are down 28-13 late in the 3rd quarter and we're already in scoring position, and this happens:

1st and 10, Zeke gets 9 on the ground.

2nd and 1, we go shotgun and throw a screen and it's intercepted.

This is a perfect example of what I mean. I don't give a shit what they think they saw or what their analytics tell them, sometimes you need to use common sense and just keeping running the ball or at least go playaction from a run/pass look. To make it so blatantly obvious that you're going to pass when the running game is giving you such an advantage is idiotic and it doesn't do us any favors.

We did the same thing vs Green Bay in the 2015 Divisional game. It's 3rd and 1 at the GB 27, we've scored 14 unanswered points and have a chance to increase the lead before the half. Up to this point, we are 4 for 4 on 3rd and 1 conversions in the half -- all 4 instances we ran the ball.

So what do we do in this instance? We go shotgun, pass incomplete, miss the FG, and Green Bay gets a FG to turn what should've been a 10-14 point lead into only a 4 point lead.

Sometimes, Schmitty, you just gotta use logic and go with the simple answer instead of always trying to outsmart your opponent. That's all I wanna see us do.

I agree with you in general. And I agreed with you that it wasn't the best idea to pass-pass-pass from first and goal against the Giants.

But you make some sweeping conclusions that I don't think are entirely born out. There are times when it must make sense to go empty backfield on short yardage. There must be, otherwise why would it be something that is trending in the league? Three yards to go is practically a passing down these days. On third down, it definitely is.... for most teams.

I know, we aren't most teams. We are built to be able to run where most teams cannot in this league, in this day and age.

But it's still a passing league. We're not gonna be three yards and a cloud of dirt either. Often times, after a 6-7 yard run on first down, facing second and short, that is the PERFECT time to take a shot downfield. Why? Because if you miss, you aren't facing third and long, you're facing an easily convertible third and short.

It's really hard to put together 12 play drives in this league (though we are unusually good at it). We need to work in some more big plays down field to shorten those drives up sometimes, because longer drives tend to stall out and result in 3 instead of 7, if you can't cap it off with a drive-shortening big play here or there.

Like I told you yesterday, I don't care what the rest of the league is doing.

One of your favorite coaches of all time, Bill Parcells, didn't care which way the league was trending. While I didn't agree 100% with everything he did, I did agree with staying true to running the football because this formula will ALWAYS be successful.

There's a difference between falling behind others and not modernizing yourself and intelligently sticking to something you know works despite others trending in another direction. I believe that Parcells in regards to running the football was in that latter category, and I want us to be in that group as well.

Yeah, but what the rest of the league is doing, and whether we are doing it more or less than them, has bearing on whether we are "cheating ourselves," or whether our coaches are "pass happy" or whether it's just a bad situational call.

I know everyone was up in arms about the playcall, I see in your next post, hey, I agree with you. I'm just saying.... literally every fan base has that complaint. Visit another forum and look at a posts from game day.

Like I said, @mschmidt64, I know we aren't all football geniuses, but you gotta just go with the simple solution sometimes. No reason not to run the ball on 2nd and 1 there.

You like to give the benefit of the doubt to the staff, but you have to admit that they do pass too much.

At least give me that much.

I have admitted that many times. I said on Sunday night, yeah, I wouldn't have passed three times there.

But I also don't agree that there's "no reason" not to run. Uh, I mean, one of the playcalls resulted in a wide open Bryant that Prescott threw the ball over his head. That's an execution mistake, not a bad playcall. It's no different than if we had called a run and Frederick got steamrolled by Harrison and the play was blown up for a loss of two.

In fact I'd say that its just as likely if not more likely that Frederick, who has a history of struggling with Harrison, would lose that battle there in an obvious run situation, than it is that Prescott misses an open Bryant.

So is there no reason? Was it really that egregious? I mean, the playcall resulted in what should have been an easy pitch and catch touchdown.

Not what I would have done. Not necessarily playing to your strength. I wish they'd feature the run more in situations like that because of any number of benefits.

But no reason to call pass? That's where you take it too far. Give them some credit. They aren't morons. They run an extremely successful offense, which did, by the way, put up 19 points and was a couple blown redzone executions from putting up 27.... against a defense that is maybe one of the best two or three in the league. Certainly a defense that is primed to stop the Dallas offensive personnel.

 

[Cotton]

Sounds like Garrett isn't ruling Scandrick out for Sunday. I can't imagine he plays, though.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Sounds like Garrett isn't ruling Scandrick out for Sunday. I can't imagine he plays, though.

I mean it's not like he needs his hand to catch INTs or anything

But yeah unless you can protect the hand right after surgery it would be really hard to play.

 

[Cotton]

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Better get Noah Brown ready to suit up.

Although I'm guessing both sprained ankles are pretty minor.

 

[Cotton]

Better get Noah Brown ready to suit up.

Although I'm guessing both sprained ankles are pretty minor.

I'd be okay with Noah Brown playing. I look forward to it, actually. Pet cat of mine.