Chiefs Donks: When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies...

T-post Tom · 09-30-2008, 08:08 PM

Broncos change side for blame
Shanahan: "D" OK, but offense dropped ball
By Lindsay H. Jones
The Denver Post
Article Last Updated: 09/30/2008

With nearly 24 hours to gain perspective on his team's 33-19 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan got defensive about his defense.

The final stats from Sunday, such as the 198 yards rushing by Kansas City's Larry Johnson and the 33 points, don't provide an accurate depiction of how the defense played, Shanahan said.

"When you take a look at a game like that, people will point to the defense, and that is so far from the truth," Shanahan said.

In backing the defense, Shanahan placed much of the blame for the team's first loss of the season on an offense that committed four turnovers and scored only one touchdown in four trips to the red zone. Those were the stats that had Shanahan most concerned Monday.

In fact, Shanahan said, it was the defense's effort through more than three quarters that allowed the Broncos to be in the game at all, because the offense's turnovers and breakdowns on kickoff coverage allowed the Chiefs to start six drives in Denver territory. Four of those possessions resulted in points for Kansas City — two touchdowns and two field goals.

"There is a lot that goes into a football game, and everybody wants to throw it at the defense," Shanahan said. "Any offense that does that gives your defense no chance."

But defensive players spoke Sunday night and Monday about the need to continue to make improvements after giving up more than 30 points for the third consecutive game. The Broncos have surrendered 103 points since giving up only 14 to Oakland in the season opener.

"We've got to go back and draw it up and fix it," linebacker Boss Bailey said.

The loss to Kansas City brought attention to some defensive trouble spots that had existed, but were perhaps overshadowed, through the Broncos' victories in the first three weeks.

The team has failed to develop a consistent pass rush and has recorded six sacks — only three in the past three games — and has allowed its opponents

to convert 43 percent of third downs. The team ranks No. 30 out of 32 teams in overall defense, is second-to-last against the pass and is No. 24 against the run. "The fact that we didn't pull it out, you know, it brings a lot of attention to things that you know would not have gotten so much ink if we had won," safety Marlon McCree said. "We're playing hard, we're just not, at times, playing smart or aggressive enough."

Shanahan admitted the unit must play better but maintains, as he did a week ago, that the defense's troubles are fixable.

"We talked about missed tackles and gap responsibilities, and we still have to improve on our third downs," Shanahan said. "All the things we did poorly in the game, you try to work on and eliminate those mistakes."

Players said they are committed to making those changes. They reported for Monday conditioning for the first time this season — the team earns an extra off day when it wins — and watched film of Sunday's loss. The team is off today and will start practicing Wednesday for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, a team on a three-game winning streak.

"I don't think there is one guy on the team, coach or anybody, that can be happy with the way things worked out," linebacker Jamie Winborn said. "We're not going to point any fingers or anything like that. I think everyone on this team feels the same way, that 'I have got to do better.' "

09-30-2008, 08:08 PM	Topic Starter
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4447293	Donks: When the truth is found to be lies, and all the joy within you dies... Broncos change side for blame Shanahan: "D" OK, but offense dropped ball By Lindsay H. Jones The Denver Post Article Last Updated: 09/30/2008 With nearly 24 hours to gain perspective on his team's 33-19 loss to the Chiefs in Kansas City, Broncos coach Mike Shanahan got defensive about his defense. The final stats from Sunday, such as the 198 yards rushing by Kansas City's Larry Johnson and the 33 points, don't provide an accurate depiction of how the defense played, Shanahan said. "When you take a look at a game like that, people will point to the defense, and that is so far from the truth," Shanahan said. In backing the defense, Shanahan placed much of the blame for the team's first loss of the season on an offense that committed four turnovers and scored only one touchdown in four trips to the red zone. Those were the stats that had Shanahan most concerned Monday. In fact, Shanahan said, it was the defense's effort through more than three quarters that allowed the Broncos to be in the game at all, because the offense's turnovers and breakdowns on kickoff coverage allowed the Chiefs to start six drives in Denver territory. Four of those possessions resulted in points for Kansas City — two touchdowns and two field goals. "There is a lot that goes into a football game, and everybody wants to throw it at the defense," Shanahan said. "Any offense that does that gives your defense no chance." But defensive players spoke Sunday night and Monday about the need to continue to make improvements after giving up more than 30 points for the third consecutive game. The Broncos have surrendered 103 points since giving up only 14 to Oakland in the season opener. "We've got to go back and draw it up and fix it," linebacker Boss Bailey said. The loss to Kansas City brought attention to some defensive trouble spots that had existed, but were perhaps overshadowed, through the Broncos' victories in the first three weeks. The team has failed to develop a consistent pass rush and has recorded six sacks — only three in the past three games — and has allowed its opponents to convert 43 percent of third downs. The team ranks No. 30 out of 32 teams in overall defense, is second-to-last against the pass and is No. 24 against the run. "The fact that we didn't pull it out, you know, it brings a lot of attention to things that you know would not have gotten so much ink if we had won," safety Marlon McCree said. "We're playing hard, we're just not, at times, playing smart or aggressive enough." Shanahan admitted the unit must play better but maintains, as he did a week ago, that the defense's troubles are fixable. "We talked about missed tackles and gap responsibilities, and we still have to improve on our third downs," Shanahan said. "All the things we did poorly in the game, you try to work on and eliminate those mistakes." Players said they are committed to making those changes. They reported for Monday conditioning for the first time this season — the team earns an extra off day when it wins — and watched film of Sunday's loss. The team is off today and will start practicing Wednesday for Sunday's game against Tampa Bay, a team on a three-game winning streak. "I don't think there is one guy on the team, coach or anybody, that can be happy with the way things worked out," linebacker Jamie Winborn said. "We're not going to point any fingers or anything like that. I think everyone on this team feels the same way, that 'I have got to do better.' "
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