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.' "

ceebz · 09-30-2008, 08:29 PM

Nice spin by the rat. However, I doubt it'll have the effect he's looking for.

Deberg_1990 · 09-30-2008, 08:34 PM

Well, when your team is built one sided, pretty much all the pressure is on the offense like that.

Its the same thing the Chiefs went through 2002-2005.

FAX · 09-30-2008, 08:48 PM

Do you guys think that defense is really that bad ... a legitimate #30, I mean?

After Sunday, I was kind of hoping they were underrated.

FAX

donkhater · 09-30-2008, 08:56 PM

I can see his point. His defense held the Chiefs to two FGs in the first quarter and still couldn't get on the board. One of LJ's TD's came after Flowers returned it to the 2. They had 450+ yards of offense but turned it over 4 times.

Even though they were playing one of the worst offenses in the league, the defense played well enough if the offense showed up and didn't get loosey-gooesy with the ball.

T-post Tom · 09-30-2008, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FAX

Do you guys think that defense is really that bad ... a legitimate #30, I mean?

After Sunday, I was kind of hoping they were underrated.

FAX

I think their DC got a little too cute. Johnson's first run was when they employed the 3-4 defense. Not sure why they are toying with that. I bet he hunkers down and they improve over the next few games.

FAX · 09-30-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

I can see his point. His defense held the Chiefs to two FGs in the first quarter and still couldn't get on the board. One of LJ's TD's came after Flowers returned it to the 2. They had 450+ yards of offense but turned it over 4 times.

Even though they were playing one of the worst offenses in the league, the defense played well enough if the offense showed up and didn't get loosey-gooesy with the ball.

Hmmm. I don't disagree, but it may well be that those first two field goals were more a result of our ultra-conservative playcalling than anything the goats did or didn't do, Mr. donkhater.

You're right about their overall offensive production, though. They were hitting the 8, 9, and 10 yard completions all day long and with apparent ease. One has to wonder if our defensive game plan was to allow it (the bend-don't-break concept). I hope that's what happened, anyway.

Clearly, we have to continue to look for ways to bring pressure on the enemy QB. Otherwise ... ???

FAX

09-30-2008, 09:27 PM

Actually, I agree with the Rat. In fact, I was pretty worried the Chiefs were gonna drop the game and look really, really stupid for losing a game in which they won the turnover battle +4.

El Pendejo · 09-30-2008, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkhater

I can see his point. His defense held the Chiefs to two FGs in the first quarter and still couldn't get on the board. One of LJ's TD's came after Flowers returned it to the 2. They had 450+ yards of offense but turned it over 4 times.

Even though they were playing one of the worst offenses in the league, the defense played well enough if the offense showed up and didn't get loosey-gooesy with the ball.

That's the point I was trying to make in a thread on gameday. The D actually kept them in the game. The offense faltered...it's as simple as that.

The defense does suck though.

El Pendejo · 09-30-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phobia

Actually, I agree with the Rat. In fact, I was pretty worried the Chiefs were gonna drop the game and look really, really stupid for losing a game in which they won the turnover battle +4.

Wasn't it ONLY +3. Champ did knock LJ ass over tea kettle resulting in a fumble.

ceebz · 09-30-2008, 09:43 PM

I think people are forgetting that the Chiefs only scored ten points off turnovers. So, that's 23 points to a team that averages ten a game.

Also, remember, it could have easily been more; noodle arm missed Bowe along the sidelines twice. One was a TD, and the other would've set up the Chiefs in the red zone.

ClevelandBronco · 09-30-2008, 09:44 PM

Shanny's explanation makes some sense. The only way the Broncos are going to win this year is to outscore the opponent, no matter what they do or what they score. Four turnovers are going to kill that possibility every time.

09-30-2008, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Pendejo

Wasn't it ONLY +3. Champ did knock LJ ass over tea kettle resulting in a fumble.

Yeah. I'm not much of a detail guy lately.

SBK · 09-30-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClevelandBronco

Shanny's explanation makes some sense. The only way the Broncos are going to win this year is to outscore the opponent, no matter what they do or what they score. Four turnovers are going to kill that possibility every time.

Before long Shanny is gonna be crying and you're Vermiel Chiefsification will be complete. Strange times.....

ClevelandBronco · 09-30-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBK

Before long Shanny is gonna be crying and you're Vermiel Chiefsification will be complete. Strange times.....

All coaches outlive their welcomes eventually. I don't think Coach Shanahan is approaching that time, unless he decides that's he's simply too wealthy and too tired.

I doubt that Shanny will be crying much. Die hard Broncos fans inevitably will be, and some already are.

09-30-2008, 08:08 PM
T-post Tom Threepeat! Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Milk/Honey/Gazland Casino cash: $4607293	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.' "
Posts: 20,201

09-30-2008, 08:29 PM	#2
ceebz Homer Extraordinare Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $10005475	Nice spin by the rat. However, I doubt it'll have the effect he's looking for.
Posts: 1,240

09-30-2008, 08:34 PM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3914454	Well, when your team is built one sided, pretty much all the pressure is on the offense like that. Its the same thing the Chiefs went through 2002-2005. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

09-30-2008, 08:48 PM	#4
FAX testing ... 1, 2, 3 Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Tennessee Casino cash: $6753759	Do you guys think that defense is really that bad ... a legitimate #30, I mean? After Sunday, I was kind of hoping they were underrated. FAX
Posts: 44,492

09-30-2008, 08:56 PM	#5
donkhater Brilliant!! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Indiana, USA Casino cash: $10014051	I can see his point. His defense held the Chiefs to two FGs in the first quarter and still couldn't get on the board. One of LJ's TD's came after Flowers returned it to the 2. They had 450+ yards of offense but turned it over 4 times. Even though they were playing one of the worst offenses in the league, the defense played well enough if the offense showed up and didn't get loosey-gooesy with the ball. __________________ The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants
Posts: 3,994

09-30-2008, 09:27 PM	#8
Phobia Guest Casino cash: $	Actually, I agree with the Rat. In fact, I was pretty worried the Chiefs were gonna drop the game and look really, really stupid for losing a game in which they won the turnover battle +4.
Posts: n/a

09-30-2008, 09:43 PM	#11
ceebz Homer Extraordinare Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Denver, CO Casino cash: $10005475	I think people are forgetting that the Chiefs only scored ten points off turnovers. So, that's 23 points to a team that averages ten a game. Also, remember, it could have easily been more; noodle arm missed Bowe along the sidelines twice. One was a TD, and the other would've set up the Chiefs in the red zone.
Posts: 1,240

09-30-2008, 09:44 PM	#12
ClevelandBronco I'm with the banned. Join Date: Sep 2006 Casino cash: $5658955	Shanny's explanation makes some sense. The only way the Broncos are going to win this year is to outscore the opponent, no matter what they do or what they score. Four turnovers are going to kill that possibility every time.
Posts: 28,113