The defense’s final series against the Cincinnati Bengals has been well-covered.
But Thursday marked the first time Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen has talked about the aggressive calls that helped lead to a 24-22 win.
With a first-and-10 just past midfield, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton threw an incomplete pass. On the next play, Allen dialed up a cornerback blitz, and Jonathan Wilhite came streaking into the backfield to sack the quarterback, leaving the Bengals with third-and-19.
“I think you have to play every situation as it plays out,” Allen said. “We were in a situation there where they had the ball around midfield. They needed a field goal to win the game, so we had to be more aggressive to win the game. I think you play every situation out, and that was situation that we felt as a coaching staff that called for us to bring some pressure and luckily we had the right one called up and were able to get to the quarterback.”
On third down, Wesley Woodyard dove to break up a pass short of the first-down marker, and the defense held strong to force a game-clinching incompletion on fourth down.
Allen said seeing how his team reacted in that clutch situation will be beneficial as the season rolls on.
“I think all those are learning experiences for us,” he said. “We are getting a feel for each other — the way that we think and the way that we coach, as well as the players and the way they react to different situations. We’re going to take in that information and file it away so that we have that for future use.”
Below are photos from Thursday’s practice:
-Gray Caldwell
I don’t either, but what I did see is click on “approximate value” under all time franchise leader board, really interesting how best all time Broncos have been rated.
Tiger and Steve – I don’t think Titans will run first and this is the reason why.
Everyone knows the Titans need to establish the run. The Titans know it, the Broncos know it, and the Titans know the Broncos know it. Therefore the first play from scrimmage will be pass, and with the depleted Denver backfield, they will be successful. The next best opportunity, Titans will attempt to establish the run. Mays and company will be ready for them and will successfully shut down the run. Then the Titans offense will go back to pass and will be sufficiently successful that they will stay with it through the first half with only limited testing of the Bronco middle.
It will be in the second half, after second half adjustments, that Titans will be successful with the run.
And what will be the winning lotto numbers in the Texas lottery next week?
Maybe it’s because I’m on a mobile device?
http://m.pfref.com/m?p=XXteamsXXdenXX
Record wise we did tie SD in 2008 but of course they won the tiebreaker and the division, so that’s inaccurate.
daddybronc,
Maybe, but the last two weeks, the only thing being said is about our pass rush. Our biggest strength. Our secondary, minus Champ is a prime target, but you wear down the D by running and sustaining drives.
I see it the other way around. We slow their rush early. And when our D gets tired due to lack of 3 and outs, we are open for just about anything. And our pass rush is weakened due to the time on the field. Last week we were lucky enough that our D could stop the Bengals late, and I see the Titans coaching staff looking at this and going with, run first, wear down the D and then attack through the air.
That was the famous collapse when we had to win only one of our last 4 games to win the division outright, and we failed to do that, I don’t think we have ever been right after that.
Actually it was one of the last 3.
ok, now I see it. Shrug.
Even with the little flub about tieing for first. Try the search forum once.
I just learned that Gary McDermott was the first 20 y/o to throw a pass in the AFL. He played at RB for the Buffalo Bills in 1968.
No 20 year old has thrown a pass since the merger.
Fran Tarkenton threw 18 TDs at age 21 for the Vikings in 1961…
This is awesome, but I still am getting a Broncos guide. Can’t beat print.
I was at that game against Buffalo. In Denver. Where we jumped out to a huge 1st quarter lead. Only to watch it evaporate. Then late in the 4th quarter Jay throws a costly red zone pick only to follow that up with missing a wide open Brandon Stokely, in the end zone on 4th down. Ugh.
Looks like Ort isn’t the only one who has had some red zone inefficiencies for our team!!!
That is a great link. Nice find stevecan! Definitely bookmarking that on the desktop!
Man Cosby is a small dude!!!
Glad the game sold out,now I get it on local tv here in TN…HELL YEAH!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!
No doubt it has been a problem for a long long time.
I don’t know if anyone remembers but I was happy to have Orton at QB coming into 2009. I specifically had said, a game managing QB that won’t lose games is what we needed as a team. Unfortunately, I did not know that instead of throwing INT in the red zone, he would be too scared to make a mistake that he became content with 3 points. Whereas we just shipped out an over confident QB, at the time, I applauded it. Going on 3 years later, KO just does not have a killer instinct at all. He lacks attributes, like mobility, coming through in clutch situations, little things like that.
I know I put a lot of emphasis on KO, but as QB1 you are the most important piece of the puzzle called a team. And I am not alone in that assessment seeing how John Elway says the same.
*about the QB being numero uno that is. Not KO’s lack of killer instinct.
Well, there are a few exceptions to my personal rule, the absolute first being Mark Sanchez.
Lol! What’s wrong with the Sanchize?
I would rather stick with tough love, no absolute disdain. Pessimistic wouldn’t even start to describe that one.
Did anyone notice on sndvl 9:43 pm link that we were 5th in the afc west in 1999?
I know Mr Orton doesn’t have the killer instinct, can’t come through in the red zone, and is always content with 3 points, but – gee – it must be an aberation that we won the game vs. Tennessee last year …
I think that bashing KO is not helping our situation as fans, if we boo him and chant Tebow he is not going to perform at top level, as a paid QB he gets money win or lose. I don’t think that he has any performance clauses in his contract. We as fans need to cheer for the team and hope that Tebow sees we value him as a QB, he will got his shot,
Good Morning Fellow BroncoManiacs!
Wow, you go away for a few days and end up with a ton of blog reading to catch up on!
I hope everyone in Bronco Nation is doing great!
I know I’m pumped for this weekend’s game………..well, every Bronco game for that matter!
I want to get my hands on the media guide……….sounds like there’s a ton of interesting stuff in there.
Well, it looks like we’re gonna win the game cause MORENO IS BACK!! haha I can’t see the coaching staff using him on a lot of run plays. I think the job is now MacGahee’s to lose….and they’ll prob use Moreno on some screen pass plays where he’s most effective.
Any word on Champ? I see he didn’t practice………….but is he at least listed as a gametime decision?
Think the game will be chippy like last year?
bay, I have a couple score predictions having a cage fight in my head……….not sure which one will win yet. Will have my prediction to you this afternoon.
BroncWild, you are a yougn, aren’t you, it’s correct we were 5th in the AFC West in 1999, because we finished last of a then 5 team division with Seattle still in the division. There were 6 divisions then instead of the current 8, it seems like yesterday, it always freaks me out that it’s old to some young folks, lucky you.
Just for you killerkod:
Running back Knowshon Moreno said he’ll be “ready to go” Sunday at Tennessee, though he added it will be up to the Broncos’ coaching staff and trainers if he’ll play, and how much.
Moreno strained his hamstring in the season opener against Oakland and did not practice or play last week. He was limited in the two practices this week.
“I feel really good. Went out there, practiced today, ran around, felt good,” Moreno said. “But it all comes down to whatever the coaches want.”
While Moreno was on the sidelines, Willis McGahee rushed 28 times for 101 yards. Even if Moreno is cleared to play against Tennessee, McGahee could see an expanded role and a majority of the carries.
Yah, read that in the Post………….I also read that Fox likes to share the load, but I think McGahee will get the majority of it this week at least….going with the hot hand.
Just been waiting to long for Moreno to show me something……..
something other than getting injured easily and fumbling the ball……..
bay……….have you read anything on Champ? I haven’t been able to find anything.
If Morenoe even comes back just even a game too soon, that hamstring will continue to sideline him. If even the coaches are the sligthest worried about it I think they’ll sit Moreno rather than take a chance to causing him to miss more time. The players always say their ready, it isn’t until you get to Dawkins and Bailey’s age that you realize that hey, I need another week or hey I’m ready to go. The young guns are always “ready to go.”
Seattle has been proven to be so stupid, I’m sure the college whiz USC HC’s honeymoon is soon to be over, Pete Carroll will eventually be back in college like Spurrier is my guess, and he knew all about the NFL before too as HC of the Jets and Patriots, some people will never learn:
Hasselbeck threw four touchdowns in Seattles’ 41-36 win. It was his second-to-last game in Seattle, after the team decided not to re-sign him in the offseason.
“We had some guys in positions at times, and we couldn’t make the plays when we needed to make the plays, and he did,” Allen said. “He’s an outstanding quarterback and has been an outstanding quarterback for a long time.”
Hasselbeck threw for 358 yards last week against Baltimore in his second game with the Titans.
“We have our work cut out against him, and obviously he’s got a good, talented group around him, too. It’s going to be a challenge for us,” Allen said.
Couldn’t agree more and if you take care of Hasselbeck, CJ will eat you up, the two headed monster, no wonder some folks have even picked the Titans to win the division over Houston… Ask Baltimore, what is a team to do, stop the run first like any team should do or pay attention to Hasselbeck first, either way the Titans can work around how you defend them, must be nice…
That made my score prediction easy, just saying.
Looks like Champ won’t play hence the score predition should be easier considering what Hasselbeck and Britt did to the Ravens secondary…
But I’m probably wrong again, haha.
The Broncos are indeed worry about Julius’ injury just like I thought when they kept bringing in TEs, first they said Thomas would be out only two weeks to the press, now they have changed their tune:
Rookie Julius Thomas expected to be out for at least the next three games
Here you go killerkod:
Among the players expected to be out against Tennessee are cornerback Champ Bailey (hamstring), wide receivers Eddie Royal (groin) and Demaryius Thomas (Achilles/finger), tight end Julius Thomas (ankle) and defensive tackle Marcus Thomas (groin).
Thanks bay………..
I see brian is picking the Titans, winning handily…….didn’t see your score bay………did you post it yet? I have a feeling you’re leaning towards a Titans victory also.
And I remember a day when they used to tell us they were hoping for Marcus to be back for the season opener, and that’s when they kept Warren on the roster when they knew he wouldn’t be available until December. What are those coaches going on with injuries? Hope and hope alone sounds like, certainly not medical assessment, unless their medics are all interns or something….
If nothing else helps, maybe this will:
The Titans also are getting healthier. Star running back Chris Johnson and No. 1 receiver Kenny Britt were both upgraded to full participation Thursday after being limited with injuries Wednesday.
Yeah, Titans by 2 TDs.
Additionally:
Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said there would be some conditioning issues to consider with Williams, who also missed some practice time early in training camp with a leg injury.
Woodyard 13 tackles, DJ can ride the pine for all I care!
There’s been a lot of heat on CJ for a slow start………..and I’m afraid he’ll be thanking the broncos for his break-out game………UGH!
And this just to show that just because you’re back at practice doesn’t mean you are fully recovered:
For the second day in a row, wide receiver Brandon Lloyd, linebacker D.J. Williams, defensive end Elvis Dumervil and running back Knowshon Moreno were all on the practice field as the team worked in full pads.
Lloyd, who was close to playing in Sunday’s game against Cincinnati, is likely the closest to full speed of the four.
And here is the real reason the Broncos were able to release Mohamed, and it’s not because DJ is ready to play as most are led to believe:
Tebow says “If I wasn’t a quarterback, I probably would have played linebacker. That’s what my brothers were. I probably would have followed them.”
LMAO!
I do hope that VonDoom will be in full effect this Sunday……we need to sustain a heavy pass rush on Hasselbeck and force him to make some poor decisions…….I know that’s prob wishful thinking as they’ll prob be running the ball down our throats.
Do you guys think this will be as chippy as last year? There’s some bad blood, which always makes for some good football!
As long as Finnegan is a Titan it will be a beatch!
The key to winning the game to me is not what pressure we can put on Hasselbeck or if we can stop CJ, either way they are going to be succesful at it one way or the other. The key is finding a way for our O to score over 30 points, and we know Orton won’t be able to do that on his own, so the real key is how our O line performs in all that noise and will they be able to give us a shot at a grand running game, that is THE key to the game to me, and I think not, so Titans by 2 TDs, easy deduction for me. Not fun, but easy.
Sooner or later I’m gonna get me one of these predictions right this year. Tired of getting no points, winner in 2009 and runner up last year, I’m really starting to be embarrased by this darn contest, who came up with that stupid thing anyway? LOL.
. WieminCA says:
September 22, 2011 at 11:07 pm
I know Mr Orton doesn’t have the killer instinct, can’t come through in the red zone, and is always content with 3 points, but – gee – it must be an aberation that we won the game vs. Tennessee last year …
We won 3 with Orton last year. So, seeing that I don’t know why it should be considered the norm. (pointing out 1 of our 3 wins with him under center)
You can put up red zone stats, trailing by less than 7 in the 4th quarter etc, and have bad numbers, like Suckachez but you need what we just do not have around him.
Hey Bay love the stats… Just imagine how many touchdowns Tebow could have had if he had started more than 3 games. Rushing for like 20 over 16 games if not more. I know what if LOL.
You are correct in some regard but Tebow got his 6 TDs in more than the 3 games he started, some of them came in other games when he substituted, but yes, I thought of that too.