As the Broncos and Chargers played into overtime Sunday, the game became a battle of endurance.
And as the game wore on, the Broncos physical style both offensively in the run game and defensively with a furious pass-rush eventually pushed them past San Diego.
On ‘Elway Live’ today, Executive Vice President of Football Operations John Elway talked about that physical style of play that ultimately led to hard-fought victory.
“Anytime that our guys now feel like we’re in the game,” Elway said, “they are going to outlast the other team because of the physical nature we play with on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.”
“We outlasted them.”
Quarterback Tim Tebow ran the ball 22 times and running back Willis McGahee carried 23 times as Denver began to wear down the Chargers’ front.
The fatal blow came in the closing minutes of overtime, when McGahee broke free for a 24-yard gain up the middle, setting up Matt Prater’s 37-yard, game-winning field goal.
McGahee had been bottled up throughout much of the day by the San Diego defense, but late in the contest, McGahee showed great burst and power as he ran through arm tackles and into Chargers’ territory.
“That is what he’s all about,” Elway said. “He can take a lot of punishment and when people are hitting him he’s also handing out a lot of punishment.”
A key play from linebacker Von Miller earlier in the overtime session was another proud moment for Elway, who said the rookie with 10 sacks is “still scratching the surface”.
As the Chargers tried to position themselves for the game-winning field goal on third down in overtime, Miller shot through a gap and stopped Mike Tolbert for a 4-yard loss –- turning the ensuing field goal try into a 53-yard attempt that Nick Novak failed to convert.
“The bottom line is great players make great plays in tough situations and I think that we’ve seen that with Von all year,” Elway said. “That was a tremendous play.”
According to Elway, Miller’s play was another prime example of a defense that’s playing with more confidence and that’s resulting in big plays in crucial times.
“They feel comfortable. They aren’t having to think about what their assignments are,” Elway said. “They are able to call the defense, get lined up and then react to the play that they see coming. Football players playing with their instincts and just going – that’s what we’re seeing.”
“They’re flying around and making plays.”
To listen to this week’s show or any previous ‘Elway Live’ podcast, click here.
Tags: Elway Live, Von Miller, Week 12, Willis McGahee
Kudos to John Elway! He`s been there and knows how its done.
Grow Broncos!!! My victory beard is getting much longer!!!
Thank you Brian Dawkins for your 2 touchdown saving tackles. Mancrush of the week award goes to the whole broncos defense.
Elway keep working on that D,we will have one of the best Defenses in the NFL……..another Defensive draft next year!!!!!!!!!!!!
It would be nice to have a Defense like say the Ravens or Steelers!!!
GO ELWAY!!!!!!!!!!!
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!!!
Bay-
In response to your post in the last blog. It’s from the horses mouth, Elway likes how he is coming along. I’m just saying by next year when Quinn is gone, it looks like Weber is making strides and has a chance to be an in house replacement at QB2. There is no need currently for a 3rd QB on the active roster. Other teams around the league likely won’t take a chance on an undrafted rookie QB for their active roster either. Doesn’t mean he isn’t impressing
I was not suggesting Weber should have been promoted over Mohammed or Carter. They provide depth at critical positions and can contribute on special teams.
So what are you saying I didn’t say, Weber is obviously not important enough at this point to secure him anymore than they did Riley.
And I only brought that up because some bloggers here think Weber is the solution long term, but to each his own…
BFE, I think the Ravens and Steelers are gonna wish they had OUR defense!!!!!
ILMS#7!!!!!!!!!
The physical play of the broncos is a HUGE stride in the positive direction. I still think out-loud to myself that such a physical side would have not been seen if Orton was still at the steering wheel. My hope, as I am sure most broncos fans share the same, is that TT starts hitting more passes. Each week he seems to get better as last week I think I saw more than one dropped ball from his receivers. I truly believe that if they continue with the toughness TT there is nothing but great football to come. Can’t wait for Miller and Doom to reek havoc on a rookie QB.
P.S. bay and others in company who are always blogging- Keep it up I NEVER post but I enjoy the comments.
Do you guys listen to Elway or Ed MaC on the ticket?
http://www.denverssportsstation.com/
Understandable. I just don’t see undrafted QB’s on a practice squad at risk like skill positions are. But bloggers saying Weber is a long term answer is a little much, I just like his potential to hopefully fill Quinn’s backup role.
I see Riley and Weber being in two different boats solely based on their positions. But like you said, to each his own
My point in general was that Elway is happy with the development of our practice squad. It’s great to hear these guys are working hard despite not dressing on Sundays. Which hopefully follows the blueprint of Green Bay of developing talent in house instead of pricey free agents, like the Eagles model.
I read back on a blog that the chiefs are showing Orton highlites. That must be a very short video
Notice that Mr. HOF QB Elway is talking defense, defense, defense! I love his attitude towards rebuilding. Start with the lines, develop excellent pass rush and corners and big hitters to top it all off. Keep up the good work, Mr. Elway!
I really like how Broderick Bunkley has been playing. What a good find! I wonder if Xanders or Fox or Elway found that guy?
Bunkly the Beast!!!! He’s Bronco Beastly!!!!
I was looking him up on Wiki and found the funniest little tidbit about BeastlyBunkley…..
On November 19, 2006, Bunkley was suspended by the Eagles for one game as a result of him missing the team flight to Indianapolis. Bunkley claimed he missed the team flight because he was picking up some fried chicken for the defensive line, as it is a rookie tradition.
#1 Rule in the NFL should be “You never punish a man for bringing the D line their Fried Chicken”! Man that just aint right!
ILMSDB!
On another note……
I thought we got totally greased by the zebras on Sunday in SD!!!
That bogus call for holding and then the non-call for interference in the endzone on our 4th qtr drive was just preposterous and to me completely makes the NFL game of football look “fixed” or “slightly maneuvered” to sway the outcome in games…!
That game in SD was one of the worst officiating jobs I have seen in the NFL! It was atrocious to watch the ineptitude and/or devious intention of the officiating crew!
If the NFL can’t afford better officiating crews then they should Darn Sure Quit Broadcasting IN HIGH DEF! DUH! Not to mention that the television crew also brought it to our attention several times.
Even in the Ed Hoculi flub that caused us to win a game a few years ago should have been reviewable.
There should be reviewable penalties in the NFL! Each coach should be able to use their red flag to review a penalty call or a non-penalty call!!!!!
Why is it that everything is pretty much reviewable now in the NFL except penalties? We let the stupid paid off Zebra officials make and break hopes and dreams with bad calls and non-calls right in front of our eyes and they get away with it? Why?
It’s time to put complete transparency to the NFL and make ALL MAJOR GAME ALTERING ACTIONS REVIEWABLE! Most importantly Penalties!!!
Trust in the CAMERA! Not in the ZEBRA!!!!!
ILMSDB!
HAHA… I saw someone bring Cutler into an argument today on the Message board spouting about him taking the Bears to a Conference Championship… LOL… That guy forgot to mention that the same Cutler quit on his team at half time and his backup almost led the Bears back into the game…
I love this Bronco team… with the same heart, and same mind that I have loved every past Bronco Team… That being said… THIS ONE EXCITES ME!!!
***This is an Aside for the 80′s babies***
Can you imagine VON MILLER on Tecmo Bowl? LT was the SHIZNIT on there and watching VM steamroll real life Offensive Tackles is just like watching Offensive Tackles bounce off of LT in the Video Game… (Random, I know)
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!! Just believe!
FTV!!!
The missed PI call on Decker was strange. Ref was 5 feet away.
Was the last run by TT (field goal drive ) a late hit?
how about when xanders and elway fist bump. they love them some Tebow too.
Could you imagine how awesome it is in practice when Von Miller is up against Tim Tebow?
IRON MAN SHARPENS IRON MAN!!!!!!
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend!!!!!
I think we are probably going to Win some more!!!
I LOVE ME SOME DENVER BRONCOS!!!!!
Man, you guys ate too many turkey leftovers and drank too much orange cool aid-beer and you’re probably all passed out on your couches in your man caves….. hahaha
Good night Bronco Country!!!
ILMSDB!!!
Good Night Crusher!!!
How in the world do you guys think you’ve got a handle on how to project Weber as a future quarterback?? … could it be you just don’t want ANYONE stealing TT’s thunder?? … I’d LIKE to think he had a great future – but that’s it … I’m not at practice every day – and I wouldn’t be able to judge if I was … maybe some of you guys are in the wrong profession … could be the Bronco’s brain trust could find a spot for you …
I like how the O-Line has played together all year – how they’re really YOUNG, and are only going to get better … Tebow seemingly had an HOUR to look around against the Chargers, late in the game … of course, a lot had to do w/ the defense the Chargers were playing, but c’mon – they had NO pass rush … while the Broncos were making life miserable for Rivers … even caused Turner to play out the clock at the end of regulation time because he wanted to “save his quarterback” … I never thought I’d see the day – the Broncos really did outplay the Chargers … it was like a heavyweight champ wilting in the late rounds against the challanger’s relentless onslaught … we’re seeing the evolution of an NFL TEAM, right before our eyes … really – don’t you EXPECT to see late game heroics, these last few games … and don’t lay it off on Orton … please!! – that’s demeaning to the rest of the team …
Dear Coach Fox,
I would like to take this silent moment to formally apologize for saying that “you didn’t have talent” in an earlier post I put up a couple months ago.
I understand that we got off to a rocky start and I’m sorry that I didn’t have enough patience to let you figure our team out.
I am happy that you found out who our team is, and are not afraid to use your talent to coach them utilizing their greatest strengths, regardless of what the NFL “blueprint” for a winning team is!… You and this team are making history with each and every win!
I hope there are no hard feelings…..
Sincerely,
OC
It appears Quinton Carter is seizing his opportunity at safety. He did whiff pretty bad on a Matthews run but for the most part I like the strides he’s been making. Much better in pass coverage and zone responsibilities than I had expected. It’s a shame Moore suffered a concussion but it’s great they both have gotten starting experience this year. I think the Carter/Moore draft is off to a much more promising start than the McBath/Bruton draft.
It sets up nicely with two different skill sets. Moore the ballhawk, Carter the punisher. Loved the tebowing at midfield against the Chargers as well. Somewhat makes up for Rivers and Phillips (I think) actions towards Cutler a few years back.
Wieman-
Who is projecting Weber’s future in the NFL? I was just relaying Elway’s quotes about Weber from the Elway live segment. I don’t watch practice and have no idea what he looks like. Elway is pleased with him and I think that’s great. I doubt Elway would make those remarks if they weren’t true.
Good post OC, I tried to tell people months ago to give him time. Shortened offseason, first year coach, etc. was all stacked against him and it was going to inevitably be a bumpy start.
Oh, thank you Bronco_Turtle…
Good night to all and to all a good night, I will wish hope and cheer from far and from near and raise a toast to you all with a good draft beer….lol
ILMSDB!!!
Hi Wiemin…
How are you? It’s fun here with the Broncos winning… nobody saying we should Blah blah this or Blah Blah that!!! Only the truly non-commital fence sitters remain, fearful to throw in now with Tebow to seem like a follower, Smart enough not to bad mouth him for fear of looking like they have truly missed the point of playing football games… WINNING!!!
Elway has handled this like a seasoned vet in the front office, and his experience building a winner in the AFL (ARENA) is very evident! *Biggest move Elway made in the Crush front office?!? Trading for a HEAD COACH!
) Gotta love the guy!
This team is Great to watch… Great to cheer for… and Great to Believe in!!!
VON TEBOW FOOTBALL!!!
FTV!!!
Thank you for the nice compliment on my post Atwater4HOF!
Bronc On Bro!!!!
There is a great Tebow article on CnnSi mainpage of the NFL dropdown…
Good numbers to support the supporters!!! :O)
From said Article…
Here’s how Tebow stacks up against each opposing quarterback this year in traditional passer rating and in Real Quarterback Rating.
Week 7 — Denver 18, Miami 15
Matt Moore: 92.6 passer rating; 69.6 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 91.7 passer rating; 80.5 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Tebow (+10.9)
Week 8 — Detroit 45, Denver 10
Matt Stafford-Shaun Hill: 126.0 passer rating; 118.2 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 56.8 passer rating; 48.2 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Stafford (+70.0)
Week 9 — Denver 38, Oakland 24
Carson Palmer: 79.7 passer rating; 69.4 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 98.1 passer rating; 108.2 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Tebow (+38.8)
Week 10 — Denver 17, Kansas City 10
Matt Cassel-Tyler Palko: 73.2 passer rating; 67.9 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 102.6 passer rating; 122.7 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Tebow (+54.8)
Week 11 — Denver 17, N.Y. Jets 13
Mark Sanchez: 67.9 passer rating; 62.2 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 61.3 passer rating; 87.1 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Tebow (+24.9)
Week 12 — Denver 16, San Diego 13
Philip Rivers: 77.1 passer rating, 68.8 Real QB Rating
Tim Tebow: 95.4 pass rating, 94.4 Real QB Rating
Real QB Rating advantage: Tebow (+25.6)
In other words, Tebow is no statistical circus freak winning in spite of himself. Tebow’s Broncos are winning because he consistently outperforms the opposing quarterback when you take into account all aspects of production: passing, running, sacks, total touchdowns, interceptions and fumbles. In fact, he consistently outperforms them by a wide margin.
Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/kerry_byrne/11/29/tim.tebow/index.html#ixzz1fACIzezE
I have this really good weird feeling about our team this year with the combination of talented older players hungry for a title and younger talented players with unbelievable tenacity to super-flex their abilities and stamina and get the job done!
The Denver Broncos ARE CONTENDERS RIGHT HERE! RIGHT NOW!
Think about it, we have Brian Dawkins! Champ Baily! Elvis Dumervile! Von Miller! DJ Williams! Broderick Bunkley! Robert Ayers!
These guys are all Superstars! Our defense is taking us to the LIMIT!!!!!!
I LOVE THIS RIDE!!!!
TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT BRONCOS!!!!!
Ps. I really am going to bed now…LOL
Great post indeed OC. Fox (and McCoy mainly) have adapted and are now thriving because of it. I had to laugh and poke fun when I heard the news of the switch to the read option. But now that I’ve seen it in action- Im no longer doubting.
I am thinking, how can we (they I mean) make it last? For more than a season….
My suggestion is getting a brute RB, the likes of Peyton Hillis?!?! Can you imagine, short yardage, Hillis has great hands…teamed with ‘Run Willis Run’…hey….I’m only speculating. Imagining. I mean I know it’s unlikely, but so were our playoff chances a month ago….
GO BRONCOS!!!!!!
I would welcome Hillis back to the Orange and Blue! … But I look for him to end up with Shanny in Washington…
No time to blog this morning, got a job to do, imagine that! LOL.
GO BRONCOS!
what’s that bay? posting on all the other team’s blogs? hahaha
You guys were talking about the officiating and then the officials get on the SHAME REPORT this morning. LOL. The face mask on Tebow was also totally overlooked. Plus the ref didn’t even know the OT rules.
Good morning Broncos bloggers!
Well, I see that Bay had to go to work this morning. Have a good day Bay! I listened in on Elway Live yesterday, and I must say, it was a pretty good show. Someday they will figure out that some of us older bloggers don’t know how to operate all these new fangled ‘twitter’ or ‘facebook’ stuff and start taking their questions off of this blog, like it should have been set up to do in the first place.
I, for one, am really proud of our team and what they have strived to do these past weeks. I know it is hard on them changing generals in the middle of the stream, especially when they have to learn an entirely new system doing it. Just remember guys, the rewards will be plentiful. Just you wait and see. I bet it feels a lot better now in that locker room than it did 6 weeks ago. One thing is for sure. If our defense gets much better, which I am sure they will, the remainder of the league will stand and take notice. It is amazing that before the season started we were selected by the ‘analysts’ to end in what, last place in our division. Here we sit knocking on 1st place door. That is fantastic guys!!!
Keep up the good work and go out this weekend and have something “purple” to run over!
I meant to say something about that bunch of refs that were on the field Sunday. I really figured at the end of the 1st qtr. That there was no way we were going to win the game with all of the stupid calls against us and nothing being called against SD. That was ridiculous, to say the least. There were several facemask, horse-collar and holding calls missed during the game. I really think the refs thought that they were doing a college game on Saturday instead of a pro game on Sunday.
Saw the re-play last night on NFL network. An obvious hold on Elvis that wasn’t called also stood out.
The refs stunck up the point sunday. The refs have been making horrible calls against the Broncos for awhile now. I say the refs are bias with the calls the make going against us, I really believe that. If Rivers was going out of bounds and a Broncos defensive player would have done the same thing as the player from S.D. hitting Tebow that close, there would have been a flag. You bet!!
Broncos defense helping win with pressure
By Jeff Legwold
denverpost.com
If you’re a defensive coordinator, sacks are great. Hits on the quarterbacks are great. Consistent pressure on them is great.
When you get quarterbacks worried about pressure, about hits and about sacks, it suddenly becomes difficult for quarterbacks to play the position.
Few — OK, maybe no — quarterbacks have vexed the Broncos like the Chargers’ Philip Rivers has over the past six seasons. In fact, when he won in Denver earlier this season, it meant he had defeated six different Broncos defensive coordinators over those seasons.
But in a season when Rivers is already pressing to do more than he should at times — he continues to lead the league in interceptions — the Broncos forced the issue up front and created obvious discomfort.
“You know if the guys up front keep doing what they’re doing, those guys are going to be thinking about us coming even when we don’t,” Broncos linebacker Joe Mays said. “If you’re getting in there time after time, giving them different looks, they don’t know what to expect.”
Quarterbacks who have taken a couple hits early in the game will occasionally alter their mechanics, sometimes without even thinking about it. It’s just a natural reaction — and it can be difficult to overcome.
They will throw more off their back foot and throw a timing pattern slightly early, before the receiver has cleared. They won’t set their feet, won’t square their shoulders — they won’t do all the things a quarterback must do to throw accurately.
Several pro personnel scouts who have graded the Broncos’ recent efforts agree. They see the impact of the team’s pass rush that goes beyond the simple sack numbers, especially over the past four games.
The Broncos forced Carson Palmer into three interceptions, knocked an obviously rattled Matt Cassel out of the game, unnerved Mark Sanchez and kept Rivers out of sorts for most of Sunday’s game.
Rivers missed several throws he routinely has made against the Broncos, including a handful of short to intermediate routes the Chargers have turned into big plays in previous meetings.
The Broncos have done it with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller giving the team what is likely the best 1-1A offering in a pass rush in the league. Dumervil led the league in sacks in 2009, and Miller is threatening the league’s rookie sack record this season.
But Dennis Allen’s scheme brings pressure from anywhere in the formation. On one play late in Sunday’s game, Broncos safety Brian Dawkins came from deep in the defensive formation to get in Rivers’ face and break up a play.
“Nobody likes to get hit, nobody likes to get tackled. It’s not fun,” Dumervil said. “You just keep the pressure on, and even if you don’t get there, they’re always thinking about what you might do the next time. You can affect games.”
Jeff Legwold
Broncos working out CB Tony Carter
By MIKE KLIS
denverpost.com
With two spots open on their practice squad, the Broncos are working out a few players at their Dove Valley headquarters today. One of them is cornerback Tony Carter, who played in two games for the Broncos in 2009. Carter also played in two games for the New England Patriots last year. He was with the Minnesota Vikings in training camp and the preseason this year until he was among their final cuts.
Despite playing two regular-season games in each of the past two years, Carter is eligible for the practice squad. The Broncos are currently thin at cornerback following the season-ending leg injury to Cassius Vaughn.
We really should draft a stud CB in the first round, so he will have a few years to learn under Champ…
Okay, I am a huge Tebow fan for sure, but my Broncos MVP has to be Von Miller. He has totally proved me wrong for wanting Dareus. I could not be happier that he is wearing the Orange and blue.
Turtle: Not knocking you.
Since the highest poissible QBR is 100, there are many errors in the figures in the arcticle you quoted from as there are many over 100.
But, I agree with what the article was trying to point out.
Turtle did you say Cutler quit at halftime….man you just say stuff to be saying it don’t you…Cutler tore his MCL in the first half and came out in the second half to play and couldn’t continue….and that same backup played Sunday