These Denver Broncos...
Its always important to do a little research for next week's opponent to familiarize ourselves with what they bring to the table, and how that may affect the gameplan come Sunday. This week, we know the opponent pretty well. Josh McDaniels is a few years removed from being Denver's Head Coach, and he helped to install a few of the pieces that remain there. Moreover, we know all about Peyton Manning and the things that he does.
The Patriots vs Manning will certainly be the central topic leading up to 4:15 Sunday afternoon, as it should be. Bill Belichick cemented his legacy as a Defensive coach with some of the performances that his teams have turned in against Peyton. Also, Brady and Manning are inextricably bound as rivals by the games that have been played between New England and Indianapolis.
In spite of the history, Peyton comes to town wearing a new jersey, leading a new team, sporting a new surgically-repaired spine. Peyton Manning would be akin to The Six-Million Dollar Man if Manning's salary did not laughably dwarf the sum of 6 million. "We can rebuild him... and use him to give away DirecTV and Papa John's pizzas."
Manning has a nice corps of weapons, headlined by the ever-dangerous jump-ball threat Demaryius Thomas (6'3" 229). Also, Manning has a nice rapport with his old friends Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme. Also, Manning inherited Tim Tebow's favorite weapons, Eric Decker and Willis McGahee. McGahee still does the bulk of the running, but The Broncos rushing stats have dropped off significantly without Tim Tebow. Nevertheless, Manning has these Broncos converting far more 3rd downs, and passing for significant yardage. Tebow was loved in Mile High, but Elway brought in Manning with eyes on a championship.
This contest on Sunday will go a long way toward establishing the identity of these two teams in 2012. Both New England and Denver are 2-2, but seem to be moving past some bumps in the road. It is early in the season, but its not too early to know that this game has serious playoff implications. This is especially true for two contenders who have already had a few disappointments in the early season. This is a huge game for both sides.
Manning obviously leads a potent Offense, and we expect him to bring his A-game. In response, I expect Belichick and Patricia to dial up some exotic schemes that the team has yet to unveil this season. Disguise is key against Manning because he is the best there is when it comes to reading coverages and exploiting soft areas. The Patriots secondary is up and down, and we have not see much disguising from them this year. At times against The Ravens, Pat Chung disguised himself in the box, but Flacco burned him for trying. Disguising coverages and still making it back to cover figures to be a point of emphasis this week in practice.
In addition to disguising coverages, The Patriots will mix up their fronts. The versatility up front with the LBs Ninkovich, Jones, Spikes, Mayo, Hightower, and Cunningham should be helpful in disguising pressures, especially if Belichick decides to go with no down-linemen. If we cannot confuse Manning with coverages, it might be helpful to confuse the O-line with blocking schemes.
As far as the Broncos Defense goes, its pretty much the same as it was in the playoff game last year. In fact, The Broncos will be shorthanded due to a failed drug test by LB DJ Williams. Williams was a sideline-to-sideline guy sort of like Jerod Mayo, and Denver will miss his talent. Still, Denver has a formidable pass rush with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller coming from the edges. These two players have combined for 5.5 sacks so far, and we'll need a solid effort from Solder and Vollmer to keep Brady on his feet.
Brady will want to avoid veteran (and future HOFer) Champ Bailey, who has had some notable INTs against Brady, but overall Brady should find some holes in the defensive backfield. Teams this year have found success throwing at safety Rahim Moore, and I expect Rob Gronkowski to attack the middle to exploit Moore with his five inch height advantage.
All in all, this is going to be a dog fight, or any other cliche' you want to throw out here. I consider us fortunate to be at home against Peyton Manning because the crowd noise will limit some of the calls he is able to make. I think that The Patriots are the better team, but the Defense is still unproven against an elite QB. This could be a tough game to win if it turns into a shootout, and we will need the Defense to force turnovers to stop Manning and get him out of rhythm early. I am looking forward to it, big time.
Side note, its kinda weird that a guy with such a horseface would play for two separate franchises with horse mascots... but that's just like, my opinion, man.
The Patriots vs Manning will certainly be the central topic leading up to 4:15 Sunday afternoon, as it should be. Bill Belichick cemented his legacy as a Defensive coach with some of the performances that his teams have turned in against Peyton. Also, Brady and Manning are inextricably bound as rivals by the games that have been played between New England and Indianapolis.
In spite of the history, Peyton comes to town wearing a new jersey, leading a new team, sporting a new surgically-repaired spine. Peyton Manning would be akin to The Six-Million Dollar Man if Manning's salary did not laughably dwarf the sum of 6 million. "We can rebuild him... and use him to give away DirecTV and Papa John's pizzas."
Manning has a nice corps of weapons, headlined by the ever-dangerous jump-ball threat Demaryius Thomas (6'3" 229). Also, Manning has a nice rapport with his old friends Brandon Stokley and Jacob Tamme. Also, Manning inherited Tim Tebow's favorite weapons, Eric Decker and Willis McGahee. McGahee still does the bulk of the running, but The Broncos rushing stats have dropped off significantly without Tim Tebow. Nevertheless, Manning has these Broncos converting far more 3rd downs, and passing for significant yardage. Tebow was loved in Mile High, but Elway brought in Manning with eyes on a championship.
This contest on Sunday will go a long way toward establishing the identity of these two teams in 2012. Both New England and Denver are 2-2, but seem to be moving past some bumps in the road. It is early in the season, but its not too early to know that this game has serious playoff implications. This is especially true for two contenders who have already had a few disappointments in the early season. This is a huge game for both sides.
Manning obviously leads a potent Offense, and we expect him to bring his A-game. In response, I expect Belichick and Patricia to dial up some exotic schemes that the team has yet to unveil this season. Disguise is key against Manning because he is the best there is when it comes to reading coverages and exploiting soft areas. The Patriots secondary is up and down, and we have not see much disguising from them this year. At times against The Ravens, Pat Chung disguised himself in the box, but Flacco burned him for trying. Disguising coverages and still making it back to cover figures to be a point of emphasis this week in practice.
In addition to disguising coverages, The Patriots will mix up their fronts. The versatility up front with the LBs Ninkovich, Jones, Spikes, Mayo, Hightower, and Cunningham should be helpful in disguising pressures, especially if Belichick decides to go with no down-linemen. If we cannot confuse Manning with coverages, it might be helpful to confuse the O-line with blocking schemes.
As far as the Broncos Defense goes, its pretty much the same as it was in the playoff game last year. In fact, The Broncos will be shorthanded due to a failed drug test by LB DJ Williams. Williams was a sideline-to-sideline guy sort of like Jerod Mayo, and Denver will miss his talent. Still, Denver has a formidable pass rush with Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller coming from the edges. These two players have combined for 5.5 sacks so far, and we'll need a solid effort from Solder and Vollmer to keep Brady on his feet.
Brady will want to avoid veteran (and future HOFer) Champ Bailey, who has had some notable INTs against Brady, but overall Brady should find some holes in the defensive backfield. Teams this year have found success throwing at safety Rahim Moore, and I expect Rob Gronkowski to attack the middle to exploit Moore with his five inch height advantage.
All in all, this is going to be a dog fight, or any other cliche' you want to throw out here. I consider us fortunate to be at home against Peyton Manning because the crowd noise will limit some of the calls he is able to make. I think that The Patriots are the better team, but the Defense is still unproven against an elite QB. This could be a tough game to win if it turns into a shootout, and we will need the Defense to force turnovers to stop Manning and get him out of rhythm early. I am looking forward to it, big time.
Side note, its kinda weird that a guy with such a horseface would play for two separate franchises with horse mascots... but that's just like, my opinion, man.
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