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Diner morning news: Getting back to basics

The Broncos need more than Ayers to improve their defense. Michael Lombardi

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QUOTE: “The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection.” -- Thomas Paine (1737-1809)

Monday, my colleague at the Post and lover of the Houston Texans, Matt Bowen, went over potential impact players in the AFC West. I loved some of the names on his list, especially Robert Ayers of Denver, who, if the Broncos are going to get any pass rush, is going to have to have an impact. But I see mathematics as the most important part of any player making an impact (more about that later).

Can one player have an impact on a defense that was as bad as the Broncos were last year? That’s a fair question. Certainly, Ayers is expected to provide an upgrade, but the Broncos need to get back to basics. They must get good on defense in one area -- the red zone -- before their defense can be impactful.

Robert AyersAPRookie Robert Ayers

When you look at the great turnarounds in recent years, the Dolphins of 2008 provide a tremendous blueprint for the Broncos to follow. The Dolphins realized they were not going to become good on defense in just one game, or in one month. It was an evolving process that started with their ability to practice. Yes, Allen Iverson, I said practice. The Dolphins improved on defense last year because they practiced their fundamentals and their techniques, and as the year went along, they improved.

Training camp is a really a mathematical problem for coaches. There are certain amounts of predetermined practices in which fans can come out to watch their favorite teams. In those practices, there are a defined number of plays -- or repetitions as coaches call them. Practice repetitions are directly tied to the time allowed for each period. So there might be a two-hour practice, 120 minutes, but in that time, there are 60 repetitions in all phases of the game. For example, if a team is working on its inside run drill, it might want to get 12 plays/repetitions in that period. In camp, there are normally three groups of players -- three teams of offensive and defensive players -- so some players might only get two repetitions. Before the assistant coaches leave for vacation, they must know how many repetitions each player will be able to get before the first game, in all phases of the game. Clearly, the more reps, the better chance a player has to either improve or, in some cases, fail to meet the challenge.

When injuries become a part of the above equation, the amount of repetitions is reduced, resulting in limited progress for the player and the team. This is why Miami was able to keep improving last season. Its mathematical numbers worked. The players who needed repetitions were healthy enough to get their reps, which allowed them to improve. As practice starts, you’ll read about players discussing the limited repetitions they’ve received in practice, thus limiting their chances to learn the scheme and improve in the scheme. This is why, as a personnel director, you must know how many reps each player receives -- and at times urge the coaches to give a certain player more. Or urge them to give less.

The challenge for head coach Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Mike Nolan is not to improve the overall defense but to become proficient in one area -- the red zone. They need to overload their team with every situation it will see in the red area, making them “game ready” as soon as possible. The ability to hold teams to field goals will a determining factor in their success this year on defense. The Broncos will have to come to grips with two facts before the season starts: One, teams will successfully move the ball on them, and two, teams will be able to exploit their weaknesses once the season starts.

Josh McDanielsAPHead coach Josh McDaniels

Let us touch on the second factor first. The Broncos, I’m sure, are currently optimistic about their defense; they’ve been able to work on certain areas within their scheme against one common opponent. Once the season starts, the new scheme and new designs can mask any problems the defense has for the first month. When October rolls around, the scheme, the talent and the weaknesses will come to the forefront, allowing teams to attack them with vigor. How will the Broncos handle this? I hope the same way the Dolphins did last year, by relying on good techniques, good fundamentals and the best red-zone defense in the NFL.

Teams will move the ball on the Broncos because they’re a work in progress on defense. They have too many new parts, new schemes and new players. Their challenge will be to remain disciplined, keep the scheme simple, keep working on the same fundamentals and principles and, most important, run what they practiced all summer. Too often, teams (many I’ve been with) practice one kind of scheme all summer, then change it once the season starts, losing all the repetitions and losing the mathematics game. Trust me, this didn’t happen in Miami.

Ayers alone can’t make an impact, but he can make one if his mathematics grade is passing -- along with many of his teammates.

Comments

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Joe E O
Jun 23, 2009
10:13 AM

Why oh Why didn't the Broncos draft NT Brace out of BC instead of drafting two smurf sized DBs almost back to back. Loved everything they did in the draft - with this exception...

Joe EO

Jack
Jun 23, 2009
10:31 AM

Great perspective on coaching logistics and insight into both Denver and Miami!

Yeah
Jun 23, 2009
11:05 AM

I love your perspective, Mike! Never thought about it "mathematically", but you are right. I wish them the best, as I have been a Broncos fan for about 30 years... but I am not a fan of this head coach at all. I don't see how they can get back to basics with so much disarray surrounding them.

They need some speed in the secondary, and you can't teach that. I hope they have it.

But yes - simplify and repeat. That's what my old basketball coach taught. When we started playing crappy, our next practice would be "fundamentals". Dribble. Free throws. Passing. Squats. Fake a charge (ha). Hand drills for defense. Conditioning. Not a play or scheme in sight. I hope that's what the whole Broncos team is doing. Laying the foundation, strength, conditioning, ball handling, catching, passing, footwork.

Love your work, ML. Very good perspective. Love it.

NECutlerFan
Jun 23, 2009
11:36 AM

If I am not mistaken Ayers had THREE total sacks last year coming against Mississippi State and Vandy. He was a one year starter and post season work out wonder. He has all of the earmarks of first-round bust. Looking back three years from now the Broncos organization is going to wonder "what on earth happened" this off-season.

Jon
Jun 23, 2009
11:41 AM

Great article Mike.
Sounds a lot like what Tom Cable and John Marshall have been preaching in Oakland. When asked how the run defense in Oakland will be improved this year, that has been the standard answer. They are teaching and focusing on fundamentals and technique. Based on this article, the Raiders have hope for improving their run defense.

b roo
Jun 23, 2009
12:15 PM

AI is never going to live down that rant.

Andrew N.
Jun 23, 2009
12:31 PM

I think the biggest factor for our pass rush will be Dumervil and Crowder along with Ayers. It is disheartening to hear Dumervil is getting beaten out as starting OLB, I had really high hopes for him. But he should still be effective as a pass rush specialist.

The unit I am most concerned about is the DL. I think Fields and Peterson are solid options on two spots of the DL not sexy like Wilfork or Raji but solid. Hopefully McBean is progressing well and this can be a solid unit.

I like our chances at LB. Ayers/Dumervil and Crowder. And I think the DBs are going to be a real strength of this defense. I really love the Smith pick, not so much the trade but the pick. I think Smith is the best CB in this last draft even with his height.

And I agree with you Michael. I hope McDaniels really focuses on fundamentals. Like you said awhile back about Walsh who believed in teaching fundamentals the first year with a team and then getting more specific in later years. I am afraid that McDaniels is not doing that by wanting to run a 3-4 Hybrid.

Andrew N.
Jun 23, 2009
12:42 PM

And by our I mean the Broncos.

LeoinNM
Jun 23, 2009
02:35 PM

Mike --

Although I liked the Ayers pick I don't see how he becomes a pass rusher in the NFL when he only had 3 sacks last year in college. I'm really concerned about the DL. The NT position sounds like it's still up for grabs. Using your argument, that means more reps going towards determining the starter instead of working on fundamentals. The DBs are old (all over 30). Champ has been hurt the past two seasons. That cold be a real problem if Dawkins or Champ go down.

Shanahan didn't focus on the fundamentals and it showed on the field. Just look at the Broncos special team performance the last 10 years. Here's hoping that it works to improve over last year.

Daren
Jun 23, 2009
02:45 PM

Regarding Yeah's comment: "They need some speed in the secondary, and you can't teach that. I hope they have it. "

Isn't that exactly what they focused on this offseason? They added 4 new safeties (HIll and Dawkins as veterans and drafted McBath as a ball-hawk and Bruton, who had the 2nd fastest time at the combine of any safety)... They still have Champ Bailey at one CB, and then added Andre Goodman and drafted Alphonso Smith.

Seems to me that Nolan identified the secondary as the weakest position on the team (Lombardi also constantly complained about how slow the Broncos were last year), and they went out to fix it...

Daren
Jun 23, 2009
02:48 PM

Regarding Yeah's comment: "They need some speed in the secondary, and you can't teach that. I hope they have it. "

Isn't that exactly what they focused on this offseason? They added 4 new safeties (HIll and Dawkins as veterans and drafted McBath as a ball-hawk and Bruton, who had the 2nd fastest time at the combine of any safety)... They still have Champ Bailey at one CB, and then added Andre Goodman and drafted Alphonso Smith.

Seems to me that Nolan identified the secondary as the weakest position on the team (Lombardi also constantly complained about how slow the Broncos were last year), and they went out to fix it...

Mr.Murder
Jun 23, 2009
04:31 PM

First thing you work on is third and three, the most common situation you need to win and change game outcomes.(/Walsh)

Half or more of those plays immediately convert to four minute or red zone/short yardage.

You must end drives and possessions early on third down.

That many new DB are in, might as well work third and long a bit extra too, since so many people need reps there. Competition for dime back, nickle back, and second corner are all called for with the new arrivals.

Perhaps the HC thinks they would have got enough points to make the run an after thought item into the second half. That kind of plan can work if you have Moss,Welker, and Faulk. To really stop the Pats you had to stop Faulk's looks, because Moss and Welker would get theirs one way or another so you needed to take out their help so you could stay on them with the extra defenders.

For Denver this means working on a great rookie back, and by the time the first month ends he should be in to a level they can get all the extra yards avaiable when teams catch up to their scheme. Marshall doesn't like his reps at this time, how is this working out?

They had two great young WR and brought in their good rookie back, there are some fundamnetal pieces in place to run a similar offense based on route combinations NE ran heavy(hot in route, drive route combinations, the halfback clearing behind it). Then if you double either of the high-low drive routes crossing the back should have a ton of yards working behind it. If you don't double one of the high-low then they come open using leverage and their own inherent attributes.

It was not really a very complex set looked at as an entity. Moss knew how to change his route coming out of breaks to make completions automatic and Welker as a hot made the option adjustments perfect every time. Hard to go with the default blitz of choice and zone blitz on two crossing routes. An inexperienced coverage defender sees one(or two) people cross his face, someone always comes open off that. Simple as reading who squeezes the back's route, with a sight hot built right in so the ball gets out quick.
Marshall was supposed to take the Moss routes to heart, the deep in/big crosser, the new stable of situational backs and the rookie can work off that, Welker's role is supposed to be the small fast wideout(Royal?) who had a good season last year.

Then with your best weapons to one side, almost all of them needing double teams, you can just read route leverage off the back player and tag a choice to his playcall, so the player runs to open grass opposite the defensive leverage. Open grass is the easiset read and the shallow crosser will end up there if they press the one man side. You go to backside on the fade/go on the DB matchup or throw the shallow open when that clears.

It's like a motion offense in basketball, read the first cutter through the lane and the defensive reaction(or lack thereof) has a route built for each of their potential rotations.

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