Showing posts with label New England Patriots. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New England Patriots. Show all posts
Saturday, January 14, 2012
5 Biggest Plays: No. 1 - Tim Tebow 9-Yard Touchdown Run on Opening Drive
In the red zone with the football tucked, Tim Tebow is one of the hardest quarterback/running back to stop. He has a nose for the end zone.
This week the Broncos have to use different misdirection plays in the red zone to punch in the football. The Patriots defense was overmatched against Tebow's running abilities in the Week 15 matchup and the Broncos need to capitalize in this area again this week in the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
This first drive running the ball down the Patriots throat is how the Broncos need to start.
5 Biggest Plays: No. 2 - Elvis Dumervil Lays Out Tom Brady for the Sack
Elvis Dumervil got some serious pressure on this play and Tom Brady had no idea what just hit him!
Doom (Dumervil) and Gloom (Von Miller) have to keep Brady worried about them bringing pressure all day.
The Broncos need to be relentlessly attacking Tom Brady and the line of scrimmage to disrupt patterns and throw off Brady's precise timing with his receivers.
If they can do that it will give them a great shot to win!
5 Biggest Plays: No. 3 - Lance Ball 32-yard Touchdown Run
Early on in the game with the New England Patriots the Denver Broncos were gashing the Patriots defense for some long runs.
Lance Ball had a huge gain when he scored on a 32-yard touchdown run putting the Broncos up 13-6 in the first quarter.
The Broncos have to be able to consistently run the football for big yardage to keep balance.
This game got away from the Broncos when some poor turnovers put the Broncos in a big hole, not allowing them to operate out of their game plan.
5 Biggest Plays: No. 4 - Tim Tebow to Demaryius Thomas for 39 yards
Tim Tebow's favorite target has quickly become Demaryius Thomas.
Yet again, last week the Denver Broncos burned repetitively the cornerbacks of the Pittsburgh Steelers with this deep threat from Tebow to Thomas. People are calling this connection TNT!
In this play, Thomas found the open zone coverage on a nicely designed play that has Eric Decker take the safety deep while Thomas squats behind the secondary for an easy catch.
TNT has to be explosive this week against the weak secondary of the New England Patriots.
5 Biggest Plays: No. 5 - Quinton Carter Safety Blitz on Tom Brady
The Denver Broncos defensively showed the Patriots several different looks and formations and here they get an uncovered Quinton Carter coming in on the Safety Blitz on Tom Brady and he gets a huge sack.
This type of disguising defensive calls to generate pressure on Tom Brady is a must.
The Broncos have to get in Brady's face and knock him down lots of times. In the games he lost this season, several of them the defense had around 4-5 sacks.
Broncos must get pressure on Brady.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Bill Simmons answers more reader e-mail and makes his NFL picks - Grantland
Bill Simmons answers more reader e-mail and makes his NFL picks - Grantland:
One of my sportswriting idols, a die hard Boston sports fan, the Sportsguy Bill Simmons share some emails he has gotten about this weekend's playoff matchups:
"'Every Patriots fan I talk to is on the same page — I don't expect to win the Super Bowl, or even the AFC Championship game. But we absolutely cannot lose this one.'
'I am more nervous for this football game than any I can remember. Right now, on Wednesday, I have the same feeling in my stomach that I had in the fourth quarter of the Giants Super Bowl. One of you: please tell me something that will make me feel better.'
'I have spent more time considering where to watch this game than what to feed my child this week. Home seems like a bad call — I really might break something and it might lead to divorce. I'm a mess about this game too. I really have nothing soothing to say.'
'My cousin Kristin's wedding reception is at the exact same time as this game. No TV's at the reception — my Dad already checked. We are going to have 40 people grimly huddled around my iPhone watching what promises to be one of the biggest upsets in sports history as we're watching some stolen internet stream that cuts off right as Tebow's potential game-winning pass is soaring in the air, followed by me giving my father CPR for the next 20 minutes. I have never felt more pessimistic about a sporting event in which my team would have to be beaten by a 7-to-1 underdog to lose — not ever.' (By the way, that last e-mail was written by me. And it's all true. Cousin Kristin — you're lucky I like you.)"
I love it! The Broncos have already psyched out all of Boston with their fears of being upset by Tim Tebow and the Broncos, the single scariest playoff team that everyone thinks will choke, but in the bottom of their hearts they fear that they will be the team to lose to this unbelievable story... See the overconfident Pittsburgh Steelers and their arrogant fan base.
I am so excited for tomorrow's game! Why can't it be in the early afternoon and not a late game?
In case you don't know the game will be on tomorrow, January 14, 2012 at 6:15 pm MT. The game will be broadcast on TV on CBS (Channel 4 in Denver, CO). The game will be played in Gillette Stadium, located in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
As of now 2:45 pm MT there is only 27 hours and 30 minutes until game time!!!
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One of my sportswriting idols, a die hard Boston sports fan, the Sportsguy Bill Simmons share some emails he has gotten about this weekend's playoff matchups:
"'Every Patriots fan I talk to is on the same page — I don't expect to win the Super Bowl, or even the AFC Championship game. But we absolutely cannot lose this one.'
'I am more nervous for this football game than any I can remember. Right now, on Wednesday, I have the same feeling in my stomach that I had in the fourth quarter of the Giants Super Bowl. One of you: please tell me something that will make me feel better.'
'I have spent more time considering where to watch this game than what to feed my child this week. Home seems like a bad call — I really might break something and it might lead to divorce. I'm a mess about this game too. I really have nothing soothing to say.'
'My cousin Kristin's wedding reception is at the exact same time as this game. No TV's at the reception — my Dad already checked. We are going to have 40 people grimly huddled around my iPhone watching what promises to be one of the biggest upsets in sports history as we're watching some stolen internet stream that cuts off right as Tebow's potential game-winning pass is soaring in the air, followed by me giving my father CPR for the next 20 minutes. I have never felt more pessimistic about a sporting event in which my team would have to be beaten by a 7-to-1 underdog to lose — not ever.' (By the way, that last e-mail was written by me. And it's all true. Cousin Kristin — you're lucky I like you.)"
I love it! The Broncos have already psyched out all of Boston with their fears of being upset by Tim Tebow and the Broncos, the single scariest playoff team that everyone thinks will choke, but in the bottom of their hearts they fear that they will be the team to lose to this unbelievable story... See the overconfident Pittsburgh Steelers and their arrogant fan base.
I am so excited for tomorrow's game! Why can't it be in the early afternoon and not a late game?
In case you don't know the game will be on tomorrow, January 14, 2012 at 6:15 pm MT. The game will be broadcast on TV on CBS (Channel 4 in Denver, CO). The game will be played in Gillette Stadium, located in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
As of now 2:45 pm MT there is only 27 hours and 30 minutes until game time!!!
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The Underdogs « DenverBroncos.com
The Underdogs « DenverBroncos.com:
Mike Rice writes in the Denver Broncos blog: The "Denver Broncos are right where they want to be. They are in the playoffs but still not picked to do too much.
'We love being underdogs,' linebacker Joe Mays said on Tuesday. 'There’s no pressure. We just get going and play our style of football and just try to prove everybody wrong like we’ve been doing all year.'"
The Denver Broncos love being the Underdogs, they love not getting any respect nationally as a dark horse to make it to the Super Bowl, let alone do anything this season. They have squeaked into the playoffs, shocked the defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and now face the New England Patriots, a team many think will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. As 14-point underdogs this week, they will try to shock the world again and upset the best of the best! Go Broncos!
Check out this poem penned by Colorado Supreme Court Justice, Greg Hobbs in anticipation of this week's matchup with the Patriots:
Rocky Mountain Thunder
Salute the Patriots!
Paul Revere, John Adams, Emily Dickinson,
the Oxbow of the Connecticut River the Hudson River
painters revered as the opening to the West.
Destiny calls!
Through forest and plains the Great Divide stands
for open country at the heart of the continent,
Ride, you Rocky Mountain thunder, Ride!
-1/11/2012
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Mike Rice writes in the Denver Broncos blog: The "Denver Broncos are right where they want to be. They are in the playoffs but still not picked to do too much.
'We love being underdogs,' linebacker Joe Mays said on Tuesday. 'There’s no pressure. We just get going and play our style of football and just try to prove everybody wrong like we’ve been doing all year.'"
The Denver Broncos love being the Underdogs, they love not getting any respect nationally as a dark horse to make it to the Super Bowl, let alone do anything this season. They have squeaked into the playoffs, shocked the defending AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, and now face the New England Patriots, a team many think will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this season. As 14-point underdogs this week, they will try to shock the world again and upset the best of the best! Go Broncos!
Check out this poem penned by Colorado Supreme Court Justice, Greg Hobbs in anticipation of this week's matchup with the Patriots:
Rocky Mountain Thunder
Salute the Patriots!
Paul Revere, John Adams, Emily Dickinson,
the Oxbow of the Connecticut River the Hudson River
painters revered as the opening to the West.
Destiny calls!
Through forest and plains the Great Divide stands
for open country at the heart of the continent,
Ride, you Rocky Mountain thunder, Ride!
-1/11/2012
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Thursday, January 12, 2012
NFL Playoffs: Defensive Changes Necessary for Denver Broncos to Stop Tom Brady | Bleacher Report
NFL Playoffs: Defensive Changes Necessary for Denver Broncos to Stop Tom Brady :
In the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs last weekend, the Denver Broncos unveiled a new dime package against the Pittsburgh Steelers to cover the slew of speedy wide receivers that the Steelers employed week-to-week.
Rafael Bush was an additional safety that Dennis Allen inserted to provide speed in the secondary as well as an extra body to disrupt Ben Roethlisberger’s passing game. The defensive change made a huge difference in the game. Roethlisberger was limited to passing for just 289 yards, but had an interception to go with his solo touchdown. The Broncos didn’t let the Steelers receivers get behind them and the longest pass play by the Steelers was a 33-yard reception by Tight End Heath Miller.
This weekend, the Denver Broncos defense has a much greater task: Stopping Tom Brady and the New England Patriots bruising tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
In the last match-up with the New England Patriots in Week 15, the Denver Broncos were victimized by the Brady to Hernandez hook up, which accounted for 129 passing yards and a touchdown. Brady had a second passing touchdown when he found an uncovered Chad Ochocinco in the end zone after blown coverage by Denver’s secondary.
That type of mistake will not cut it in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Andre Goodman’s crucial mistake put the Broncos down early in a game that needed to be near perfect to even have a chance against the Patriots.
In the second round of this match up, a nearly flawless execution of the game plan is again a top priority. The Denver Broncos showed that they could execute the game plan last week against the Steelers, so much of the same should be expected this week.
To adjust for the strong, overpowering tight ends of the New England Patriots, the Broncos will switch back to a Nickel formation, having five defensive backs and two linebackers who can cover. Wesley Woodyard, who had a great game against the Patriots in the first game should again see lots of action. He is a top cover linebacker who will likely match up against Gronkowski or Hernandez off the line of scrimmage.
More than likely he will match up against Gronkowski to provide blanket coverage and force Tom Brady to look at different options Saturday. Joe Mays, D.J. Williams and Mario Haggan will likely get more action as the second linebacker in coverage in the Nickel package. Both Williams and Haggan have lined up on tight ends and have been able to hold their own in various situations. As far as I’ve seen, most quarterbacks have tried to go after D.J. Williams when he is in pass coverage, but they have had limited results. Williams has had his share of pass break ups and has at times gotten burned in coverage.
However, using a Nickel package with five defensive backs should provide help for Williams and Woodyard in coverage. Look for the Broncos to line up Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman on the outside in coverage, or possibly on Wes Welker in the slot, then to have David Bruton at strong safety and Quinton Carter at free safety, with either Chris Harris also in their or Rafael Bush as a third safety.
On defense, the Denver Broncos have demonstrated that they can get pressure on the quarterback while rushing only four and that has proved to be a great asset. Elvis Dumervil has returned to form as he has had 9.5 sacks this season and has made 42 tackles. On the other side, the surprise most improved player on defense has to be Robert Ayers.
Ayers has provided a spark to the Broncos defense opposite of Dumervil as rookie sensation, Von Miller has struggled with a cast on his right thumb in the past couple months. In last week’s playoff game with the Steelers, Robert Ayers had two huge sacks on Ben Roethlisberger leading the team. Two weeks ago, facing the Kansas City Chiefs, Ayers had another sacks. The Broncos hope his resurgence will continue against the New England Patriots and he can bring down Tom Brady.
The Patriots offensive line has not been stellar this season, but Tom Brady has been able to consistently get rid of the ball quickly, before taking a sack. The Broncos must get pressure with the front four to disrupt Brady’s passes to his bruising tight ends and shifty slot receiver, Wes Welker. If he has time to make his reads and get rid of the football, Brady will carve up the defense.
In addition to switching to a re-vamped Nickel package, the Broncos need the linebackers and cornerbacks, to play bump and run at the line of scrimmage.
Getting push at the line of scrimmage, disrupts routes and timing with Tom Brady. They need to get the offense out of sync and out of sorts. The Broncos must hold up receivers at the line, in order to allow the pass rush to make Brady uncomfortable. If the Broncos can keep the Patriots out of rhythm on offense, it gives them a much better chance of limiting their offense, which has dominated defenses all year long.
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In the Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs last weekend, the Denver Broncos unveiled a new dime package against the Pittsburgh Steelers to cover the slew of speedy wide receivers that the Steelers employed week-to-week.
Rafael Bush was an additional safety that Dennis Allen inserted to provide speed in the secondary as well as an extra body to disrupt Ben Roethlisberger’s passing game. The defensive change made a huge difference in the game. Roethlisberger was limited to passing for just 289 yards, but had an interception to go with his solo touchdown. The Broncos didn’t let the Steelers receivers get behind them and the longest pass play by the Steelers was a 33-yard reception by Tight End Heath Miller.
This weekend, the Denver Broncos defense has a much greater task: Stopping Tom Brady and the New England Patriots bruising tight ends, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez.
In the last match-up with the New England Patriots in Week 15, the Denver Broncos were victimized by the Brady to Hernandez hook up, which accounted for 129 passing yards and a touchdown. Brady had a second passing touchdown when he found an uncovered Chad Ochocinco in the end zone after blown coverage by Denver’s secondary.
That type of mistake will not cut it in the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs. Andre Goodman’s crucial mistake put the Broncos down early in a game that needed to be near perfect to even have a chance against the Patriots.
In the second round of this match up, a nearly flawless execution of the game plan is again a top priority. The Denver Broncos showed that they could execute the game plan last week against the Steelers, so much of the same should be expected this week.
To adjust for the strong, overpowering tight ends of the New England Patriots, the Broncos will switch back to a Nickel formation, having five defensive backs and two linebackers who can cover. Wesley Woodyard, who had a great game against the Patriots in the first game should again see lots of action. He is a top cover linebacker who will likely match up against Gronkowski or Hernandez off the line of scrimmage.
More than likely he will match up against Gronkowski to provide blanket coverage and force Tom Brady to look at different options Saturday. Joe Mays, D.J. Williams and Mario Haggan will likely get more action as the second linebacker in coverage in the Nickel package. Both Williams and Haggan have lined up on tight ends and have been able to hold their own in various situations. As far as I’ve seen, most quarterbacks have tried to go after D.J. Williams when he is in pass coverage, but they have had limited results. Williams has had his share of pass break ups and has at times gotten burned in coverage.
However, using a Nickel package with five defensive backs should provide help for Williams and Woodyard in coverage. Look for the Broncos to line up Champ Bailey, Andre Goodman on the outside in coverage, or possibly on Wes Welker in the slot, then to have David Bruton at strong safety and Quinton Carter at free safety, with either Chris Harris also in their or Rafael Bush as a third safety.
On defense, the Denver Broncos have demonstrated that they can get pressure on the quarterback while rushing only four and that has proved to be a great asset. Elvis Dumervil has returned to form as he has had 9.5 sacks this season and has made 42 tackles. On the other side, the surprise most improved player on defense has to be Robert Ayers.
Ayers has provided a spark to the Broncos defense opposite of Dumervil as rookie sensation, Von Miller has struggled with a cast on his right thumb in the past couple months. In last week’s playoff game with the Steelers, Robert Ayers had two huge sacks on Ben Roethlisberger leading the team. Two weeks ago, facing the Kansas City Chiefs, Ayers had another sacks. The Broncos hope his resurgence will continue against the New England Patriots and he can bring down Tom Brady.
The Patriots offensive line has not been stellar this season, but Tom Brady has been able to consistently get rid of the ball quickly, before taking a sack. The Broncos must get pressure with the front four to disrupt Brady’s passes to his bruising tight ends and shifty slot receiver, Wes Welker. If he has time to make his reads and get rid of the football, Brady will carve up the defense.
In addition to switching to a re-vamped Nickel package, the Broncos need the linebackers and cornerbacks, to play bump and run at the line of scrimmage.
Getting push at the line of scrimmage, disrupts routes and timing with Tom Brady. They need to get the offense out of sync and out of sorts. The Broncos must hold up receivers at the line, in order to allow the pass rush to make Brady uncomfortable. If the Broncos can keep the Patriots out of rhythm on offense, it gives them a much better chance of limiting their offense, which has dominated defenses all year long.
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Broncos linebacker Woodyard likely to get more playing time to counter Patriots' dangerous tight ends - The Denver Post
Broncos linebacker Woodyard likely to get more playing time to counter Patriots' dangerous tight ends - The Denver Post:
Jeff Legwold for the Denver Post explains the new defensive changes that the Denver Broncos unveiled for the Pittsburgh Steelers: "The Broncos did break out a new dime package (six defensive backs) against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. They used it, in part, because the Steelers like to open up the formation and use plenty of wide receivers.
The idea was to have enough bigger defenders on the field to defend the run and keep Miller and Elvis Dumervil in the lineup to rush the passer. With just two defensive linemen in three-point stances when they used the dime package, the Broncos were able to offer a wide variety of fronts for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sort through, moving Miller around especially.
Woodyard is their best linebacker in pass coverage and, with New England sporting two impact players at tight end — Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez — it would be far more difficult for the Broncos to arrange the pieces on defense if Woodyard isn't part of the mix Saturday night."
The Broncos will have to make some adjustments against the New England Patriots since they play a much different style than the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is likely that Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, and Head Coach John Fox will take a long look at what they faced in Week 15 on defense and make up some effective schemes designed to stop Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in the middle with larger linebackers, such as Wesley Woodyard to prevent them from getting beaten for big gains.
'via Blog this'
Jeff Legwold for the Denver Post explains the new defensive changes that the Denver Broncos unveiled for the Pittsburgh Steelers: "The Broncos did break out a new dime package (six defensive backs) against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. They used it, in part, because the Steelers like to open up the formation and use plenty of wide receivers.
The idea was to have enough bigger defenders on the field to defend the run and keep Miller and Elvis Dumervil in the lineup to rush the passer. With just two defensive linemen in three-point stances when they used the dime package, the Broncos were able to offer a wide variety of fronts for Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to sort through, moving Miller around especially.
Woodyard is their best linebacker in pass coverage and, with New England sporting two impact players at tight end — Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez — it would be far more difficult for the Broncos to arrange the pieces on defense if Woodyard isn't part of the mix Saturday night."
The Broncos will have to make some adjustments against the New England Patriots since they play a much different style than the Pittsburgh Steelers. It is likely that Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen, and Head Coach John Fox will take a long look at what they faced in Week 15 on defense and make up some effective schemes designed to stop Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski in the middle with larger linebackers, such as Wesley Woodyard to prevent them from getting beaten for big gains.
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Denver Broncos: 8 Keys to Shocking the New England Patriots | Bleacher Report
Denver Broncos: 8 Keys to Shocking the New England Patriots | Bleacher Report:
The next playoff game for the Denver Broncos is a rematch game from Week 15 against the New England Patriots. While one costly quarter filled with fumbles essentially cost the Broncos the game, the Broncos coaching staff can take a lot of positives away from that game and develop a winning game plan to pull off the latest big upset in as many weeks.
Check out these keys to a Denver Broncos victory over the surging New England Patriots.
Denver Broncos: 8 Keys to Shocking the New England Patriots
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The next playoff game for the Denver Broncos is a rematch game from Week 15 against the New England Patriots. While one costly quarter filled with fumbles essentially cost the Broncos the game, the Broncos coaching staff can take a lot of positives away from that game and develop a winning game plan to pull off the latest big upset in as many weeks.
Check out these keys to a Denver Broncos victory over the surging New England Patriots.
Denver Broncos: 8 Keys to Shocking the New England Patriots
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Tim Tebow and Denver Broncos Face Psychological Hurdles Against the Patriots | Bleacher Report
Tim Tebow and Denver Broncos Face Psychological Hurdles Against the Patriots | Bleacher Report:
This Broncos team is high on emotion. They have a lot of ups and downs. They have a great deal of passion, heart and a never say die attitude. However, will they able to rebound when the Patriots get going. They can’t start moping around, or be reserved to failure if the Patriots put up a few long drives for big scores. They must step up and make plays to answer the Patriots.
The Patriots' specialty is coming back and then disheartening an opponent. They usually start slow and then repetitively beat down an opponent to the point where psychologically they believe all hope is lost.
The Patriots beat down cost the Broncos the remaining two games of the season when the offense completely stalled and it appeared like Tim Tebow’s confidence was utterly shot. The adrenaline shot that Tebow got in the second quarter when he connected with Demaryius Thomas for 51 yards, leading to the go-ahead score revived his confidence and carried him through the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and into the game against the New England Patriots.
'via Blog this'
This Broncos team is high on emotion. They have a lot of ups and downs. They have a great deal of passion, heart and a never say die attitude. However, will they able to rebound when the Patriots get going. They can’t start moping around, or be reserved to failure if the Patriots put up a few long drives for big scores. They must step up and make plays to answer the Patriots.
The Patriots' specialty is coming back and then disheartening an opponent. They usually start slow and then repetitively beat down an opponent to the point where psychologically they believe all hope is lost.
The Patriots beat down cost the Broncos the remaining two games of the season when the offense completely stalled and it appeared like Tim Tebow’s confidence was utterly shot. The adrenaline shot that Tebow got in the second quarter when he connected with Demaryius Thomas for 51 yards, leading to the go-ahead score revived his confidence and carried him through the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and into the game against the New England Patriots.
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