Broncos need a smash-mouth offense
Lost in all the Denver Broncos quarterback chatter is what’s going on at running back, tight end and full back. Much has been said this week about its improvement, but the preseason stats aren’t stellar.
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This number needs improvement since it’s no secret that no matter who lines up under center, he is going to struggle. All three quarterbacks have fantastic arms, but that position needs far more than just an arm.
In order for a West Coast Offense system to work, the defense must believe that any play can be a pass or a run. How the offense lines up is meant to disguise what’s coming next. This isn’t going to happen if the run game is mediocre. If the run is stagnant, then you must rely on quarterback play every snap.
This means less defenders are needed to stop running plays. A linebacker can be used to spy on the quarterback. Demaryius Thomas can be double covered. If we have a good tight end, shadow him. The extra personnel not needed to stop a run, makes completions more difficult. Stop the run, shut down half the playbook.
Not to mention, while a WCO does thrive on dink and dunk passes to move the ball down the field (wearing out opponents at the same time), there must be enough intermediate to deep passes to make the most of a crowded box. That’s a keystone to making it work. Catch them low and throw high.
At this point, whether it’s ability, designed plays by Kubiak or just fear, Trevor Siemian hasn’t been successful on the deep connections. Without a good (top ten) run game, and enough balls thrown down the field, defenders will keep the box loaded and jump the short routes. They’ll have no fear of leaving just one safety high.
This is where Andy Janovich and our tight ends are vital. If our offensive line struggles to make creases, then our full back must be a plow, if he can also make an occasional catch, too, sound the band. Rick Dennison seems optimistic.
Mark Sanchez is a veteran with a good arm who has no fear throwing the ball anywhere on the field. He doesn’t usually telegraph his moves and isn’t bad throwing on the run. He knows how to use a tight end as a good check down choice or a legitimate receiver.
We can survive with a fifteenth ranked run game if our tight ends can block and catch, plus run some effective routes, our quarterback can throw on the run and consistently make mid to deep passes.
Unfortunately, Sanchez has an issue with ball security. It doesn’t matter if it’s from poor OL play or he loses focus, it happens. That’s too bad because his game is actually perfect for what Gary Kubiak wants to do. This is why Trevor Siemian is the next batter up, he’s more cautious.
While he and Sanchez have good arms and scrambling ability, Siemian appears better at ball security, but is unsure. This is expected since he is a rookie in game experience. This insecurity can be helped by having a strong run game, having at least one tight end who he trusts and at least one wide receiver whose timing he’s on the same page with.
At this point, he has one of those. He and Virgil Green have clicked. Until we get a good run game going, Trevor is going to need to run more bootlegs. Try a couple naked ones, too. Throw a dump pass to Green. Having him and whomever is the second tight end, block effectively, can’t be stressed enough.
That’s where full backs, Janovich or Juwan Thompson, need to step up. If a defense doesn’t believe the fake, they won’t bite. Despite whomever the quarterback may be, running backs, CJ Anderson or Devontae Booker, need to get in synch with his full back. Whether it’s for a run play or as a decoy, this duo must think as one unit. The sooner this happens and the better they become, the more it will help a young, inexperienced quarterback.
Going out on a limb, but while Thompson is smaller than Janovich he may be the better answer until we see how Siemian handles mistakes. Having so many new/inexperienced pieces in a huddle may not be the best thing for him or our offense. Potentially, we have three new offensive linemen, a new tight end, a new running back and a new fullback. Lead by a quarterback with zero experience.
Based on this, the less rookies in the huddle, may be a better choice. Especially with a quarterback who hasn’t shown he feels comfortable when things break down. Having more veterans in the huddle to calm him, over rookies who don’t know how, could be a helpful solution.
If our OL needs help, a tight end can be used as a sixth offensive lineman. This is where Garret Graham may be used (if healthy). Not to mention, he’s another veteran presence in the huddle. Henry Krieger-Coble (say that three times fast) and Jeff Heuerman lack the experience.
I’d like to see Graham line up and see if this helps the run. Plus, it could pull another defender up. This may help Siemian feel more comfortable with a deep ball. If he can make a few completions down the field, this will blow the playbook wide open. If he keeps up with the short curls, he’s going to get his balls batted down at the least and intercepted at the worst.
If he takes a shot and it doesn’t work, at least he’ll have more protection. If Sanchez is the starter, the same will apply, but for a different reason. For Mark, having open receivers deep that aren’t double covered, gives him a better shot of keeping his balls on target and less chance of a turn over.
If Lynch ends up starting, this combo will be lethal. No quarterback with his size has been able to scramble so quickly. He’s a dual-threat giant. However, like Siemian, he will need to make accurate deep throws.
Edge rushers and tackles in your grill every play can be overwhelming for a new quarterback. A smash mouth run game gives them a mental break, eases the pressure of having to make every completion, wears down the defense, lessens what they’re tapped to do and slows the game down. Most importantly, the deep strike catches them off guard. Keeps them guessing, unsure what package to use.
While our run game isn’t bad and with the addition of Booker, has the chance to increase production, it’s still going to need our tight ends and fullback to contribute more than we’ve seen. Our season may very well depend on it. If all components fire, we should see something special. Go Broncos!
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