Who's to blame for offensive line woes?

[johntbronco]

Before John Fox was essentially fired, before we learned the extent of Peyton Manning's injury, and before their season ended on Sunday, there were already several big offseason questions facing the Broncos.

There was the status of Adam Gase and Jack Del Rio. The free agency of Demaryius Thomas, Julius Thomas, Terrance Knighton, Orlando Franklin, and Rahim Moore. Von Miller's contract. The state of the offensive line.

On second thought, the offensive line may have been Denver's hottest burning question before Sunday. Put simply, the group was largely terrible in 2014.

Yes, Manning was sacked just 17 times, at the lowest rate in the league (2.8%). But that's more a reflection of how quickly Peyton got rid of the ball, than the quality of his blocking.

From left to right:

- By his own lofty standards, Ryan Clady had a very poor year, although he does have the excuse of having missed most of 2013 with a Lisfranc injury serious enough to require surgery.

- The move of Orlando Franklin to left guard, where he replaced Zane Beadles, worked out. After some early struggles, Franklin ended up having the best season of Denver's linemen.

- Will Montgomery stepped in for a scuffling Manny Ramirez. That change also coincided with Denver's newfound commitment to running the ball, and run blocking is Montgomery's strength.

- Ramirez shifted back over to right guard, where he'd started in 2012. As in 2012, his results were mixed. After a breakout 2013 season at center, he was awful there in 2014, prompting the change to Montgomery.

- Louis Vasquez slid over to tackle from his familiar right guard position, and (expectedly and understandably) wasn't nearly as effective.

As we all know, the rightward move of Ramirez and Vasquez wasn't just about Manny's problems at the pivot, though. Mostly, it was a solution to the disastrous play at right tackle by Chris Clark and Paul Cornick. Clark, of course, had done a commendable job of replacing Clady in 2013. But in no way did his success translate over to the right side.

The free agent signings of DeMarcus Ware, Aqib Talib, and T.J. Ward got all the headlines last offseason, but putting Clark at right tackle was just as important a move. Unlike the former three, it didn't even come close to panning out for the Broncos.

So who's to blame for that catastrophe? Honestly, I don't know. I do, however, think it's important to consider as the Broncos move forward into this offseason.

If the idea came from John Fox and his trusty line coach, Dave Magazu - or if John Elway (or Matt Russell or Tom Heckert) suggested the possibility, and Fox and Magazu signed off on it - then it's water under the bridge.

But what if the decision belongs entirely to Elway and his lieutenants? It's been reported that a source of Fox's discontent was his inability to buy the groceries, as Bill Parcells puts it.

As personnel moves and non-moves go, Elway's record has been pretty much free of fatal errors. But thinking that Clark would be okay on the right side is one of his worst, and it may have played a large role in Denver's struggles this year.

Chances are, we'll never find out who was behind the Clark call.

But we do know one thing for sure: it's Elway's job to correct the problem (or hope 2014 third-rounder Michael Schofield is ready), and if he proves unable, then he's not going to get his hands on that all-important Lombardi Trophy again anytime soon.

http://www.itsalloverfatman.com/broncos/entry/whos-to-blame-for-denvers-offensive-line-woes

[johntbronco]

As Peyton Manning goes, so does the dream

Let's peek behind the curtain at what might be the most surprising aspect of the Broncos' stunning playoff demise and the swift dismissal of coach John Fox. Truth be told, franchise leaders inside Dove Valley headquarters had made preparations for a one-and-done postseason disaster.

Oh, Denver wasn't expecting to lose 24-13 to the Indianapolis Colts. But, after talking to the leaders most responsible for the team's success, it's clear football operations czar John Elway, Fox and franchise president Joe Ellis saw signs the Broncos were not a bona fide championship contender, and braced themselves ahead of time for the upheaval that has rocked this football-crazy town.

"The conversations were being had and nobody was naive to the situation," Ellis told me Tuesday.

From my recent talks with Fox, he entered the playoffs fully aware of the win-or-else pressure on him and realized there could well be changes in the coaching staff, from the bottom to the top, if the Broncos got bounced early from the tournament.

"I think he saw the handwriting on the wall," said Ellis, adding it was no shock to either Fox or his assistants when the 59-year-old coach's four-season association with the team was severed less than 24 hours after the upset loss to the Colts.

The franchise vowed Super Bowl or bust to its fans. When the Broncos failed, again, Fox paid the price. "We really believe we have a chance to achieve and win the ultimate prize. We've now fallen short three straight years. ... If you're not trying to (win a championship), why would people buy the seats?" Ellis said.

What does Elway want in a new coach?

The ideal candidate would work expertly with quarterbacks, whether it's commanding the respect of veteran Peyton Manning or developing inexperienced Brock Osweiler. This trait would seem to favor Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, also a longtime friend of Elway's. But what of a possible return to Denver for offensive mastermind Mike Shanahan? Don't count on it; that band would be too hard to put back together.

Elway values competitors who understand the thin, razor-sharp line between winning and losing the Super Bowl, with the ring to prove it. Rick Dennison lost in the championship game as a Broncos player and won it as a Denver assistant coach.

Elway desires more intensity than the avuncular Fox provided. Defensive coordinators such Dan Quinn of Seattle and Greg Manusky of Indianapolis could pump up the passion in the Broncos locker room. But here's what has Elway scrambling in a way he could not have fully anticipated: His best-laid plans to win a championship in celebration of Pat Bowlen, a beloved owner in failing health, have been thrown for a loop.

It seems obvious now Denver's heavy free-agent spending on defense early in 2014 was done to give a roster led by Manning a two-season window to win the Super Bowl before the more mundane task of rebuilding the franchise began.

"There is no Plan B," Elway again insisted Tuesday. "Plan A is still the same and that is to win the world championship."

The plan, however, has gone haywire.

Although the talent assembled by Elway is strong, as nine Pro Bowl selections would attest, the Denver coaching staff was never able to foster real team chemistry, and what resulted was a disjointed group of football mercenaries that played with a disturbing lack of passion during the loss to Indianapolis.

"The bottom line is it does fall to the players, and the players are the ones out there playing in the end," Elway said. On the definitive play of the franchise's first Super Bowl victory, old No. 7 threw his body in harm's way during the helicopter run, so it came as no surprise Elway expressed his disgust with the loss to the Colts by saying, "In the last game, you want to feel like you go out kicking and screaming."

After a strong start to the season, Manning's performance unraveled in ways that are telltale signs that Father Time is catching up to a Hall of Fame player.

When throwing deep to the sideline, Manning began floating too many hospital balls more dangerous to the health of his receivers than opposing defenses, and coaches such as Jeff Fisher of St. Louis took note. Old QBs get hurt more often and recover more slowly, as evidenced by the quad strain Manning dealt with down the stretch. The quarterback's refusal to run 5 yards in wide-open space for a first down against the Colts was not a lack of courage, but rather an instinctive middle-age sense of self preservation in a violent sport.

Elway clearly has counted on Manning playing the 2015 NFL season before turning over the Denver offense to Osweiler.

"There is no question the (coaching) candidates are going to want to know where Peyton is (regarding a decision to play or retire)," Elway said. "At this point in time, I'm going to say the same thing I'm telling you all right now: 'We don't know exactly what he's going to do.' "

The bottom line: The Broncos are scrambling to keep a Super Bowl dream alive.

http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_27315187/manning-goes-so-goes-dream

[Hadez]

We may not have good OL but honestly the way we passed the ball nearly every down, schemed the blocking and almost never helped the OL with rb/te chips a future HoF lineman could have struggled in our offense.

When the defense knows the play is going to be a pass and does not even have to respect the run, like was true most games, then it is allot easier to get to a statue of a QB like PM.

The is the main reason I worry about keeping PM next year. We are not going to be able to sign the people we want to sign and get the HoF caliber OL players required to pass block for a pass happy team who hates to run the football.

[Mel B.]

Peyton Manning is to blame.

He's immobile, his arm is shot, his offense has been all figured out...and he's old which makes all those issues that much more magnified.

He's a serious liability to this team's offense now because of his very limited abilities and all 32 teams, including us, know this.

Teams aren't afraid of Peyton Manning anymore...they're licking their chops to get at him.

He needs to retire.

[Butler By'Note]

Peyton Manning is to blame.

He's immobile, his arm is shot, his offense has been all figured out...and he's old which makes all those issues that much more magnified.

He's a serious liability to this team's offense now because of his very limited abilities and all 32 teams, including us, know this.

Teams aren't afraid of Peyton Manning anymore...they're licking their chops to get at him.

He needs to retire.

And yet with all of that he was on pace for 48 touchdown passes on the season before he apparently got injured. He had 36 touchdown passes through week 13.

[CoryWinget81]

And yet with all of that he was on pace for 48 touchdown passes on the season before he apparently got injured. He had 36 touchdown passes through week 13.

If if's and but's were candy and nuts we'd all have a merry christmas.

I wonder why they stopped throwing the rub routes and pick and rolls? This was happening before he was "injured" in the SD game.

[Mel B.]

And yet with all of that he was on pace for 48 touchdown passes on the season before he apparently got injured. He had 36 touchdown passes through week 13.

And yet there's always an excuse for him as to why he doesn't produce when the lights are the brightest and when we need all his glorious records to count most.

[Hadez]

And yet with all of that he was on pace for 48 touchdown passes on the season before he apparently got injured. He had 36 touchdown passes through week 13.

We need less passing TDs and passing yards and more rushing TD and rushing yards or else defenses will tee off on the Statue of PM and make life difficult for him

[Hawaii007]

Let's peek behind the curtain at what might be the most surprising aspect of the Broncos' stunning playoff demise and the swift dismissal of coach John Fox. Truth be told, franchise leaders inside Dove Valley headquarters had made preparations for a one-and-done postseason disaster.

Oh, Denver wasn't expecting to lose 24-13 to the Indianapolis Colts. But, after talking to the leaders most responsible for the team's success, it's clear football operations czar John Elway, Fox and franchise president Joe Ellis saw signs the Broncos were not a bona fide championship contender, and braced themselves ahead of time for the upheaval that has rocked this football-crazy town.

"The conversations were being had and nobody was naive to the situation," Ellis told me Tuesday.

From my recent talks with Fox, he entered the playoffs fully aware of the win-or-else pressure on him and realized there could well be changes in the coaching staff, from the bottom to the top, if the Broncos got bounced early from the tournament.

"I think he saw the handwriting on the wall," said Ellis, adding it was no shock to either Fox or his assistants when the 59-year-old coach's four-season association with the team was severed less than 24 hours after the upset loss to the Colts.

The franchise vowed Super Bowl or bust to its fans. When the Broncos failed, again, Fox paid the price. "We really believe we have a chance to achieve and win the ultimate prize. We've now fallen short three straight years. ... If you're not trying to (win a championship), why would people buy the seats?" Ellis said.

What does Elway want in a new coach?

The ideal candidate would work expertly with quarterbacks, whether it's commanding the respect of veteran Peyton Manning or developing inexperienced Brock Osweiler. This trait would seem to favor Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, also a longtime friend of Elway's. But what of a possible return to Denver for offensive mastermind Mike Shanahan? Don't count on it; that band would be too hard to put back together.

Elway values competitors who understand the thin, razor-sharp line between winning and losing the Super Bowl, with the ring to prove it. Rick Dennison lost in the championship game as a Broncos player and won it as a Denver assistant coach.

Elway desires more intensity than the avuncular Fox provided. Defensive coordinators such Dan Quinn of Seattle and Greg Manusky of Indianapolis could pump up the passion in the Broncos locker room. But here's what has Elway scrambling in a way he could not have fully anticipated: His best-laid plans to win a championship in celebration of Pat Bowlen, a beloved owner in failing health, have been thrown for a loop.

It seems obvious now Denver's heavy free-agent spending on defense early in 2014 was done to give a roster led by Manning a two-season window to win the Super Bowl before the more mundane task of rebuilding the franchise began.

"There is no Plan B," Elway again insisted Tuesday. "Plan A is still the same and that is to win the world championship."

The plan, however, has gone haywire.

Although the talent assembled by Elway is strong, as nine Pro Bowl selections would attest, the Denver coaching staff was never able to foster real team chemistry, and what resulted was a disjointed group of football mercenaries that played with a disturbing lack of passion during the loss to Indianapolis.

"The bottom line is it does fall to the players, and the players are the ones out there playing in the end," Elway said. On the definitive play of the franchise's first Super Bowl victory, old No. 7 threw his body in harm's way during the helicopter run, so it came as no surprise Elway expressed his disgust with the loss to the Colts by saying, "In the last game, you want to feel like you go out kicking and screaming."

After a strong start to the season, Manning's performance unraveled in ways that are telltale signs that Father Time is catching up to a Hall of Fame player.

When throwing deep to the sideline, Manning began floating too many hospital balls more dangerous to the health of his receivers than opposing defenses, and coaches such as Jeff Fisher of St. Louis took note. Old QBs get hurt more often and recover more slowly, as evidenced by the quad strain Manning dealt with down the stretch. The quarterback's refusal to run 5 yards in wide-open space for a first down against the Colts was not a lack of courage, but rather an instinctive middle-age sense of self preservation in a violent sport.

Elway clearly has counted on Manning playing the 2015 NFL season before turning over the Denver offense to Osweiler.

"There is no question the (coaching) candidates are going to want to know where Peyton is (regarding a decision to play or retire)," Elway said. "At this point in time, I'm going to say the same thing I'm telling you all right now: 'We don't know exactly what he's going to do.' "

The bottom line: The Broncos are scrambling to keep a Super Bowl dream alive.
http://www.denverpost.com/kiszla/ci_...-so-goes-dream

I Don't know Kiszla at all and don't follow him too much as I don't live in the Denver area, but some of the articles I have read him write makes me wonder why anyone from the organization would want to talk to him? He seems to love the attack pieces without concern about accuracy or context. JMO.

[Butler By'Note]

We need less passing TDs and passing yards and more rushing TD and rushing yards or else defenses will tee off on the Statue of PM and make life difficult for him

I agree the Broncos need a more balanced offense and need to do a better job with mixing their plays, it seemed this year they were either heavy run or heavy pass with no in-between. Mixing allows them to use play action more effectively, I'd also like to see them run some counter plays which don't seem to be in the Broncos playbook.

One of Manning's favourite plays earlier in his career was stretch and then play action off of stretch, the Colts would run that from under centre, in Denver they run stretch but it's almost always from shotgun with the back lined up beside Manning, this told the defense exactly where the ball was going because it was always away from the side the back was lined up, under centre Manning can run it as a check with me call without tipping off the defense by the back flipping sides.

I'm not going to argue with the Anti Manning folks because they've made up their mind and that's it, which is fair they're entitled to their point of view. I will just point out that there's a noticeable drop off in Manning's accuracy after the San Diego game, and a QB uses his legs and torso as much as his throwing arm while making a throw, if he can't step into a throw effectively you're going to see a noticeable drop in the quality of the throws a QB makes.