The IAOFM staff discuss the Denver Broncos' 45-10 loss to the Detroit Lions
Doc: Should be a nice homecoming for Tebow. I hope he steps up into it.
Ted: I'll be curious to see what they do with the offense. The reports had it being completely overhauled, but I don't think Jay Glazer would be qualified to speak on that.
Doug: I also don't think anyone would be telegraphing this kind of stuff
Ted: No, definitely not. I have suspected that there would be some tactical changes, but you can't change everything in one week.
Doc: What do you make of Fox's comment on using college plays?
Ted: I don't know if that's what he said, or if that's Glazer's characterization of what he said.
Doug: So, not only is Denver only dressing two halfbacks, but only one fullback - Quinn Johnson inactive
Denver’s opening drive stalls after a pass from Tim Tebow to Eric Decker is ruled incomplete after Decker fails to get his feet down at the back of the end zone; 3-0 Broncos
TJ: Just get it lathered up - wishbone!
Ted: Full house backfield...interesting
TJ: I guess Glazer wasn't kidding, although that's not exactly the pistol
Doc: Good blocking
Ted: That's a good throw
Doc: Gorgeous. Denver is so strong running off the right
TJ: Orlando is maulin'. Decker, you have to get em down - that's on him
Ted: That was a good enough throw
Doug: Tebow is definitely looking better so far - more sure of himself
Doc: Kupe picked up the blitz and it was a nice throw - challenge!
TJ: If that's not a TD, nothing is
Ted: They got that protected very nicely, and that helps any QB make a good throw
TJ: Okay, screw Andrew Luck
Ted: Yes, Pereira, he had it. What a bad call!
TJ: That is not even possible. I can't even believe it. No matter what, Decker can do better
Ted: That was a screen that got played well
TJ: They did a good job of film study on that one. Denver ran the screen in the RZ a few times last week
Ted: That play goes strictly on timing - Beadles is counting and going. The same thing happened last week when Tebow overthrew Moreno on the screen. The timing was hosed from the start
Ted: Chris Harris in to start at nickelback. I like that idea. They run this end-around look constantly
TJ: Damn, Stafford has a cannon - he threw that off the back foot
Ted: Yeah, he has elite talent. Tebow has a history of beating him, though - for what that's worth
Stafford finds Titus Young wide open for a score; 7-3 Lions
TJ: Brutal
Ted: How can that happen?
TJ: That just happened, wow
Ted: Goodman was wrong there, to me
TJ: Both of them thought they were at that zone. Yeah, that's the CB - because the safety wouldn't do that unless it was called
Doc: I'm with you, Ted. He just stopped
TJ: That's a call from DA, and Goody has deep. Dawkins bit? I don't think so
Ted: WTF is with Titus Young jumping into the stands at SAF? Why wasn't beer dumped on him?
Doc: I hope Green's OK - he's becoming a good part of the play.
TJ: Stop dancing, stop juking - hit your GD hole
Ted: Yeah, he needs to go
TJ: Orlando Franklin got beat, and got beat bad
Ted: Yep... interesting blitz-man look there. I'd like to see Tebow have an audible to go to next time he sees it
TJ: I still believe he's a Guard in training
Ted: I think so too TJ... not quick enough feet. He primarily played LG at Miami. From the start, I've found it strange that the Broncos saw him as an RT
Doc: Fair enough. These are his first games ever as a RT, so I'm cutting him some slack. I noticed during combine that he moved more smoothly to his left, and like you, Ted, I wondered about moving him to RT
Doug: Nice play Von!
Ted: Let's have some coverage here. Really good defense there
TJ: Nice pursuit, McBean! Wow, he dropped 8, and it worked!
Ted: Sometimes dropping 8 is a good idea. You have to mix it up. Miller had a good initial rush on Cherilus, and McBean finished it
Doc: Someone found McBean's on switch
TJ: Yeah, the cops
Ted: I better get my ass in gear, because I need money for lawyers' fees
Doc: Well, there's spies and then there's stalkers....Miller's been rushing to the A gap and spinning through it - first time I've seen that move from him
Denver's third possession goes five and out, after a three and out on their second
Ted: That was another NFL throw
TJ: Great crossing route
Doug: I'll take that result. Ted, did Tebow used to throw off one foot like that at UF?
Ted: Yes, he always has - it's a result of the way he steps into it. He's a strider to generate the torque he needs. Tthat's not preferable, all things being equal, but it's okay. Ahhh his eyes were down way too much there.
TJ: Same blitz as before. Exact same
Ted: How would he even know who was open?
TJ: Fells got beat
Steven Tulloch sacks Tebow to force the punt
Doug: Well, there's our first Tebowing of the day
Ted: I want a sprintout left on that play
TJ: Wow, I had a feeling we'd see that little sack "dance"
Doug: Perhaps, all year
Detroit's next drive results in a FG; 10-3 Lions
Doug: That was a late hit on a slide - not smart
TJ: The fact that Bunkley even ran 25 yards is impressive - but, you know....
Doug: Hahaha lack of oxygen to the brain at the end there. Not a big hit, but so obvious
TJ: It’d be nice if we put a dent into that 150 QB rating of Stafford's
Doc: Let's just say that Bunkley is unlikely to compete in the high jump. I keep hearing how the Lions OL is weak, but they're handling Denver for the most part
2nd Quarter
TJ: So far, staring 0-3 on third down is not preferable
Ted: They've looked better than usual so far
Doc: Any thoughts from anyone on how to attack them better?
Ted: Speed rush Backus and Cherilus. Stafford does much, much worse when he's pressured. It's what separates him from Rodgers - he can spin it every bit as well as Rodgers can
Doc: Nice stunt by Thomas
TJ: So thus far, 0-5 on first downs both teams included. What is up lately on 3rd downs and these Broncos games?
Ted: Low efficiency by the offense and high efficiency by the defense, I guess. They need to handle the blitz on 3rd and long, no matter how they get it protected
TJ: Tebow is 2 for 6 for 30 yards, but I can't say anything bad about his play. I mean I guess I just did, but you know what I mean. He’s made the right decisions
Ted: Me neither... he's off to a pretty good start. I'd have liked to see better recognition on the second blitz
TJ: Kuper is having a great battle - it’s fun to watch this. Brutal, JT
Ted: Back to 3rd and long... how about a new idea here? That was a good throw too, but good defense
TJ: Tebow is playing well today. Folks are going to bash Tebow right now for the % and rating, but really he's putting it where he needs to
Ted: He needs to keep doing what he's doing. Set his feet, make the throws, and trust the process
TJ: Of course Detroit is adjusting - so now, McCoy needs to.
TJ: Marcus Thomas playing well despite the injury. Hahaha terrible throw, Stafford - talk about terrible mechanics. Matt Stafford right there - wow that was a throw! Very little space. Dawk too deep, though. Dropping 8 and Dawk was way too deep with the sticks right there. Nice blitz, DA!
Ted: Ayers got him
Doc: That last sack gave Ayers 3 sacks, 3 QB hits, 11 pressures and 11 stops with a batted pass. Yeah, he's lousy....
TJ: Cunningham likes to blitz. I think that was Tim’s first bad throw. But Stafford's had two
TJ: Champ saved a TD. Man, DA is LUCKY right there. Do not like the Broncos D being on the field for so long
Doug: Wow Scheffler
TJ: Hahaha he's all gloating now
Ted: Wow... that was a well-played piece of defense, and the -hole still caught it
TJ: That's just football right there - luck plays a huge role in football, and people never recognize it
Ted: Yes, it sure does
Doc: Good play by Harris - weird bounce, but a good play
TJ: Yeah, how can he play it any better?
Ex-Broncos TE Tony Scheffler scores on a one-yard pass from Matthew Stafford; 17-3 Lions
Doug: Uh oh Scheffler again
Ted: Wow, perfectly defended, except the coverage guy
TJ: He just Tebowed and Mile High Saluted. Scheffler - just decide, bro! You gonna break dance? Tebow? The wave? Just pick one
TJ: What an odd game. I don't feel like Tebow is playing Brady style, but at the same time, he's not terrible.
Doug: Dude every Denver game is like this now, under Fox
TJ: Yeah, go no huddle - you have to get some pace, bad. Come on Mike, patience - don't just get crazy
Ted: COME ON ROYAL - get your depth
Doug: Strange series
TJ: Odd call - why is he not at the sticks? Ahh I see it - DT got pushed back, which made Royal get pushed back. That was on DT, not Royal - DT couldn't get his block
Doug: That's two 15-yd dumbass penalties
TJ: Colquitt tried to hit John Wendling after the play
Ted: Wendling is a Wyoming guy, isn't he?
TJ: Yeah, that's how I know him. He can jump 8 feet high, for what it's worth - because of the Wyoming water, which is tainted with natural gas - just ask Doug, haha
Doug: Yeah I just watched Gasland a couple weeks ago, so depressing. About 1/3 of it takes place in WY and CO
Doc: Coming from Colorado, the end results of fracking have some potentially serious side effects.
TJ: Tebow's problem today is a little more about pace. Damn, Megatron - he's so smooth. He's what DT wishes he could be when he has a wet dream. Are they gonna put 24 on the board? Don't tell me they are!!!
Doug: Sure looks like it. Hey, the STDL do not lie, hahaha. And, this is without any turnovers
TJ: Dude, you called it. Well if Tebow has it, it will be shown again today
Detroit adds a one-yard score from Maurice Morris to go up 24-3 before halftime
TJ: Now if you are Detroit, do you go vanilla D? Or a soft zone?
Ted: I don't think the Lions are a talented roster. They're good at some noticeable positions, and weak at others
Doug: Just keep doing what you're doing
Ted: Probably back to their typical Cover-2 stuff
TJ: If I'm Detroit I just keep pasting until it's 40
Doug: I mean, Denver shouldn't be doing much anyway - this is the area of the clock and field where you get a pick-6. I'm not saying take a knee, but don’t be aggressive...
TJ: Griese says on the radio, “This is Tim Tebow - can he get it done when the defense isn't playing soft?”
Doug: Haha Knowshon going out of bounds. WTF?
TJ: KM = Wonderlic Wonder
Doug: Punt it straight out of bounds
Ted: That was a smart call, the 5 second throwaway, good risk management
Doug: Yeah better than a punt
TJ: We are 0-7 on 3rd down. That's 0-2 on two first halves
Ted: Since Knowshon dumbassed it going out of bounds, they had to do that
Ted: You know, not that I think the playcalling is great, but a lot of people who don't know what they're talking about are beside themselves over it
Doug: Wow we had 17 passing yards in the first half. Net, that is. That makes 23 net passing yards in the last two games' opening halves
Ted: I'd just like to see more progress
Ted: You know who I miss? Gaffney
Doc: Yes, me too. Solid, dependable, effective veteran, let go for a maybe who got cut. Sigh. And, the D is still missing too many pieces - the streak of problems at CB is pretty big
Ted: Tebow actually did play pretty well, in his individual responsibilities in the first half
TJ: I think he was mixed. It wasn't the throws this time
Ted: It was mixed, no question
3rd Quarter
Ted: Nice play by Dumervil - really good recognition
TJ: I see Unrein! He was huge!
Doc: At Tim’s level, it's what I mostly expect. If they're out of options - and they are - and want TT to play, they have to expect it to take some time for him to grow into it. TJ, Unrein was in at the end of the last quarter, too.
Ted: Now, the Broncos have decent field position, and a chance to get something going
Cliff Avril strips the ball from Tebow, gathers the fumble and takes it to the house; 31-3 Lions
Doug: Well, there we go - game over. That would qualify as a quick sack
TJ: Orlando. Hmmm, l'm smelling a Merril Hoge long release tweet coming. Undeserved, but coming
Ted: I think it might be time to help out on Avril. You know, if we are learning lessons
Doug: But, can we afford it Ted?
Ted: Protection is first. You can always afford to protect the QB
Doug: Well, I mean focusing on Avril - will you have enough guys to block Suh too, and then have guys to run routes against less than double coverage?
Ted: He's their best pass rusher, and Franklin is the Broncos’ worst pass blocker. It's a tough combo - he needs at least chip help
TJ: This one could get super ugly. If I were Detroit, I wouldn't let up. Don't let this crowd think they can get anything - and when it hits 40, then you back off
Doug: I’d think about pulling Stafford if I scored another TD
Ted: Franklin holding, wow
Doug: And, still a sack
TJ: Well the bad news, we got the penalty. The good news? I was right about him from Day 1. LG. Kuper is getting upset
Ted: I would think about switching him and Beadles now, as much as I don't think Beadles is really a RT either
Doug: Denver now has −7 net passing yards
TJ: They are going to prove to the fan base Tebow isn't the answer, one way or the other. Again, I'm right on that one
Ted: Let's see what kind of improvement we can see on defense on this series
TJ: I suspect this drive is going to be what the old timers like to call --killing the clock
Doc: Bad play by Tebow - stepped up unnecessarily, didn't have a plan
Stafford and Calvin Johnson connect on a 56-yard TD pass to put Detroit up 38-3
Doug: TJ I'm guessing your lead is safe this time. Time to pull Stafford
Ted: I think that's a good call. Yep, this is laugher territory now
TJ: I wish these guys would play harder for Tebow, since that is what I heard they did. OF could use some "play harder" pills
Ted: That was a really nice play by Tebow. Sorry, it's been awhile since there was one. Iif he can make some plays and keep the clock moving, he can lessen the commentary about the embarrassing score. But, really bad throw there
TJ: Thought that was gonna get picked. DT ought to be aggressive there
Ted: Bad throw there... it had way too much heat on it
Ted: I really liked the defense by Von there - it was measured, and cautious, and effective
TJ: Dumbass, get down
Ted: Yeah, that was the kind of hit he can't take.
Doug: 11 sacks in the last 1.75 games. And there’s another
Ted: Tebow needed to throw the ball away there. I understand there was nothing downfield, but throw it away
Doug: And Oakland is up next week - good chance he'll take 20 sacks in 3 weeks. We'll see how durable he is
Doug: Hey, good chance that IAOFM will go 5-0 against MHR in FF this week! So, there's something to be happy about!
Ted: #winning. You should definitely print that in CTF. The Lions have been all over these screens
Doc: Solid blocking by the WRs Decker and Royal on TT's 1st down
4th Quarter
Chris Houston returns a pass from Tebow 100 yards for another defensive score; 45-3 Lions
TJ: Housed - floated way behind him. I've read Elway like a book. Oh my, bad throw
Ted: Terrible, terrible throw. Bad route concept too, by the way
Doc: To quote Dandy Don - "Turn out the lights, the party's over" If it had ever started.
Ted: Nice Dandy Don reference. The growth opportunity continues. I want to see who wants to grow and improve
Doc: Denver's got some young players who look like they're going to play well. Too many rookies and youngsters, some old guys, not a lot of middle to the team
TJ: Get those Kyle Orton billboards ready, Broncos fans! I have a feeling that won't happen, though
Ted: No, it has a decent chance to shift to Luck/Barkley/Jones soon though, if Tebow doesn't do better. And if the 10 other 10 guys, who've been pitiful today, don't do better too...
Doug: 36 net passing yards
Ted: IMPROVEMENT! Royal gets deeper than the sticks. He's learning
Doug: I hope that was a throwaway, because it was pretty hard for one
TJ: Griese: "He just hit a cheerleader"
Eric Decker scores on a 14-yard pass from Tebow; 45-10 Lions
Ted: It was. You know, Decker runs crossing routes well. Tebow throws crossing routes well...I think you see where I'm going with this
TJ: Ted, stop using LOGIC. They don't give a crap about Tebow. They have to prove he's not the answer one way or the other.
Ted: I'd like to see them give the dude a chance, and even if they decide to go a different way, he has some value to somebody else
TJ: Ted, Elway will NOT let him. This is his town, bro - he built this town. He isn't going to let a little punk like Tebow take it from him! I know you think I'm kidding - but really, I'm not.
Ted: No, I realize you're being serious, and I agree that that is probably what's going on. There's no way for him to take any tangential credit for Tebow. He could take some credit if a guy like Barkley did well
TJ: Yeah, that's where I've been all along
Doug: Haha Orton, funny to see him and Tebow chatting on the sideline. Wonder what they're saying
Ted: "This is what it's like to play with a bunch of bums". I do appreciate the Lions calling off the dogs
Doug: "You wanted this, beeotch. you thought you could do better"
Doc: I'm not putting it all on Tebow, either, but sacks are up, not down.
Ted: The Broncos haven’t protected well all season. That's maybe a little on McCoy, but at some point, players have to play
Doug: Sure but Tebow's style also doesn't help that - holding the ball so long
Ted: He's going to avoid as many as he takes with his style. That TD to DT last week was a sack by Wake to 98% of the QBs in the NFL
Doug: I think I saw that his sacks averaged like 3.6 seconds, which is an eternity. But Ted, it's not like Orton was taking 6 sacks a game
Doc: I think that the fact is that they wanted to run a pocket passer offense, and Orton utterly tanked. Now they're scrambling, but it won't matter squat if the D isn't upgraded
Ted: Right, he's basically a rookie - he's holding the ball, and taking sacks. But when he does, there's never an outlet for him to go to. The Broncos don't seem to believe in outlets. Lance Ball just put himself in Knowshon territory there with that fumble. Ayers has been a positive today
Doc: Agreed. And on that note - will they upgrade Jeremiah Johnson from the PS with Ball's up and down performances? Ayers has quietly had a nice early year. They've asked him to play from DE to NT and he's done well at all of them. Good numbers, too.
Ted: You guys may not realize this, but the Broncos have rushed for 190 of the emptiest yards you'll ever see
TJ: Wow, I didn't realize - but it will make a good joke
Ted: 30/195 6.5 yards per carry. 3 net yards per pass attempt
Doug: 13 sacks in two games. Heck, if we include the INT return we have 17 net passing yards
Ted: OMG did you see that?
TJ: That's about as silly as I've ever seen
Doug: Is that even legal? It reminds me of the Leinart/Bush play against Brady Quinn's Irish
TJ: Schwartz is just laughing, they let it go as an incomplete pass
Doc: Well, the theory that the problem was the QB has been put to rest. Unfortunately, that doesn't make developing Tebow any easier. I don't see things as one-sided as some (ie, it's not all Fox/McCoy), but I do hope they add an outlet player and some crossing routes.
Ted: I thought that by and large, Tebow's throwing was a lot better this week than it was last week. It was a mixed bag, once again
Doc: Mixed, but still mostly not good
Ted: He got let down a ton by the receivers today. Cecil Lammey tweeted the same thing a while ago
Doc: Yes, he did, and by the line - both of which were also Orton problems, as if he didn't create enough on his own. Well, give TT time. He's got some issues to work on, but moving forward he's currently Denver's best
Doug: I'm not saying this to be a jerk, but isn't it hard for the receivers if they're seeing different kinds of throws every week? If you never know where the ball will be... There was all the talk after the Nate Jackson piece which laughed of precision and choreography...but when nothing is ever the same, how can anyone thrive?
Ted: A receiver's job is to get separation, and to catch the ball. The Broncos have struggled for both Orton and Tebow to do those things
Doug: I get that Ted, but isn't there something to be said for being able to concentrate on what you're doing and know that the ball will be in a certain area when you come open or turn around? And i'm not saying that needs to be there now, at this stage. But how can it all be the receivers' faults?
Ted: It can't all be anybody's fault, but when a receiver drops a ball on his hands, that's his fault. Just like when Tebow throws it to Chris Houston, that's his fault. It's really easy to tell who messed up in those situations. Other situations, it's more subtle, obviously, and harder to tell. It's pretty obvious that the entire 53-man Broncos unit isn't going to suddenly "gel" and turn into a winning team in 2011, but there is a lot of opportunity for individual growth and development of players
