Just got back from the game

[pehawk]

They caught the Hawks with their pants down. The Bronco's meant business last night; pulling out bunch formations to out-think instead of outman the Hawks secondary. You usually don't see teams acquiesce to another teams physicality, by trying to outcoach, in the preseason. But the Bronco's did just that.

The chunks on the ground looked eerily reminiscent of late last year. But, I'm not going to judge a thing until week one. I just don't know enough to determine whether its still a problem.

 

[SE174]

And is it just me, or has Earl Thomas made same big misses already this year?

Also, I know the numbers were ok on paper, but from my point of view, there were way too many large chunks of yards given up by our run defense tonight.

He's also made some big plays... he stopped Montee Ball COLD by slamming up in the box.

 

[chris98251]

The bunch package was where our problems were, being able to make the right handoffs based on where the receivers went. We are going to see that a lot to help offset our size and physicality of our corners to get guys into the pattern. Thats the biggest issue in our pass defense I saw.

 

[SE174]

They caught the Hawks with their pants down. The Bronco's meant business last night; pulling out bunch formations to out-think instead of outman the Hawks secondary. You usually don't see teams acquiesce to another teams physicality, by trying to outcoach, in the preseason. But the Bronco's did just that.

The chunks on the ground looked eerily reminiscent of late last year. But, I'm not going to judge a thing until week one. I just don't know enough to determine whether its still a problem.

[youtube]yNEBwPFZ2dU[/youtube]

 

[Fuzzman55]

Our D-line rotation isn't settled. They're still mixing and matching a lot, which I think has something to do with the hit and miss run defense. Red and Mebane are a terrific base to start with, but we're going to have to find a DT that can work well with them. Williams hasn't been the rock I'm sure the coaches have hoped for and McDaniel never even practices. Hill is going to be a good player but he would probably be better as a rotational guy that is schemed to get after the QB, at least his rookie year.

 

[Perfundle]

On 1st down, a play is a success if it gains 45% of the needed yardage. On second down, 60%, on third or fourth down, only a first down is a success. Based on that, our run defense, while Manning was in play, gave up 7 successful runs out of 16.

That's not top 10 defense vs the run.

While that is true, Denver only chose to run it on 3rd or 4th down twice, and they succeeded once.

Also, I don't think that stat should apply equally to all teams. For teams like Green Bay and Seattle that are much more oriented to stopping the pass, they make the tradeoff with poorer run defense, because it's far better to be great against the pass and poor against the run than vice versa (although of course you can't be god-awful against the run, like Seattle against Atlanta in the first half and Green Bay against SF; at least Seattle had an excuse with Clemons out, while Green Bay had none). In today's NFL, a top-10 run defense isn't needed anymore. After all, the last four Super Bowl winners have been 26th, 20th, 16th and 29th against the run according to FO.

The poor pass defense is much more of an issue than the passable showing against the run last night.

 

[MizzouHawkGal]

Broncos fans were whining and complaining that Pete's raw raw coaching was making the players "play like a playoff game instead of a preseason game".

Bunch of whiners them Broncs.

Get it right, out here in Chief's Nation they are forever known as "The Donkeys" pass it on. Given it's totally appropriate and subtle.

 

[Uffda]

Too many plays should of ended earlier then they did.


Missed tackles and well that. Didn't wrap up on a few plays is all and ran through some tackles.

Nickle slant /slot position and though... hell was Peyton to Welker, but still.

 

[Hawks46]

They interviewed Sherman during the game, and he said the secondary talked and cleaned some things up, and I want to say I heard him specifically mention those bunch formations.

Evidently there was a lack of communication in certain situations and Sherm said they discussed it and cleaned it up. I'm sure watching the tape also will help a ton....that's what these games are for. I like that the LoB hasn't let the moniker and the attention get to their collective heads, and they are still working to perfect their craft.

 

[TaterHawk]

Winfield did miss his assignment on that bunch play on the Denver score drive. I saw he got some 'instruction' from Sherm after.

I heard 950 AM talking about the Wilson high throws. Wilson did overthrow a couple. I'm fine with that. I expect it has some to do with the route (receiver) and more to do with Wilson playing it safe. Our receivers will learn that Wilson is not going to throw interceptions and they better find a way to go get the ball. He will not make it easy for them, but not throw a pick or get the receiver killed. I don't think RW will force too many this year. Not with this D.

I noticed if the TE is not in good inside position RW will throw him a high ball. Game announcers call it a high miss, or bad pass....I don't think so. We will see him overthrow a receiver on 3rd down and go take a seat. That can be a good thing! Remember the killer short picks Matt threw? Yes RW could have thrown a better pass a couple times..but when he makes an error it is on the side of caution.