Interview With Broncos Stable

The Kansas City Chiefs host the Denver Broncos Sunday as they try to bounce back from a blowout loss to the Chargers.  To get the low down on the Broncos, I sat down with Bryan Douglass.  Bryan is the Broncos correspondent and gives you everything you need to know at Broncos Stable.

Ryan Jones: Josh McDaniels seems to have covered all his bases already from Cutler-gate to the great start to “we own you” and now back on track.  What are your impressions of the Broncos new coach so far?

Bryan Douglass: The guy has obviously grabbed the attention of the team and seems to be a favorite with the players.  I think he’s put his emotions on his sleeve, I think he calls it like he sees it, and the players appreciate his style.  I would suggest personal concerns in terms of his abilities to adapt to the situation (seems like the plan is somewhat rigid, especially on offense, and changes in personnel don’t result in changes to the plan of attack), but it is hard to deny the immediate transformation on defense for this team is anything short of shocking…  Shanahan’s defenses were NEVER this good.  On offense is seems to be doing the best that he can with a mismatched group.  I’d call McDaniels a refreshing break and suggest that he appears to be another brick in an already-impressive resume wall built by owner Pat Bowlen.

RJ: The Denver defense gave up over 200 yards rushing to the Chargers but only 57 to the Giants the past two weeks.  Will the real rushing defense please stand up?

BD: Against the Giants the Broncos were helped a bit… Ahmad Bradshaw was down and out, Brandon Jacobs hasn’t gotten it going against anyone, and that Giant offensive line is clearly struggling to perform as a cohesive group.  The entire focus of this defense falls on the linebackers.  The Mike Nolan system is one of assignment and the freedom to adjust and make plays falls on DJ Williams and Andra Davis.  If the boys up front do what they are asked and do not freelance, the Broncos are fully capable of putting the clamps on the rushing offense… especially when the receiving corps lacks and Brian Dawkins is allowed to play up and spy on the football.

RJ: Speaking of Dawkins, if his ankle injury keeps his out of this weekend’s game, how big of an impact will that have on the secondary?

BD: For what it is worth, Dawkins hasn’t practiced much all season long.  He is rarely found on the practice field during the week and as such it seems difficult to imagine he won’t be out there and ravaging the field on Sunday.  However, he has become the heart and soul of the defense and his ability to sniff out the football has been inspiring.  The cover corners are solid for Denver but they are old, and if the opposition can win the battle for time of possession (as we have seen this year), those backfielders will tire and suddenly become vulnerable.  Dawkins is a key on every play and the Broncos are significantly better with him on the field than not.

RJ: Every week there is a player that has flown under the national radar but surprises the opposing fans on game day.  Who will that be on Sunday?

BD: I’m not sure there are any “fantasy sleepers” to be found in this game… most everyone is known by now from both squads.  That said, I think folks have forgotten how potent Matt Cassel can be… there is a reason Josh McDaniels was interested in his services this offseason.  Picking the key contributor for Denver would lead me to Brandon Marshall and I doubt we could pass him off as a surprise.  If the Chiefs want to put in work they will need the services of a quality, short-range passer that can pickup yards after the catch… and for KC that could be Chris Chambers.

RJ: What’s your best guess at a final score? Player of the game?

BD: I haven’t authored my own game preview for The Stable yet so I have to admit I’m not fully dissolved into this game… but my general views could be summed like this.  I don’t believe the Chiefs have an answer for Brandon Marshall and their defensive backfield is an absolute joke.  I would expect the Chiefs’ primary source of inspiration on offense would be Cassel and this is not a favorable matchup for him either… the Broncos excel in pass defense.  To put Denver on hold and to follow the recipe proven to produce positive results against the Broncos, you need to be able to run early, to stay committed to the run even if there are early struggles, and you need to win the time of possession so the Denver defense spends too much energy and thus becomes vulnerable in the 4th quarter.  I have yet to see a game by the Chiefs to suggest they can do this.  Their defense is questionable at best and is extremely damaged in areas where Denver will look to perform (namely with the pass).  As noted, the Chiefs would need to get Chris Chambers involved as the defense will surrender short-range passing as they limit the big play, and you can advance the ball this way so long as you have the rushers and deep threats to expose the Denver D after you’ve kept them on the field too long… and I’m sorry Ryan, but I don’t think the Chiefs have the tools to pull that off.

Many thanks to Bryan.  Be sure to check out Broncos Stable for all of your Broncos information!

Tags: Brandon Marshall, Brian Dawkins, Denver Broncos, Josh McDaniels