Bob Slowik Has Some Work To Do

Whether we are talking about our defense in 2008, last year's defense or last quarter's defense, one thing will always be eminently true:  defenses need to adjust.  The changes can be scheme, personnel, technique, or even timing or rotations.

But every adjustment isn't perfect.  A team tries one thing for particular reasons, such as bringing a safety into the box to prevent the run, while sacrificing their ability against the pass.  If you adjust, you open yourself up to other problems, in order to capitalize on some benefit you are keying in on.

In short, adjustments don't happen in a vacuum.  They all feature various levels of risk/reward.

For our fledgeling 2008 defense, Hoosierteacher sat down with me to take a look at a handful of potential adjustments the Broncos could make to even off the Broncos defensive performance after two weeks that featured concerning lapses, with the latest lapse leading to a shootout where either team had equal shots at the win.  In looking at these adjustments and how they would affect the Broncos we found ourselves asking questions about the Broncos current scheme, their long term plans, and their weaknesses.  The results are intriguing.

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      Your game prep for 2008 Pre-Season Game #3

This is a fascinating game to watch in terms of clashes of styles.  Denver runs the Zone Block scheme so well that they are considered the godfathers of the scheme (even if it didn't truly start with us).  GB runs the scheme too, but not as well.  In fact, last year was very tough for their run game.

On the other hand, last year Denver ran the Man Contain system on defense and it was a miserable failure.  Green Bay has run it for awhile, and has the people to run it well.

In the West Coast Offense, a legend has retired, uhm, moved away from Green Bay.  In Denver's West Coast Offense, a new star is rising.

The two teams are at once on a similar, yet different path.  The same systems, with differing results on both sides of the ball.  A legend goes away for one team, but arrives for another.

Let's take a closer look.  Read on...

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It's been almost 2 years since Broncos CB was found asleep at the wheel of his Range Rover, with the vehicle in gear and running, but the Broncos could find out soon if the incident will effect the DB's prospects in 2008.  A jury in Arapahoe County found  Paymah to be guilty of DUI and Careless Driving in the case that was finally decided yesterday.

Paymah was found asleep or unconscious at the wheel of his Land Rover 50 yards off Arapahoe Road at South Parker Road at about 5 a.m. on May 26, 2006.

via assets.espn.go.com

Paymah was unconscious when officers pulled him from his vehicle, with the SUV still running and in gear, authorities said.

His defense argued that the breath test was invalid. Officers in the case testified in the jury trial.

Paymah is set for sentencing Sept. 16. He faces up to a year in jail.

Now that a conviction has been handed down, Paymah could face discipline from the NFL as part of the Conduct Policy.  I believe this was Paymah's first offense, and he has been "clean" since so a stern warning could be the only punishment.

“The Quest” for me must begin with the defense.  2007 was the worst defense statistically the Broncos have fielded in a long time. At least when it comes to the most important stat, Points Allowed.  The Broncos gave up 409 points last season, only the 1-15 Miami Dolphins gave up more points in the AFC. 

In short, this defense was an embarrassment to the organization and its fans.  I want to believe that our veterans have a quiet determination and swagger this offseason that they didn’t display at the beginning of last season.  Okay, so the veterans are saying all the right things again this year.  What does that mean?  Nothing actually.  They are professionals and any company/organization wishes to portray a united front to the public.  What we need to do is to compare this year’s projected starters with last years dismal group.  And as a group, 2007 was quite dismal.

NOTE: I saw that HT had already posted a similar post over the weekend.  They say great minds think alike!   I had started writing this while I was in Lake Tahoe, no where near a computer.  Since I was already almost finished with this post I decided to go ahead and post it.  So I apologize if this comes off as redundant.  HT's post on positional comparisons is located here.

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