Broncos Preseason Film Study: Defense Gets a “B” Vs. San Fran

(Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

"It’s just the preseason" is the cry of every media outlet.  However, try as they might they can’t escape the reality that the preseason is the time to work out the kinks in the game plan and execution.  With that in mind, a new weekly segment called “Film Study” will recap a few plays that impact net results.  This week’s segment on the defense focuses on some of the errors made in the game against the San Francisco 49’ers on Friday night in California.

Correctable Errors

By and large, all of the following errors are correctable.  Some of it could be related to coaching and scheme however the greater void is in play anticipation and scheme execution.  These are all errors that led to big plays for San Francisco.  Ironically enough all of these errors are correctable.

Play #1

On the second play from scrimmage San Francisco QB Shaun Hill picked up on Darcel McBath lining up on the strong-side blitz.  He then calmly hit the tight end Vernon Davis for a twenty-three yard pick-up.   This wound up being a blown assignment as there was no Bronco defender directly picking up the TE as he worked to find a gap in space.  The replay showed Champ Bailey in between an outside receiver running a short out and the TE Davis with LB Andra Davis slow to the punch in coverage and missing the tackle.

Solution #1

This is a play that was flawed from the play call to the execution of the defensive scheme.  If the defense is going to send safety Darcel McBath on a blitz from the outside, they have to have better coverage over the vacated tight end.  That much is obvious.  What should happen is that the Broncos should not have linebacker Andra Davis trying to cover tight ends with receiver type abilities like Vernon Davis. 

The Broncos defense needs to compensate for the gap in space.  Utilizing a faster linebacker in coverage is one option, having the free-safety cover tighter is another option.

Broncos fans will probably see a great deal of Darcel McBath blitzing over the course of his career, however the team must shutdown the open alleys to ensure success. 

The problem really seems to be the play call related to the available personnel on the field.  Champ Bailey is caught in between two wide open receivers and can’t really use his abilities at all on the play.     

In this personnel set the Broncos are probably better off not blitzing the safety but rather a linebacker.

Play #2

After two solid displays of defensive strength in making a run stop and then a sack, the Broncos once again showed they have work to do.

On third and fourteen, the Broncos send four pass rushers as they sit back in the zone defense.  Vernon Davis again is able to find space.  This time he is lined-up on the left-side instead of the right, then worked his way across the middle of the field to find space behind Andra Davis for another first down with a gain of sixteen yards.

Solution #2

If the Broncos are going to hang back in space they need to force the receivers to go underneath and not over the coverage.  Andra Davis should have had a deeper drop to shut down the passing lane.  The Broncos could have also had a little more anticipation on the receiver routes given the down and distance to go for the first. 

Play #3

Kenny Peterson missed QB’s ankles as Hill worked to escape the pocket.  Ron Fields then abandoned the middle of the field to cover the running back, prematurely anticipating a screen dump-off.

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