Bleacher Report - Articles by Anthony Allen

Things Getting Quite Defensive in Denver

Anthony Allen — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 20:59:19 -0500

Feb. 22, 2009

A camera man making a normal salary, on a normal Christmas day in 2007 with a normal camera caught an unsuspecting eye on what may have been the birth of a great rivalry between bitter AFC west foes.

A young Jay Cutler was seen bickering with an obnoxiously taunting QB in Philip Rivers and a few of his associates.

Waving and jawing aside the hostility filled the entire stadium as if some pot-headed teenagers would hot boxing in their moms car on a Friday night. Rivalry a word of hostility, a word that can disregard sportsmanship and humane courtesy and still remind us of Americas greatest sport...Football.

In a way, Rivers was not the first player to start the controversial rivalry. In a sense Rivers owes that title to a teammate..........

As the offseason has begun several moves by several teams have been set out to better all 32 franchise futures but none louder than the Denver Broncos. Justifiably so speaking of which the eardrum piercing cries for help Denver's Defense yelped often times from the full nelson of opponents offensive units.

Several Defensive starters have been cut merely days apart and to several, whom of which may I add may not be bronco fans were a little surprised by coach MacDaddy's decision to release veteran corner Dre Bly.

But to several Bronco fans it was a sign that there is INDEED a god because the thought of Dre Bly being released to some was just a far cry of a prayer.

Now left with $30+ million in cap space to spare, minus alot of defensive dead weight, a new coach, new coordinator(s), and a spanking new 3-4 system the Denver broncos are about to dawn on the hardest part of the monumental task several GM's quiver at the thought of...constructing a "brand new" competitive team and defense before a city whose patience is as thin as Paris Hilton.

Battling time, the daunting shadow of a nearly sure Hall Of Fame coach, a few Rabid fans who have run several other "young guns" out of town (see: Brian Griese, Jake Plummer, Ashly Lelie).

The next question brewing in the minds of coaches, Pat Bowlen and the rest of the bronco nation looms as heavily as Elway's last super bowl win. They've answered where: Defense, what: Defense, when: Now!, why: Return to respectability, and now the only questions remaining are "how" and "who."

A few steps can be taken to close the gap between an "Is this a joke?" defense and a "Buckle up because here they come defense." Free Agency, the Draft, schematics, and a few others.

The question is how long must one wait to see these necessary steps? How will they do it? Who will help make the transition(s)? As the list of FA in the 2009 market are steady they will figure to grow due to waivers.

An interesting name appears at a key position for the Denver Broncos has grabbed the attention of myself and surely several Bronco Coaches.

Igor Olshansky the 6'6" 315lbs, Ukraine born Defensive lineman who was quoted in one of the first "Bitter Rival sound Bites" between the growing hatred between Broncos and Chargers fans and players, "It's not a coincidence that Denver is able to run the ball.

I mean all the movement and sliding allows them to hold and chop. If they were to run the ball with leads and smash mouth style of play, then their run would be nowhere near as affective.

Without that they are wussies and they wouldn't be able to do nothing." Strong words from a strong person? Or bitter words of an envious rival after having the ball shoved down the through the throat and heart of a defense whom in 2006 was one of the leagues best against the rush?

I will let my readers be the judge of that.

After harsh words settled in on the ears of millions bellowing through locker rooms and living rooms causing unkind judgements and a few years later it seems as though the once outspoken words of a giant have faded away into a mouse's squeal.

Now those same words could be the very coincidental happening to silence the bolden comment for good. Playing in a 3-4 as one of the key cogs on a solid front seven with the likes of Louis Castillo, Jamal Williams, Shawn Merriman, and Shaun Phillips, Olshansky has now become a free agent in front of the very eyes that glared at him watching him make a very controversial statement.

Yet another question arises for the Denver Bronco franchise. Will bygones be bygones or will the bitterness from a few years ago affect the signing of a quality talent in a much needed defensive make over for Denver?

Let all fans hopeful for a bright Bronco future pray that that's not the case. Solid as a defensive end in the 3-4 scheme Olshansky could be a difference make on several teams.

Not just aggressive with name calling, but Olshansky is also agressive at the point of attack and gives relentless and almost un-human effort for all four quarters of our favorite sport. Overtime will also be worked if necessary without question.

With his hard hat style of play and blue collar approach Olshansky could be the playmaker that Denver must have for the 2009 season. To some pro talent scouts his durability is a question.

Fighting several injuries throughout his career and being overshadowed by pro-bowlers Olshansky is more than likely wiling to put forth his Best efforts willing to give him a chance. Could the Denver Broncos be that team?

Or could it be the one team he holds a bitter vendetta against or could San Diego be bitter enough to sign him to keep him away from a division foe breathing down their necks for division dominance? Again, I will let you be the readers be the judge of that.

The though of Olshansky "crossing the rivalry pickett" is intriguing to me simply because of the bitter words of choice he displayed to the team that could revive his career and restore his dominance and his talent and impact on the team I love.

It's kind of reminding me of that girl that always used to embarrasses you and pick on you in grade school and comes out years later and asks you to the dance and admits she likes you!

I give a special shout to a good friend and a source to my article a Mr. Henry Gula. Thank you my friend a portion of this articles, reads, reviews, comments and intriguing catch are because of you my friend thanks again brotha'! And thank you readers for taking a moment to view the thoughts of an aspiring NFL employee.

An Un-Sung Free Agent Could Fit for the Denver Broncos

Anthony Allen — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 04:01:49 -0500

Rebuilding a defense for a team with a new coach, new GM, new look defense and probably more fresh young faces than a neigborhood with Chucky Cheese as the cool house on the block a monumental task looms in the mile High City.

As bad as the Defense was for Denver and its faithful to bear, I think god himself is sending a prayer to all in saying it cant get any worse.

A bottom 30 defense may have been one of the only problems keeping what seemed to be a talented young team out of the postseason. Lack of turnovers, inconsistency, penalties and this strange action that some teams do that made any orange and blue maniac cringe most opposing offenses called it..."THE RUN."

Some of the broncos defensive players made mediocre backs look like immovable objects (Sammy Morris, Michael Bush, Jamal Lewis).

Exceptable? Definetly not...Fixable? Let us pray!

And so the mile-high-manly-makeover begins. Dre' Bly which most fans will have decapitated themeselves if not for Jhonny Law or prison. The move was indeed needed. I mean honestly, I can hear coach McDaniels putting on the game film of Dre' with coach nolan now...

" Coach McDaniels"- Okay Mike next up we have...Dre' Bly.

" Coach Nolan"- Okay lets take a gander coach.

" CMCD"- Okay here the Defense is in a cover 1 and oooooohhhh...

" CNO"- Coach are you okay?? Do you want me to stop the film?? Medic!

"CMCD"- NO! Im good...(gasp) I just wanna know how a CB can line up 10-12 off he ball and still get burned like that?

And run over in the same play...

A bit over the top? Naaaaaaahhggg! I'm sure it was by far worse. Or did they even speak at all? Was it more of a glance and a nod or a sticky note saying "Do it NOW!" We don't know but one thing is for sure expensive dead weight will NOT be carried in Denver this year.

The same casualties was suffered by several other teammates. DT Dwayne Robertson, LB Jamie Winborn, LB Niko Koutovides, RB Anthony Alridge, RB PJ Pope and a few others. A hole at safety for some strange reason is vastly and continuosly glaring into the eyes of the unobvious and it may be less expensive and low profile then alot of people realize.

Born Nov. 3, 1975 Darren Sharper a William and Mary Alum, has become an NFL 2009 free agent. Coming off a season with 69 tackles, nine assisted, 60 solo, and one (I repeat) only one interception, is looked at as "old."

At strong safety Darren Sharper has made himself quite the name as one of the best cover safeties in the NFL. He could be a potential sneak signing for the Broncos. Age is always a concern when you speak of signing bonuses and contract length. But instead GMs have to ask "how much of my money is "this guy" worth?"

As an owner or GM the more appropriate question to ask is, "How much money is another Super bowl to my team?" Why would you deny so many men who work their whole lives to play this game? How can anyone judge budget vs everyone's common goal in any sport? Winning!

"Hello...! You play to win the game!" -Coach Herman Edwards

By no means will Sharper fix all problems but the scenario is as clear as day. Remember Denver's "BIG NICKEL" package that they used Defensively with Sam Brandon at free safety covering all the dangerous TE's in the AFC West? Do any of the names Antonio Gates, Tony Gonzalez, and Heath Miller ring any bells or gongs for that matter? The Broncos before 2006 actually fared well against gates with Brandon as their cover guy.

But since 2006 Gates has lived the American dream by being a nightmare for the Denver Broncos. I could say the same for Gonzales as well. Heath Miller gave Denver problems sporatically especially this year.

With the rebuilding of the front seven, the transition of the defensive schematics and technique the AFC West crawls with dangerous tight ends. Perhaps countering them would be to acquire someone who knows how to cover them. As did the Broncos vs the run with Lynch.

Remember when the AFC West was once called one of the NFL's most dangerous divisions? Especially at running back, Oakland: Charlie Garner, Kansas City: The Priest, Sandiego: LT, Denver: Clinton Portis. All pro-bowlers who also played in one division together for at least one to two years.

Now with "rebuilding" teams and weary owners it is looked upon as weak.

Young gun slinging QBs and busted halfbacks plague the talented yet inconsistent backfields of the AFC west front runners. A growing hatred between two young QB's spreads into teammates, coaches and fans abroad.

Al Davis's snicker has been reduced to an in-responsive sneer operated by a Breathalyzer and delayed electronic reaction. But unfortunately for the once feared tyrant I'm sure he wishes things could trade with Denver or San Diego.

So no matter what fans, it could always be worse! MUCH worse.

Darren sharper may help Denver, hurt Oakland, benefit K.C., annihilate hope for the Chargers.

But for better or for worse...well again I don't think it could get much worse.

I just hope that with all the defensive "clean-up" coach "Mac-Daddy" and GM "X-Man" are doing will give the Broncos defense new meaning to the word TURNOVER.

"Master Mind: The Sequel" Starring Josh McDaniels!?!?!?

Anthony Allen — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:40:37 -0500

Feb. 12 2009

A Josh McDaniels interview @ denverbroncos.com struck me as strange. A confident nearly borderline smug coach McDaniels came off with a bit of the same brass as...you guessed it our QB Jay Cutler.

His confidence and hidden knowledge glows through a unique little grin casted by the chuckle of confidence and smile of character. You know that almost every word out of his mouth will be nearly gold, but how will it translate to action?

How much easier was it said then done? Quite frankly I'm actually laughing at how funny the whole situation looks.

Four score and about oooohhhh...Twenty years ago, a young fresh-faced coach who had coached with a legend, coached a legend and one of the greatest offenses of its time (Montana, Coach Bill Walsh, and the finely tuned machine known as the 'Niner offense in the '80s) was sent to interview Mr. Pat Bowlen.

A frustrated and malcontent Mr. Bowlen rid himself of a good coach who just couldn't get over the hump (Dan Reeves). BINGO!

Twenty years later, that same coach who was once a fresh faced baby genius has been the grinch for the last three years missing the playoffs. His legacy will forever be embedded into Bronco history, but isn't it strange how life blesses you so greatly but damns you in the same manner????

Coach Shanahan was brought in to guide our Young messiah "John Elway" to become great.

Coach McDaniels situation is sooooo drastically close to that of the way Shanahan was, it's bound to get a few looks on the silver screen in Hollywood pending the way Coach McDaniels turns out.

The main issue for coach McDaniels is to maintain the high octane offensive assault assembled by the staff of 2008. If it does not produce what it did last year it could be a backfire on him.

And a possibility of a 3-4 scheme will be a steep hill to climb and if the top is not reached Mr. Bowlen may be under scrutiny from some of the bronco faithful bitter about coach shanahan's firing.

But boy if McDaniels comes in and turns the Defense around and keeps the offense the way it was at high levels last year on a consistent basis, boy he will look like a genius! Or better yet " A MASTERMIND."