Those expecting the Broncos to exorcize the demons of their season-opening loss by taking it out on San Diego Chargers quarterback Drew Brees may have to readjust their plans.
“This might be a tough game for us to get going with the sacks,” Denver defensive coordinator Larry Coyer said. “That kid is tough. We have to find other ways.”
Other ways?
“Tighter coverage,” Coyer said. “We’ve got to cover tighter.”
A pass rush and coverage don’t work as one unless each is pulling its weight.
Using an aggressive one- to three-step drop approach – featuring short, chain-moving pass plays – the Dolphins’ statue-like quarterback, Gus Frerotte, savaged a humidity-weary Denver defense, wearing it down in a 34-10 Miami upset Sunday.
“They were turning 3-yard plays into 9-, 12-yard plays,” Coyer said. “If we can keep them at 3, then we’ll be fine.”
The plays Frerotte used to burn the Broncos are called “smoke routes.” Denver’s defense should bring its fire extinguishers Sunday when the Broncos hope to even their record against the Chargers at Invesco Field at Mile High.
Brees moves better than Frerotte, and the defending AFC West champion Chargers have a lot more offensive weapons than the Dolphins. And the Chargers also like to use short-step, short passes.
With star left cornerback Champ Bailey hampered by a dislocated left shoulder, San Diego likely will try to exploit the same vulnerabilities Miami did. Bailey practiced Thursday.
The Broncos’ revamped defensive line, which Coyer said got good pressure on Miami, won’t have much time as Brees tries to short-step the Chargers down the field.
“We’ll see a lot of the same thing (as Miami did),” Denver safety John Lynch said. “San Diego likes to do that stuff, too. There are a lot of parallels.”
It’s Denver’s job to make sure the ultimate similarity – a defeat – doesn’t occur. Denver hasn’t started the season 0-2 since 1999, the only losing season in Mike Shanahan’s past 10 seasons as head coach in Denver.
“Each week is different and each team does things a little differently,” Denver defensive line/tackles coach Andre Patterson said. “We know we’ll see our share of smoke routes against San Diego, but every team in the National Football League does it. We just have to deal with it.”
Patterson said there is no way for the defensive front to effectively pressure the quarterback when a team is in smoke-route frenzy.
He said there were only four passing plays when Frerotte didn’t get rid of the ball quickly. Twice defensive end Trevor Pryce hit Frerotte as he threw, once time tackle Gerard Warren hit Frerotte as he threw, and he sacked Frerotte once, but it was nullified by a penalty.
The Broncos expect the mobile Brees to use a variety of sets, including a few trick plays. Last September in Denver, running back LaDainian Tomlinson threw a 38-yard pass to Brees in Denver’s 23-13 victory.
“We have to expect everything from them – the smoke routes, tricks, everything,” Broncos cornerback Lenny Walls said. “But the point is we’ve got to stop them if they are firing the ball around. It’s up to the DBs.”
Added Patterson: “We’re all in this together. There’s going to be weeks where we need the secondary to pick us up. It’s all part of the deal.”
Defensive fixer-upper
After a 34-10 loss at Miami last week, the Broncos need to improve their defensive performance against San Diego on Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High. Broncos writer Bill Williamson analyzes the defensive missteps at Miami and what Denver can do to fix them:
Downfall: No sacks because Miami QB Gus Frerotte often took one- to three-step drops before getting rid of the ball for big gains.
Fix: Get hands in the face of the small Drew Brees, hurry his timing.
Downfall: Dolphins receivers gained extra yards after short throws.
Fix: Tighter coverage, make immediate tackle if completion is made.
Downfall: Miami receiver Chris Chambers set up the game’s first points with a 61-yard reverse run.
Fix: Chargers love trickery, so Broncos must stay alert.
Staff writer Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-820-5450 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
