Like most competitive stratagems, the football blitz is most effective when it’s not expected.
The Broncos blitzed like never before in 2005, and the result was a plus-20 turnover margin, one off the franchise record set in 1984. Only the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, who line up in a blitz-friendly three-lineman, four-linebacker set, blitzed more often last year in passing situations than the Broncos, who use a more traditional 4-3 alignment.
Knowing film is available and that NFL coaches love to watch it, Mike Shanahan acknowledged Thursday the element of surprise may not be with his Broncos as they consider the blitz for 2006.
“We have to put in a little more balance in our defense this year,” said Shanahan, who is entering his 12th season as the Broncos’ head coach. “Probably won’t blitz quite as much. And when you don’t, you have to get pressure from your front four. We will still blitz, but probably not to the extent we did last year.”
Priorities, priorities
During their 14 voluntary offseason practices, which ended Thursday, Shanahan said he placed an offensive emphasis on third-down and red-zone conversion. The Broncos ranked 22nd in the NFL last year by converting 36.2 percent of their third downs. And although the team improved from 29th in 2004 to seventh last year in red-zone touchdown efficiency, Shanahan apparently is never satisfied when it comes to producing from inside the opponents’ 20-yard line.
Footnotes
The prognosis for tight end Wesley Duke is worse than feared. After surgery Tuesday on his left knee, Duke was told recovery would be nine months. The Broncos waived Duke last week. … Shanahan said the departure of assistant general manager Rick Smith likely would be filled in-house next month. Smith was named the Houston Texans’ general manager Monday. … Tyler Everett, an undrafted rookie safety from Ohio State, was unable to participate by NFL rule in the Broncos’ workouts because his school’s graduation isn’t until this weekend.
