Mike Shanahan figured it out long ago. To build a strong defense, the foundation lies with the offense.
A team with a pass-oriented offense generally won’t have a good defense. See the Air Coryell San Diego Chargers in the 1970s and 1980s, and the Indianapolis Colts and St. Louis Rams of recent years.
Conversely, teams with good defenses generally have offenses with strong running games. See the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Shaun Alexander and the Super Bowl runner-up Seattle Seahawks and Shanahan’s Broncos, who have averaged 10.4 regular-season wins in his 11-year tenure as their coach.
One connection is obvious: A defense can’t surrender points if its ball-control offense is on the field. But there is another reason defenses are better when their offense is geared around the run instead of the pass.
“If you throw every time in practice, it’s hard to keep your defense tough,” Shanahan said. “You take a look at the run- and-shoot in college and the defenses they’ve had. Very seldom do you have a great defense with a team that throws the ball every down.”
Shanahan warns the Rams, who the Broncos play Sunday in St. Louis, are not the pass-happy, defensive-sieve team of 2005.
Last year, the Rams ranked 30th in overall defense by allowing 350 yards per game and they were a safety away from tying Houston for the league’s worst scoring defense.
This year, new Rams coach Scott Linehan has made defensive improvement a top priority. To accomplish this goal, Linehan not only overhauled the defensive personnel but emphasized offensive balance.
“I think their philosophy on offense is a little bit different – they’re not throwing the ball every down,” Shanahan said.
Here’s a stat that may scare those thinking about placing a soft drink on the Broncos for this game: The Rams are 38-0 in games in which they have a 100-yard rusher since moving to St. Louis in 1995.
This would suggest Broncos fans should be more worried about running back Steven Jackson than the Rams’ passing triumvirate of Marc Bulger, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce.
“To get that new identity we had to try to run the ball,” Bulger, the Rams’ quarterback, said during a conference call with the Denver media Wednesday. “Obviously we’re not where we want to be yet, but it’s been a plan.”
Jumpin’ Joe Klopfenstein
Before the Broncos got their hands on tight end Tony Scheffler with the 61st overall pick in the draft, the Rams nabbed Joe Klopfenstein from Colorado with the 46th selection.
As rookies, both are part of first-unit packages and have endured a rough indoctrination from their demanding coaches and teammates.
“Guys have been on (Klopfenstein) a little bit because we’re a veteran group and we want him to fit in quicker than he was ready, but he’s done a great job,” said Bulger, who added, “He’s going to have some growing pains, but we’re confident he can get the job done.”
Footnotes
The Rams are 15-1 at home against AFC teams since 1998. … Per a new NFL rule, the Broncos will bring 12 of their own footballs for the game Sunday. Previously, home teams were responsible for the game balls, but that led to visiting complaints about texture and inflation. … No player from either team was listed as doubtful or out for the game Sunday. Broncos defensive end Courtney Brown (knee) is the only player listed as questionable.
