The Broncos’ blitz has gone the way of support for the Republican party.
The latest numbers show there is considerably less of it.
For election results, see the Democrats celebrating on the capitol’s steps. For blitz numbers, the NFL’s in-depth statistical service shows no team has altered its pass-rush schemes more than the Broncos.
Last season, the Broncos blitzed on 246 pass attempts, second in the NFL to Pittsburgh’s 287. This season, the Broncos reached the halfway point ranked 29th in pass-blitz frequency, sending an extra attacker on only 66 attempts, or a pace of 132.
Compare that to the Baltimore Ravens, who have already blitzed on 140 pass attempts this season.
“We have gone from one extreme to another,” Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. “You look at where you’re at after midseason, and we’ve given up the fewest points in the National Football League. If we do that in the second half, I’d feel good.”
Only Tennessee (62), Detroit (58) and play-it-straight Indianapolis (30) have blitzed less than the Broncos.
“That is dramatic,” said Larry Coyer, the Broncos’ defensive coordinator who is known for his aggressive approach. “That’s hard for me to do.”
What does it mean? Less blitz has meant more sacks. The Broncos have 19 at the halfway point this year, up from the 10 sacks they had through eight games last season. And whatever problems the Broncos had the past two weeks against Indy and Pittsburgh, their defense continues to rank first in scoring defense at 12.3 points per game.
Brewster mentioned with Iowa State job
Broncos tight ends coach Tim Brewster, a former top recruiter for Mack Brown at the University of Texas and North Carolina, has surfaced as a possible candidate for the Iowa State head coaching job that opened with the resignation of Dan McCarney, effective at season’s end.
McCarney will coach Iowa State against Colorado this Saturday afternoon in Boulder.
“It is my goal to be a head coach, but right now I’m concentrating on the Raiders,” said Brewster, who added he has not been contacted by Iowa State officials.
Brewster’s sons, Clint and Nolan, start at quarterback and safety, respectively, for Mullen High School, the state’s No. 1-ranked Class 5A team, which is coached by Broncos radio play-by-play announcer Dave Logan.
Last year, Tim Brewster was considered for the CU coaching vacancy that was eventually filled by Dan Hawkins.
Captain Rod
Before the game against Indianapolis, Broncos veteran receiver Rod Smith decided to address his team’s offensive slump head-on. At Dove Valley, head-on means a one-on-one meeting upstairs in Shanahan’s office.
“We had a personal conversation – what my thoughts were on some things that I can do down here (in the locker room) as well as make sure I have the latitude to say certain things,” Smith said. “You don’t want to step on anybody’s toes in this business. He understood and agreed with me on a lot of points and at the same time he relayed the information to the coaches as to what I saw from the inside.”
After averaging 13.2 points through the first six games, the Broncos’ offense has scored 31 points in each of the past two.
Injury update
Outside linebacker Ian Gold said he would test his strained hamstring today in hopes he can practice. If he can practice he can play, but at the moment it would be a surprise if Gold or defensive ends Ebenezer Ekuban (thigh) and Patrick Chukwurah (hamstring) dress against the Raiders.
Three players who suffered concussions last week – middle linebacker Al Wilson and safeties John Lynch and Nick Ferguson – have been cleared to play. On offense, running back Tatum Bell (turf toes) and Smith (shoulder) are expected to play.
Cornerback Darrent Williams will wear a protective harness on the left shoulder he partially separated last week. And no, he’s not going to spend the game tackling with his right shoulder.
“It doesn’t work that way,” Williams said. “The game is so fast, you don’t have time to think, ‘OK, I’m going to tackle this guy with my right shoulder.’ All you have time to think about is, get him down any way you can.”
Footnotes
Defensive back Domonique Foxworth is expected to hear from the NFL today regarding a penalty for his helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday on Steelers receiver Nate Washington. Generally, first-time offenders receive a $5,000 fine. “I am not going to test the NFL again,” Foxworth said. …
Besides defense, the Broncos are trying to fill the special-team voids created by injuries to Chukwurah and Sam Brandon (season-ending knee injury). Nate Webster and Hamza Abdullah have been getting extra special-teams attention this week. “That’s the NFL man,” Wilson said. “No, I’m not concerned. These guys are professionals, looking for the opportunity. You have a chance to play and you have to take advantage of it, because that could mean a job down the road, if not with this team, maybe another team.”
Mike Klis can be reached at 303-954-1055 or mklis@denverpost.com.
