In an attempt to deal with quarterback Peyton Manning and the scoring-efficient Colts on Sunday at Indianapolis, the Broncos countered with The Four Horsemen Lite. Broncos reporter Mike Klis takes a closer look at the unusual defensive alignment up front.
The play: Sitting out their two starting defensive tackles, Sam Adams and Amon Gordon, the Broncos instead started four defensive ends – Elvis Dumervil, a standing and shifting Jarvis Moss, Tim Crowder and Simeon Rice. The Broncos went to their more conventional defensive line rotation midway through the second quarter.
Point/counterpoint: There was a method to this mad scheme. The no-tackle front concedes rushing yards in return for added pressure on the quarterback. The Broncos haven’t stopped the run, anyway, so the idea was to cut off Manning’s strength, which is the passing game to receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. But after stopping the Colts on their first possession, the scheme failed in part because the four ends could not get to Manning and the Broncos couldn’t cover Colts tight end Dallas Clark.
Future prospects: Here’s hoping the next gimmick focuses on stopping the run. Maybe next time the Broncos should start four 300-pound tackles instead of four ends.
