Broncos reporter Mike Klis analyzes a key play from the team’s 16-13 victory over the Tampa Bay Bucs on Sunday:
The play: The score was 6-6 midway through the third quarter. Tampa Bay, backed up to its 10-yard line, faced a second-and-11. The Broncos were in their 3-4 package. As Griese dropped back, Broncos cornerback Dre Bly blitzed from the right but was picked up. Champ Bailey came from left cornerback untouched. The Broncos dropped defensive tackle Kenny Peterson and linebacker Boss Bailey, who was showing blitz, back into short pass protection. Only defensive tackles Marcus Thomas and Nic Clemons joined Bly and Bailey on the pass rush. Bailey hit Griese at the goal line just as the quarterback was releasing the ball. Griese suffered an injury on the play and did not return.
Point/counterpoint: It was the disguised pass protection that confused Griese into holding on to the ball a second longer than he wanted. It’s the type of blitz that can leave a defense vulnerable to a deep pass — providing the quarterback reads it immediately. Broncos fans who were glad to see Griese leave following the 2002 season may have lamented his departure Sunday. His replacement, Jeff Garcia, later led Tampa Bay to its only touchdown.
“We had Griese shook,” Bailey said. “That was why I kind of hated that he left the game. He still hasn’t figured us out.”
Future prospects: The most astonishing aspect about the 3-4 package is the Broncos didn’t start practicing it until after the season’s second game against San Diego. Among the twists to the Broncos’ 3-4 is they don’t line up a nose tackle, choosing instead to have their middle lineman play off the guard’s inside shoulder.
