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12:00 PM Sat, Oct 03, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Todd Archer/Reporter http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE: The Cowboys recorded their first three sacks of the season against Carolina, but will find it difficult to get to Kyle Orton today. The Broncos have allowed only three sacks this season and gave up a league-low 12 last year. Left tackle Ryan Clady has not given up a full sack in his career (19 games). Forcing Orton into early throws, however is a must. Through three games DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher have six pressures, but it will be up the middle where the Cowboys have to come at Orton. He is completing just 55.7 percent of his passes and averaging 7.5 yards per attempt so they are getting the ball out of his hands quickly.
PLAY SMART: After being penalized eight times in the first two games, the Cowboys were flagged nine times vs. Carolina. That can't continue even though they are 4-3 in their last seven games with at least nine penalties. It's more the "when" then the total of penalties. So far this year penalties have wiped out an interception, a third-down stop and two gains of more than 15 yards. Playing an unbeaten team on the road, the Cowboys cannot give away so many opportunities on both sides of the ball. Crowd noise can be an issue in Denver as can conditioning. The concentration level among the offensive line has to be at its peak or else defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will be able to dial up some pressures to hurry Tony Romo.
WRAP THEM UP, PART TWO: This was a key last week against Carolina's DeAngelo Williams' ability to break long runs on his own. Denver is still a one-cut running scheme and Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno can break the long run at any point. Buckhalter is averaging 7.4 yards per carry and is coming off his fifth 100-yard game of his career. The backside containment by the defense will be a must. It worked last week against Williams, who didn't have a rush longer than 17 yards, but the Broncos will cut block on the backside with the runners looking to draw the defense one way and slashing back against the grain. Defensive ends Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears as well as outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer have to hold the edge but also make sure they stay on their feet when plays are away from them.
GET OFF TO A QUICK START: While off to the 11th 3-0 start in franchise history, the Broncos have not played the toughest of teams yet in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland. Their last two foes have the 32nd and 31st ranked offenses in the league, which may be a reason why things look so good for the Broncos defensively. Through three games Denver has trailed for only 4 minutes, 46 minutes out of 180 minutes. They have not been put in pressure situations much, so you don't know how they are going to react. The Cowboys have not scored a touchdown on their first drive since last Thanksgiving. Putting the Broncos, whose 53-man roster is made up of 30 new players from last season, in an early hole would not only help the Cowboys' psyche but deflate the Broncos'.
Todd Archer/Reporter http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/bio-icon.jpg Bio | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail | http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips
KEEP UP THE PRESSURE: The Cowboys recorded their first three sacks of the season against Carolina, but will find it difficult to get to Kyle Orton today. The Broncos have allowed only three sacks this season and gave up a league-low 12 last year. Left tackle Ryan Clady has not given up a full sack in his career (19 games). Forcing Orton into early throws, however is a must. Through three games DeMarcus Ware and Jason Hatcher have six pressures, but it will be up the middle where the Cowboys have to come at Orton. He is completing just 55.7 percent of his passes and averaging 7.5 yards per attempt so they are getting the ball out of his hands quickly.
PLAY SMART: After being penalized eight times in the first two games, the Cowboys were flagged nine times vs. Carolina. That can't continue even though they are 4-3 in their last seven games with at least nine penalties. It's more the "when" then the total of penalties. So far this year penalties have wiped out an interception, a third-down stop and two gains of more than 15 yards. Playing an unbeaten team on the road, the Cowboys cannot give away so many opportunities on both sides of the ball. Crowd noise can be an issue in Denver as can conditioning. The concentration level among the offensive line has to be at its peak or else defensive coordinator Mike Nolan will be able to dial up some pressures to hurry Tony Romo.
WRAP THEM UP, PART TWO: This was a key last week against Carolina's DeAngelo Williams' ability to break long runs on his own. Denver is still a one-cut running scheme and Correll Buckhalter and Knowshon Moreno can break the long run at any point. Buckhalter is averaging 7.4 yards per carry and is coming off his fifth 100-yard game of his career. The backside containment by the defense will be a must. It worked last week against Williams, who didn't have a rush longer than 17 yards, but the Broncos will cut block on the backside with the runners looking to draw the defense one way and slashing back against the grain. Defensive ends Igor Olshansky and Marcus Spears as well as outside linebackers DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer have to hold the edge but also make sure they stay on their feet when plays are away from them.
GET OFF TO A QUICK START: While off to the 11th 3-0 start in franchise history, the Broncos have not played the toughest of teams yet in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Oakland. Their last two foes have the 32nd and 31st ranked offenses in the league, which may be a reason why things look so good for the Broncos defensively. Through three games Denver has trailed for only 4 minutes, 46 minutes out of 180 minutes. They have not been put in pressure situations much, so you don't know how they are going to react. The Cowboys have not scored a touchdown on their first drive since last Thanksgiving. Putting the Broncos, whose 53-man roster is made up of 30 new players from last season, in an early hole would not only help the Cowboys' psyche but deflate the Broncos'.