So When Did Mike Shanahan Turn Into Brian Billick? (1 Viewer)

[packersfan]

I realize Plummer isn't the greatest QB in the world and I realize he's had a rocky season thus far. But watching last night's game it was shocking to see how Shanahan has basically turned his team into Billick's Ravens. Run the ball effectively; move the chains when you can but essentially rely on the defense to win the game for you. So far that's been working but I wonder if that approach is going to catch up to them at some point.

Shanahan appears frightened to give Plummer too much responsibility. You can make a case that's justified and I suppose you can applaud that approach when you're playing a team with a good or great defense like the Ravens but should he really be that fearful against arguably the worst team in the NFL? He basically let the Raiders hang around because he refused to attack them offensively. The Raiders did a pretty decent job of not letting Tatum Bell beat them but Shanahan refused to go after them in the passing game. The one time he did was their best play of the night - the 54-yard connection to Walker which set up the Bell TD run.

At that point they had the Raiders on the ropes and some more big plays probably would have buried them early. Instead, Shanahan went into a shell and the Raiders continued to hang around until a combination of their own ineptitude and the Denver defense finally put the game to bed.

Again, I understand if there's a reluctance to have Plummer winging it 40 times a game. But there's no reason to when you have the ability to run the ball the way the Broncos do. However, I do think it's a waste of talent to not try and be more aggressive and I think it's a risky strategy to continue to hope that every week your defense does not allow a touchdown.

I was just surprised watching that game last night because everything was set up for the Broncos' offense to "get well" against a truly pathetic team. Instead, they had to leave that game with more questions than answers given how they really didn't overpower the Raiders at all in my opinion.

 

[Banger]

It all stems from the defense. They have given up what, 1 td this year? Nearly every coach in the league wants to win the game with defense and running the ball especially the top coachs. As you said Plummer has been bad, their running game has been good and their defense is excellent. That being the case it's not surprising at all that they are willing to take the W and move onto next week. It's not sexy but you don't get extra points for blowing the other team out.

That being said the Bronco's are going nowhere this year without a passing game. They might win these games but they lost in the playoffs last year because of it and will lose again this year because of it.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

I'm all for a ball control gameplan. My problem was that the Raiders were committing eight and occassionally nine guys to stop the run. A few more tosses to keep the safeties a little more honest were certainly called for in my mind.

When your best offensive weapon is waiting for an opposing player to commit a penalty that's not really a plan that can work against any team other than the Raiders.

Also when in the red zone maybe, just maybe they could consider tossing one up to the very powerful and realitively large Javon Walker and trusting him to get the ball as opposed to tossing to the ham handed Cecil Sapp.

 

[Ghost Rider]

That being said the Bronco's are going nowhere this year without a passing game. They might win these games but they lost in the playoffs last year because of it and will lose again this year because of it.

Wrong. The Broncos lost to the Steelers because Roethlisberger and the passing game shredded the defense. The passing game struggled once they had to try and play catch-up.

 

[DevilintheDetail]

Also when in the red zone maybe, just maybe they could consider tossing one up to the very powerful and realitively large Javon Walker and trusting him to get the ball as opposed to tossing to the ham handed Cecil Sapp.

Shanahan has always relied heavily on passing to fullbacks and backup TE's near the goal line. This is nothing new.

 

[packersfan]

I'm all for a ball control gameplan. My problem was that the Raiders were committing eight and occassionally nine guys to stop the run. A few more tosses to keep the safeties a little more honest were certainly called for in my mind.When your best offensive weapon is waiting for an opposing player to commit a penalty that's not really a plan that can work against any team other than the Raiders. Also when in the red zone maybe, just maybe they could consider tossing one up to the very powerful and realitively large Javon Walker and trusting him to get the ball as opposed to tossing to the ham handed Cecil Sapp.

Agree on all counts. I think the best way to loosen up the defense was to attack them with the pass. That could have opened up running lanes for Bell as the game went on. Like you said, it was clear the Raiders were selling out to stop Bell and not be dominated by the run. So why not go after them with Walker and Smith? Smith had 1 pass thrown to him and Walker wasn't much of a factor after his big catch. Plus Walker showed his ability to get behind the secondary with his big reception. He's a game breaker and this was a game where his big-play ability could have been used more effectively in my opinion.Like I said, it's hard to find much fault with Shanahan's approach because the Broncos are 4-1. But I think it's a risky approach to take consistently. It worked against the Raiders because they're so freaking awful they couldn't take advantage of anything and they kept mucking up. But against a playoff-caliber team with some semblance of an offense I'm not sure that approach last night would've been effective. Maybe Shanahan will adjust then. That makes sense. But I still think last night's game had the potential to be a "get well" game, especially for Plummer. Give him some confidence and make the entire offense feel good going forward.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

Also when in the red zone maybe, just maybe they could consider tossing one up to the very powerful and realitively large Javon Walker and trusting him to get the ball as opposed to tossing to the ham handed Cecil Sapp.

Shanahan has always relied heavily on passing to fullbacks and backup TE's near the goal line. This is nothing new.

I'm aware of that. Any team that didn't account for Hape or Carswell or a host of others was making a mistake in years past. That said Walker is a unique weapon, the type Shanahan has never had before. Given that we all know his propensities the element of surprise is not on his side anymore. Perhaps, just perhaps, he should try to put the game in the hands of his playmakers rather than a a seldom used backup coming in cold.

 

[Warhogs]

It seems to me that Shanahan no longer trust Plummer. I am thinking hard about flat out dropping him in a league where there are few starting QBs on the waiver wire. I thought he wuld come around but I am not so sure anymore. This seeming lack of trust caught me off guard this year.

 

[Ditkaless Wonders]

It seems to me that Shanahan no longer trust Plummer. I am thinking hard about flat out dropping him in a league where there are few starting QBs on the waiver wire. I thought he wuld come around but I am not so sure anymore. This seeming lack of trust caught me off guard this year.

I was looking for Shanahan to use the opportunity to give plummer a confidence boost. I most definately did not see that.

 

[Banger]

That being said the Bronco's are going nowhere this year without a passing game. They might win these games but they lost in the playoffs last year because of it and will lose again this year because of it.

Wrong. The Broncos lost to the Steelers because Roethlisberger and the passing game shredded the defense. The passing game struggled once they had to try and play catch-up.

That's my point. When they need to pass they can't. They have shown me absolutely nothing this year to indicate that they are one bit better throwing the ball, in fact, they look worse despite adding Walker.

 

[Hellfire Snail]

With all this said, Plummer was essentially robbed of two passing td's yesterday. The one to Sapp (I mean my God, that was ridiculous, it was as easy as a touchdown catch gets), and the bomb to Walker which came up a yard shy. So let's say he gets those two, and their lead is bigger, may Shanny opens it up a bit more. Ah, probably not. But still, Plummers numbers look a lot better. He's been shaky so far, bad at times, but really unlucky in a lot of situations, too.

When they were faced with a worthy opponent, New England, Plummer and Walker got it going big-time. So I think they will be fine. But it's definitely true that they have been in ultra-conservative mode so far this year.