Thoughts of a Broncos Fan

I was half-joking. I'm assuming Kyle will be calling the plays here? I've read Shanahan didn't call plays in Denver.

one other thought/question... are smaller, more athletic linemen, zoneblocking linemen generally easier to find in the lower rounds of the draft? it would seem comparatively few teams use zoneblocking schemes, and zoneblocking linemen are generally to small for manblocking schemes, therefore they should be easier to find on the cheap. If that line of thinking is accurate, then we're in a much better position to address our depleted line.My one concern is how a small, zone blocking line will perform against the big, mauling D lines of our NFC East opposition. At this point, I suppose that we just have to trust Shannahan's judgement in that regard.

My one concern is how a small, zone blocking line will perform against the big, mauling D lines of our NFC East opposition. At this point, I suppose that we just have to trust Shannahan's judgement in that regard.

I think the NFL in general is going toward smaller quicker O-lineman -- look at how successful Ryan Clady and Joe Thomas have been... none of them are monsters. So these quick small(er) guys will start to be valued a lot higher I think.

great read...thanks for the insight, if Shanny has truly learned from his mistakes then we could be looking at a pretty deep draft in terms of starting talent.

My one concern is how a small, zone blocking line will perform against the big, mauling D lines of our NFC East opposition. At this point, I suppose that we just have to trust Shannahan's judgement in that regard.

Shanahan has beat Dallas before. His OL and their blocking scheme(cut blocking) seems to bring down the big guys as well. Dennison's smaller cut blocking OL were asked to man up more this year and didn't perform well. I think coaching wise its all about the scheme. Buges was a man to man style of blocking coach and I think he was asked to team more zone blocking with the WCO. Thats not what Buges is known for. Just as you have Dennison who os a zone blocking coach being asked to teach man to man. Doesn't sound like it went all that great for him either.

I wonder if Stephon Heyer more suited to play a zone blocking scheme?

I wonder if Stephon Heyer more suited to play a zone blocking scheme?


Sephon Heyer is more suited to a Matador blocking scheme.


Ole'!

I wonder if Stephon Heyer more suited to play a zone blocking scheme?

I don't know. I will be somewhat curious to see how he plays.....for another team.

I wonder if Stephon Heyer more suited to play a zone blocking scheme?not with that footwork lol

I think I can play better zone blocking then Heyer, and I am 6 ft, 200 lbs! Now thats funny!

From Les Carpenter's piece (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/06/AR2010010602487.html?waporef=evri.widget.1) in the Post, I thought this was interesting:

In the days after he was fired as the coach and executive vice president of the Denver Broncos last winter, Mike Shanahan took an office not far from the team's complex. He staffed it with his longtime personal assistant and set up the room as if he was still a coach, installing television screens and a tape machine ... He devised a way to have piles of coaching-quality game films delivered to the office and dedicated five to six hours of each day to evaluating players, breaking down offenses and searching for new ways to respond to the latest defensive trends ... Shanahan instead acted as if he never left, traveling to Florida to study Urban Meyer's spread offense and to New England to watch how Patriots Coach Bill Belichick ran his operation.

Without a doubt, offenses in both college and the pros are going through an evolution of sorts. Glad to see Shanahan is on to this, apparently looking to incorporate new ideas into his offense. You also have to wonder if his study of the Florida Gators means anything with regard to the possibility of drafting Tim Tebow. Shanny's been known to take chances and go against conventional wisdom -- sometimes to his detriment.

In any case, it'll be nice to see creative, innovative offense in Washington again.