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I caught this article this morning and it rubbed open a wound.
We have GOT to figure out ways to take advantage of mismatches. Quick, Cook, and Austin.
Figure that out; and you open up the running game.
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post?id=1027" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post?id=1027</a>
As good as the Peyton Manning to Wes Welker connection has been, the Broncos wouldn’t be off to such a hot start if it wasn’t for the contributions of 6-foot-3, 229-pound Demaryius Thomas and 6-foot-3, 215-pound Eric Decker. Manning and offensive coordinator Adam Gase are maximizing the advantages that come with the size of these receivers.
Thomas is so strong after the catch that the Broncos put an emphasis on getting the ball in his hands and letting him make something happen. Manning can supplement the ground game by throwing quick-hitting screens to Thomas when he sees one safety high and eight men in the box.
Monday against the Raiders, the Broncos hit Thomas on a designed screen over the middle against a three-high safety look on a third long. While he didn’t pick up the first down, Thomas had plenty of room to work against this soft coverage. Denver also threw a screen to Welker out of a bunch formation with Thomas and Decker leading the way for him.
As far as Decker is concerned, his size and toughness gave the Raiders problems when he lined up in the slot and worked over the middle. He also did damage working on the outside. While he clearly doesn’t have breakaway speed, he did a nice job of spinning away from the corner and picking up yards after contact downfield on his 61-yard catch.
It’s not like Thomas and Decker are the only "big" receivers making an impact by any stretch. Atlanta’s Julio Jones (6-3, 220) and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson (6-5, 236) are arguably the best in the league. They have rare blends of size and speed, which is why the Falcons traded up to take Jones with the sixth overall pick in 2011 and the Lions drafted Johnson with the second overall pick in 2007.
Tennessee's second-round pick in 2013, Justin Hunter, and Cleveland's second-round pick (in the 2012 supplemental draft) Josh Gordon are a notch below Jones and Johnson, but they both showed they have the size and speed combination to make an impact on game days.
At 196 pounds, Hunter is lean and doesn’t have elite, top-end speed but he does have above-average, top-end speed and can win 50-50 balls downfield. The 6-foot-4 rookie elevated over 5'11" DC Shareece Wright for the game-winning touchdown against San Diego on Sunday. At 6'3", 225 pounds, Gordon doesn’t have that elite, second gear either, but he gashed the Vikings for 146 yards and a touchdown. He showed he can stretch the field when corners bite on a double move. On his 47-yard touchdown catch, Gordon showed he can break tackles after the catch.
San Francisco WR Anquan Boldin (6'1", 220) and Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald (6'3", 218) posted below-average 40 times leading up to their respective drafts, but they have enjoyed productive careers because they know how to throw their weight round. They are physical route runners who use their strength to separate and make plays in traffic.
We have GOT to figure out ways to take advantage of mismatches. Quick, Cook, and Austin.
Figure that out; and you open up the running game.
<a class="postlink" href="http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post?id=1027" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;">http://insider.espn.go.com/blog/nfl-draft/post?id=1027</a>
As good as the Peyton Manning to Wes Welker connection has been, the Broncos wouldn’t be off to such a hot start if it wasn’t for the contributions of 6-foot-3, 229-pound Demaryius Thomas and 6-foot-3, 215-pound Eric Decker. Manning and offensive coordinator Adam Gase are maximizing the advantages that come with the size of these receivers.
Thomas is so strong after the catch that the Broncos put an emphasis on getting the ball in his hands and letting him make something happen. Manning can supplement the ground game by throwing quick-hitting screens to Thomas when he sees one safety high and eight men in the box.
Monday against the Raiders, the Broncos hit Thomas on a designed screen over the middle against a three-high safety look on a third long. While he didn’t pick up the first down, Thomas had plenty of room to work against this soft coverage. Denver also threw a screen to Welker out of a bunch formation with Thomas and Decker leading the way for him.
As far as Decker is concerned, his size and toughness gave the Raiders problems when he lined up in the slot and worked over the middle. He also did damage working on the outside. While he clearly doesn’t have breakaway speed, he did a nice job of spinning away from the corner and picking up yards after contact downfield on his 61-yard catch.
It’s not like Thomas and Decker are the only "big" receivers making an impact by any stretch. Atlanta’s Julio Jones (6-3, 220) and Detroit’s Calvin Johnson (6-5, 236) are arguably the best in the league. They have rare blends of size and speed, which is why the Falcons traded up to take Jones with the sixth overall pick in 2011 and the Lions drafted Johnson with the second overall pick in 2007.
Tennessee's second-round pick in 2013, Justin Hunter, and Cleveland's second-round pick (in the 2012 supplemental draft) Josh Gordon are a notch below Jones and Johnson, but they both showed they have the size and speed combination to make an impact on game days.
At 196 pounds, Hunter is lean and doesn’t have elite, top-end speed but he does have above-average, top-end speed and can win 50-50 balls downfield. The 6-foot-4 rookie elevated over 5'11" DC Shareece Wright for the game-winning touchdown against San Diego on Sunday. At 6'3", 225 pounds, Gordon doesn’t have that elite, second gear either, but he gashed the Vikings for 146 yards and a touchdown. He showed he can stretch the field when corners bite on a double move. On his 47-yard touchdown catch, Gordon showed he can break tackles after the catch.
San Francisco WR Anquan Boldin (6'1", 220) and Arizona WR Larry Fitzgerald (6'3", 218) posted below-average 40 times leading up to their respective drafts, but they have enjoyed productive careers because they know how to throw their weight round. They are physical route runners who use their strength to separate and make plays in traffic.
lus1:
