Denver looked particularly miserable on the ground in red zone and scoring situations last season.

ENGLEWOOD — The head coach of the Denver Broncos, Sean Paytonhas said that one of the “greatest allies” and “friends” for a quarterback, is a productive ground game. And, when the Broncos return for training camp later this month, the search for one will be in full swing as the offense attempts to shake off last year’s scoring struggles.

“I think we can be that,” the runner noted. Broncos, Javonte Williams“I’ve said, in our group, it’s one of the biggest priorities that we have, to help whoever the quarterback is. Do more, help more… I think everyone has that mentality with it.”

It does not necessarily mean that the Broncos are ready to return to the days of hammering the NFL from before. But, it does mean that when Payton choose ground plays through the intercoms, the Broncos will do more with it, especially inside the opponents’ 20-yard line and in goal-line situations. It will be particularly important if the rookie Bo Nix defeat the Jarrett Stidham y Zach Wilson for the starting quarterback position, by the time camp concludes.

The Denver Broncos need to improve a ground production that yielded just eight touchdowns last year. AP Photo/David Zalubowski

After the 2023 campaign, the general manager George Paton He pointed out that the offensive identity was “physical play and ball control.” The Broncos They ranked near the middle in ground work last year (ranking 18th in rushing attempts, with 451), but were 21st in yards per carry (4.0) and tied for 28th in rushing touchdowns (eight). Overall, their offense was 30th in touchdowns scored on scoring situations inside the opponents’ 10-yard line, converting 53.3 percent of the time.

Los Broncos They also finished the 2023 regular season as one of seven clubs without a 1,000-yard rusher or a 1,000-yard receiver. Only two of those seven made the playoffs —Kansas City y Baltimore— but they also have two of the best quarterbacks in Patrick Mahomes y Lamar Jacksonrespectively.

“You have to be efficient running the ball,” he described. Payton“And you have to influence it… but you have to be efficient at it.”

Things got worse during the final stretch of 2-4 Denver in the campaign, during which Payton sent to the bank to the quarterback Russell Wilson With two games remaining, the Broncos were 31st in the league in yards per carry over those six games (3.3) and converted on 38.5 percent of their third-down carries (25th). That inefficiency impacted other parts of the offense, with only five other clubs giving up more sacks over those final six games than the Broncos’ 19. Broncos.

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“Our closed red zone was terrible,” he admitted. Payton at the end of the campaign. “I have to look closely at my sequences and what I’m doing and ordering. What I mean by that is that in goal situations… Our chances, I thought, were decent… [pero] inside the 10, first and goal, that wasn’t good enough… That’s unusual, that bothered me quite a bit. Those are four-point changes, actually, if you kick a field goal instead of a touchdown.”

The homework of Payton is to improve all those numbers for whoever is under center, with largely the same cast as last season —Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin y Same to Perine— still on the roster. They also used a third-day pick in the runner-up Our Lady, Audric Estimeand the undrafted rookie Blake Watson flashed at times during the campaign recess program.

The key could be how the team makes its combinations in a tight competition for three or four running back spots. And, also keep in mind that the fullback is expected to Michael Burton was among the 53 players on the final roster, due to his extensive work on special teams. Williams, McLaughlin, Perine, Estimated y Watson will be within what Payton has already been described as “heavy competition”. READ FULL STORY HERE>>>CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING>>>

Williamswho led the team in carries (217) and rushing yards (774) last season, will be in his second since a 2022 knee injury that included tearing multiple ligaments in his knee. He appeared to tire late last season after the wear and tear of last year’s offseason just to get back on the field; he didn’t average even 4.0 yards per carry in any game after Week 7.

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“I think historically speaking, when you talk to the experts, they say that complete healing is over by the second year,” he noted. Payton. “Obviously, you start playing before that… I know he’s looking forward to the next one [temporada]. The challenge last year was, when you really think about it, even in training camp, and it was still early in the process where it was tough for him to get it up to full speed and confidence. And yet, we were building and getting him to where we felt comfortable that he could play.”

Estimatedmeanwhile, participated in rookie minicamp and the start of organized team activities but missed much of the offseason program after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. Payton has pointed out that Estimated will be ready to participate during training camp. He also characterized Estimated as a first-down runner, something that has been the role of Williams in recent years.

“[Estime] He was one of the highest-rated runners after the contact,” he reported. Payton“He’s a physical runner…man, he’s a first- and second-down runner who, I think, is strong.”

Watson –one of two runners in the FBS in having at least 50 receptions last season– and McLaughlin They are similar in skill set, providing support in passing situations. Payton He stated that McLaughlin has prioritized improving his role in the aerial game this offseason.

“He comes and asks me for videos to study certain routes,” he shared. Payton. “…He’s here at 5:15 [de la mañana]even in the offseason, first here in the gym. By the time breakfast comes, and most are arriving, he’s already put in at least an hour and a half of work.”

The blocking remains similar in 2024, too. The offensive line of the Broncos had the same five starters in 16 of 17 games last season (right tackle Mike McGlinchey missed the season finale with a rib injury), and although the center Lloyd Cushenberry III left in free agency, the other four starters will be back this year.

In the end, how efficient the ground game can be will depend on how many times Payton In fact, I ordered those ground plays via the intercom, whether it was the rookie Nix or one of the veterans under center, and how the depth of the running backs in the backfield fits.

“We need to be better… everywhere,” he said. Payton.

2024-07-07 19:59:00
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