Defense reveals who, what, Ware
Lifting veil o≠ o≠ensive strategy helps both sides of ball
There is no football without secrecy. The game is built upon mystery and survives only when that mystery is, to some level, upheld.
But not all secrets are meant to be kept. DeMarcus Ware and the Broncos’ defensive backs know that.
To the surprise of some of their teammates and coaches, Ware and the defensive backs have tipped off the Broncos’ offense during team drills, telling it what they see from the other side, how they can read their stances, how they plan to exploit their faulty technique, how they already know their routes. Then Ware and the defensive backs tell the offense of their plans, how their positioning and hand gestures can reveal their next move.
They’ve told the offense things that would foil their top-secret plans within a second. But, counterintuitive as it might seem, they have their reasons.
“If the offense is better and they’re scoring points,” Ware said, “it gives me more of an opportunity to rush the passer.”
The Broncos saw a handful of key veterans leave during free agency and new faces fill their spots. They entered training camp with a young, inexperienced offensive line. And they enter the preseason with an even younger and less-experienced front five.
The loss of Ryan Clady to a season-ending knee surgery during offseason workouts forced second-round draft pick Ty Sambrailo to take over the starting left tackle job.
A week into camp, fourth-round pick Max Garcia was asked to do the same, at left guard. He and second-year center Matt Paradis showed enough to begin taking the bulk of their repetitions with the first team in practice, and Monday, when the Broncos released their first depth chart of the season, the two were ranked with the starters.
The Broncos’ line now boasts an average of 3.4 years of NFL experience. Two are adjusting to the pro game. Four are adjusting to Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme. And all five are tasked with protecting the Broncos’ most valuable asset,