What did 4 Defensive Ends really mean?

“We did some different things…” — Champ Bailey 9/30/07

Really? You mean it’s not normal to bench your two starting defensive tackles and replace them with rookie defensive ends? huh…who knew? :)

The real question is WHY?

The official line is that Denver was intent on disrupting the pass and confusing the Colt’s offense. According to Manning, that might have worked on their new linemen, but it had limited effect on his play.

“A guy like (rookie lineman) Tony Ugoh has never seen that before, but that’s where sideline adjustments pay off. You talk about what it is and you adjust to it.” — Peyton Manning 9/30/07

So, was the change made only to cause Indy’s offense to studder on their first two drives? That seems almost like it could be the answer… except… We never distrupted Manning’s passes. We also never got real pressure on him (despite having four pass-rushinger in the line-up). And we kept this wacky lineup in for the whole first half. Only after half-time did Denver shift back to something closer to what they ran in the first three games. And it seemed to operate about as well as it did during those games – we got run all over.

That begs the question: Was sitting Adams and Gordon sending a message to the defense that changes will be made at starting positions if the run-stopping isn’t fixed?

No one in Denver’s front office will admit this, but the frustration is apparent on eveyone’s faces after the game. Shanahan looked like he could have gone postal at any minute (I didn’t envy any of the media that braved that post-game media room yesterday). And Bates has to be feeling the pressure to make this thing right. Everyone knows that Mike Shanahan makes changes from the top down. So, Bates has to understand that if he can’t get it right soon, Denver will have a new Assistant Head Coach-Defense by year’s end.

I’m not calling for Bates’ head. I think it’s too early. But major changes to the starting lineup, seems to indicate that there is a higher sense of urgency inside the organization than they are opening discussing.

It just makes me wonder what we’re in for this week as we prepare for the Chargers. This is a divisional game, at home, against a proven superstar at tailback, on a team that whipped us twice last year. Sitting at 2-2, we need this game to stay on top in the AFC West.

So, what can we expect?

Only time will tell…