Broncos’ defense in one play

There’s one particular play today that illustrates everything that is currently wrong with the Broncos’ defense. Early on, we were getting beat because one guy was out of place here, one guy was out of place there, but I don’t think that’s what killed us today. No, what killed us today was the defensive play-calling.

Do you doubt me?

It’s 2nd and 33. The Chargers have dug themselves into a bizarrely deep hole. The defense is giving the Broncos a chance to get back into the game and be competetive again. 2nd and 33 is a nearly impossible situation to get out of, right?

As I watch the Broncos line up, I see a safety move forward. 8 in the box. “Hmm,” I say to myself. “What are they doing,” the Chargers’ fan with whom I am watching the game asks. Then, just before the snap, I see another player creep forward — I didn’t catch if it was the other safety or a corner, but I suspect it was the other safety.

Almost in unison, we both shout, “Nine in the box?! What the hell?” Yes, my Chargers’ fan friend is extremely reasonable about stuff like this. He’s a football fan first, and a Chargers’ fan second. (Also, he hates Norv Turner.)

And lo, Vincent Jackson runs straight out.

Who does he have to beat? Sure, Bailey’s out of the game, but it’s 2nd and 33, we should at least be in a nickel, because we don’t care if they get 10 yards, right? So if we assume Bly is covering Gates as their #1 (early in the game I noticed Baily following Gates around; he actually lined up over Gates in the slot on at least one occasion), then Foxworth should be covering Jackson, right? Perhaps not the greatest matchup, as Foxy is a bit small and Jackson is a big receiver. But certainly an adequate matchup as Foxworth has decent man cover skills and Jackson isn’t Johnson (Calvin or Chad). So it should be good.

No, for some god-awful reason, Ian *(&#ing gold is covering Vincent Jackson.

On the out route, Jackson easily beats Gold and goes for the first down.

There’s absolutely no excuse for that. That’s not our players. Ian Gold can’t be expected to keep up with a wide receiver for 33 yards. And since the safeties crept forward to stop the run, he had no support.

No excuse. We had the Chargers pinned back. If there’s ever a time to play it safe, that’s the time. So what if LT gets 10 yards? Bully for him, it’s still 2nd and 20-some odd. Play everyone off. Rush four, maybe send one more because some pressure would be nice. But there is no need to put the safeties in the box.

I am thoroughly disgusted. That play was the most obvious screwup, but they totally beat us on matchups. Our defense seemed incapable of shifting guys around and they would get Gates covered by Gold and every time, completion. Shanahan had better have Bates for lunch. The defensive play calling needs to improve, and it needs to improve now. There is entirely too much talent on this team to end up under .500, but as it stands right now, that’s where we’re going.