From: tom@vexcel.com (Tom Baltzer)
Subject: Re: Denver vs. Philadelphia
Organization: VEXCEL Corporation, Boulder, CO
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 23:13:32 GMT

In article <1992Sep15.213600.11035@athena.mit.edu> centry@athena.mit.edu (Jae H Nam) writes:
>	I was wondering how we'd match up against Denver next
>week at the Vet.
>
>	I have a question about Denver's offensive line.
>I hear that they're young and being rebuilt and that they've
>given up quite a lot of sacks already.  If this is true, then
>our GangGreen D should drive Elway into the ground like a
>wooden stake this Sunday.

Well, it's true that they're somewhat young, 1 rookie, and 1 2nd year man (I 
think), but there has been great improvement.  Many of those sacks were 
given up when our first string center was injured and they shuffled the line
around to replace him.  Our rookie has been getting better and better at 
left tackle, ('course that's the concern is he's on Elway's blind side).
He only gave up one sack last week working against O'neil who's a good
pass rusher.  The biggest problem has been our running game.  When you have
3rd and long, it's not too surprising when you get a blitz!

Broncos fans are concerned that Elway may get hurt by your guys, he certainly
suffered a brutal day against the Raiders.

>	I hope we can keep Elway from getting enough time to
>throw and knock him around enough to prevent him from ever
>getting into any sort of rhythm.  If we can win the war in
>trenches, then barring any special teams breakdowns, we should
>decisively beat Denver at the Vet.  Still, I wonder.  Elway
>always seems to have a way of bringing their team back from
>the dead and he can scramble....

I don't think that he brings them back from the dead, but if there's a
chance, look out!  That's what makes him one of the most exciting QBs to
watch out there, (IMHO).  As for time to throw, given our failure to 
develop a running game, and the O-line worries, don't be surprised to see a lot
of quick release type plays.

>
>	Anyway, I think our offense should be capable of
>putting at least 21+ pts. vs. Denver's defense which I hope
>should be enough to win.  Right?   I don't know much about
>Denver's D.  How good is their defensive line?  I know their
>linebackers are good.  And how good are their secondary?

The defensive line is pretty damn good, (IMHO  and others!).  The 
linebacking core is downright awesome with the likes of 
Mecklenburg, and Croel, and the secondary is quite respectable with
All Pros Smith, and Atwater  as well as Dimry and Henderson, (he's
probably the weakest, but still pretty good.)

Probably the biggest problem with the D is their inability to stop the
run, and now that you guys have Walker I'm worried, look for him to 
have an outstanding day, (did you see what Berstein and Butts did to 
them on Sunday, whew what a mess!).  

I agree with you that if you can put up 21 points you will probably beat us,
However, be aware that the one defensive catagory that Dever was #1 in the
NFL, (even beating your guys), was points scored against them.  Further
this year they seem to be even more on track for getting turnovers than
last.  

I look forward to what I hope will be a good game.
Just don't count Denver out of it until it's all over!

Tom.
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.pro