Broncos are actually chameleons

ENGLEWOOD - Each week, the Denver Broncos wipe the game plan clean. Other teams take pride in their “identity,” but the Broncos proudly admit their identity is they have none.

“I do not think we are one of those teams that you could categorize as, ‘We do what we do,’” coach Josh McDaniels said. “We kind of do what we do each week differently.”

Every football team tries to exploit the opponents’ weakness, whether it is a specific player, a thin position group or a vulnerable formation. The Broncos take that to an extreme level. They feel they have smart, versatile players and assistant coaches who take pride in their teaching ability, so they change and cater their weekly plan to exploit weaknesses.

On Monday and Tuesday, coaches spend many hours finding the opponent’s deficiencies. During the first team meeting on Wednesday, the plan is revealed.

“I think the thing that I really enjoy is coming in there on Wednesday morning and trying to describe what kind of team we are playing and how we are going to try to play to beat them,” McDaniels said. “And you see 55 guys, 60 guys taking notes, writing things down and then digesting it.”

Though the exploitative approach is the same for Denver’s offense and defense, it is easy to see the weekly differences on offense. For example, against Oakland, the Broncos apparently felt they could line up with multiple tight ends, be physical and run the ball. That was the crux of the plan, and they rushed for 215 yards. They also felt Oakland’s speed in the secondary, especially at cornerback, was a strength. So pass plays worked the middle of the field. Receiver Brandon Marshall often lined up tight to the line and was matched up against a linebacker or safety. He caught a touchdown when he got a mismatch against linebacker Kirk Morrison. Marshall caught five of Kyle Orton’s 13 completions.

There are challenges for the coaches and players with the weekly overhaul. First, the coaches need to find a weakness to beat. Tight ends coach Clancy Barone said that’s a fun part of the job.

“Imagine doing this from July until February, hopefully, and it’s the same thing, the same cookie cutter every day seven days a week,” Barone said. “That would get kind of old, I think. It keeps us fresh, keeps the players going. Because every team we play is going to be different.”

Preparation for the players is intense. Some weeks, a four-receiver set might be the main formation. The next, it could be three tight ends. And based on what the Broncos consider favorable matchups, any skill position player could be featured. According to McDaniels, many of the plays, formations, personnel groupings and ideals the team used beat Cleveland in Week 2 were never discussed last week before the Raiders game.

“You have to be on top of your game and put a lot of time into studying,” receiver Brandon Stokley said. “If you don’t, you’re going to be lost.”
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