TOP POSTS

Polumbus: What changes in the red zone for the Broncos, Kubiak

Sep 21, 2016, 2:52 PM | Updated: 3:15 pm

Year in and year out, Gary Kubiak offenses are ranked highly in rushing yards, yards per catch, and overall offense. Moving the chains in this offense has never been a problem, and coaches throughout the league would give anything for the rushing performances that pour out of Kubiak’s teams.

So what changes inside the red zone, and why did the Denver Broncos struggle to finish drives against the Indianapolis Colts? Had the Broncos walked away with seven points instead of three every time they entered the red zone last week (or seven instead of zero on a missed field goal), it would have been a blowout by halftime.

I played in this system for seven of my eight years, and I can tell you firsthand that finishing drives inside the red zone was the most challenging part of every game.

ON THE FAN: Tyler Polumbus breaks down the Broncos offense with Sandy Clough:

But is that really any different for this scheme compared to others?

Potentially it is, and I will tell you why, but before we go any further let it be known I still think this is far and away the best offensive system in the NFL.

So why is it so hard to move the ball as easily in the red zone as it is in the open field?

Mostly it has to do with the size of the field.

This is the only system in the NFL that requires offensive lineman to run from the hash mark to the opposite numbers on every play. It requires space to create running lanes because offensive lineman run more lateral than emphasizing straight forward, smash mouth football.

When you get in the red zone, everything tightens down. The game becomes smaller. Safeties are automatically aligned closer to the box and can fill faster. Defensive lineman can tighten down their landmarks and corners can fill quicker in the run game.

All of this makes it more difficult for a team that relies on space to run the ball to continue to be effective.

Quarterbacks are given an audible option to run or pass on about 85 percent of the plays in the red zone. Whatever the key quarterback looks for on a specific play tells him whether to run the ball or pass the ball.

Keys could be anything from whether the safety is down in or out of the box to which side, strong or week, the 3-technique stands to the coverage against Demaryius Thomas, single or zone? It is different on each play, but this is far away the time of the game that the quarterback is given the most options to get into the correct play call.

One missed opportunity in the red zone is killer, and that is why it is so important to be in the right play call every time. Siemian must be at his smartest inside the red zone.

Often times it becomes easier to throw on first and run second down there, which is why as Siemian gets better, you will see the points soar as he begins to connect on passes like the one he sailed over Emmanuel Sanders’ head on the crossing route in the end zone last week.

I am in the Trevor Siemian fan club. I think he has done a phenomenal job for guy with two starts under his belt. But his red zone efficiency will be of utmost importance this year.

Every quarterback I have played with has been told to never turn the ball over in the red zone. When throwing the ball in the end zone, you either put it high enough where only your wide receiver can catch the ball or you purposely throw it over his head and out of the back of the end zone. That is exactly what Siemian did on the play with Sanders. He put it where only his receiver could catch it or no one would.

Next time I will look to see Siemian connect on that pass and not overthink the placement of the ball.

For the Broncos’ red zone woes to end they have to be able to throw the ball. It is simply easier down there to throw, especially on the road.

At home, look for more runs inside than 10 than passes. The offensive line will have to play with an attitude of “put it on my back coach” and play a more powerful vertical game down tight near the end zone, which is counter to the wide lateral run game approach of the open field.

You can keep the same run calls for the upper red zone, but once you get inside the 10-yard line things change and offensive lineman have to change their approach. There are just too many bodies to have the same approach down there.

This post brought to you by:

logo4frontrange

Top Posts

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 21: Logan Paulsen #82, George Kittle #85, Tight Ends/Assistant Head Coa...

Nick Ferguson

The Extra Mile: Broncos must not walk but run to hire Jon Embree

There's a hire the Broncos "desperately need to make" as they fill out their staff, and it's a name Denver fans should be familiar with

2 years ago

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 8: Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Brandon Stokley (L) appears on The Spor...

Johnny Hart

Les Shapiro had unyielding conviction … and a solid appetite

A (hopefully) fitting tribute from a former college to one of Denver’s most highly regarded sports broadcasters

2 years ago

(Photo via Getty Images)...

Kendall Valenzuela

Nuggets start free agency by keeping the band together

The Denver Nuggets reportedly re-signed unrestricted free agents Will Barton and JaMychal Green to two-year contracts

3 years ago

Teddy Bridgewater...

Kendall Valenzuela

Bridgewater’s “survivor” mentality has readied him for QB battle

Teddy Bridgewater has bounced around the league with many teams, but the veteran quarterback believes that has only made him stronger

3 years ago

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 22: Linebacker Von Miller #58 of the Denver Broncos warms up before a game ag...

Kendall Valenzuela

Von Miller hopes to play ‘five to seven more years’ in NFL

Von Miller believes he still has many years left in the NFL, but the idea could topple his hopes of being a "Bronco for life"

3 years ago

Broncos roster...

Kendall Valenzuela

Denver Broncos sign DB Tedric Thompson

The Denver Broncos have added more depth to their secondary by signing safety Tedric Thompson, per Tom Pelissero

3 years ago

Polumbus: What changes in the red zone for the Broncos, Kubiak