The Denver Broncos face a tough schedule early, and the running game will be a key to a fast start.
The Denver Broncos have a brutal early schedule, and they’ve shown a tendency to get off to slow starts. That combination is one reason the Broncos are being disrespected in many prediction lists right now, with many experts expecting a big drop-off after last year’s landmark 14-3 season.
A faster start is essential this year, and Payton knows it, even if he expressed uncertainty when he was asked if about fast starts in a piece by Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post.
“I’m pretty sure we haven’t [done that],” Payton said last month, even though he’s well aware of the numbers, which have him at 4-7 in September since he took over in 2023. “So I think that’s going to be important.”
One of the keys to a fast start is the offensive line. The Broncos want to run the ball more effectively and become more balanced and versatile in the process, and the line will be the key to that, as new offensive coordinator Davis Webb knows.
“I’ve never been around somewhere that’s been about to be four straight years of basically the same offensive line,” Webb said recently. “It’s such a blessing because they’re good dudes, they’re coached well, they’re nasty, they take things personal. I think pass block-wise, they’ve been pretty consistent over the last few years and run-game wise, I think we’re trying to build on that consistency. Not saying it’s been bad, but we can definitely be more consistent.
“That’s a goal that we’ve tried to address this offseason. We’re just very blessed in all of our rooms that the offensive line’s been the most stationary. They’re the strength of our offense.”
The running game is what produces early-down efficiency, per Gabriel, and the Broncos lost that last year when J.K. Dobbins went out with an injury.
“I think part of that was health last year when we lost J.K.,” Payton said. … “Per our run game, there’s some really good things I think that we’re doing. Then, ultimately, you kind of settle in on what type of run team you are relative to a zone scheme, a gap scheme and those types of things. So we certainly feel like we’re further along than we’ve been here in my three years, just with the depth in both (the running back and offensive line) groups.”
Tackle Mike McGlinchey spoke about the differen approach this year, saying it’s an extension of what the Broncos have done before.
“I think it’s just the understanding of what techniques we’re trying to apply on which plays, which looks, which leverages,” McGlinchey said. “Just kind of honing in on that. We had a pretty good grasp of all that before, and we’ve done it a long time together. Switching a couple of the techniques in and out depending on the scheme or the play or whatever it is, I think we’ve done a good job. It’s been a great camp.
“Our group is ready to go, and I’m excited to see where we can go as the season unfolds.”
