Sensitivities set aside as Broncos seek solutions to ground struggles

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ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – The Gary Kubiak offense is not built on trickery, it’s not built on gimmicks, it’s not built on confusion or even matchups. It’s built on being able to do a few things so well that even if the defense knows what’s coming, they still can’t stop it.

There’s just one problem right now; they aren’t doing the most important part of the offense well at all.

Yes, without the run game Kubiak and his ‘O’ can’t effectively do any of the things they love to do, and in the last two weeks—two ugly losses—the team has failed to eclipse 85 yards on the ground, without a single back clearing the 50-yard mark. In fact, over the last four weeks, the team is averaging a meager 77 yards-per-game on the ground.

“We’re just struggling to get going, especially early in games,” head coach Gary Kubiak explained early in the week. “We had five plays and were down 10-0. We have to find ways to stay on the field. You’re not going to run the ball well if you’re not on the field and that’s been a problem right now, especially in the first half. I think we came out with a five-yard average running the ball, but it’s very deceiving. They were draws. They weren’t first and second down plays, which we have to get better at.”

It’s a big problem, and whether it’s on the offensive line, the running backs, the coaching staff, or something else, it needs to be fixed. Kubiak believes all of the issues are correctable, and his team agrees.

“First of all, I think the guys up front do have a lot of pride in their craft and what they do,” said tight end Virgil Green. “That’s why I think that we can get back to the run game. Everybody knows, even our receivers know, that in order to get the passing game going it makes a lot easier when our run game is in tip-top shape. We all know what needs to be done. As players, we have to go out there and execute regardless of what front we have. We’ve played football long enough; we have to figure it out.”

So what is it that needs to be done?

“It’s a technique thing. It goes back to the communication with myself and the o-line,” explained running back C.J. Anderson. “It’s back to just trying to find spots and pick them. It’s also the backfield, myself and ‘Book’ [RB Devontae Booker], being special, stepping out of more tackles, breaking more tackles and finding way to create those bigger plays. It’s on all of us, and we’ve definitely sat there. We had two weeks to grade ourselves on and Monday we graded ourselves really hard. We probably hurt a couple of guys’ feelings. That’s what you need. We are definitely looking to get back on track this week, and it’s a great way to start.”

With the rough criticisms and hurt feelings now in the past, the team now has a great opportunity in front of them—a Monday-night matchup with the Houston Texans, a team who happens to rank 29th in the NFL in stopping the run. Don’t be surprised if the team uses that opportunity to get Booker—the lone bright spot of last week’s game—more involved.

Booker averaged more than nine yards-per-carry last week on his way to a five-carry, 46-yard performance. Something his head coach took notice of.

“I think we have to give ‘Book’ [RB Devontae Booker] some opportunities, he’s doing some good stuff,” Kubiak explained. “I just think when he’s had some opportunities he’s done some really good things. As a young player, we’re trying to get him going as far as protection and those type of things. He’s starting the handle himself better. I think he deserves some more opportunities to touch the football and when he’s had the opportunities he’s done some good stuff.”

Is Booker the answer to all the Broncos problems? Of course not, but maybe a spark from the kid, compiled with a favorable matchup is just what the team needs. If they can’t get it going this week, though, it might be time for some soul searching.