Troy Renck from the Denver Post talks shop with SoSH Football

[mabrowndog]

As we ramp up to this weekend’s Patriots-Broncos matchup in Foxboro, SoSH Football Central recently welcomed the Denver Post’s Broncos beat reporter @TroyRenck to chat about this Sunday’s matchup and more. You can read Troy’s columns here, peruse his First-and-Orange blog, and read up on all of the Post’s Broncos coverage from Troy and his colleagues.

SoSH FC: Denver’s pass defense seems to have really taken a step forward this year, going from 6.2 YPA last year (basically average) to 5.4 (second-best in the NFL). Do you think that’s due more to the additions in the secondary (Aqib Talib, Bradley Roby, T.J. Ward), the additions to the pass rush (DeMarcus Ware, a full year from Von Miller, getting Derek Wolfe back) or something else?
 
Troy: The Broncos have made their last four opponents one-dimensional. As a result, they use more blitzes, and take chances in coverages. They have better talent than last year. The return of Miller and additions of Ware, Talib, and Wolfe can’t be overstated. This is not the defense that played in the Super Bowl. Not even close.

SoSH FC: We saw the Seahawks’ pass rush really take it to the Denver OL in the Super Bowl. Ryan Clady‘s back now, but is that enough if they go up against a top pass rush again? How’s Orlando Franklin settling in at LG and Clark at RT? Did the offseason plans work or do they miss Zane Beadles?
 
Troy: The offensive line continues to improve. Clark was benched in favor of Paul Cornick. Clark and center Manny Ramirez have not graded out well this season. They miss Beadles’ ability to get to [the] second level on blocks. The offseason plan to switch Franklin deserves an inconclusive grade. He still has time to prove it was right decision.

 
Read more here.

 

[lambeau]

I'd be surprised if Talib covered Gronk--he didn't cover Jace Amaro, Vernon Davis, or Antonio Gates; it would significantly change the Denver defensive scheme.