The Broncos ran but can’t hide from the sobering numbers. They achieved offensive equilibrium — 36 passes, 32 rushes — but not equal production in the season opener.
The game film for the contest against the Indianapolis Colts provided mixed reviews. In key moments, Denver clenched its fist on third down, converting on 3-of-4 rushing attempts after succeeding only 17 times in those spots last season. However, first downs brought a reminder that work remains as the Broncos averaged 2.4 yards on 21 carries.
“We put that on ourselves. All 11 of us weren’t focused on the smaller details, including myself,” starting running back Montee Ball said. “There were holes that I missed and didn’t hit fast enough. It is stuff that we can correct and will correct.”
The Broncos deserve credit for trying to run. That’s the first step. Teams excel at what they focus on in practice. The Broncos won’t improve by not running. Denver resides in a tricky place. No one passes the ball more effectively than reigning league MVP Peyton Manning. To diminish his role, even slightly, carries risk.
Balance, as such, is a relative term.
“I think we will always try to start off and get our running game going and really looking for efficient runs,” offensive coordinator Adam Gase said. “We are trying to win more of those than we lose.”
Ideally, the Broncos would operate as a fast-break team that can morph, uninterrupted, into a half-court offense. That’s challenging for the offensive linemen who spend an inordinate time stepping back on pass blocks rather than driving forward into a defender.
Fox identified encouraging signs against the Colts, pointing to the Broncos’ third-down success.
“I think what happens is the essence of football, old school — and I’m kind of that way,” said Fox, who began his pro career in 1989 as an assistant under the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Chuck Noll. “It is having the mind-set to run the ball and having the mind-set on defense to stop the run. That’s where it kind of gets down and dirty. The game has changed so much that it sometimes gets lost in translation, but it’s something we’ve emphasized and worked on.”
Terrell Davis, a 2,000-yard rusher and a catalyst in two Broncos Super Bowl victories, put it simply: “Can Montee Ball run the ball well enough for them to give him the ball more?”
Ball finished with pedestrian statistics in his first start — 69 yards on 23 carries.However, they told a partial truth: 55 yards came after contact, including his 3-yard score.
“You’re always looking to improve,” Manning said. “Montee’s touchdown was awesome. I liked the look in his eye in his first start. He ran hard. I think he will continue to get better.”
The Kansas City Chiefs, this week’s opponents, provide a potential platform, even if this sets up as a trap game for the heavily favored Broncos. Kansas City is dealing with devastating injuries on a defense — linebacker Derrick Johnson was lost for the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon. And the Titans shredded the Chiefs for 162 yards rushing on 38 carries.
“The great thing about Week 1, especially coming off a win, is that we have a chance to improve,” Ball said. “I need to just trust it. One cut and go. A lot of times, I was trying to jump around defenders instead of going north and south. That’s not my strong suit.”
Troy E. Renck: trenck@denverpost.com or twitter.com/troyrenck
