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As a few of you know I have a deep dislike for the Denver Broncos' Defensive Coordinator Jim Bates.  While it is somewhat easy to see why, as this team is giving up a record amount of points per game.  But I wanted to explain just what my problem is.  Also I want to defend my team, they are NOT as bad as he makes them look.

Ok, first off is his misuse of CB Superstar Champ Bailey. With the addition of Dre' Bly it has been Bates' thought that he can use Champ to negate "athletic" TE's, the thought is that players like Antonio Gates, and Tony Gonzalez will not burn the Bronco D with the deep pass.

(Wonder why Champ isn't getting the INT's he got a year ago, ask Bates)

Here is where that goes horribly wrong. Champ is actually a GREAT tackler for a CB, but when you put him up against a TE he is EASILY removed from any running plays.  Also with the lack of coverage on the #2 WR the Broncos have had to use the SS to cover. By having the SS lined up on the outside you also weaken the chance to stop the run. But the flaw to this system does not stop there. Dre' Bly is a VERY aggressive corner, he makes great plays, but is subject to getting burnt to a crisp from time to time.  By taking away the SS, you are only left with the FS (John Lynch) to help out when Bly gets beat.  Once teams see this they run deep routes on Bly what happens is either they draw Lynch from the middle of the field (thus taking away both Safeties) OR you get Bly one on one with your #1 WR. That is worth the risk almost every time (ask Brett Favre).

(Favre Liked what he saw against Bates' D)

Alright on to the next flaw. Bates does not like to blitz often.  After the first few weeks of the 2006 season the Broncos had one of the best Defensive teams in the history of this franchise, a year later they have maybe the worst. The main difference? Denver used to blitz like it was gong out of style. They would have crazy and confusing packages even at times lining up all 11 players on the line and dropping random people back. With Bailey and Williams on the outside you can trust them to hold coverage long enough for either the QB to force a throw into coverage, or for the team to get a sack.  Recently Bates has not shown ANY trust in his secondary and refuses to put pressure on a QB by only bringing 3 to 4 blitzers on each play.

(The Broncos USED to rack up sacks)

Our next reason for this awful season, Bates can not play with the lead.  In multiple games this season the Broncos had solid leads and let them slip. Bates was QUICK to turn to the Prevent D as soon as this team had any type of a lead. People gave all kinds of credit to Devin Hester for his great returns, as they should, but the bigger story should have been the way the Rex Grossman torched this team in the 4th quarter. It was the same story against Pittsburgh when this team allowed the Steelers to come back from down 14 not once, but TWICE!  Also in the Green Bay game the Broncos had the Packers playing in their own endzone twice, and BOTH times he kept the DB's 15 yards off of the line, and brought 4 on the blitz.  Favre easily led the team to mid field.

These are just a few of my observations as to HOW Jim Bates has ruined what should have been a solid team.  It is a shame, and he should be unemployed this off-season.

(Falcons fans you don't know how good you have it, I wish this dude would just leave in the middle of the night.  But we aren't so lucky)