Broncos aren't blitzing like they did a year ago

DENVER (AP) Denver's Mike Shanahan scoffs at the notion that Ben Roethlisberger exposed the underbelly of the Broncos' blitz. <br/><br/>Last season, the Broncos' blitz-heavy philosophy worked

Thursday, November 2nd 2006, 5:51 am

By: News On 6

DENVER (AP) Denver's Mike Shanahan scoffs at the notion that Ben Roethlisberger exposed the underbelly of the Broncos' blitz.

Last season, the Broncos' blitz-heavy philosophy worked wonders -- right up until the conference championship, when Pittsburgh's passer burned them repeatedly in the Steelers' 34-17 win.

The Broncos did an about-face in the offseason, deciding to pressure the passer with the front four as much as possible this year. And that plan also worked brilliantly right up until another premiere passer exposed it last week.

Peyton Manning ripped apart Denver's zone defense in the Colts' 34-31 win Sunday.

The Broncos swear they won't ditch their defense after one bad half, and the Steelers insist they don't expect to see the blitzing they did in January when they host Denver this Sunday.