AFC West

Sporting News, The, Nov 1, 1999

Teams are listed alphabetically

When coach Jon Gruden came to the Raiders two years ago, his goal was to transform a traditionally vertical passing team into a more balanced, ball-control club. That objective is being realized this season, in large part because of the improved play of the offensive line. DiNapoli, who suited up only four times as a rookie and never played last season, has stabilized the right side of this unit, a big reason the Raiders are among the league leaders in rushing. He'll probably never be a superstar, but he figures to be a solid starter for years.

Here is how DiNapoli grades out using an NFL scout's grading scale: 8-Rare; 7-Outstanding; 6-Good; 5-Adequate; 4-Marginal; 3-Poor.

Initial quicks: Comes off the ball pretty well. Quick into his blocks. Former college tight end has good feet. Grade: 6.5

Run blocking: Thick frame and great lower-body strength provide solid base. Takes good angles and is usually in control. Battles to finish every block. Grade: 6.0

Pass blocking: A bit on the short side. Average agility. Anchors well at line of scrimmage and holds his ground. A little stiff in the hips against wide rushers. Effective in picking up rush stunts. Is steadily improving in this area. Grade: 6.5

Pulling and trapping: More athletic than he appears, but sometimes looks clumsy. Rarely misses a moving target. Adjusts well in space. Grade: 5.5

Use of hands: Not a phone booth player. Loses too many short-area fistfights. Struggles to get separation in pass protection because of short arms. Grade: 4.5

Strength/explosion: Can move a pile. Wide body, strong anchor at line of scrimmage. Stays low in running game. Good leg explosion when he stays low. Grade: 6.5 --Jim Nagy, managing editor of The War Room

Denver

2-5: 5th

Despite mounting losses, Griese is not at fault

Some of Denver's early losses were hung on first-year QB Brian Griese, and with good reason. But the loss at New England wasn't his fault, and it's doubtful many future defeats will be, either. Griese has thrown for more than 300 yards in each of the last two games. He has shown greater poise in the pocket, and his happy feet have settled down. He's also running out of the pocket at the right times. Teams used to send a full blitz package at him, but he has learned to make teams pay. His favorite blitz beater is to go deep down the sidelines to 6-5 WR Ed McCaffrey. The team's season may be all but over, but Griese has proved he's their quarterback of the future. ... There was a lot of brave talk in the locker room after the 24-23 loss at New England. But with the team 2-5 and staring at a killer schedule, there also seems to be a growing sense of resignation. The Broncos know their dreams of a three-peat are all but dead. Coach Mike Shanahan says he won't give in until the team is mathematically eliminated. But in the next three weeks, Denver faces Minnesota, then travels to San Diego and Seattle, and the team already might be beaten psychologically.

SCOUTING REPORT: FS Eric Brown is being asked to be the next Steve Atwater. Truth is, Brown, a second-year player out of Mississippi State, is playing better than Atwater did the last few seasons. Brown, Denver's leading tackler, is faster and, while he doesn't pack Atwater's punch, he is a big hitter who can make receivers pay. When Atwater was in his prime, he was perhaps the league's best run-stuffing safety. Brown can't claim that distinction yet; he still gets left in the dust by the smooth moves of some running backs. Brown, out much of last season because of a pulled groin muscle, was not one of Shanahan's favorites last year. Now, Shanahan likes Brown's aggressive attitude and new swagger.

SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The secret to Denver's defensive success is simple: stuff the run. In wins over Oakland and Green Bay, the Broncos owned the line of scrimmage and the linebackers made sure tackles. Their one-gap defense is all about discipline and taking care of the space in front of them. But when players abandon their posts and gamble, as linebackers Bill Romanowski and Al Wilson did against New England, they have to make sure they make the big play. When they don't, the result is a big run for the opposition. --Patrick Saunders

GRADING OUT VS. New England

OFFENSE C

Griese was great in the second half, but red-zone failures haunted Broncos.

DEFENSE C-

Patriots weren't supposed to be able to run the ball. They did against Denver.

SPECIAL TEAMS C

Don't blame Elam for 59-yard miss. Blame Rouen's punts for field-position blues.

COACHING C

Shahanan had an innovative game plan but should have unleashed Griese sooner.

BRONCOS

PASSING    Att.   Comp.   Pct.   Yds.   Long
Griese      214     125   58.4   1634     88
Brister      20      12   60.0     87     11

PASSING    TD   Int.   Rate   Sacks
Griese      8      7   81.4      12
Brister     0      3   30.6       0

RUSHING     Att.   Yds.   Avg.   TD
Gary          76    278    3.7    1
Davis         67    211    3.1    2
Loville       21    105    5.0    0

RECEIVING    No.   Yds.   Avg.   TD
McCaffrey     31    507   16.4    6
Sharpe        23    224    9.7    0
R. Smith      19    294   15.5    2

SCORING   XPM   XPA   FGM   FGA   Pts.
Elam       13    13    11    15     46

PUNTING        No.   Yds.   Avg.   Blk.
Rouen           31   1492   48.1      0

KO RETURNS     No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD
Watson          15    418   27.9      0

PUNT RETURNS   No.   Yds.   Avg.     TD
Watson          15     59    3.9      0