A closer look will show that strong safety Melvin Bullitt was the deep safety in the formation, which meant his job was to be sure that no potential receiver got behind him if it was a pass play. Bullitt bit on the “play action fake,” where Orton faked a hand-off to running back Laurence Maroney, only set and release a long throw to Lloyd. As soon as Bullitt committed his weight and momentum forward, toward the line of scrimmage to stop a potential run, Lloyd was past him and Powers had to try to make up for the mistake.
It is not difficult to understand Bullitt’s mindset. Melvin is a better run defender than pass defender and the Colts defense was intent on not allowing the Broncos get anything going on the ground. Moreover, safeties are highly active in run defense in the Colts system, which their other primary responsibility.
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