Can someone explain how we're making our run defense better??

[Smellyman]

I'm not a football expert, but the two DTs we've signed seem to excel in pass-rushing and not the opposite. Am I missing something here? How are we fixing our biggest problem on defense right now? Are they planning on doing it through the draft?

We also seem to be short on ILBs.

don't believe PFF

 

[Fudwamper]

don't believe PFF

This is what I would say.

Jarren was a stellar for us. He still did well as a 3/4 end. He can be a good 2 gap 3/4 de on running downs and a good inside dt on 4/3 passing downs.

 

[AgentDib]

I'm not a football expert, but the two DTs we've signed seem to excel in pass-rushing and not the opposite. Am I missing something here?

Jarran Reed and Dre'mont Jones are both very capable of playing a two gap DL role (such as 4i, a typical 3-4 DE alignment). What you are looking for in that role is a stout anchor often helped by a low center of gravity. Long arms are also beneficial (>33") which both players have. It's a sacrificial role where the lineman is often facing a double team and their job is not to lose too badly, so that the people behind them can win more easily.

I don't know that you are missing anything, but there are two possibilities to consider.

First, keep in mind that these two guys are only a piece of our eventual defensive line. We'll need to rotate them with others, and it's a lot easier to find rookies who are run specialists or pass specialists than it is to find prospects who are good at both. If we're going to sign FAs early then it's much better than they can contribute in both areas than if we had signed guys who are only situational run defenders.

Second, if you're looking at PFF grades then I would take them with a grain of salt. Football is a team game and it's tough for an outsider to properly grade somebody's contribution within the confines of the support they are getting from the scheme and teammates. Belichick has said that he wouldn't feel comfortable himself grading a defensive lineman on another team without knowing their exact responsibilities, and the guys PFF have doing grades are... well not in the same tier as Bill Belichick.

For an example, take a look at Roquan Smith, who is widely viewed by NFL personnel as one of the top off-ball linebackers. His PFF grades did not reflect that, as he was being asked to do everything in the Bears defense without a lot of help. When he moved to the Ravens defense this last season his PFF grades went way up, because suddenly the DL was a lot better in front of him and that let him look much better to the typical observer.

Essentially, PFF grades should be interpreted as "how productive does this guy look to an outside observer." If a player is not productive it might be their fault, or the scheme's fault, or their teammates fault, or the opponent's "fault." The PFF grade doesn't tell you which and really shouldn't be interpreted as a grade, but of course that's a better selling point than calling it a "productivity guess."

 

[bsuhawk]

Yes, LB play did make the DL look worse than they really were. That is why I am not sad to see Barton go as Barton was a nickel LB at best.

Keep in mind that adding Jones, Reed and then with Adams return that improves run defense right there. Replacing Barton with a competent LB makes that four players to improve run defense.

Actually, I would say the opposite is true. I'm not sorry to see Barton go, but Barton and Jordyn Brooks can run and attack the ball. However, neither is good at stacking and shedding blockers, which means they need to be protected by the DL. Out DL absolutely sucked at this.

 

[Bobblehead]

I'm not a football expert, but the two DTs we've signed seem to excel in pass-rushing and not the opposite. Am I missing something here? How are we fixing our biggest problem on defense right now? Are they planning on doing it through the draft?

We also seem to be short on ILBs.

I think they are looking at Bobby Wagner, heard he's pretty good against the run.

 

[bileever]

I understand the OP's concerns. At this point, it's hard to know how these new pieces will fit into our scheme and translate into a better defense. We have to hope that the front office has done a good job of scouting the FA acquisitions and that they will pay off during the season. Jarran Reed has been good for us in the past, and he's only 30 now, even though it seems like he's been playing for a while. Dre'Mont Jones's tape is pretty impressive, and for Pete and Schneider to invest so much in free agency, they must believe that Jones is the real deal.

The next part is getting pieces to fit with them, not just other run-stopping rotation pieces but linebackers as well. Reed and Jones are just the first parts to the puzzle.

 

[Mick063]

Isn't this the type of thread that should come AFTER the draft?

 

[Pandion Haliaetus]

IDK depends how you’re looking at it.

But what if it somehow looked like this?

DE Dre’ Jones, Moro Ojomo
NT A’Shawn Robinson, Al Woods
DT Jarran Reed, Keanu Benton
3T Karl Brooks*, Myles Adams*
*Pass Rush DTs

With Wagner and the white KJ Wright, Jack Campbell, added at MLBer.

I’d be content.

 

[Shanegotyou11]

I think the two pickups have been awesome.

 

[keasley45]

It's not unreasonable to wonder how the pieces fit, but it's way early yet. You have to see the whole picture when the dust settles.

Not doing so is kinda like asking at the Thanksgiving table why there's no turkey on your plate when (so far) you've only been given ham and and Mac. The plate isn't finished yet.

God, I love Thanksgiving dinner.

 

[Hawkspeed]

Yes, I agree that the two Defensive Line signings are big upgrades! It also seems like a Bobby reunion could be real!

With our #5 choice I hope we draft either Carter or Anderson. Also, Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith wants to be a Seahawk!!! Could Siaki Ika be an option? After that, I hope we will go early with a Safety and Inside Linebacker.

But, we also all know that a Center is now a top priority. Could it be Schmitz or a free agent? Maybe there is another prospect in the draft that JS and PC are considering... But, if not Schmitz, I would prefer an experienced free agent Center. Guard O'Cyrus Torrence is a top draft choice that would be an awesome as well.

It is interesting that Raschaad Penny and Cody Barton both signed with other teams right away. I thought that they would both be re-signed. Maybe the Seahawks have some big changes in mind...Geno's team friendly contract creates a little "extra cap space" too.

Who knows what the future may bring...

 

[RockinHawks]

Yes, I agree that the two Defensive Line signings are big upgrades! It also seems like a Bobby reunion could be real!

With our #5 choice I hope we draft either Carter or Anderson. Also, Georgia EDGE Nolan Smith wants to be a Seahawk!!! Could Siaki Ika be an option? After that, I hope we will go early with a Safety and Inside Linebacker.

But, we also all know that a Center is now a top priority. Could it be Schmitz or a free agent? Maybe there is another prospect in the draft that JS and PC are considering... But, if not Schmitz, I would prefer an experienced free agent Center. Guard O'Cyrus Torrence is a top draft choice that would be an awesome as well.

It is interesting that Raschaad Penny and Cody Barton both signed with other teams right away. I thought that they would both be re-signed. Maybe the Seahawks have some big changes in mind...Geno's team friendly contract creates a little "extra cap space" too.

Who knows what the future may bring...

I like Schmitz, but I think I like Tippmann and Wypler more. Definitely need a FA center, too.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

2 damn good moves, and right away they are addressing the D Line. Nicely done.

 

[Ruminator]

The cherry on top of this D would be the deletion, for once, of "Suffer a season-ending injury!" from Jamal Adam's playbook.

 

[JPatera76]

don't believe PFF

Agreed on this. PFF while at the very absolute minimum is meh to okay… it leaves out A LOT and doesn’t say A LOT.
Imo PFF for the most part are heavily skewed. Especially in favor of better or well known players.

 

[Nunya]

I'm not a football expert, but the two DTs we've signed seem to excel in pass-rushing and not the opposite. Am I missing something here? How are we fixing our biggest problem on defense right now? Are they planning on doing it through the draft?

We also seem to be short on ILBs.

You seem to be under the misconception that just because a DL is considered to be a strong pass rusher that it makes them a weak run stuffer. A decent DL can do both.

 

[FrodosFinger]

You seem to be under the misconception that just because a DL is considered to be a strong pass rusher that it makes them a weak run stuffer. A decent DL can do both.

This^^^

 

[bsuhawk]

Actually, I would say the opposite is true. I'm not sorry to see Barton go, but Barton and Jordyn Brooks can run and attack the ball. However, neither is good at stacking and shedding blockers, which means they need to be protected by the DL. Our DL absolutely sucked at this.

 

[Ruminator]

Glad we're not gonna have any pass rushers who stand aside watching RBs scamper by saying "Oh, that's not my job."

 

[Fox0r]

don't believe PFF

Yeah, that was where my assumption came from. Won't make that mistake again.