Anyone else notice the Run Defense?

[Abach]

Just wanted to say that my family and I rep the Hawks here in Salt Lake City, Utah. It's the best time of the year with the ski resorts about to open!
As the topic subject stated, did anyone else notice the issues with the run defense? I felt like up until this game, that was one of our biggest strengths. It was concerning to see large gaps big enough to drive a semi truck through. I can't remember in recent games that we've been able to create running lanes like that...
Go Hawks!

 

[TheWalrus]

How could you not? It was terrible, and the Rams are a terrible run team.

I'm hoping that it was a combination of the following:

1) rust from a long layoff
2) Bobby Wagner playing when maybe he isn't 100% yet and struggling as a result
3) being caught off by some runs that the Rams didn't normally run in the past.

Hopefully that is all it was but it makes me nervous.

 

[twisted_steel2]

Our rush defense is about average imho. Were built for speed, to stop the pass, to prevent teams from getting in the end zone. Yea we have some big bodies, and when Red is in there it helps, but he comes off the field a lot.

Even last year, our rushing defense wasn't that great.

2012
10th Rushing Defense
23rd in Yards per attempt

 

[oldhawkfan]

What rush defense? I didn't see any.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

There is no issue with our run defense, unless the issue is "what happens when your offense is so inept that you leave your defense out on the field for 75% of the game."

 

[SalishHawkFan]

What surprised and troubled me the most was that most of those yards seem to come against the left side, where we've been the league best at stopping the run. It's the right side where we are nearly the league worst at run stopping. Seemed like they ran a lot of misdirection to the right, the Hawks bit every time and the RB cut back left for big yards. And there were some huge holes opening up on the right side too.

I think/hope the staff is looking at what the Rams did and adjusting accordingly.

 

[CortezKennedyfan]

Part of the reason is the offense.

When you run the ball effectively, you control the clock, and keep your D off the field and fresh.

Red Bryant said after the game that he was exhausted. The Seahawks D usually doesn't play as many snaps as they did.

 

[Basis4day]

I saw a defense that held the rams to 3 field goals and a goal line stand. You don't get points for yards.

 

[arghawkfan]

Does anyone else think that a combination of Malcom Smith Wright and Irvin is stronger than Wright Wagner and Irvin...it seems that the 2 games that we played without Wagner we were much more stout against the run, I realize its a small sample size, but it caught my attention.

 

[ivotuk]

How could you not? It was terrible, and the Rams are a terrible run team.

I'm hoping that it was a combination of the following:

1) rust from a long layoff
2) Bobby Wagner playing when maybe he isn't 100% yet and struggling as a result
3) being caught off by some runs that the Rams didn't normally run in the past.

Hopefully that is all it was but it makes me nervous.

This is what I was thinking. I'd rather see Malcom Smith in there until Bobby is completely healed. The trio of KJ, Malcom and Bruce has been phenomenal and I think that KJ may be better at calling the defense.

Still, they held the Rams to 3 field goals and 0 points on 4 tries from 1st and goal. What the hell kind of defense is that? I'll tell you what kind, the best. That is Pittsburgh Steeler recent history type of defense and I love it! And it really makes me smile to keep seeing the replay of the "longest QB run in NFL history" against the current Steeler D :th2thumbs:

 

[12thManNorth]

I've thought our run D has been rock solid all season. Until last night, that is. However, no TD's and only a few FG's gets the job done 9.5 times outta 10 in the NFL

 

[CortezKennedyfan]

I saw a defense that held the rams to 3 field goals and a goal line stand. You don't get points for yards.

True...and you have to remember, this game was an anomaly. The D was on the field for 39 minutes.

There isn't an athlete alive who can play 40 minutes a night in a contact sport like this and be as effective as if it were 30 minutes.

The Rams average 30 mins a game and the highest in the league is Carolina with about 33 mins. When you border on 40 mins, it means your game plan for this match up was not right.

But its even more amazing that the Hawks only gave up 9 pts.