The emerging defensive narrative

[seabowl]

If the defense tackles, the schemes work. If the defense tackles and doesn't commit penalties, then the defense routinely gets off the field. The rules, by a large margin, favor the offense. No defense can be expected to be dominant anymore. The defense just has to be more fundamentally sound than the opposing defense. Tackle and don't commit penalties.
No need to complicate things. It really is that simple.

Good tackling and pass rush is what it’s all about this era of football

 

[sutz]

If the defense tackles, the schemes work. If the defense tackles and doesn't commit penalties, then the defense routinely gets off the field. The rules, by a large margin, favor the offense. No defense can be expected to be dominant anymore. The defense just has to be more fundamentally sound than the opposing defense. Tackle and don't commit penalties.
No need to complicate things. It really is that simple.

You left out the third leg of the stool. They have to get to the right spot first, then make the tackle. Most big runs happen when a defender misses his gap and/or doesn't plug the hole he's assigned.

 

[Mick063]

You left out the third leg of the stool. They have to get to the right spot first, then make the tackle. Most big runs happen when a defender misses his gap and/or doesn't plug the hole he's assigned.

All they have to do is tackle, not extend drives with bonehead penalties, and the defense will be good enough. It really is that simple.

 

[Mase]

-- It is more about run fits than anything else. Part of how we "disguise" is moving players "out of position" to show the QB what we want him to see, then they scramble back on the snap or roll and replace. That will always risk being out of position.

-- Exhibit A. I give you, the can't miss prospect from a long ago draft, A A Ron Curry. Had all the physical tools but lacked gap discipline and understanding of run fits. Led to massive run holes and we got gashed.

-- I believe running this defense makes the acquisition of a top off ball linebacker priority ONE. He needs to be young, fast, good in coverage and an above average blitzer. Enter, Nick Bolton. Free agent at the end of year, and with the Chiefs having so much $$ committed elsewhere, he might be available. Ravens had Queen and still signed Smith. They know how valuable playmakers are at that position in this defense.

Mase

 

[jammerhawk]

MASE:
You did mean Aa run upon Curry, right?

A true physical talent who lacked playing instincts and who was seriously over drafted.

I so completely agree with you about the need for at least one quality instinctive off the ball ILB. So often I ask when the team is being gashed on cutback runs: “where are our ILBs?” (not my exact words). Sadly they are either washed out of the play or not able to recover from the cutback.

I have noticed though that the coaches are pretty good at making run adjustments once they sort out what opposing teams are succeeding at running against our team. However, it sure is frustrating to watch until that happens.

 

[jammerhawk]

MASE: guess the team saw that need for a difference making ILB.