The Good, the bad, and the Lucky vs Steelers.
-
Injuries. Losing Anthony Walker is a critical blow and JOK getting hurt certainly makes it worse. Now, Walker is unfortunately gone for the year, whereas I expect JOK to only miss 1 game if any.
Special Teams. Guys, I'm over it. 12 men on the field on a FIELD GOAL, a blocked punt, a missed XP, and the worst onsides kick coverage ever. What the HELL is going on? And if I see another returner take the ball from the end zone with dillusions of grandeur, I'll gonna have a panic attack. ?
I'm sorry it was so long, I tried to leave lots for you guys. It's a simply terrific victory and we needed it. I never get tired of beating the Steelers! WOOF WOOF!
Nice job with that Jiggs!
I was reviewing all the ST blunders with someone online and I can't believe I forgot to mention the 12 men on the field. That really speaks volumes about my attention to detail these days. Man, the blocked punt and another missed extra point? We didn't spend a draft pick on York for him to be the next Steve Cox (only trusted for long FGs and putting kickoffs out of the end zone). We drafted York wanting him to be the next Phil Dawson (accurate from everywhere). I think he'll get that ironed out; but we need that now,,,
After JOK and Walker got injured - I thought Phillips, Fields and Takitaki played well for us.
A potential concern, our defense got gashed against the run in the 1st half. I'm guessing our next opponent will test this next week.
All that aside, I'm very happy this team began the week with a very necessary player's only meeting. It translated into a victory on the field for us to enjoy!
Nice job with that Jiggs!
I was reviewing all the ST blunders with someone online and I can't believe I forgot to mention the 12 men on the field. That really speaks volumes about my attention to detail these days. Man, the blocked punt and another missed extra point? We didn't spend a draft pick on York for him to be the next Steve Cox (only trusted for long FGs and putting kickoffs out of the end zone). We drafted York wanting him to be the next Phil Dawson (accurate from everywhere). I think he'll get that ironed out; but we need that now,,,
After JOK and Walker got injured - I thought Phillips, Fields and Takitaki played well for us.
A potential concern, our defense got gashed against the run in the 1st half. I'm guessing our next opponent will test this next week.
All that aside, I'm very happy this team began the week with a very necessary player's only meeting. It translated into a victory on the field for us to enjoy!
Per the bolded line above, this was my concern during and after the Pittsburgh game. Our next opponent in Atlanta saw the golden opportunity to run on us. They ran the ball 14 straight plays for 174 yards. If our FO didn't think DT was an important position, we better hope they do now. You can't win very many chess matches attacking with pawns.
-
Nice job with that Jiggs!
I was reviewing all the ST blunders with someone online and I can't believe I forgot to mention the 12 men on the field. That really speaks volumes about my attention to detail these days. Man, the blocked punt and another missed extra point? We didn't spend a draft pick on York for him to be the next Steve Cox (only trusted for long FGs and putting kickoffs out of the end zone). We drafted York wanting him to be the next Phil Dawson (accurate from everywhere). I think he'll get that ironed out; but we need that now,,,
After JOK and Walker got injured - I thought Phillips, Fields and Takitaki played well for us.
A potential concern, our defense got gashed against the run in the 1st half. I'm guessing our next opponent will test this next week.
All that aside, I'm very happy this team began the week with a very necessary player's only meeting. It translated into a victory on the field for us to enjoy!
Per the bolded line above, this was my concern during and after the Pittsburgh game. Our next opponent in Atlanta saw the golden opportunity to run on us. They ran the ball 14 straight plays for 174 yards. If our FO didn't think DT was an important position, we better hope they do now. You can't win very many chess matches attacking with pawns.
Per the bolded line above, this was my concern during and after the Pittsburgh game. Our next opponent in Atlanta saw the golden opportunity to run on us. They ran the ball 14 straight plays for 174 yards. If our FO didn't think DT was an important position, we better hope they do now. You can't win very many chess matches attacking with pawns.
Let me say, I believe DT is a problem and I was a believer at that point but prior to that Falcons game the secondary nearly lost us a game and then the very next week lost the Jets game. The FO commitment to that group was huge…You have a couple first round picks back there, a high dollar free agent, a second and third round pick. The secondary has to be on point this year we have all these other groups playing with built in excuses for instance we are playing a backup QB, a backup a center, we had 4th tackle start two games, we have very little depth at WR…these positions and groups aren’t going to be consistent week to week.
-
Per the bolded line above, this was my concern during and after the Pittsburgh game. Our next opponent in Atlanta saw the golden opportunity to run on us. They ran the ball 14 straight plays for 174 yards. If our FO didn't think DT was an important position, we better hope they do now. You can't win very many chess matches attacking with pawns.
Let me say, I believe DT is a problem and I was a believer at that point but prior to that Falcons game the secondary nearly lost us a game and then the very next week lost the Jets game. The FO commitment to that group was huge…You have a couple first round picks back there, a high dollar free agent, a second and third round pick. The secondary has to be on point this year we have all these other groups playing with built in excuses for instance we are playing a backup QB, a backup a center, we had 4th tackle start two games, we have very little depth at WR…these positions and groups aren’t going to be consistent week to week.
Let me say, I believe DT is a problem and I was a believer at that point but prior to that Falcons game the secondary nearly lost us a game and then the very next week lost the Jets game. The FO commitment to that group was huge…You have a couple first round picks back there, a high dollar free agent, a second and third round pick. The secondary has to be on point this year we have all these other groups playing with built in excuses for instance we are playing a backup QB, a backup a center, we had 4th tackle start two games, we have very little depth at WR…these positions and groups aren’t going to be consistent week to week.
The secondary played good against Pittsburgh; but Trubisky helped them a lot.
I get what you're saying about 1st round draft picks in our secondary; but that doesn't guarantee us anything. Have you see how often they tackle way too high? Johnson got lit up by Najee Harris. Last week Delpit was trying to tackle ball carriers around the shoulder pads.
While this is the era to try to defend the pass - you can't go pedal to the metal with it at the expense of using junior varsity and freshman caliber DTs. The Falcons exposed Berry's planning or complete lack thereof. If there's nothing up there physics are going to get all our high round DBs/crash test dummies hurt anyway.
This desperate situation might want to have us look at James Hudson III as a DT (since he played Defense once upon a time).
-
Let me say, I believe DT is a problem and I was a believer at that point but prior to that Falcons game the secondary nearly lost us a game and then the very next week lost the Jets game. The FO commitment to that group was huge…You have a couple first round picks back there, a high dollar free agent, a second and third round pick. The secondary has to be on point this year we have all these other groups playing with built in excuses for instance we are playing a backup QB, a backup a center, we had 4th tackle start two games, we have very little depth at WR…these positions and groups aren’t going to be consistent week to week.
The secondary played good against Pittsburgh; but Trubisky helped them a lot.
I get what you're saying about 1st round draft picks in our secondary; but that doesn't guarantee us anything. Have you see how often they tackle way too high? Johnson got lit up by Najee Harris. Last week Delpit was trying to tackle ball carriers around the shoulder pads.
While this is the era to try to defend the pass - you can't go pedal to the metal with it at the expense of using junior varsity and freshman caliber DTs. The Falcons exposed Berry's planning or complete lack thereof. If there's nothing up there physics are going to get all our high round DBs/crash test dummies hurt anyway.
This desperate situation might want to have us look at James Hudson III as a DT (since he played Defense once upon a time).
The secondary played good against Pittsburgh; but Trubisky helped them a lot.
I get what you're saying about 1st round draft picks in our secondary; but that doesn't guarantee us anything. Have you see how often they tackle way too high? Johnson got lit up by Najee Harris. Last week Delpit was trying to tackle ball carriers around the shoulder pads.
While this is the era to try to defend the pass - you can't go pedal to the metal with it at the expense of using junior varsity and freshman caliber DTs. The Falcons exposed Berry's planning or complete lack thereof. If there's nothing up there physics are going to get all our high round DBs/crash test dummies hurt anyway.
This desperate situation might want to have us look at James Hudson III as a DT (since he played Defense once upon a time).
I agree with you 90% of the time.
Hudson back to Dline where he played sparingly at TSUN. No. He’s playing great now at Tackle and will hold that spot next season likely as a starter. I’m not doing it no way.
Regarding the secondary and where I’ve highlighted the talent…All I’m saying…where there is talent in the secondary…it has to perform it can’t be the reason you lose.
-
The secondary played good against Pittsburgh; but Trubisky helped them a lot.
I get what you're saying about 1st round draft picks in our secondary; but that doesn't guarantee us anything. Have you see how often they tackle way too high? Johnson got lit up by Najee Harris. Last week Delpit was trying to tackle ball carriers around the shoulder pads.
While this is the era to try to defend the pass - you can't go pedal to the metal with it at the expense of using junior varsity and freshman caliber DTs. The Falcons exposed Berry's planning or complete lack thereof. If there's nothing up there physics are going to get all our high round DBs/crash test dummies hurt anyway.
This desperate situation might want to have us look at James Hudson III as a DT (since he played Defense once upon a time).
I agree with you 90% of the time.
Hudson back to Dline where he played sparingly at TSUN. No. He’s playing great now at Tackle and will hold that spot next season likely as a starter. I’m not doing it no way.
Regarding the secondary and where I’ve highlighted the talent…All I’m saying…where there is talent in the secondary…it has to perform it can’t be the reason you lose.
I agree with you 90% of the time.
Hudson back to Dline where he played sparingly at TSUN. No. He’s playing great now at Tackle and will hold that spot next season likely as a starter. I’m not doing it no way.
Regarding the secondary and where I’ve highlighted the talent…All I’m saying…where there is talent in the secondary…it has to perform it can’t be the reason you lose.
Yeah, I agree with you about the progress Hudson has made at RT. It's been impressive. Having said that, my idea for him to get some reps at DT while Conklin is back starting at RT - addresses a desperate situation on the DL for the time being. I don't even know how good he was at DT - I just know our group is totally unacceptable. When Belichick used to take his starting OLB Mike Vrable and also bring him in to play TE in various goal line packages (despite already having Gronk as an ideal target/blocker) - it worked extremely well. 1 year they took starting Troy Brown and used him as an extra corner when depth got low near and during the playoffs. Winners think outside of the box in desperate times - losers just say we're going to worker harder this week square pegging round holes. IMO, I would at least take a look at him to patch one of the holes threatening to sink this ship. Not forever, just now...
There will be a lot of people that will disagree with my thinking and there's nothing wrong with that. Atlanta watched film of our 1st half vrs Pittsburgh when they gashed us running the ball and took a 14-13 lead into halftime. It's almost like the advantage Nick Chubb gives us gets Santa Claus'd right back to our opponent with the forfeit our IDL is giving up. Suh already played for the Detroit Lions for too many years to be interested in joining the AFC version of them IMO.
-
I agree with you 90% of the time.
Hudson back to Dline where he played sparingly at TSUN. No. He’s playing great now at Tackle and will hold that spot next season likely as a starter. I’m not doing it no way.
Regarding the secondary and where I’ve highlighted the talent…All I’m saying…where there is talent in the secondary…it has to perform it can’t be the reason you lose.
Yeah, I agree with you about the progress Hudson has made at RT. It's been impressive. Having said that, my idea for him to get some reps at DT while Conklin is back starting at RT - addresses a desperate situation on the DL for the time being. I don't even know how good he was at DT - I just know our group is totally unacceptable. When Belichick used to take his starting OLB Mike Vrable and also bring him in to play TE in various goal line packages (despite already having Gronk as an ideal target/blocker) - it worked extremely well. 1 year they took starting Troy Brown and used him as an extra corner when depth got low near and during the playoffs. Winners think outside of the box in desperate times - losers just say we're going to worker harder this week square pegging round holes. IMO, I would at least take a look at him to patch one of the holes threatening to sink this ship. Not forever, just now...
There will be a lot of people that will disagree with my thinking and there's nothing wrong with that. Atlanta watched film of our 1st half vrs Pittsburgh when they gashed us running the ball and took a 14-13 lead into halftime. It's almost like the advantage Nick Chubb gives us gets Santa Claus'd right back to our opponent with the forfeit our IDL is giving up. Suh already played for the Detroit Lions for too many years to be interested in joining the AFC version of them IMO.
Yeah, I agree with you about the progress Hudson has made at RT. It's been impressive. Having said that, my idea for him to get some reps at DT while Conklin is back starting at RT - addresses a desperate situation on the DL for the time being. I don't even know how good he was at DT - I just know our group is totally unacceptable. When Belichick used to take his starting OLB Mike Vrable and also bring him in to play TE in various goal line packages (despite already having Gronk as an ideal target/blocker) - it worked extremely well. 1 year they took starting Troy Brown and used him as an extra corner when depth got low near and during the playoffs. Winners think outside of the box in desperate times - losers just say we're going to worker harder this week square pegging round holes. IMO, I would at least take a look at him to patch one of the holes threatening to sink this ship. Not forever, just now...
There will be a lot of people that will disagree with my thinking and there's nothing wrong with that. Atlanta watched film of our 1st half vrs Pittsburgh when they gashed us running the ball and took a 14-13 lead into halftime. It's almost like the advantage Nick Chubb gives us gets Santa Claus'd right back to our opponent with the forfeit our IDL is giving up. Suh already played for the Detroit Lions for too many years to be interested in joining the AFC version of them IMO.
Admirable idea and I like you're out-of-the-box type thinking, but not practical and not going to happen.
Hudson hasn't taken Dline snaps since his freshman year at UC, and even then it was midseason.
- No DLine technique to have worked on.
- No meetings, no filmroom.
- I doubt he's versed in our defensive calls, checks and verbiage.
- His progression as a RT has given the FO the impression that Conklin could be a money casualty in the near future.
Taking a guy who hasn't seen reps at a spot in 5 years and tossing him in the mix likely means he wouldn't be anymore effective than Elliot or TT. And if you weren't good enough to stay on the Dline under Fickel, chances are you aren't going to amount to much in the NFL. Barring trade or some of our guys taking some of that stuff which created the Hulk, there's no real solution on roster and very few ways you can design things to limit the weakness. It is what it is, at the moment.
-
In hindsight Baker had a perfect setup at OKLA too.
Lincoln Riley scheming up wide open WRs that included Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb against Big12 defenses
In hindsight Baker had a perfect setup at OKLA too.
Lincoln Riley scheming up wide open WRs that included Mark Andrews, Marquise Brown and CeeDee Lamb against Big12 defenses
Not exactly a good metric to use.
Josh Allen played at the University of Wyoming….not really top level competition in the Mountain West Conference.
-
Hudson started at TSUN (*ichigan) as a DT. Transferred to UC - there was some drama between Harbaugh and Fick if I recall. He hasn’t taken a snap at DT in maybe 4/5 years. If he was failing at RT after 2/3 years it could be worth a try- but he was magnificent in the Carolina game against a good pass rusher and held up well again against the Jets.
we could use a good DT, a more instinctive SAM and a better centerfielder. Can’t be weak in Baseball or football right up the middle.
the Guards/Tribe today are rolling out a very good defensive CF, elite 2nd, very good catcher, and a good SS (this year at least)- makes up for the fact that don’t dig the long ball like other teams.
-
Yeah, I agree with you about the progress Hudson has made at RT. It's been impressive. Having said that, my idea for him to get some reps at DT while Conklin is back starting at RT - addresses a desperate situation on the DL for the time being. I don't even know how good he was at DT - I just know our group is totally unacceptable. When Belichick used to take his starting OLB Mike Vrable and also bring him in to play TE in various goal line packages (despite already having Gronk as an ideal target/blocker) - it worked extremely well. 1 year they took starting Troy Brown and used him as an extra corner when depth got low near and during the playoffs. Winners think outside of the box in desperate times - losers just say we're going to worker harder this week square pegging round holes. IMO, I would at least take a look at him to patch one of the holes threatening to sink this ship. Not forever, just now...
There will be a lot of people that will disagree with my thinking and there's nothing wrong with that. Atlanta watched film of our 1st half vrs Pittsburgh when they gashed us running the ball and took a 14-13 lead into halftime. It's almost like the advantage Nick Chubb gives us gets Santa Claus'd right back to our opponent with the forfeit our IDL is giving up. Suh already played for the Detroit Lions for too many years to be interested in joining the AFC version of them IMO.
Admirable idea and I like you're out-of-the-box type thinking, but not practical and not going to happen.
Hudson hasn't taken Dline snaps since his freshman year at UC, and even then it was midseason.
- No DLine technique to have worked on.
- No meetings, no filmroom.
- I doubt he's versed in our defensive calls, checks and verbiage.
- His progression as a RT has given the FO the impression that Conklin could be a money casualty in the near future.
Taking a guy who hasn't seen reps at a spot in 5 years and tossing him in the mix likely means he wouldn't be anymore effective than Elliot or TT. And if you weren't good enough to stay on the Dline under Fickel, chances are you aren't going to amount to much in the NFL. Barring trade or some of our guys taking some of that stuff which created the Hulk, there's no real solution on roster and very few ways you can design things to limit the weakness. It is what it is, at the moment.
Admirable idea and I like you're out-of-the-box type thinking, but not practical and not going to happen.
Hudson hasn't taken Dline snaps since his freshman year at UC, and even then it was midseason.
- No DLine technique to have worked on.
- No meetings, no filmroom.
- I doubt he's versed in our defensive calls, checks and verbiage.
- His progression as a RT has given the FO the impression that Conklin could be a money casualty in the near future.
Taking a guy who hasn't seen reps at a spot in 5 years and tossing him in the mix likely means he wouldn't be anymore effective than Elliot or TT. And if you weren't good enough to stay on the Dline under Fickel, chances are you aren't going to amount to much in the NFL. Barring trade or some of our guys taking some of that stuff which created the Hulk, there's no real solution on roster and very few ways you can design things to limit the weakness. It is what it is, at the moment.
Okay, you and SdBacker convinced me. His progress is very impressive at RT. As for the IDL? Maybe we can move Myles and/or Clowney around here and there once they're healthy again.
-
Admirable idea and I like you're out-of-the-box type thinking, but not practical and not going to happen.
Hudson hasn't taken Dline snaps since his freshman year at UC, and even then it was midseason.
- No DLine technique to have worked on.
- No meetings, no filmroom.
- I doubt he's versed in our defensive calls, checks and verbiage.
- His progression as a RT has given the FO the impression that Conklin could be a money casualty in the near future.
Taking a guy who hasn't seen reps at a spot in 5 years and tossing him in the mix likely means he wouldn't be anymore effective than Elliot or TT. And if you weren't good enough to stay on the Dline under Fickel, chances are you aren't going to amount to much in the NFL. Barring trade or some of our guys taking some of that stuff which created the Hulk, there's no real solution on roster and very few ways you can design things to limit the weakness. It is what it is, at the moment.
Okay, you and SdBacker convinced me. His progress is very impressive at RT. As for the IDL? Maybe we can move Myles and/or Clowney around here and there once they're healthy again.
Okay, you and SdBacker convinced me. His progress is very impressive at RT. As for the IDL? Maybe we can move Myles and/or Clowney around here and there once they're healthy again.
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
-
Okay, you and SdBacker convinced me. His progress is very impressive at RT. As for the IDL? Maybe we can move Myles and/or Clowney around here and there once they're healthy again.
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
I hear you but I’d take a SB visit
-
Okay, you and SdBacker convinced me. His progress is very impressive at RT. As for the IDL? Maybe we can move Myles and/or Clowney around here and there once they're healthy again.
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
Totally agree, which was why I worded it "here and there." Great stuff in the 2nd paragraph. The rest of my reply is just piggybacking on points you've made here and previously that are applicable.
Anything we do is going to have to be varied; because the reality is the FO neglected this group where weaknesses will be easy to find and target. Consequently, this FO is getting exactly what they paid for or didn't for IDL. Blue collar isn't football sexy (ie: NT Bob Golic); but man did he get the job done enabling the Defense to rank #1 against the run in 1986. When you can shut down the run that well - it helps take out a lot of the guess work on the opponents' tendencies.
We can try other things upfront like slants to strength or wide-side or just the opposite with our backers scraping in the opposite direction of the slant. We can even attempt some X-stunt blitzes to generate some inside pressure. One of your previous points about what 1 team was doing in dropping a Dlineman into a hook zone/adjacent gray area is another wrinkle that could work well IMO. Is David Copperfield busy the rest of the year?
It seems strange that a FO that values paying their 2 OGs really good money for their roles inside; thinks just the opposite about DTs. The last time Tampa won a SB, they had 1st round pick Vita Vea at 1 DT and Ndamukong Suh at another with William Gholston, and Jason Pierre-Paul. They also had OLB Shaquille Barrett adding 19.5 sacks (pretty damn good considering he was Von Miller's back-up that didn't have a lot of playing time out in Denver before that). Tampa had enough front 7 talent to where they could vary their fronts where they could kick Vea inside to NT, pushing Suh out to DE with Gholston at the other DE moving Pierre-Paul OLB in a 2 point. Personally, I think Pierre-Paul is more explosive out of a 3 point stance so I didn't think Suh at DE was their best option (although it was enough of a wrinkle for teams to prepare for).
DTs are very valuable. Chris Jones is usually a long day for opponents. Buffalo drafted Ed Oliver in round 1, Fletcher Cox has been a bad ass in Philly since he arrived; Now Philly added a freakin Continent (DT Jordan Davis) that somehow squeezed into the state of Georgia long enough to help them win a national championship. These types of guys command the attention that allows their LBers to giddy-up and get after it. In some cases, these guys can also suffocate the run by themselves.
This may only be a coincidence; but the year the FO went after Sheldon Richardson - we won 11 regular season games and a playoff game. Then we lost the next week to Chris Jones and the Chiefs.
-
Both Myles and Clowney have seen looks at times on the interior in various subpackages. Against CAR at least they did, because their IOL sucked something awful. But just parking them IDL in any other situation takes a weak line and makes it worse. Because our greatest strength, the edge, will now be cut in half while the return on the interior won't be proportionate to the ability we've lost by moving them.
It's a damned if you do type situation and about the greatest warning to any front office - you can't have one position group so damn good and the other so bad that the functionality of your defense (or offense) is so imbalanced. The Chiefs have a great young QB and great skill position players, but we saw what happened against Tampa in the Superbowl when their Oline was depleted. All those skills position accounted for nothing. That's really no different here, just on the other side of the ball.
Totally agree, which was why I worded it "here and there." Great stuff in the 2nd paragraph. The rest of my reply is just piggybacking on points you've made here and previously that are applicable.
Anything we do is going to have to be varied; because the reality is the FO neglected this group where weaknesses will be easy to find and target. Consequently, this FO is getting exactly what they paid for or didn't for IDL. Blue collar isn't football sexy (ie: NT Bob Golic); but man did he get the job done enabling the Defense to rank #1 against the run in 1986. When you can shut down the run that well - it helps take out a lot of the guess work on the opponents' tendencies.
We can try other things upfront like slants to strength or wide-side or just the opposite with our backers scraping in the opposite direction of the slant. We can even attempt some X-stunt blitzes to generate some inside pressure. One of your previous points about what 1 team was doing in dropping a Dlineman into a hook zone/adjacent gray area is another wrinkle that could work well IMO. Is David Copperfield busy the rest of the year?
It seems strange that a FO that values paying their 2 OGs really good money for their roles inside; thinks just the opposite about DTs. The last time Tampa won a SB, they had 1st round pick Vita Vea at 1 DT and Ndamukong Suh at another with William Gholston, and Jason Pierre-Paul. They also had OLB Shaquille Barrett adding 19.5 sacks (pretty damn good considering he was Von Miller's back-up that didn't have a lot of playing time out in Denver before that). Tampa had enough front 7 talent to where they could vary their fronts where they could kick Vea inside to NT, pushing Suh out to DE with Gholston at the other DE moving Pierre-Paul OLB in a 2 point. Personally, I think Pierre-Paul is more explosive out of a 3 point stance so I didn't think Suh at DE was their best option (although it was enough of a wrinkle for teams to prepare for).
DTs are very valuable. Chris Jones is usually a long day for opponents. Buffalo drafted Ed Oliver in round 1, Fletcher Cox has been a bad ass in Philly since he arrived; Now Philly added a freakin Continent (DT Jordan Davis) that somehow squeezed into the state of Georgia long enough to help them win a national championship. These types of guys command the attention that allows their LBers to giddy-up and get after it. In some cases, these guys can also suffocate the run by themselves.
This may only be a coincidence; but the year the FO went after Sheldon Richardson - we won 11 regular season games and a playoff game. Then we lost the next week to Chris Jones and the Chiefs.
Totally agree, which was why I worded it "here and there." Great stuff in the 2nd paragraph. The rest of my reply is just piggybacking on points you've made here and previously that are applicable.
Anything we do is going to have to be varied; because the reality is the FO neglected this group where weaknesses will be easy to find and target. Consequently, this FO is getting exactly what they paid for or didn't for IDL. Blue collar isn't football sexy (ie: NT Bob Golic); but man did he get the job done enabling the Defense to rank #1 against the run in 1986. When you can shut down the run that well - it helps take out a lot of the guess work on the opponents' tendencies.
We can try other things upfront like slants to strength or wide-side or just the opposite with our backers scraping in the opposite direction of the slant. We can even attempt some X-stunt blitzes to generate some inside pressure. One of your previous points about what 1 team was doing in dropping a Dlineman into a hook zone/adjacent gray area is another wrinkle that could work well IMO. Is David Copperfield busy the rest of the year?
It seems strange that a FO that values paying their 2 OGs really good money for their roles inside; thinks just the opposite about DTs. The last time Tampa won a SB, they had 1st round pick Vita Vea at 1 DT and Ndamukong Suh at another with William Gholston, and Jason Pierre-Paul. They also had OLB Shaquille Barrett adding 19.5 sacks (pretty damn good considering he was Von Miller's back-up that didn't have a lot of playing time out in Denver before that). Tampa had enough front 7 talent to where they could vary their fronts where they could kick Vea inside to NT, pushing Suh out to DE with Gholston at the other DE moving Pierre-Paul OLB in a 2 point. Personally, I think Pierre-Paul is more explosive out of a 3 point stance so I didn't think Suh at DE was their best option (although it was enough of a wrinkle for teams to prepare for).
DTs are very valuable. Chris Jones is usually a long day for opponents. Buffalo drafted Ed Oliver in round 1, Fletcher Cox has been a bad ass in Philly since he arrived; Now Philly added a freakin Continent (DT Jordan Davis) that somehow squeezed into the state of Georgia long enough to help them win a national championship. These types of guys command the attention that allows their LBers to giddy-up and get after it. In some cases, these guys can also suffocate the run by themselves.
This may only be a coincidence; but the year the FO went after Sheldon Richardson - we won 11 regular season games and a playoff game. Then we lost the next week to Chris Jones and the Chiefs.
- You can slant your defensive line. I've pointed out CFB D-coords who have found varying degree's of success. The reason you don't see it more at the pro level is the lineman and the RB's are just too good.
- This front office put a priority on interior pocket integrity. Bito, Teller and Pocic. The reason being that our future QB requires this offense placing that priority on pass pro right up the middle, the most difficult place to deal with pressure and the worst kind your QB can face.
- IDL IS very valuable, when you find transcendent talent that makes the pick worth it. Otherwise you'll be looking at rotating in, as coaches call it 'swarms' of bodies with specific skills. Aaron Donald went high because of his ability to disrupt gaps and rush the passer. Jordan Davis was drafted because of his flexibility as a big man and the ability to help the Eagles stay in their nickel and dime sets, even against 21 and 22 personnel.
- It is a bit of a coincidence, the Richardson, playoffs and Chiefs thing. Chris Jones is still a bit one dimensional in his play. That kid hates getting dirty in the running game, and the Chiefs would likely be without a superbowl ring if it wasn't for the emergence of Derrick Nnadi.
- If there is one thing I can promise, if the future of this defense, and NFL defenses for the next 10 years, is to return to 2 high shells and builds off of those looks, that removed body from the box run fit will place additional emphasis on the state of your defensive line come draft time.
(I forgot who the #99 kid was for LSU, but he jumped out last season when I was watching Ferrall. I'm sure I'll be starting there in the next few weeks)
-
Nothing more fun than seeing Vea and the newly drafted Walker drop into zone and.. not be a vulnerability. Walker of course is ridiculous enough at 280# to be able to shut down slot receivers. Just like all the DT's at Cleveland..
The frustrating part is that all the FA DI who are capable of shutting down the run & be more than nonexistent against the pass.. were ignored by the FO. Examples are Akiem Hicks, DJ Jones, Joseph-Day. Instead we have a collection who are capable of neither rushing the passer nor stopping the run.
-
Nothing more fun than seeing Vea and the newly drafted Walker drop into zone and.. not be a vulnerability. Walker of course is ridiculous enough at 280# to be able to shut down slot receivers. Just like all the DT's at Cleveland..
The frustrating part is that all the FA DI who are capable of shutting down the run & be more than nonexistent against the pass.. were ignored by the FO. Examples are Akiem Hicks, DJ Jones, Joseph-Day. Instead we have a collection who are capable of neither rushing the passer nor stopping the run.
Nothing more fun than seeing Vea and the newly drafted Walker drop into zone and.. not be a vulnerability. Walker of course is ridiculous enough at 280# to be able to shut down slot receivers. Just like all the DT's at Cleveland..
The frustrating part is that all the FA DI who are capable of shutting down the run & be more than nonexistent against the pass.. were ignored by the FO. Examples are Akiem Hicks, DJ Jones, Joseph-Day. Instead we have a collection who are capable of neither rushing the passer nor stopping the run.
Exactly! A lot of people don't realize this about Vita Vea; but he was a very good RB in high school. I bring that up because he's pretty quick/fast for a guy his size. I just looked at a you tube video of him running off tackle and outrunning some decent pursuit angles guys had on him.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login