Because Blue mentioned that there is no football talk going on, I thought I would throw up a question. What is this guys actual scheme? Here is an old article from when he first showed up. It says its simple, fast, aggressive, swarm to the ball, make plays, play to your strengths. Then I hear they have to stay home, mind their gaps, don't give up the big play, etc.
They rarely blitz effectively (staying at home?) they give up 5 yard passes like every down is third and long (don't give up the big play), unless of course it is third and long, then they do give up the big play... although few examples in the Jax game, the first TD was on 2nd and long, 30 yard play, the other big plays came on "less critical" downs.
Grant Wistrom had this to say "This really isn't that complicated of a scheme," if we're not a good defense, it's not because of him. Ray Rhodes always puts a good product on the field. If we're not a good defense, it's because we as players aren't executing what he calls and we're not getting the job done out there."
So why no blitzing? Why no physical coverage inside five from the LOS? What are these guys really supposed to be doing? Is it a lack of talent? Admittedly, I think they played Jax well, and getting beat by Jimmy Smith has to be expected for most any corner, he is as wiley as they come. They kept everyone else under wraps, other than Matt Jones trickery, and they let Fat Albert stand in the pocket too long most of the time.
In my opinion, a simple, aggressive, running to the ball scheme means pass blitzing (by LBs not in coverage of the TE and or RB, maybe the SS) on passing downs, bumping the WRs everydown, and play your base/cover the gaps D on running downs and letting our fast LBs and Safeties pursue the ball carrier, ideally outside because the inside gaps are filled. Why does this not seem to happen?
Alba alluded earlier that perhaps the game plan will be more Marshall than Rhodes for this Atlanta game. I for one would like to see that, if only to have a new perspective.
Funny all the names on that old article that are no longer here, Springs, Hand, Randall, etc.
ReplyDeleteI remember last year too when they were holding the defense together with spit and bailing wire, Rhodes actually told Boulware NOT to break on the ball until it was thrown. Talk about removing a good player's instincts!
I think the coaches know what the rest of us are just figuring out, which is that the Seahawks players are "good", but not overly talented. (there's actually a good post on the PI forum by IrishGreg regardign this)
As such, the coaches on BOTH sides of the ball call plays TOO concervatively, guarding preciously about not putting the players in jeopardy, and what they're doing is emasculating them in the process.
If we're going to lose games, I'd rather lose them with our defense blitzing their asses off, rather than "staying home" and playing soft zones.
I'd rather lose seeing double-reverses, flea-flickers, halfback options and maybe a screen pass or two, rather than throwing a 6 yard pass on 3rd and 7.
I'd rather see us run a big ass RB into the middle of the lineon 3rd and 1, rather than throwing a 2 yard incompletion.
What I'm saying is "nothing ventured, nothing gained". To lose the way we have in the past, and last Sunday, methodically, quietly, and as if it is expected is what has most fans up in arms.
Pull out the stops. Take some chances. Give guys some room to improvise. Who knows, maybe this would lead us to stealing a few games we weren't expected to win, and dominating the ones that we are.
P.S. Byron Leftwich = Fat Albert . . . LMAO!
IG - I hear you. At the end of last season, I was calling for Rhode's head to anyone who would listen, but our own Vinny talked me down from the ledge with a healthy dose of kool-aid.
ReplyDeleteRhodes does have a good track record of re-building defenses (kinda of like Tuna-lite) and we were hit pretty hard by the injury bug last year, so I'm willing to give him another shot.
I used to think that he might be being groomed to eventually take over for Holmy, but not so much any more.
Whenever and however the Holmy era ends, I'll be really interested to see who Ruskell and the boys bring in as a successor.
Any chance we could see Jim Zorn leading this team again some day?
i wonder when we're blitzing, if the players are concerned what the QB is going to do on the play...hard to explain...but I dont think they know exactly when the right time to blitz is...
ReplyDeletethey run hard towards the QB and then just soften up like they ran into mud or something...its quite a sight to see the only team in the league that seems to do soft blitzes
its like a bad fart...real loud at first and then fizzles at the end...
eh i cant explain it...Rhodes like his defenses fast (though a certain LB is the definition of that, but apparently they rather have never will bes instead)...but he doesnt back up his words...sure they are fast but when they get close for a tackle, they soften up
and the corners...Trufant will never be the top 5 CB he could be if they dont start letting him be more physical...Herndon is supposed to be physical, so Rhodes better utilize it
i just woke up, so ill stop trying to act like a genius for now...
I have to agree with you, adp. Although slightly improved this season, LB blitzes have always been awkward at best. When they show it, they stand there much too long to be of any surprise. Niko is one of the worst offenders of this. Also, very little is done to 'time the
ReplyDeletesnap', and when they do, it's premature and frequently offsides.
I agree, soft corner coverage is a problem. The CB's have more cushion than Zsa Zsa's Beautyrest. How they can be so far back and still get burned deep it a little bizzarre. Then again, no it isn't. That's what ahppens when you have a weak pass rush.
On the other hand, on running plays, there is alway a crowd around the ball, they are good for that. The players also seem to love playing for him. That's one of the big reasons Sharper came to play for us. He is a leader in the locker room, and the film room. His prescence makes a differece to these guys. He has an intensity and focus that Holmgren does not.
About the 'break on the ball' suff to Boulware - I'm not so sure he doesn't know what he's talking about. After all, DB's are his forte', and a position he has played at this level himself. I understand why you're saying it, and I don't disagree, it's just that it will take a lot for me to be convinced that he's wrong.
In any case, I still think that the defense, as a unit, is headed in the right direction. I believe Wistrom's comments in the other thread.
1.
one of the understated keys to being a corner (remember, im a good one...and yes, im being arrogant)...is what the physical aspect of being a corner can do...
ReplyDeleteone of the main reasons to be physical is to knock the receiver off route...which we dont do at all...so many people can run routes with ease against us, because there is no physical play...the QB knows where to go, and the receiver ends up being open for the catch...
if you have an inside slant route, and you knock him off hs route to the outside, it becomes a long hook type of route...it screws up the QB because the WR has to cover...really not anything new, just something that gets overlooked
Posted by adp
looking at our defense on sunday, i thought they were doing a few things pretty well:
ReplyDelete1. they were getting some pressure on the qb. not overwhelming, mind you, but better than last year, so i was pleased to see that. some of it was from blitzes, although jax did a pretty good job of picking up the extra guys.
2. when they weren't blitzing, i thought they were "stunting" effectively. this is when they pretend to run up to the line and then back off into coverage. it's tough to time with the snap, but the bluffing didn't look as much like flagarant bluffing like it has in the past.
3. i saw a lot of jerseys pursuing the guy with the ball. the swarming thing is a good indication of a defense's aggressiveness.
but the secondary was pretty loose, i will agree. i've always believed in bumping off the line and playing tight 1-on-1 if you have the personnel to do it. and i think we do, but it seems like they are trying to protect against big plays because of all the hoo-ha last year.
here's hoping they get a little more aggressive as the guys get more familiar with each other and the defense.
keep in mind that Leroy Hill was impressive throughout camp and his preseason game...he will add to our pass rush eventually...
ReplyDeletePosted by adp