All-22 quick review - Defense

[xwalker]

I initially thought that Hitchens had a decent game, but in reviewing it, he was really good. He made a lot of plays and did a lot of things that don't show up on TV when the camera is following the ball. I saw him getting other players lined up on multiple occasions. He even helped get Carter aligned on a play or two. He has a good feel both both playing the run and playing coverage. He has sideline to sideline range. Obviously, he doesn't have the thump that McClain has, but that could be said about many starting LBs in the league.

Wilcox had a good game. He gave up a reception to the TE for about 15 yards, but otherwise was solid. The TE almost caught a TD on him, but he didn't.

DT Ken Bishop is solid and is getting better every time he plays. He's the best run defender of the DLinemen, IMO.

Hayden did make a few plays, but he also gets pushed around too often considering that he's a 1-tech.

Melton was a big part of the problems early against the run. He was getting blown out on running plays. Part of it is the scheme where DTs that are always in a pass rush mode get themselves in bad positions against the run, but he still needs to do better. He did seem to get better later in the game. He did get pressure a few times.

Terrell McClain is normally in with Bishop. They are a better combo against the run than Hayden/Melton, IMO. McClain showed some pass rush ability.

Mincey flashed a little and was held often. Their LT got by with a lot of holding and even tackled a Cowboys defender at one point. Mincey is playing too many snaps, IMO. They really need that 1 speed rusher to alternate with Mincey who is a power rusher.

LDE was OK with Crawford and Selvie. The LDE in Marinelli's defense is not going to get as much pass rush pressure as LDEs in some other defenses. The #1 and #2 pass rushers in Marinelli's defense are the RDE and 3-tech DT.

Overall, each individual DLineman gets pressure on occasion, but what they are lacking is multiple DLinemen getting pressure on the same play.

Marinelli did take some risks with blitzes. Scandrick blitzed at least 4 times and Claiborne once.

Carter made some plays including the INT for a TD, but he also missed a few easy tackles. He's doing much better than last year.

The edges were a little soft against the run, but that seems inevitable with Marinelli's style of defense. The RDE is not required to set a hard edge against the run which leaves most runs to the defensive right side completely up to the DBs and LBs. The young LBs Hitchens and Wilber played those a bit conservatively, but a few extra yards is better than letting the RB loose for big yardage. It seems obvious that Claiborne is protecting a bad shoulder when he tackles, but he oddly looses his footing too often. He at least generally forced the run back inside.

I discussed Claiborne's coverage issues in another thread.

Overall is was a reasonable defensive effort. I think if they can keep the same general group together without too many injury issues, that they can continue to improve. Getting RoMc back will be good and if Spencer and Lawrence can eventually add some speed pass rushing, then it could get much better. When RoMc returns, I would try to find a way to get Hitchens on the field over Wilber in the base defense.

In order for this defense to survive against the Saints, the offense can't turn the ball over.

 

[sureletsrace]

Thanks for the writeup. I really appreciate you sharing all of this.

I really respect your view of the game and player evaluations, so I always look forward to this stuff. It's the meat of my week in between games.

 

[poost]

Why is Selvie playing LDE and Mincey RDE? Wouldn't it be better if they swapped?

 

[tm1119]

That's a whole lot of positives for a defense that let up 24 points and 450 yards to Austin Davis and a bunch of mediocre WR's....

 

[Zman5]

I too watched the coaches film and I can't believe you think Wilcox played well in this game. The dude makes so many mistakes. Why is he back peddling 35 yards away from LOS when it's a run play? All the defenders in front of him are running towards the ball carrier yet he is still back peddling. What the heck is he looking at?

He over runs plays repeatly. It's obvious he doesn't spend much time in the film room because his play recognition skills are really bad.

 

[xwalker]

Why is Selvie playing LDE and Mincey RDE? Wouldn't it be better if they swapped?

Good question. They did swap spots on at least 1 play. It was the play where Mincey dropped into coverage and batted down a pass.

Keep in mind that T. Crawford is the starter at LDE and Selvie is his backup. It's probably Mincey's backup at RDE that you would compare with Selvie in terms of who plays which side.

 

[speedkilz88]

They were playing Wilber behind Mincey at RE. Should be Spencer against the Saints.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Good question. They did swap spots on at least 1 play. It was the play where Mincey dropped into coverage and batted down a pass.

Keep in mind that T. Crawford is the starter at LDE and Selvie is his backup. It's probably Mincey's backup at RDE that you would compare with Selvie in terms of who plays which side.

They feel their best pass rusher one on one has a better chance at getting to the QB then if they moved him to the other side and had him blocked by the RT and getting chipped by TE or RB.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Mincey is a much better player than I think any of us gave him credit for. So far has been the best DL.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I finally sprung for the all 22. You can really learn a lot watching it.

 

[xwalker]

I finally sprung for the all 22. You can really learn a lot watching it.

Yes. We always call it the All-22, but the end-zone great also.

 

[honyock]

I initially thought that Hitchens had a decent game, but in reviewing it, he was really good. He made a lot of plays and did a lot of things that don't show up on TV when the camera is following the ball. I saw him getting other players lined up on multiple occasions. He even helped get Carter aligned on a play or two. He has a good feel both both playing the run and playing coverage. He has sideline to sideline range. Obviously, he doesn't have the thump that McClain has, but that could be said about many starting LBs in the league.

Wilcox had a good game. He gave up a reception to the TE for about 15 yards, but otherwise was solid. The TE almost caught a TD on him, but he didn't.

DT Ken Bishop is solid and is getting better every time he plays. He's the best run defender of the DLinemen, IMO.

Hayden did make a few plays, but he also gets pushed around too often considering that he's a 1-tech.

Melton was a big part of the problems early against the run. He was getting blown out on running plays. Part of it is the scheme where DTs that are always in a pass rush mode get themselves in bad positions against the run, but he still needs to do better. He did seem to get better later in the game. He did get pressure a few times.

Terrell McClain is normally in with Bishop. They are a better combo against the run than Hayden/Melton, IMO. McClain showed some pass rush ability.

Mincey flashed a little and was held often. Their LT got by with a lot of holding and even tackled a Cowboys defender at one point. Mincey is playing too many snaps, IMO. They really need that 1 speed rusher to alternate with Mincey who is a power rusher.

LDE was OK with Crawford and Selvie. The LDE in Marinelli's defense is not going to get as much pass rush pressure as LDEs in some other defenses. The #1 and #2 pass rushers in Marinelli's defense are the RDE and 3-tech DT.

Overall, each individual DLineman gets pressure on occasion, but what they are lacking is multiple DLinemen getting pressure on the same play.

Marinelli did take some risks with blitzes. Scandrick blitzed at least 4 times and Claiborne once.

Carter made some plays including the INT for a TD, but he also missed a few easy tackles. He's doing much better than last year.

The edges were a little soft against the run, but that seems inevitable with Marinelli's style of defense. The RDE is not required to set a hard edge against the run which leaves most runs to the defensive right side completely up to the DBs and LBs. The young LBs Hitchens and Wilber played those a bit conservatively, but a few extra yards is better than letting the RB loose for big yardage. It seems obvious that Claiborne is protecting a bad shoulder when he tackles, but he oddly looses his footing too often. He at least generally forced the run back inside.

I discussed Claiborne's coverage issues in another thread.

Overall is was a reasonable defensive effort. I think if they can keep the same general group together without too many injury issues, that they can continue to improve. Getting RoMc back will be good and if Spencer and Lawrence can eventually add some speed pass rushing, then it could get much better. When RoMc returns, I would try to find a way to get Hitchens on the field over Wilber in the base defense.

In order for this defense to survive against the Saints, the offense can't turn the ball over.

Nice writeup. I have the same concerns about Mincey and # of snaps. I've been impressed with him so far, but they'll wear him out at this pace. Maybe starting this week with Spencer getting some snaps, they'll start to give him a break.

 

[theogt]

Said it before, Hitchens is just a natural football player. He has a knack for it. He's never going to be a perennial pro bowler, but I think he's a guy that you can start for a decade and never have to worry too much about his play. Think of a more athletic version of Bradie James.

I have no idea why people were so down on him. The biggest puzzler was people claiming he was slow. Do people really just look at a 40 time and not really see what's happening on the field?

 

[Jack Burton]

I enjoy reading what people have to say about the all-22, and am encouraged to see that Hitchens looked good. We need able bodied lbers who can play. Thanks for the write up.

 

[Hoofbite]

I don't think you'll get many - if any - flags for a push off on that play. He pretty much just swatted away Claiborne's attempt at trying to get a hand on his shoulder pad.

If that level of contact is impermissible then Morris would be just as guilty of illegal contact, and you'd have a flag on nearly every single passing down.

Edit: May have posted this in the wrong thread.

 

[gdogg24]

thanks for the write it up, good to hear about Hitchens I wonder then when McClain comes back is Hitchens, McClain & Carter should be our 3?

 

[Zman5]

Said it before, Hitchens is just a natural football player. He has a knack for it. He's never going to be a perennial pro bowler, but I think he's a guy that you can start for a decade and never have to worry too much about his play. Think of a more athletic version of Bradie James.

I have no idea why people were so down on him. The biggest puzzler was people claiming he was slow. Do people really just look at a 40 time and not really see what's happening on the field?

He needs to get stronger. Especially if he is going to play MLB mostly. He gets pushed around easily at the point of attack. Maybe he will have a good off season. He does have a knack for hitting the right gap at the right time on short yardages.

 

[cowboys1981]

How did Terrell McClain look???

 

[theogt]

He needs to get stronger. Especially if he is going to play MLB mostly. He gets pushed around easily at the point of attack. Maybe he will have a good off season. He does have a knack for hitting the right gap at the right time on short yardages.

If I had a dollar for every time someone said a rookie needs to get stronger.

 

[Zman5]

If I had a dollar for every time someone said a rookie needs to get stronger.

Not just rookies. I even think Sean Lee needs to get stronger.