Carr: "They always checked into the right play call to burn us."

[The Natural]

I tell ya what. Every year its the same thing. Either the opposing defense knows exactly what our offense is going to do, or the opposing offense always checks into the right play to set our D on fire.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

A week ago we were praying Maranelli doesn't leave our team and Kiffin was a breathe of fresh air. A week later we are terrible and we should've never got rid of Rob Ryan..

What u mean?






Jk

 

[theebs]

They had a plan, they executed it and they whipped us, credit them.

The problem here is this is a usual thing. It's not even mildly suprising to get whipped like this anymore.

 

[Nirvana]

I just have a problem with predictability. A good QB will torch you every time.

 

[Tabascocat]

A week ago we were praying Maranelli doesn't leave our team and Kiffin was a breathe of fresh air. A week later we are terrible and we should've never got rid of Rob Ryan.

This defense NEVER generated turnovers or sacks under Rob Ryan. Its doing it now.

I went back and added up the sacks and TO's from last season and this one through four games.

2012 2013 2013(week one modified)

9 sacks 14 sacks 14 sacks
4 TO's 8 TO's 3/4 TO's

Quite a bit of difference at first glance, but lets trim down the game one anomaly to one/two TO's while sacks remain the same. We are looking at more sacks this season with equal or one less turnovers thru the first quarter of the season. This tells me that the defensive front has increased their pressure at attacking the QB. The turnovers are par for the course at this point because those six TO's in game one will most likely not happen again.

Basically, we are seeing the same results w/o Rat and Spencer which is good. The defense is a bit better than last season's but it is not a clear edge yet. I was not a fan of Ryan either and do not wish him back but I am leaning towards the talent on this defense now. Maybe it isn't the coaches in place and blame lies on the players?

Imagine if Selvie had not stepped up and Hatch not playing out of this world, what would the defense look like then? I don't know the answers, just spit-balling here. I know, week one stats count but it is a rare occurrence to see six turnovers in one game. IMO, if injuries mount up like last season, it just might be a worse defense than 2012.

 

[Plankton]

Well, as .500 teams go, this should be a good week.

Up one week, down the next. If it goes according to form, this should be an up week.

 

[Nirvana]

re-watching the game, we basically played without Demarcus Ware most of the game, whether he was on the field or not. He got hurt early on.

 

[Jerryrage]

I'm sure Rob would still be here if the players didn't have an IQ of 14. New Orleans has the number one defense in the NFL going into tonight's game.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I went back and added up the sacks and TO's from last season and this one through four games.

2012 2013 2013(week one modified)

9 sacks 14 sacks 14 sacks
4 TO's 8 TO's 3/4 TO's

Quite a bit of difference at first glance, but lets trim down the game one anomaly to one/two TO's while sacks remain the same. We are looking at more sacks this season with equal or one less turnovers thru the first quarter of the season. This tells me that the defensive front has increased their pressure at attacking the QB. The turnovers are par for the course at this point because those six TO's in game one will most likely not happen again.

Basically, we are seeing the same results w/o Rat and Spencer which is good. The defense is a bit better than last season's but it is not a clear edge yet. I was not a fan of Ryan either and do not wish him back but I am leaning towards the talent on this defense now. Maybe it isn't the coaches in place and blame lies on the players?

Imagine if Selvie had not stepped up and Hatch not playing out of this world, what would the defense look like then? I don't know the answers, just spit-balling here. I know, week one stats count but it is a rare occurrence to see six turnovers in one game. IMO, if injuries mount up like last season, it just might be a worse defense than 2012.

I believe Hathcer and Selvie are playing this well because of Maranelli and Kiffin. Orlando Scandrick, i've always been a fan but for whatever reason he has a bad rep with fans. Whether you like him or not, Kiffin has found a role for him and he's having his best year of his career.

That's what I look for in a DC. Is he making guys better? Is he finding roles for guys? The answer is YES. Guys were underachieving under Rob Ryan. I won't debate that Rob Ryan got a unfair shake due to the injuries last season but we've moved on and thus far it seems for the better.

And are you excluding game 1? Why? It wasn't as if the turnovers weren't forced. Whether they happen again or not I don't know but they happened. And how many TD's did the defense have last year through 4 games because as of right now I know of TWO for sure.

Great post, the D might not be great, but they are dealing with injuries to Rat, Spencer, Ware, are in a new scheme and starting a couple of young players. They should improve.

I'm more worried about the offense, a healthy Dez/Murrey/Witeen and they are not tearing **** up. Disappointed.

EXACTLY. It was always going to take time for guys to get use to this scheme. Especially with the youth and now the injuries.

The defense was ahead of where they were suppose to be. They came out the gate lighting it up and are generating turnovers. The Chargers found some ways to exploit some of their youth and weakness. Its up to the Cowboys to try and fix that. But it by no means should have people rueing the day of Rob Ryan....Unbelievable.

The defense looks alot farther than the offense right now.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I'm sure Rob would still be here if the players didn't have an IQ of 14. New Orleans has the number one defense in the NFL going into tonight's game.

Well remember now when Rob Ryan first got here there was a big lovefest after a few games just to want him out of here a few games later.

 

[Tabascocat]

And are you excluding game 1? Why? It wasn't as if the turnovers weren't forced. Whether they happen again or not I don't know but they happened. And how many TD's did the defense have last year through 4 games because as of right now I know of TWO for sure.

I excluded the Giants game to make a better comparison to 2012. Like I stated, I know week one's stats count. The Cowboys might go another 40 games w/o seeing that many turnovers(anomaly). Not all six TO's were forced, there were some good breaks and bounces mixed in. The defensive TD's are a nice sight to see for sure, that is clearly better this season. Marinelli has worked wonders with the line and it is better than last year. For me, the book is still open concerning Kiffin.

I agree with your overall premise.....Rob/Monte is > Ryan, but exactly how much better? That is a question I will not know until season's end. If we lose a few more players for the season due to injury, will our duo defensive coordinators be running for shelter or away from the bus?

 

[big dog cowboy]

the D might not be great, but they are dealing with injuries to Rat, Spencer, Ware, are in a new scheme and starting a couple of young players. They should improve.

I'm more worried about the offense, a healthy Dez/Murrey/Witten and they are not tearing **** up. Disappointed.

This is a great post.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I excluded the Giants game to make a better comparison to 2012. Like I stated, I know week one's stats count. The Cowboys might go another 40 games w/o seeing that many turnovers(anomaly). Not all six TO's were forced, there were some good breaks and bounces mixed in. The defensive TD's are a nice sight to see for sure, that is clearly better this season. Marinelli has worked wonders with the line and it is better than last year. For me, the book is still open concerning Kiffin.

I agree with your overall premise.....Rob/Monte is > Ryan, but exactly how much better? That is a question I will not know until season's end. If we lose a few more players for the season due to injury, will our duo defensive coordinators be running for shelter or away from the bus?

Well its far too early to tell now. Like you said, we'll get a better understanding of it once the season ends. I'm more so speaking to the people who just a week ago were on the Maranelli/Kiffin bandwaggon and a week later have hopped off because Phillip Rivers who has been dominating and having a GREAT season has threw all over us yesterday and now are rueing we lost Rob Ryan. Just after 1 game.....

 

[Alexander]

This is a red flag that we may have made a mistake letting Rob Ryan go.

You cannot have it both ways.

You cannot have a simpler defense that makes it easier for our players to execute and a defense that is more complex that makes it more difficult to execute.

The challenge is finding a happier balance and knowing what you are playing from week to week and fostering a more flexible approach.

Ryan struggled doing that and apparently so is Kiffin through 4 games where we are on pace to make last year's record breaking exercise in futility look like a solid defense. But simply suggesting letting Ryan go was a mistake is purely reactionary at this point. If we get shredded the rest of the season, then you are a prophet. Right now, we are basically the same, just the symptoms have changed.

Kiffin will need to take more risks and disguise a lot more, in coverages, than he has ever done for this game Sunday to be competitive.

He may not want to, but in order to beat Manning he will have to employ more man to man coverages and do his best to try to make it harder for Manning to diagnose.

If Rivers can laugh the entire time he is reading the defense pre-snap and just finding where Carter and Claiborne are, you can bet Manning will if we proceed with the simplicity we demonstrated in San Diego.

 

[Alexander]

Well remember now when Rob Ryan first got here there was a big lovefest after a few games just to want him out of here a few games later.

Sounds familiar.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

You cannot have it both ways.

You cannot have a simpler defense that makes it easier for our players to execute and a defense that is more complex that makes it more difficult to execute.

The challenge is finding a happier balance and knowing what you are playing from week to week and fostering a more flexible approach.

Ryan struggled doing that and apparently so is Kiffin through 4 games where we are on pace to make last year's record breaking exercise in futility look like a solid defense. But simply suggesting letting Ryan go was a mistake is purely reactionary at this point. If we get shredded the rest of the season, then you are a prophet. Right now, we are basically the same, just the symptoms have changed.

Kiffin will need to take more risks and disguise a lot more, in coverages, than he has ever done for this game Sunday to be competitive.

He may not want to, but in order to beat Manning he will have to employ more man to man coverages and do his best to try to make it harder for Manning to diagnose.

If Rivers can laugh the entire time he is reading the defense pre-snap and just finding where Carter and Claiborne are, you can bet Manning will if we proceed with the simplicity we demonstrated in San Diego.

I'm not excluding these games but its easy to say what you are on pace to do when you have only played 4 games. I don't see how anyone can watch this defense and think this defense isn't any better than it was last season.

 

[ShiningStar]

In other words we were out coached.

i believe thats something i said as well.