Defensive adjustments

[Sydla]

To further the discussion in another thread where people are talking about Crawford moving back to DE for the time being, I found this interesting as well.

I was watching one of the NFL shows and they were talking about the defensive adjustments Jim Schwartz made in their last game. Schwartz has historically been a coordinator that calls few blitzes. In 2014, his defenses brought 5 or more guys around 20% of the time. And that's been his MO for much of his career. He generates pressure with his wide 9 front four approach.

However, against the Bears, he knew he had to get pressure on Cutler and that Cutler can struggle with blitzes and getting rattled (which we clearly saw). First play of the game? Safety blitz. By the end of the game, he apparently had blitzed around 35% percent of passing plays which is pretty high for him. And note, this is a guy who has a pretty good front four and yet he still couldn't chance Cutler getting into a rhythm so he brought extra heat.

I wonder if Marinelli would even think to do the same thing. Now it might be moot as Cutler is likely not to play but I can't shake the feeling that Marinelli would do the opposite. He would play his defense - use a bunch of different coverages, try to get to Cutler with 4 and hope he just makes a mistake.

That's my biggest gripe with this staff. They don't appear to be very innovative. They don't appear to think outside the box much. They have what they have and that's what they will do come hell or high water.

 

[jazzcat22]

This post is more what we need, as to what the coaches can do to help the defense.
Instead of the usual get rid of every player and bring in every player released. As that will not happen too much during the season.
So yes, have threads of how to improve the defense or offense.

I think many of us have been saying for a long time, Marinelli needs to blitz more. When Scandrick gets his speed back without the risk of another hamstring strain like the first game. Then send him, or send Byron Jones, he is fast, so we may not have one of these...almost sacked...crap.

 

[Sydla]

If I could crawl into Marinelli's brain and manipulate him, I would do this:

1) Switch Irving and Crawford
2) Hitchens wouldn't see the field. Durant logs most of the snaps at MLB now (maybe that's the current plan anyway).
3) Have to be more aggressive with the blitzes
4) I'd probably play more man than we already are (although I am not sure the breakdown of man versus zone that we play).

 

[jazzcat22]

If I could crawl into Marinelli's brain and manipulate him, I would do this:

1) Switch Irving and Crawford
2) Hitchens wouldn't see the field. Durant logs most of the snaps at MLB now (maybe that's the current plan anyway).
3) Have to be more aggressive with the blitzes
4) I'd probably play more man than we already are (although I am not sure the breakdown of man versus zone that we play).

I would like to see some more at Irving at DE though, but yes, Crawford outside may be a good move still.

What about Nzeocha, when he is ready. Plug him in at MLB. Or at least get him some snaps and ease him into it, if from those snaps looks like he can handle MLB.
I thought Hitchens would play better than he has. But he has been a disappointment as to my expectations.

Yes, more blitzes, I want an aggressive defense, not passive [pun intended] as we get passed on...LOL....

 

[superonyx]

To further the discussion in another thread where people are talking about Crawford moving back to DE for the time being, I found this interesting as well.

I was watching one of the NFL shows and they were talking about the defensive adjustments Jim Schwartz made in their last game. Schwartz has historically been a coordinator that calls few blitzes. In 2014, his defenses brought 5 or more guys around 20% of the time. And that's been his MO for much of his career. He generates pressure with his wide 9 front four approach.

However, against the Bears, he knew he had to get pressure on Cutler and that Cutler can struggle with blitzes and getting rattled (which we clearly saw). First play of the game? Safety blitz. By the end of the game, he apparently had blitzed around 35% percent of passing plays which is pretty high for him. And note, this is a guy who has a pretty good front four and yet he still couldn't chance Cutler getting into a rhythm so he brought extra heat.

I wonder if Marinelli would even think to do the same thing. Now it might be moot as Cutler is likely not to play but I can't shake the feeling that Marinelli would do the opposite. He would play his defense - use a bunch of different coverages, try to get to Cutler with 4 and hope he just makes a mistake.

That's my biggest gripe with this staff. They don't appear to be very innovative. They don't appear to think outside the box much. They have what they have and that's what they will do come hell or high water.

Good post...but are we asking Marinelli to be more like a Jim Schwartz who is with his 4th or 5th team in 5 years? Not sure he is the model we should chase.

 

[Doomsay]

Blitzing seemed to work in the skins game last year, Vikes gave us a blueprint for pressuring Cutler. I hope we follow it.

 

[boysfanindc]

Blitzing seemed to work in the skins game last year, Vikes gave us a blueprint for pressuring Cutler. I hope we follow it.

Where going to have to sack Cutler on the bench.

 

[Alexander]

That is nice, but it is pretty clear that since Marinelli does not believe in the blitz, we do not practice it enough. And when we do blitz, it looks we have not practiced it.

It is a mindset, not something you can turn on and off when you feel like it.

If most of the week is "Rushmen, rushmen, rushmen", it is likely not practiced enough.

 

[Alexander]

Blitzing seemed to work in the skins game last year, Vikes gave us a blueprint for pressuring Cutler. I hope we follow it.

It likely won't be Cutler.

With our defensive philosophy and how it stresses pass coverage, I think it is less likely to see us use it against the likes of Hoyer.

It is probably going to be saved up and dialed up when Marinelli feels it needed more, a once in a blue moon thing.

 

[Sydla]

Good post...but are we asking Marinelli to be more like a Jim Schwartz who is with his 4th or 5th team in 5 years? Not sure he is the model we should chase.

Well in fairness, he's on his third team in 5 years. He was fired as a head coach, then he was in Buffalo but Marrone got fired and Rex Ryan wanted his own guy as DC.

No one is suggesting he should be the model. The point being that Schwartz has his philosophies (wide 9 is the way to get to the QB) but is willing to adjust/adapt given the competition. Something we rarely see from Marinelli.

 

[Doomsay]

Where going to have to sack Cutler on the bench.

Probably be as effective against Hoyer.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Well in fairness, he's on his third team in 5 years. He was fired as a head coach, then he was in Buffalo but Marrone got fired and Rex Ryan wanted his own guy as DC.

No one is suggesting he should be the model. The point being that Schwartz has his philosophies (wide 9 is the way to get to the QB) but is willing to adjust/adapt given the competition. Something we rarely see from Marinelli.

Part of the issue maybe the lack of consistent lineup of players and being able to trust them in their assignments. The only guy from the DL that's starting from last season is T. Crawford. The only starter from the LB corps is Lee. So much turnover.

 

[Sydla]

Part of the issue maybe the lack of consistent lineup of players and being able to trust them in their assignments. The only guy from the DL that's starting from last season is T. Crawford. The only starter from the LB corps is Lee. So much turnover.

Eagles are running an entirely new system under Schwartz going from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and having guys like Barwin go from an OLB to DE.

And yet in Game 2, in a new system, they are doing things that Schwartz normally doesn't like to do and doing it fairly well.

Now in fairness, again, Schwartz is working with a far more talented front seven than the Cowboys are trotting out there.

Thanks, Jerry.

 

[Kevinicus]

Well in fairness, he's on his third team in 5 years. He was fired as a head coach, then he was in Buffalo but Marrone got fired and Rex Ryan wanted his own guy as DC.

No one is suggesting he should be the model. The point being that Schwartz has his philosophies (wide 9 is the way to get to the QB) but is willing to adjust/adapt given the competition. Something we rarely see from Marinelli.

And Buffalo's defense has not been what it was under Schwartz.

 

[Sydla]

And Buffalo's defense has not been what it was under Schwartz.

Yep.

And note, I am not suggesting Jim Schwartz is some genius DC or one of the best in football or someone we need to hire.

What I am saying is that here you have a coach that has a specific system that he wants to run but given certain matchups, he's willing to do something he's normally not accustomed to doing or normally wants to do. I just don't see that type of flexibility and adaptability from our coaching staff. They have their system and they are going to run it no matter the results.

 

[Seven]

....................I'm all for them!!!

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Well it will be interesting to see what happens at DE with Lawrence coming back. Davis playing and Tapper getting some snaps.

I would expect some kind of improvement in the pass rush... Monumental improvement? No. But some improvement is better than nothing.

 

[dallasdave]

It likely won't be Cutler.

With our defensive philosophy and how it stresses pass coverage, I think it is less likely to see us use it against the likes of Hoyer.

It is probably going to be saved up and dialed up when Marinelli feels it needed more, a once in a blue moon thing.

Maybe it would be good to practice against Hoyer ?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Maybe it would be good to practice against Hoyer ?

I don't see them (the Cowboys) getting all blitz-happy vs. GB and Pittsburgh.

Lawrence will be back (which is a good thing), but they'll force GB & Pittsburgh to march down the field and try eliminating big plays.

 

[Alexander]

Maybe it would be good to practice against Hoyer ?

You would think so, but that is a bit arrogant. I just see us going more the opposite way, making him beat coverage.