How do they fix it? Looking ahead

[shabazz]

This question isn’t a knee jerk reaction to just a single game. This defense has been getting gashed by the run all season and it’s not improved no matter what scheme is being utilized.

So the question is , “what roster positions. ,specifically, have to be addressed via the draft and free agency to balance out the disparity between the pass and rush defense?

We are aware of the offenses issues of inconsistency but for this thread I’d like to just hear about the defensive side of the ball and how to fix it, because I think its obviously beyond repairing this season.

Give us some gems of wisdom

 

[BleedSilverandBlue]

This question isn’t a knee jerk reaction to just a single game. This defense has been getting gashed by the run all season and it’s not improved no matter what scheme is being utilized.

So the question is , “what roster positions. ,specifically, have to be addressed via the draft and free agency to balance out the disparity between the pass and rush defense?

We are aware of the offenses issues of inconsistency but for this thread I’d like to just hear about the defensive side of the ball and how to fix it, because I think its obviously beyond repairing this season.

Give us some gems of wisdom

I think you are correct. There probably is no fixing the run defense this season. You simply must make a move for a premier interior lineman this offseason and invest some draft capital in another athletic linebacker or two to take over for LVE.

Another very unpopular suggestion I would have is to just line Micah up at LB. He certainly provides some more punch in the run stopping department even if you are giving up his all-pro pass rush ability. I think we have enough pass rush from DLaw, Dorance, Williams, and Fowler Jr. to justify the move as least until the coaching staff can get some more run-oriented personnel in there.

Could also move to a 3-4 on running downs with Parsons and Williams playing your OLBS, Hankins at 1- Tech, Ghoulston at LDE, and Tank at Right DE. (Call me crazy but I actually think we have the personnel to pull this off). You get multiple benefits from this alignment. You are protecting LVE from having to make plays on the outside and let him play in the box. You also make it very difficult for teams to outnumber you with blockers off-tackle and limit the stress on your CBs in run support where they struggle. I think it is a no brainer for Quinn to at least think about.

Something else to consider: Dallas plays with 5 DBs more than every team but Buffalo and this is by quite a margin. Maybe you fix this by putting another LB on the field.

If I were Quinn I would literally consider playing a 5 man front on first down when there is time to substitute.

 

[shabazz]

I think you are correct. There probably is no fixing the run defense this season. You simply must make a move for a premier interior lineman this offseason and invest some draft capital in anther athletic linebacker or two to take over for LVE.

Another very unpopular suggestion I would have is to just line Micah up at LB. He certainly provides some more punch in the run stopping department even if you are giving up his all-pro pass rush ability. I think we have enough pass rush from DLaw, Dorance, Williams, and Fowler Jr. to justify the move as least until the coaching staff can get some more run-oriented personnel in there.

If I were Quinn I literally consider playing a 5 man front on first down when there is time to substitute.

thanks for a sane, lucid answer. It’s constructive

 

[Cowboyny]

This question isn’t a knee jerk reaction to just a single game. This defense has been getting gashed by the run all season and it’s not improved no matter what scheme is being utilized.

So the question is , “what roster positions. ,specifically, have to be addressed via the draft and free agency to balance out the disparity between the pass and rush defense?

We are aware of the offenses issues of inconsistency but for this thread I’d like to just hear about the defensive side of the ball and how to fix it, because I think its obviously beyond repairing this season.

Give us some gems of wisdom

I think you start by going more of a big 3-4 alignment to defend the run. That means a traditional, 2 gap NT, a 5T DE and then add a more physical/agressive linebacker then Lve

 

[fivetwos]

Parsons was calling it a gap containment problem.

How is that NOT fixable?

 

[shabazz]

I have to think that Quinn is beyond frustrated, unless he assured his GM that he’s got all the ingredients he needs because right now it’s looking like a tossed salad

 

[starfan1]

I think you are correct. There probably is no fixing the run defense this season. You simply must make a move for a premier interior lineman this offseason and invest some draft capital in another athletic linebacker or two to take over for LVE.

Another very unpopular suggestion I would have is to just line Micah up at LB. He certainly provides some more punch in the run stopping department even if you are giving up his all-pro pass rush ability. I think we have enough pass rush from DLaw, Dorance, Williams, and Fowler Jr. to justify the move as least until the coaching staff can get some more run-oriented personnel in there.

Could also move to a 3-4 on running downs with Parsons and Williams playing your OLBS, Hankins at 1- Tech, Ghoulston at LDE, and Tank at Right DE. (Call me crazy but I actually think we have the personnel to pull this off). You get multiple benefits from this alignment. You are protecting LVE from having to make plays on the outside and let him play in the box. You also make it very difficult for teams to outnumber you with blockers off-tackle and limit the stress on your CBs in run support where they struggle. I think it is a no brainer for Quinn to at least think about.

If I were Quinn I would literally consider playing a 5 man front on first down when there is time to substitute.

Lining up Micah at predominately linebacker would be a mistake. Thats the one thing he cant do very well he is only marginally better than LVE. We need him terrorizing QBs

 

[shabazz]

Parsons was calling it a gap containment problem.

How is that NOT fixable?

If it’s merely execution and scheme rather than personnel, then why hasn’t a defensive guru like Quinn fixed it by now?

 

[cityochamps]

We obviously didn’t do enough to shore up the middle of the D since the play off game in San Fran. That is the issue in my book we have had teams go over 100 yards 7 times so far.

 

[nightrain]

Trade those all stars for a bounty of picks/cheaper players and build a solid team from the inside out.

 

[zrinkill]

There is no quick fix ...... This is a fundemental defensive scheme problem, they lose containment because everyone and I mean everyone is concentrating too much on getting to the QB or going for an interception.

We are getting gashed in the middle or killed on screens.
Quinn is only good at being aggressive and has not adjusted or held his players accountable for losing containment.
I do not see it getting fixed this year.

 

[starfan1]

If it’s merely execution and scheme rather than personnel, then why hasn’t a defensive guru like Quinn fixed it by now?

I think its personnel. Micah is best rushing the QB.Im not sure what the answer is but its been an issue for years. Hankins,Dlaw and Williams may be our best run defenders maybe Watkins but Dlaw and williams both have gap integrity issues. Osa isnt playing as well as Id hoped and for some reason this staff still likes gallimore

did fowler play yesterday all LBs looked slow to the ball

 

[fivetwos]

If it’s merely execution and scheme rather than personnel, then why hasn’t a defensive guru like Quinn fixed it by now?

We do seem to collect dumb players.

Sure sounded to me like he thinks players are going rouge. I don’t know the topic well enough to take a guess.

 

[shabazz]

There is no quick fix ...... This is a fundemental defensive scheme problem, they lose containment because everyone and I mean everyone is concentrating too much on getting to the QB or going for an interception.

We are getting gashed in the middle or killed on screens.
Quinn is only good at being aggressive and has not adjusted or held his players accountable for losing containment.
I do not see it getting fixed this year.

agree, so in your opinion, which personnel needs to be released or upgraded in the off season?

 

[Runwildboys]

If it’s merely execution and scheme rather than personnel, then why hasn’t a defensive guru like Quinn fixed it by now?

The way Micah was talking, according to the other thread, it would seem the players are leaving or not getting to their gaps, and freelancing.

 

[zrinkill]

agree, so in your opinion, which personnel needs to be released or upgraded in the off season?

Upgrade OT and we need to replace LVE ..... He has played fine but his play style does not fit Quinn's defense. He plays to upright and is to slow to fill the gaps.

 

[shabazz]

We do seem to collect dumb players.

Sure sounded to me like he thinks players are going rouge. I don’t know the topic well enough to take a guess.

I respect that answer so that’s why I was hoping that some fellow posters that study film can elaborate.

my main question is who on defense is consistently underperforming to allow this travesty?

Is it mainly the trenches? Linebacker play, or safety play?

it’s more important that the FO recognize it because if they don’t, expect more of the same next season. In order to have faith in success we have to see change and results.

 

[cnuball21]

NT and a good MLBr.

Having a DE opposite of Tank that is actually
good against the run would help too.

 

[shabazz]

The way Micah was talking, according to the other thread, it would seem the players are leaving or not getting to their gaps, and freelancing.

Then to me it sounds like lack of either talent, brains, or desire…..I’m not sure what’s left. And they made no move other than Hankins to address a glaring weakness……I don’t get it.

I know we can’t have all stars at all positions but 29th against the run has to be addressed

 

[khiladi]

Parsons has been carrying Quinn, not the other way around. The defense looks pretty average when Parsons isn’t playing like LT. Parsons is getting tired and needs time to recuperate.