Our secondary vs. deep passes

[theogt]

Where is this? I can't find these stats on their site. It's hard to believe watching the games that our 3rd and long defense is that high.

It's in their premium database.

http://img125.*************/img125/5656/3rdtb9.png

 

[AsthmaField]

It's in their premium database.

Premium. Ha. That's using the word loosely.

 

[theogt]

Premium. Ha. That's using the word loosely.

Agreed. Definitely not worth $40. I'd pay several hundred to have access to STATS Pass, though.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

we play a zone defense, short passes tend to get completed

Not necessarily.

Many teams that play the 2-Deep style that we often hear about, play the defenders up on the receiver in order to deliver a bump and disrupt the pattern.

Playing zone doesn't automatically mean that you have to give up short passes.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

If you not how to improve on being the 6th ranked pass defense in 3rd and long situations, do share.

How about playing up on the receivers more often?

During the Ravens - Pats game, we heard Madden talk about how the Ravens were bumping Welker around pretty good... thus contributing to a 1-7 (at one point) third down conversion for the Patriots.

 

[STSINAZ]

Good job as always Adam. I know most of the year we been giving a big cushion to the wideouts to avoid the deep pass. Part of this was injuries, but I think Wade wanted to expel that demon of years past.

I have noticed as we get healthier we are becoming more aggressive the past few games.

all i know is rodgers went down the field on us with ease and that shouldnt have happened...i know about the injuries but it still should not have happened...thats what scares me...

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Not necessarily.

Many teams that play the 2-Deep style that we often hear about, play the defenders up on the receiver in order to deliver a bump and disrupt the pattern.

Playing zone doesn't automatically mean that you have to give up short passes.

in our D it does

 

[TwoSteppinJJ]

Even though Watkins is backup he has been a key player in our Secondary, we better lock him up before his rookie contract expires. Having a 3rd safety that can come in and get it done is a great thing to have.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

in our D it does

Wow. I guess that trumps anything I could come up with.

 

[Everlastingxxx]

Well last year we were horrible with Roy and Davis back there. So how did we improve? Signing Hamlin and Watkins having another year under his belt...not because of Roys coverage ability. Also our scheme plays to protect the deep ball and dump offs.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Even though Watkins is backup he has been a key player in our Secondary, we better lock him up before his rookie contract expires. Having a 3rd safety that can come in and get it done is a great thing to have.

There is just something about locking up a career backup player that doesn't sit well with me.

 

[Apollo Creed]

Pass rush has a lot to do with secondaries looking better, most QBs and receivers routinely make plays down the field when given time in the pocket. We just weren't getting to the QB last year, and it's hard to keep guys covered once he has time to go through all his reads.

Granted we've had a few really big plays given up on us in the past, but it's funny how they suddenly dissapear when our guys are getting to the QB. Credit goes to Halim for taking the leadership role back there and Wade for being creative defensively.

 

[silverbear]

I was going to do some research on this, but ESPN did part of it for me --

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/notebook?page=sundaycountdown07

According to this article at ESPN.com, our opponents have completed only 31 percent of all passes thrown 16 yards or more past the line of scrimmage. That ranks No. 1 in the NFL for pass defenses.

So much for the theory that teams can attack Roy and Hamlin by throwing the deep ball. And give credit to Watkins, too, who has been much better than he was for most of last season.

Anybody who can't figure out that the Cowboys' defensive weakness is the SHORT passing game doesn't know very much about football...

 

[Idgit]

There is just something about locking up a career backup player that doesn't sit well with me.

Watkins is the next Bradie James.

 

[scottsp]

This is the one thing I have noticed this season about our safety play. We have been solid with downfield coverage. No longer is the big play killing us and this defense is doing a very good job with forcing teams to string plays together.

 

[Rack]

The thing that's killing us are those 3rd and 8's and 3rd and 10's.

I don't know the exact percentage, but our opponent's seem to convert a lot of 3rd and longs against us. That's been my only gripe this season. We do great on 1st and 2nd down then give up (for the most part) a long 3rd down conversion.

Wrong

How about playing up on the receivers more often?

During the Ravens - Pats game, we heard Madden talk about how the Ravens were bumping Welker around pretty good... thus contributing to a 1-7 (at one point) third down conversion for the Patriots.

I'm sure if we had Henry that game we would have played more aggressively. Kind of difficult to play bump and run with 1 injured starter and a bunch of backups.

Watkins is the next Bradie James.

What, another player that can't cover?

I don't agree with that. I actually think Watkins has some coverage ability.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm sure if we had Henry that game we would have played more aggressively. Kind of difficult to play bump and run with 1 injured starter and a bunch of backups.

Correct.

All someone had to do was mention that...

But no, rather than admit our underneath coverage has been soft, some fans refuse to acknowledge the problem and why it has existed.

 

[Hostile]

What, another player that can't cover?

I don't agree with that. I actually think Watkins has some coverage ability.

Pretty sure he meant a player who will develop into a solid contributor.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

I'm really upset that our defense isn't absolutely flawless in every area. Everyone knows that if we want to be good, we can't have any weaknesses anywhere.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I'm really upset that our defense isn't absolutely flawless in every area. Everyone knows that if we want to be good, we can't have any weaknesses anywhere.

It's going to have to be very good at stopping the short pass if we meet New England again this season or another 21 point beating could be the result.