Some Defensive Thoughts...

[Nors]

And to build on that thought when teams go three wide they are in effect making it so neither outside lb is going to be effective blitzing. One OLB has to move out to cover a WR and the other OLB is over the TE-- so there you have it.

Now if we had a cover safety we could adapt better

 

[joseephuss]

With Henry or Newman?

I recall Henry was in tight on a running play where the receiver was close to the OL, and he pursued the play that went the other way, but I don't remember us blitzing a cornerback any other time.

Henry either recognized it was going to be a running play or he was blitzing on that play. He moved away from the receiver and toward the LOS before the ball was snapped. He then went back to the receiver and right when the ball was snapped ran straight toward the back field. He did the same thing against the Commanders the week before.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

Now if we had a cover safety we could adapt better

I agree with that. Boy our coverage is a mess.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

I disagree JT, Those long game losing TD's were because we were in a VERY passive & predictable 4 man rush nickle D with Shanle & Dat, with Glenn...

Thats the D scheme that seems to suck the most, because were in nickle so often and zimmy isn't able to be innovative with it...

The whole offense knows who is rushing and the QB knows he will have time to go long...

If we don't change that part of our D this week, the Ra-da's will kill us going deep...

Shanle was made a fool of in the open field by old man Brunell, that must say alot about his lack of ability in the open field...

We have been pretty effective out of the base 3-4...
But dat just isn't big enough or fast enough to make plays, often doing a impression of a human pancake...He is in on every play on D, yet rarely makes a play or does anything unless its someone else who makes the play of a tip ball or causes a fumble...

Burnett needs to get in there ASAP!

 

[ddh33]

With the exception of the first half hangover against the Niners, the 3-4 hasn't really been a problem. Guys are still learning it, but they've been very good against a couple of the best runners in the league, and the pass hadn't even hurt them in their base defense. The biggest problem has been good old busts for long pass plays. But even that can and will be addressed.

 

[CrazyCowboy]

I expected that the new defense, along with all the new players, would take awhile to come together. However, I have some concerns even at this early point.

1. The blitz. I thought the big selling point of the 3-4 was that you could blitz from different places to confuse QBs. How come Dallas rarely blitzes anyone besides the OLBers? Dat gets sent on the nickel and has done OK. If James goes, he must be awful. I haven't heard or seen a thing from him all season. The blitz schemes just don't seem very innovative, creative or effective. Maybe that is something that improves as the team becomes more comfortable. This leads me to....

2. Zimmer. I know its fashionable to bash him. Heck, he gets bashed about the 3-4 and even the 4-3 cover 2 (even though he hasn't run it yet, people still seem to think he is...). I'll say this though. Parcells handed offensive play calling duties to Payton. He dictated that Zimmer change to the 3-4, a defense he is unfamiliar with. Parcells is supposed to be this 3-4 wizard.....so why isn't he helping Zimmer out? In my opinion, any defensive blame has to be just as much of Parcells fault as Zimmers. I am not impressed with the things that either are doing. Is it just a matter of young guys picking things up before they open it up more? I hope so.

3. I have no doubts that the defensive talent is better this year than last. The results compared to last year? Same record. More yards allowed, more points allowed. 1 more sack and 2 more interceptions.

4. The linebackers. Other than Dat and occasionally Ware, none of these guys have performed worth a lick. James does nothing out there. At least he is not responsible for several long TD runs yet...maybe he is improving. At this rate, he'll be a Pro Bowler when he is 42. For a scheme that emphasizes LBers, don't you think the team should have a few more? Whats wrong with Shanle? He makes the occasional play on the nickel. Seems to have a nose for the ball. What is his major deficiency that keeps him off the field?

5. The DL. I love the depth. I love the fact that the team has basically two 3 man fronts that would probably both start for many 3-4 teams. I don't like sitting playmakers and talent on the bench though.

6. Overall, I like a lot of the young talent on the team. I like the FA additions. I realize it is going to take time to gel. I don't like the results so far though. A good defense shouldn't let the San Franciscos of the world put 31 up on them.

Reb the LB's comments.....when is Burnett going to play?

 

[joseephuss]

I disagree JT, Those long game losing TD's were because we were in a VERY passive & predictable 4 man rush nickle D with Shanle & Dat, with Glenn...

Thats the D scheme that seems to suck the most, because were in nickle so often and zimmy isn't able to be innovative with it...

The whole offense knows who is rushing and the QB knows he will have time to go long...

If we don't change that part of our D this week, the Ra-da's will kill us going deep...

Shanle was made a fool of in the open field by old man Brunell, that must say alot about his lack of ability in the open field...

We have been pretty effective out of the base 3-4...
But dat just isn't big enough or fast enough to make plays, often doing a impression of a human pancake...He is in on every play on D, yet rarely makes a play or does anything unless its someone else who makes the play of a tip ball or causes a fumble...

Burnett needs to get in there ASAP!

Good pass rushers should get pressure on the QB even when the offense knows they are coming. It may take Ware some time, but I think he will develop into that type of pass rusher.

 

[AmericasTeam31]

I thought we had a very effective pass rush/blitzes against the Commanders. We were all over Brunell