Question of the bye week: How to stop the run?

SaintFanInATLHELL · 10-28-2004, 08:36 AM

This one question should be the entire focal point of the Saints defense. Down the stretch we're going to play 7 games against teams whose offensive strength is running the ball (KC, Denver, SD, Carolina twice, and I'm throwing in the Falcons who are currently in the top 3).

So there are two questions that need to be addressed:

Why can't the Saints stop the run?

What can be changed to improve the run defense?

I have some vague ideas about the first question. Run defense seems to have three major elements: talent, scheme, and attitude. The Saints seem to fail on the latter two. I simply am not saavy enough to know if we have the talent to do the job.

Let's presume that the talent pool is fixed. We're not going to get anymore players on defense. Also let's presume that attitude will come with some success.

So on to the second question: what can be changed about the scheme to improve the run defense? Conventional wisdom says to bring a safety into the box, creating an 8 man front. Do the Saints do this? Does it help? What about run blitzing?

I'm just looking for some answers. I believe that in the next 5 games, that the defense's attitude is going to have to be stop the run at any and all costs. Even if it means giving up 300+ yards in the passing game. Which BTW I think that with McKenzie and Brown won't necessarily happen.

Can the Saints find a way to do it? If so then how?

I found a post in Google Groups that talks about the Chiefs and Broncos former defensive coordinator: Greg Robinson. It spoke to the type of defensive run scheming that works with a complementary offense that has big scoring ability. Check it out here:

http://tinyurl.com/7x4n8

SFIAH

10-28-2004, 08:36 AM	#1
SaintFanInATLHELL The Professor Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Lithonia, GA Posts: 2,647	Question of the bye week: How to stop the run? This one question should be the entire focal point of the Saints defense. Down the stretch we're going to play 7 games against teams whose offensive strength is running the ball (KC, Denver, SD, Carolina twice, and I'm throwing in the Falcons who are currently in the top 3). So there are two questions that need to be addressed: Why can't the Saints stop the run? What can be changed to improve the run defense? I have some vague ideas about the first question. Run defense seems to have three major elements: talent, scheme, and attitude. The Saints seem to fail on the latter two. I simply am not saavy enough to know if we have the talent to do the job. Let's presume that the talent pool is fixed. We're not going to get anymore players on defense. Also let's presume that attitude will come with some success. So on to the second question: what can be changed about the scheme to improve the run defense? Conventional wisdom says to bring a safety into the box, creating an 8 man front. Do the Saints do this? Does it help? What about run blitzing? I'm just looking for some answers. I believe that in the next 5 games, that the defense's attitude is going to have to be stop the run at any and all costs. Even if it means giving up 300+ yards in the passing game. Which BTW I think that with McKenzie and Brown won't necessarily happen. Can the Saints find a way to do it? If so then how? I found a post in Google Groups that talks about the Chiefs and Broncos former defensive coordinator: Greg Robinson. It spoke to the type of defensive run scheming that works with a complementary offense that has big scoring ability. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/7x4n8 SFIAH