Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme

GeauxNOGeaux · 11-04-2013, 09:03 AM

After watching yesterday's game against the NY Jets it occurred to me that the Defense is not invincible after all. After coming into the game with a a relatively low 17 points per game allowed, the underlying stat that I had not paid much attention to was the Rushing Yards Allowed.

Watching the game closely I began to realize why opponents were able to rush all over us. Part of it is due to Rob Ryan's aggressive schemes. I applaud Rob Ryan tremendously for how he has been able to bring back swagger and confidence to this defense early on in the season. However, as many schemes as he has in his arsenal we have to be better prepared for teams that can run the ball. I was able to notice as well as the commentators of yesterdays game that when the Saints went to a 3-4 look, it allowed the running back to explode through the A gaps and get 5 yards nearly every time. The Jets were also able to exploit the outside run game, as our OLB were coming in hot for the pressure and overran the play several times, which resulted in big gains. Much like Von Millers Rookie year, they held him to passing situational downs due to his tendency to overrun plays. I think that injuries also hurt us this week, but I think part of it is a scheme error. While our passing defense has been greatly improved, with all the money and talent we have invested in the front 7 guys like Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Cam Jordan, Akiem Hicks, there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get this fixed

Halo · 11-04-2013, 09:28 AM

Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down.

I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included.

What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined.

dizzle88 · 11-04-2013, 09:34 AM

Originally Posted by Halo

Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down.

I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included.

What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined.

Thats why I think you'll notice that not a lot of people (atleast the ones that know what they are talking about) tend not to blame the defense anymore

The offense is putting them in terrible situations, we get the ball back with 2 minutes to go half time, nick toon tips the pass, our D is back out and jets have the ball at our 20 yard line.

They were bad against the run yesterday but it's the offense that are to blame for a lot of the defensive struggles, because its only when we put them in bad situations that the areas show up.

If toon makes that long catch, completely different game.

He dropped the pass, jets went down and scored
He caused an INT, jets went down and scored

Complete momentum swing by his two huge mistakes

Danno · 11-04-2013, 09:35 AM

Originally Posted by Halo

Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down.

I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included.

What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined.

I think thats what I'm encouraged about. Our defense is playing much better on average than our offense.

But I'm certain this offense can turn it around and start playing much better. Numerous drops, dropped passes that resulted in two picks, missed blocking assignments, numerous penalties... all are very uncharacteristic of a Brees/Payton offense. I expect most of that will be corrected as the season progresses.

Budsdrinker · 11-04-2013, 09:36 AM

I would like to see more of Jenkins in instead of Bunkley. I think Jenkins and the DL played pretty well when Bunkley was out.

GeauxNOGeaux · 11-04-2013, 10:01 AM

Didn't mean to burden the defense at all by this post. Like I said I am very happy and content with the D this year. I have more fits about our O-Line and Run game more than anything. Defense can only do so much!

NonieT · 11-04-2013, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by GeauxNOGeaux

Didn't mean to burden the defense at all by this post. Like I said I am very happy and content with the D this year. I have more fits about our O-Line and Run game more than anything. Defense can only do so much!

How about bad scheme on the OLine. The zone blocking isn't working. They need to go back to gap blocking. I keep saying that and God I hope someone at Airline Dr has figured this out. Going back to gap blocking won't solve all the problem but I bet it'll fix the run game.

Danno · 11-04-2013, 10:10 AM

Originally Posted by NonieT

How about bad scheme on the OLine. The zone blocking isn't working. They need to go back to gap blocking. I keep saying that and God I hope someone at Airline Dr has figured this out. Going back to gap blocking won't solve all the problem but I bet it'll fix the run game.

IIRC one of the reasons we switched was to adjust for Ingram's style of play.

Well forget that now, I'd rather go back to the gap scheme. It wasn't great, but it sure looked better than what we're seeing so far.

As I mentioned earlier this year, Ross Tucker (NFL Radio) mentioned that teams making that switch rarely have success at it the first year. Yes it can happen, but more often than not it doesn't work well at all in season one.

We averaged an entire yard more per carry last year.

exile · 11-04-2013, 10:14 AM

They played well enough to win the game especially since turnovers forced them into bad positions. I saw two or three runs by Ivory/Powell that even Halo could have run through and gained 10 yards.

Overall I thought the Jets had a great gameplan and got the ball out of Geno's hands quickly. Especially those WR screens that seemed to keep working. That opened up the run lanes.

GeauxNOGeaux · 11-04-2013, 10:15 AM

We have a Superbowl caliber team. We need to put in place now what will win us a Superbowl. A solid running game would be so helpful to our Offense and our Defense. I agree, we need to go back to gap blocking.

11-04-2013, 09:03 AM	#1
GeauxNOGeaux Registered Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 30 Blog Entries: 1	Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme After watching yesterday's game against the NY Jets it occurred to me that the Defense is not invincible after all. After coming into the game with a a relatively low 17 points per game allowed, the underlying stat that I had not paid much attention to was the Rushing Yards Allowed. Watching the game closely I began to realize why opponents were able to rush all over us. Part of it is due to Rob Ryan's aggressive schemes. I applaud Rob Ryan tremendously for how he has been able to bring back swagger and confidence to this defense early on in the season. However, as many schemes as he has in his arsenal we have to be better prepared for teams that can run the ball. I was able to notice as well as the commentators of yesterdays game that when the Saints went to a 3-4 look, it allowed the running back to explode through the A gaps and get 5 yards nearly every time. The Jets were also able to exploit the outside run game, as our OLB were coming in hot for the pressure and overran the play several times, which resulted in big gains. Much like Von Millers Rookie year, they held him to passing situational downs due to his tendency to overrun plays. I think that injuries also hurt us this week, but I think part of it is a scheme error. While our passing defense has been greatly improved, with all the money and talent we have invested in the front 7 guys like Curtis Lofton, David Hawthorne, Cam Jordan, Akiem Hicks, there is no reason we shouldn't be able to get this fixed Halo, hagan714, Barry from MS and 1 others like this.

11-04-2013, 09:28 AM	#2
Halo Site Donor MONTHLY Join Date: May 2002 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 20,605 Blog Entries: 45	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down. I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included. What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined. FinSaint and K Major like this.
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11-04-2013, 09:34 AM	#3
dizzle88 10000 POST CLUB Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 11,208	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Originally Posted by Halo Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down. I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included. What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined. Thats why I think you'll notice that not a lot of people (atleast the ones that know what they are talking about) tend not to blame the defense anymore The offense is putting them in terrible situations, we get the ball back with 2 minutes to go half time, nick toon tips the pass, our D is back out and jets have the ball at our 20 yard line. They were bad against the run yesterday but it's the offense that are to blame for a lot of the defensive struggles, because its only when we put them in bad situations that the areas show up. If toon makes that long catch, completely different game. He dropped the pass, jets went down and scored He caused an INT, jets went down and scored Complete momentum swing by his two huge mistakes Halo and jlouhill like this.
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11-04-2013, 09:35 AM	#4
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Originally Posted by Halo Defense has allowed its share of running this year. I felt adjustments were made in the second half that eventually shut the Jets down. I totally agree with you GeauxNOGeaux. I also think it was a monumental task cleaning up this defense from last year, and that overall I really could not ask for more, pourous run defense included. What's most disappointing is the defense handing the ball back to the offense and the offensive mistakes and miscues are mind boggling. I don't want to go off topic too much, but I agree that the defense appears to be the more serviceable and adjustable squad on the team as opposed to the offense which needs its collective heads examined. I think thats what I'm encouraged about. Our defense is playing much better on average than our offense. But I'm certain this offense can turn it around and start playing much better. Numerous drops, dropped passes that resulted in two picks, missed blocking assignments, numerous penalties... all are very uncharacteristic of a Brees/Payton offense. I expect most of that will be corrected as the season progresses. Halo, K Major and WHODATINCA like this.

11-04-2013, 09:36 AM	#5
Budsdrinker A Cajun Transforming TX Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The Woodlands, Texas Posts: 2,787	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme I would like to see more of Jenkins in instead of Bunkley. I think Jenkins and the DL played pretty well when Bunkley was out. Barry from MS likes this.

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11-04-2013, 10:01 AM	#6
GeauxNOGeaux Registered Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 30 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Didn't mean to burden the defense at all by this post. Like I said I am very happy and content with the D this year. I have more fits about our O-Line and Run game more than anything. Defense can only do so much! Halo likes this.

11-04-2013, 10:06 AM	#7
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Originally Posted by GeauxNOGeaux Didn't mean to burden the defense at all by this post. Like I said I am very happy and content with the D this year. I have more fits about our O-Line and Run game more than anything. Defense can only do so much! How about bad scheme on the OLine. The zone blocking isn't working. They need to go back to gap blocking. I keep saying that and God I hope someone at Airline Dr has figured this out. Going back to gap blocking won't solve all the problem but I bet it'll fix the run game.
NonieT 500th Post Join Date: Jun 2012 Posts: 921

11-04-2013, 10:10 AM	#8
Danno Truth Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Spanish Fort, AL (via NO and B/R) Posts: 24,720	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme Originally Posted by NonieT How about bad scheme on the OLine. The zone blocking isn't working. They need to go back to gap blocking. I keep saying that and God I hope someone at Airline Dr has figured this out. Going back to gap blocking won't solve all the problem but I bet it'll fix the run game. IIRC one of the reasons we switched was to adjust for Ingram's style of play. Well forget that now, I'd rather go back to the gap scheme. It wasn't great, but it sure looked better than what we're seeing so far. As I mentioned earlier this year, Ross Tucker (NFL Radio) mentioned that teams making that switch rarely have success at it the first year. Yes it can happen, but more often than not it doesn't work well at all in season one. We averaged an entire yard more per carry last year.

11-04-2013, 10:14 AM	#9
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme They played well enough to win the game especially since turnovers forced them into bad positions. I saw two or three runs by Ivory/Powell that even Halo could have run through and gained 10 yards. Overall I thought the Jets had a great gameplan and got the ball out of Geno's hands quickly. Especially those WR screens that seemed to keep working. That opened up the run lanes. Halo likes this.
exile Cake or Death? Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 3,608

11-04-2013, 10:15 AM	#10
GeauxNOGeaux Registered Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 30 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Poor Run Defense Partially Due to Scheme We have a Superbowl caliber team. We need to put in place now what will win us a Superbowl. A solid running game would be so helpful to our Offense and our Defense. I agree, we need to go back to gap blocking. Halo likes this.

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