For the first time.....

[Rubbin420]

Being that we have no news going on right now, and some of the other threads being posted right now are pretty bad, I thought we could play defensive coordinator for a moment and get some feedback as to how we will be played this year in comparison to previous years.

I think we all remember that for the past 5+ years, teams played us with a very simple idea. Stop the run and let the QB beat you. To some degree last year was not as bad, due to Lenihans style of offence and Ferrottes improved performance over his predecessors. (Yeah I said it)

For the first time in years, we have the PLAYERS to change this idea to a respect all facets of the offence. This is what excites me the most about this season. I emphasize players because we have yet to see this offence step on the field. It would be wrong to assume they will gel enough to succeed in June but the caliber of players is there.

That being said, we didn’t have these types of weapons even in the Marino years. We had no run game back then and defenses did the opposite……defend the pass.

So now let’s look at the following:

1) Chambers was rarely double-teamed last year due to the presence of Booker and McMike.
2) Our running game flourishes when defenses play the pass. Now with Culpepper as a deterrent they have to respect an arm that can throw 80 yards.
3) Additions on the line and a second year of experience with Houke can only help pass protection and run blocking.

So if you were trying to play us as a defense how would you proceed?

I imagine if Culpeepper was starting, blitzing would be order of the day. Culpepper does have a reputation to hold on to the ball a little longer to let the play develop downfield (which I like), but will need to use his legs to get out of trouble. His condition on day 1 is so important here. Especially with Pittsburg, they blitz from everywhere.
Our line is still a work in progress, so stunts and zone blitzes could work. I imagine Houke and Saban are addressing this issue regularly.
Playing a 3-4 could make short routes for the TE much more difficult, so playing a safety on Chambers deep routes, could cause trouble.

By no means am I a defensive coordinator and much more goes into the planning than this. But my point is, defenses will have to try different things than in the past to defend us. I hope this concept excites you guys as much as it does me. When was the last time we had an elite QB, RB, WRs, and TE. Our defense no longer has to carry us.
Feedback is welcome.

 

[PhinsRock]

We have so many tools on offense, I'd just go nuts trying to figure out what to try and stop. I would lean toward stopping the pass, believing DC is very good and that Ronnie won't run that well since he is so new to the league. But then Ronnie will tear them up!

In Saban We Trust!

 

[Mr772]

I am guessing we might see some good blitz packages from blitzburg but they will be taking their chances. If their blitz is picked up from the backs and the line there will be one-on-one match ups for the deep ball which could lead to chambers jumping over a cb for a big play or a speedy receiver beating them deep.

Pitts major weakness is playing the deep ball, the colts and Bengals exposed them with deep passes last year.

 

[Rubbin420]

I am guessing we might see some good blitz packages from blitzburg but they will be taking their chances. If their blitz is picked up from the backs and the line there will be one-on-one match ups for the deep ball which could lead to chambers jumping over a cb for a big play or a speedy receiver beating them deep.

Pitts major weakness is playing the deep ball, the colts and Bengals exposed them with deep passes last year.

Very true, I hope Culpepper has the ability to read the the defences early on. Usually, picking up blitzes in an offence is an ongoing learning process. If he can catch on right away, we are that much more dangerous.

 

[cnc66]

you only have to review our Buffalo game to see how badly we fared against their blitz. If Mularky had keept blitzing, we would not have won that game. Worst of all worlds. New o-line alignment and a wounded qb against one of the leagues best blitzers. Enough to make ya worry...until Ronnie eats them alive with swing and dump passes. Here's hoping they can't figure out our hot reads.

 

[TGall13]

I'm pretty excited as well. There's also a guy that no one is mentioning much that is going to help out this offense tremendously and that's Fred Beasley. He's a Pro Bowl full back and is a beast of a lead blocker. Ronnie is going to BLOW UP this year...mark my words on that. Also, we were one of the least sacked teams in the league, so I think our protection will only get better. It's going to be a very tough offense to defend against.

 

[txmedic5]

this i find interesting because i served as a defensive coordinater for a semi pro team. First i would use a filter technique designed to flow the play inwards. use the outside backers to cover the flats, but they have to make quick reads. the ILB must take his first step back and make his read as to pass or run. Set up the outside coverage man to man or use a zone if they use multiple receiver set. The key to any defense is flow. You blitzes must be used as a stunt when playing a team that can hurt both in the air and in the running game. The DE's must press inward accross the line or outward if it is a sweep. ideally, the OLB's will be covering the flats. In a 3-4, the strong ILB should start to drop into coverage while the other ILB steps to fill the hole, taking out the first back through, that enables a quick read by the SILB and he can then fill the gap and take out the second back when he reads run.

On the outside what will kill you is the dump passes and the TE flairs. the OLBs have to be aware of this and make it their number 1 priority. A good OLB will be able to swivel his head and make a quick read as to pass or run then adjust accordingly. The short side OLB or WOLB can be used to pressure the qb if there is not a 2nd receiver to his side, as will the d lineman and the WILB.

Press coverage on the receivers will double support form the safeties or zone as i stated in multiple sets. The two areas of most concern are the flats, as i stated, and behind the ILB's. Those are the keys. The long ball isnt an option every play of the game and shouldnt be overly accounted for. Its normally a decoy to keep the D honest. The trick is to use your safety to watch for that, but still have the presence to read the open middle of the field. If you can accomplish that you have an opportunity to limit each plays yardage to around 2 and 1/2 to 3 yards. It also gives you the opportunity to dictate what they must run play wise to beat you.

 

[Rubbin420]

I'm pretty excited as well. There's also a guy that no one is mentioning much that is going to help out this offense tremendously and that's Fred Beasley. He's a Pro Bowl full back and is a beast of a lead blocker. Ronnie is going to BLOW UP this year...mark my words on that. Also, we were one of the least sacked teams in the league, so I think our protection will only get better. It's going to be a very tough offense to defend against.

You make a good point for our running game, especially with the addition of Anderson on the line.
As for Ronnie, he would make a great low first round fantasy pick.

 

[dolfancoolio]

i like how you are excited about our QB, RB, WR's and TE and trust me so am i but battles are won and lost in the trenches. I think a lot more than people realise depends on the performance of our offensive line this year. I still don't have the complete confidence i would like in them. We have no premier players on the o-line but 1 premier coach...lets see how it turns out.

 

[Rubbin420]

i like how you are excited about our QB, RB, WR's and TE and trust me so am i but battles are won and lost in the trenches. I think a lot more than people realise depends on the performance of our offensive line this year. I still don't have the complete confidence i would like in them. We have no premier players on the o-line but 1 premier coach...lets see how it turns out.

Agreed.
We may not have a Orlando Pace or a Hutchinson, but Shelton and Anderson are significant upgrades. And more so, having Hadnot at Center with Mckinney on guard adds much needed bulk. I am glad to see we do not have an entirely new line would be beneficial. Guys are in that know the system. As stated previously, Beasley will help a lot as well. The only thing we can do now is wait and see, everything else is speculation.

 

[larfo2224]

I think we will be blitzed fairly often. They are going to try and stop the run and disrupt Daunte. Coming back from his type of injury, teams will probably try and make him prove that he is back to 100% and get him moving.

 

[Rubbin420]

I think we will be blitzed fairly often. They are going to try and stop the run and disrupt Daunte. Coming back from his type of injury, teams will probably try and make him prove that he is back to 100% and get him moving.

Yep!
What if he can move better than they thought?
That seems to be the case now.
If they get burned on a couple of check-downs, that may give them a moment of pause.