Run D Question/concern? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Run D Question/concern?

Swollcolb

Swollcolb

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in my opinion our biggest issue is the run defense. I wasn’t expecting much from our beat up offense it’s not very good with our starters. But we can’t have this Swiss cheese run D. My question is what’s the biggest issue, crappy wide 9 scheme that gives big run gaps, or not enough penetration from DTs, or is it Raekwon is who seems to misjudge the running lanes and give up space? Our secondary has potential (when we’re playing man, our zone D is really bad), but the run game drives me nuts.
 
Yep. A bigger issue than even the quarterback in my opinion. Ditch the wide nine, which doesn't work, and find some DE's who can set the edge and be physical in run defense. These 250 pound DE's who can rush the passer are nice, but teams know they don't have to pass much to beat the Dolphins negating that strength. McMillan IMO is a backup. He's not terrible, but not good enough in the passing game to be on the field so much.
 
Raekwon is like boom or bust, when he guesses right and hits the hole he can shut down the run and get TFLs, but it’s ugly when he misses. Hoping he can continue to develop and improve since this is pretty much his rookie year
 
It blows my mind that the whole world can see that we cannot stop the run up the middle, and yet we continue to push our interior linemen and linebackers out wider and wider. Some of those runs up the middle yesterday didn't have a defender even close to the spot. And when they are lined up inside, there's not a single defender who can shed a block (especially McMillan, which is disturbing).

GB's first drive was run-heavy, and we couldn't do anything about it, especially through the A and B gaps. Later, they got pass-happy, and we were able to get a few stops. Then they went back to the run and it was game over (with the help of Brock being Brock).
 
McMillan is terrible which probably be cause to give him 5 more years to develop.
 
It’s probably more than just coincidence that our run defense went South when Phillips was released.

Not that I’m saying he was all world but the original idea was to have waves of fresh linemen to throw at the offense. Theoretically it makes sense but when you get rid of a quality player and replace him with a street free agent you are bound to suffer the consequences.
 
I am a Gase Supporter but this is one area I do blame him a lot 2014 we played the broncos and came in with the number 1 or 2 rush defense. Gase put extra lineman in the game and ran it down our throats. The rest of the year we couldn't stop the run. One game against the jets on Monday Night football the jets ran it almost every play instead of letting their qb throw. Gase exposed our run defense. The run defense collapsed and was terrible the rest of the year and then 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018. He should have known it was a weakness when he took over and fixed it. When you have small defense ends it makes it hard to stop the run, especially when they are thinking of rushing the qb first.

We need bigger ends and some tackles that take up space and blockers. Everybody is penetrating or just getting blown off the line because they are too small.
 
Ren said:
It blows my mind that the whole world can see that we cannot stop the run up the middle, and yet we continue to push our interior linemen and linebackers out wider and wider. Some of those runs up the middle yesterday didn't have a defender even close to the spot. And when they are lined up inside, there's not a single defender who can shed a block (especially McMillan, which is disturbing).

GB's first drive was run-heavy, and we couldn't do anything about it, especially through the A and B gaps. Later, they got pass-happy, and we were able to get a few stops. Then they went back to the run and it was game over (with the help of Brock being Brock).
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That's what annoys me most. It takes one OLman to destroy a DT and one to run, untouched, to the second level. I asked elsewhere if it was a particular DT (which may explain why GB ran sometimes and passed sometimes), but it has to stop. Yes, the edge is vulnerable, but those runs up the gut gain MASSIVE yardage.
 
It’s EVERYTHING.
  • Scheme makes gap integrity for the DL difficult
  • DL is undisciplined in their gap integrity
  • LBs are not filling when and where they should
  • LBs seem to have NO read and recognition skills play-to-play
  • Two of our safeties (McDonald and Jones) routinely take poor angles
  • Nobody on defense form tackles, everybody goes for the big shoulder blow or the strip
 
I think it was the last rushing TD GB scored on, I watched Spence get pushed so far he ended up like 2 gaps to his right.
Run defense has to be a coordinated effort and we just don't have it, I mean O linemen seem to stick to our LB's, they never get off blocks.
McMillan really is guessing half the time, he generally commits before the RB and leaves huge holes. On many of the big runs, guys are running to the third level without getting touched, it's embarrassing and somebody needs to be held accountable.
 
At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they give some snaps to Hull at the Mike.
 
bane said:
At this point I wouldn't be surprised if they give some snaps to Hull at the Mike.
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I've long been a fan of something like that. EVERYONE in the NFL has an ego. If they consistently play poorly over several games, give the backup a shot. Get the starters attention. Keep in mind though, that only works if the backup isn't a guy driving for FedEx last week. In some case, the problem isn't talent, but understanding the scheme/assignment. In today's NFL, intelligence is a key ability.
 
What blew my mind as I watched the game was how many times the defense lined up the linebackers off center with no LB covering the middle. On the long run by GB, McMillan was lined up off the LG and went right, towards the LT, when the play started. The runner just went straight up the gut, with no LB in sight.
 
In today's NFL, offensive scoring is more important than defense. Look at the top 10 teams in offensive scoring, all but one is a playoff team. On the flip side there are a bunch of non playoff teams in the top 10 scoring defense. Our priority should be fixing the offensive woes. Get a legitimate DC and the defense will improve.
 
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