After rewatching the game

[Sharkinva]

If you haven't figured it out yet, Monday night I was in no shape to watch this game with a critical eye towards how we performed on either side of the ball.

So I rewatched today and here is what I saw from the defense, which for the most part is what I was expecting/fearing.


1. We cant stop the run with just our front seven. This forced us to play alot of one high safety with one guy low in the box to primarily try and help stop the run. This worked great in the first half of the game, as for the most part we contained the Steelers to about 40 yards on the ground going into half time.

2. By playing one high safety, we basically put our corners on an island. Fine if you are facing two or three average WR's. But when one of them is considered an elite WR, you are much better off having the ability to shade coverage to his side of the field. So our weak front seven is primarily to blame for our over all poor defensive performance.

3. Our poor offensive production, and in particular the lack of a ground game punished us in time of possession and kept our defense on the field entirely too long.


Over all, our D-line and Pass Rush have got to improve, and if we cant develop some realistic run game, I think this will look alot worse before it gets better.

 

[gkekoa]

I agree with some of this but I prefer to look at things another way for now.

We started off dominating the game but offensively we made a key and costly error on each possession.

We lose 4 yards on second leading to 3rd and 14 where we gained 13 yards. We chose not to go for it.

Settled for 3 on possession 2.

3rd and 9 thanks to a false start by LICH and settled for another field goal.

The Steelers didn't score until possession three. On that possession, they basically fumbled 2 times. The one that counted we fumbled the recovery and the one we recovered was a momentary play. The eventual TD came on a play where Breeland basically missed the ball in the air because he was in position.

We easily could have been up 17-0 at the half...or more.

It's a game of inches and every inch went against us this game. As a team, we have never handled adversity worth a damn. I have said the whole time we need to get ahead and this is an offensive team. We need leads to take the other team out of their game plan.

Our offense was horrid last game and this destroyed our defense which is questionable at best on the ground.
KC was trash and looked timid. He was extremely indecisive.
Trent Williams looked horrible. He had a false start and a hold.

 

[Sportster 72]

One high safety and corners left and right is the most often used zone defense by Barry. Cover 3, also used frequently by Seahawks if I remember correctly as well as others. I know they play a fair amount of quarters coverage also. If you are going to be a good zone team you have to keep plays in front of you and rally up to break up or make the tackle for a short game. Didn't happen.

My point, it isn't the defensive alignment, it is execution. Breeland and Bruton had a ton of missed tackles. Preston Smith plays the run well from the trail position but not head on. Kerrigan took a strange angle a couple of times. And as you know the Dline got gashed. I feel like there wasn't ONE player on D you could say had a good game and a few had pretty bad games.

 

[Sharkinva]

One high safety and corners left and right is the most often used zone defense by Barry. Cover 3, also used frequently by Seahawks if I remember correctly as well as others. I know they play a fair amount of quarters coverage also. If you are going to be a good zone team you have to keep plays in front of you and rally up to break up or make the tackle for a short game. Didn't happen.

My point, it isn't the defensive alignment, it is execution. Breeland and Bruton had a ton of missed tackles. Preston Smith plays the run well from the trail position but not head on. Kerrigan took a strange angle a couple of times. And as you know the Dline got gashed. I feel like there wasn't ONE player on D you could say had a good game and a few had pretty bad games.

And thats the real problem. A cover 3 when your front eight cant produce a pas rush or stop the run is a bad idea. Its a horrible idea when facing an elite WR and knowing the other team is going to line him up against your #2 CB more often than not. I would have sooner seen us go to a cover 4 with Safety help over the top. Fine if they get into the red zone and a short field. At that point we can sell out to stop the run. But selling out and FAILING to stop the run, with AB 1 on 1 against Breeland was a very bad idea, possibly a top ten bad idea in the history of bad ideas.

 

[Sportster 72]

What the hell is Cover 4 with a safety over the top? You wanted them to play nickel D on 4th and 1?

 

[deanpet21]

Barry just refuses to bring pressure on passing downs. We just can not win this way. Just look at the play of the game IMO in the 4th qtr we are down by 8 and its 3rd and 11. Barry just rushes four and plays zone. Ben has all day to throw and completes a pass for 13 yards. This can not happen. You can't let experienced QB's just sit back there and pick us apart.

The Buffalo o coordinator just got fired yesterday Barry is not far behind. He must change his defensive schemes or we are in big trouble. Plus he doesn't use Norman to his strengths which is just delusional. Yes the whole team played bad Monday night but we shouldn't of gotten blown out. I believe the blame lies on coaches just as much as the players.

 

[Stymietee]

Barry just refuses to bring pressure on passing downs. We just can not win this way. Just look at the play of the game IMO in the 4th qtr we are down by 8 and its 3rd and 11. Barry just rushes four and plays zone. Ben has all day to throw and completes a pass for 13 yards. This can not happen. You can't let experienced QB's just sit back there and pick us apart.

The Buffalo o coordinator just got fired yesterday Barry is not far behind. He must change his defensive schemes or we are in big trouble. Plus he doesn't use Norman to his strengths which is just delusional. Yes the whole team played bad Monday night but we shouldn't of gotten blown out. I believe the blame lies on coaches just as much as the players.

This is a very good observation Dean, however, I'm not so sure that Gruden is at the point where he's able or willing to pull his DC as quickly as Buffalo has done. You could be right IF things go badly tomorrow. I still think that the warmest seat is Grudens and his is still not very noticeable. Like most people I still think that they can turn things around just as long as they control game tempo on offense, minimize mistakes and get both lucky and a few unforeseen breaks on the defensive side of the ball.

 

[deanpet21]

This is a very good observation Dean, however, I'm not so sure that Gruden is at the point where he's able or willing to pull his DC as quickly as Buffalo has done. You could be right IF things go badly tomorrow. I still think that the warmest seat is Grudens and his is still not very noticeable. Like most people I still think that they can turn things around just as long as they control game tempo on offense, minimize mistakes and get both lucky and a few unforeseen breaks on the defensive side of the ball.

It's going to be interesting to see if Barrys brings and run blitzes tomorrow. You know Dallas is going to run the ball including read option. If we are not prepared for read option tomorrow that is a strike against Barry.

 

[Stymietee]

It's going to be interesting to see if Barrys brings and run blitzes tomorrow. You know Dallas is going to run the ball including read option. If we are not prepared for read option tomorrow that is a strike against Barry.

Do we even have run blitzes as an option? I'm kidding man, but you're right that would be a huge red flag. Now that I think of it, wouldn't he also have to play his corners up in order to eliminate the short, quick stuff? Some people say that Dak cannot throw deep, your thoughts on that would help. Thanks!

 

[deanpet21]

Do we even have run blitzes as an option? I'm kidding man, but you're right that would be a huge red flag. Now that I think of it, wouldn't he also have to play his corners up in order to eliminate the short, quick stuff? Some people say that Dak cannot throw deep, your thoughts on that would help. Thanks!

I would pressure Dak on every play. I would not give him the time to throw deep. I cant stand zone coverage. It makes the Qb better that what he really is.

 

[Stymietee]

I would pressure Dak on every play. I would not give him the time to throw deep. I cant stand zone coverage. It makes the Qb better that what he really is.

In order to get that pressure you're going to have to bring another player or two, that's going to open up space somewhere. They have a pretty good OL and I'm not sure how good their backs block. Whatever the case, our front 7 are just going to have to step up and give us more production. Do you believe they can, without bringing up another guy?

 

[deanpet21]

In order to get that pressure you're going to have to bring another player or two, that's going to open up space somewhere. They have a pretty good OL and I'm not sure how good their backs block. Whatever the case, our front 7 are just going to have to step up and give us more production. Do you believe they can, without bringing up another guy?

If we couldn't get pressure with our front four against Pitt how are we going to get it with Dallas? Barry might take the approach of let the rookie QB make a mistake and sit in cover 2 zone but that could burn us too. I just hope we get a lead early in this game. Hopefully more blitzing also.

 

[Stymietee]

If we couldn't get pressure with our front four against Pitt how are we going to get it with Dallas? Barry might take the approach of let the rookie QB make a mistake and sit in cover 2 zone but that could burn us too. I just hope we get a lead early in this game. Hopefully more blitzing also.

Thanks Dean, [see you] on the game thread tomorrow.

 

[Sharkinva]

What the hell is Cover 4 with a safety over the top? You wanted them to play nickel D on 4th and 1?

My bad... that should have been Cover 2 with safety help over the top.

As in, both corners play man, both safety's play zone. Who ever is closest to a guy like AB gives help to that corner, and the other safety is tasked with playing a true zone.

Or we play a cover 4 zone which automatically should give safety help over the top.


Bottom line is, we suck at playing a cover 3 because we dont have the talent to do it, and even when we do, we cant stop the run for shit.

 

[deanpet21]

Thanks Dean, [see you] on the game thread tomorrow.

I have to go to the local sports bar to watch the game. I will make my comments around 5pm. NFL sunday ticket is too expensive.

 

[skinsdad62]

their o/line is very good , not sure we will get much pressure this week either so we will have to make presscott be patient and hope he makes mistakes . another thing is he can run very well

 

[skinsdad62]

also KC cant play like a bitch , he was a bitch vs the steelers and failed at every phase of the game

 

[Sportster 72]

I thought we played zone better last year than we have in years. We used to suck at zone defense. The problem in a game like last Monday is when you are getting run all over it makes play action so much more effective because the LBers have to hesitate and don't get as good of drops in their zones.

As far as the matchup between AB and Breeland. I am standing on my position that sometimes the others make plays and Ben and AB made some plays. Still shaking my head at the snap rolling back to Ben who throws a no look bomb to AB right on the money.

It was one game. If it continues for a few games then there is a problem. SM is still building this team. We all knew it was going to take a few years.

 

[deanpet21]

I thought we played zone better last year than we have in years. We used to suck at zone defense. The problem in a game like last Monday is when you are getting run all over it makes play action so much more effective because the LBers have to hesitate and don't get as good of drops in their zones.

As far as the matchup between AB and Breeland. I am standing on my position that sometimes the others make plays and Ben and AB made some plays. Still shaking my head at the snap rolling back to Ben who throws a no look bomb to AB right on the money.

It was one game. If it continues for a few games then there is a problem. SM is still building this team. We all knew it was going to take a few years.

With Romo out and The Eagles in rebuilding mode the time is now to win.

 

[Sharkinva]

I thought we played zone better last year than we have in years. We used to suck at zone defense. The problem in a game like last Monday is when you are getting run all over it makes play action so much more effective because the LBers have to hesitate and don't get as good of drops in their zones.

As far as the matchup between AB and Breeland. I am standing on my position that sometimes the others make plays and Ben and AB made some plays. Still shaking my head at the snap rolling back to Ben who throws a no look bomb to AB right on the money.

It was one game. If it continues for a few games then there is a problem. SM is still building this team. We all knew it was going to take a few years.

The thing about playing a zone defense, especially the type of zone we play (One High Safety), it SHOULD allow you to be able to get a pass rush and stop the run. We have got to be able to at minimum slow down the run if we are effectively playing eight in the box.