Chuck Pagano Compares Last Year's Defensive Stats to this Year's

[richig07]

It's funny that this was just tweeted out today. Yesterday I looked up NFL defensive team stats in yardage and points. I was somewhat surprised to see that we were elite/top 5 nearly all-around. It's just the lack of big plays that has it feeling like we're "less dominant". Over this hellish last month; it's been that lack of a Mack strip-sack or the big INT by our secondary when we have needed it.

We all talked about the turnover regression that was likely to come this season. The injury to Hicks probably facilitated this further; I think it's the cause of a lot of things. This is what we are without our D bailing us out with turnovers (or even scoring for us) it seems.

It's not that they've been bad. They've actually been very good. It's just that this SLIGHT difference means the world. Especially with the offense regressing from "middling-ish" to "putrid". It feels like it's been this huge drop-off.

 

[noonthirtyjoe]

The reason were not getting the big plays is two fold. 1. teams are getting rid of the ball fast. 2. Defense is tired from being on the field to much.

 

[wood20ks]

Damn.....weve gotten 11 takeaways this year.....holy smokes,I figured we had around 2......

 

[GNG]

 

[richig07]

Damn.....weve gotten 11 takeaways this year.....holy smokes,I figured we had around 2......

Yeah, we still average over a turnover per game. That's how it feels following a season where you averaged more than a turnover per half. lol

 

[wood20ks]

Yeah, we still average over a turnover per game. That's how it feels following a season where you averaged more than a turnover per half. lol

It does feel like they are far and few inbetween………………..

 

[NCChiFan]

Thinking Hick's injury is playing a large part in this. Him and Donald were arguably the 2 best DT's in the NFL last year. Now Mack is getting double and triple teamed, no one needs to focus on Hick's replacement, they can just double Goldman on run plays. You can't lose an All Pro, top 5 DT in the league it not effect your Defense.

 

[richig07]

Thinking Hick's injury is playing a large part in this. Him and Donald were arguably the 2 best DT's in the NFL last year. Now Mack is getting double and triple teamed, no one needs to focus on Hick's replacement, they can just double Goldman on run plays. You can't lose an All Pro, top 5 DT in the league it not effect your Defense.

Yup. On passing downs often Mack gets a tackle, tight end and a RB to chip over him. Hicks was the 2nd rated DT in football last season behind only Donald (ahead of Cox). I said for a long time that I thought he was the biggest piece to the D. We are still good on D... but we're very human now.

 

[Jiddy]

Yup. On passing downs often Mack gets a tackle, tight end and a RB to chip over him. Hicks was the 2nd rated DT in football last season behind only Donald (ahead of Cox). I said for a long time that I thought he was the biggest piece to the D. We are still good on D... but we're very human now.

Yeah...that happens when one of your best defenders go out...Speaking of...Trevathan is out too. It's all coming to a head just like the mediots and hater fans of other teams predicted. Defense wouldn't have as many turnovers and avoided extended major injuries (to some degree...as many forget Eddie's being out for some time). The one thing I thought we'd have to overcome defensive regression if it happened was a reasonably productive offense. *deep breath* Yeah...

 

[richig07]

Yeah...that happens when one of your best defenders go out...Speaking of...Trevathan is out too. It's all coming to a head just like the mediots and hater fans of other teams predicted. Defense wouldn't have as many turnovers and avoided extended major injuries (to some degree...as many forget Eddie's being out for some time). The one thing I thought we'd have to overcome defensive regression if it happened was a reasonably productive offense. *deep breath* Yeah...

Well, we have barely regressed from a yardage or points allowed standpoint. Top 3 in yards per play allowed and points per game allowed. I say "yards per play" because this damn D is on the field for a lot of time and has to defend a lot more plays than the other top units (SF and NE D's are great but have a much easier life). We go from 3rd to 9th in raw total yardage but I can't hold that against us.

But yes... it's the big plays that we've lost. Which I think is largely due to the Hicks injury but like you said. Our luck with injuries was a big reason why we were likely going to "regress" a bit.

Trevathan getting hurt sucks. But... a part of me is interested to see how Kwit plays in a starting role. Guy has been a complete savage in his two games this year filling in for Roquan and then Trevathan Sunday. He used to be great in run defense and playing downhill. But would struggle against the pass. That really has not been the case.

He could be playing for a contract next year. Hell, Trevathan's contract is up. He could be auditioning to be our guy at that position next year.