Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris Meck
yes, BUT-with NO, the Rams, and the Chiefs you can't just take away ONE thing and win. We contained Gurley fairly well Monday night, and he's usually what makes that offense go.
My overall point was that for decades, since Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas the edge rusher has been the premium defensive player, along with the shutdown corner. Modern NFL offenses (and the new rules) have conspired to minimize the effectiveness of those positions. Taking Reid's quote to heart I think I'm coming to the conclusion that the interior line and collapsing the pocket from the INSIDE to combat the quick pass is now the only real way to disrupt the pocket QB. Edge rushers like Ford and Houston are nice pieces to have, but are less of a factor than an inside rusher because it takes longer for them to get to the QB and unless they just flat beat the OT the pocket holds together long enough for receivers to clear coverage since you can't touch anyone without a flag.
So what you really need now is smart, disciplined, elite Safety play to minimize gains, tackle well, and take good angles to the ball along with a strong INTERIOR pass rush to force quick throws from a pocket that is collapsing in the QB's face. I just thought it's interesting that the NFL has been an "outside in" defensive trend with CB's and edge rushers dictating the game and now it appears that the opposite is what you should build your defense on.
We have a couple of good edge rushers and they're still good players, but over the next couple of seasons I'd like to see emphasis on acquiring DT's that are a handful as pass rushers, a pair of stud safeties ala Collins, AND Thomas (as I doubt Berry will ever play a full season again even if he does return). Could be that Kpass and Speaks fit as DE's on a four man line; and Houston is stout enough against the run to play DE but Ford doesn't really have a position in a 4-3. He'll be an awful expensive situational pass rusher.
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I think we are talking past each other some. It's my fault, I kinda hung a left back there a ways.
What I was saying was going past scheme. IMO, whatever scheme you run, you need to be competent at stopping every aspect of offense, not sell out for stopping the run or piling a bunch of capital in corners.
OCs are smart enough these days to attack you where you're weak rather than "We're a smashmouth team" or whatever like it used to be.
Also, with the rule changes and willingness of offensive staffs to get production out of offenses guys can run, you're just not going to lock down a good team.
Accordingly, you have to have a good offense. Nobody is winning ****all without that. To go with that defense you need to have a defense with competency for all aspects of the game. You won't get a stop every time, but if you're competent, you'll eventually outrun the other offense.
That's the way I see the league these days.