BobbyC81 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) Actually, they've been pretty good bringing pressure. It's the sacks that have been lacking. And there are far more knowledgeable D students - which I sure am not - around here who believe constant pressure is more important than sacks, probably because when QBs are constantly hurried, they tend to make turnovers, just as happened with JW yesterday. He easily could have two more INTs.There have also been many plays this season where the pressure has forced the QB to just throw it away. They have been getting pressure. It's just not translating into sacks. It's one of the reasons why we have the 2nd highest rating in defense for QBR, somewhere around 66 and its why the good teams haven't been eating us alive. Its also the reason why our secondary has looked for the most part pretty good. Things didn't look all that good yesterday, especially in the second half, but by that time EJ Gaines was out again. He is the thread that holds it all together in the secondary for us. without him we are in real trouble. What is really frustrating me is during the game yesterday, there was several occasions where our best defensive players were on the sideline.....Hughes, K Williams and Dareus were together on the sideline. You want to rotate guys that's fine, but McD is going ex-stream with it and its effecting the defensive rhythm. "Ex-stream"? Is that when a seasonal creek dries up in the summer? It becomes an "ex-stream"? Edited October 23, 2017 by LittleJoeCartwright Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaviorPeterman Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Alexander is likely a 1 hit wonder as far as sacks go. Last year was an aberration. At his age, I can't see him getting much better. None of our lineman are really pass rushers, so that hurts us too. Zo is putting in work! He might not end up with the same sack numbers from last year but PFF has him graded out as a top run defender and edge rusher: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White Linen Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 We're getting decent pressure but the issue is nothing happening lately from the left side (Lawson). We don't blitz a ton too - so we elect to stay in coverage. Overall I'm ok with how their calling the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T master Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I'm a little disappointed that our front 4 is not hitting the QB more. We're close a lot and we've had some strip sacks, but if we could get to the QB a split second sooner we'd be an elite defense. Coach Wauffle needs to find a way to turn the pass rush up a notch. Well when your top payed guy is playing at half throttle because now he has to follow the rules like every one else & will only do as much as needed to stay viable that is about 1 or 2 sacks every couple of games that they could add but can't while he sulks !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
klos63 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Zo is putting in work! He might not end up with the same sack numbers from last year but PFF has him graded out as a top run defender and edge rusher: So then maybe I am correct in stating he is one of the reasons our sack totals are down this season, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Turk Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 (edited) To my eyes it looked like early in the season teams were having issues picking up our Double A Gap blitzes we were running which was leading to a free rusher coming straight up the middle many times. In recent weeks they have been getting picked up better and not getting home as often. However, it also appears this team isn't blitzing as often as they did early in the year either, which may be an adjustment to them not being able to get there when they do... Edited October 24, 2017 by matter2003 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ayjent Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 A big issue it seems to me is lack of consistent push up the middle. Kyle does not seem to have the explosion he once had and Dareus, who they are paying to be that guy, is a shadow of his once dominating self, forcing them to use lesser players in that role. I expect a penetrating DT is going to be a very high priority in next year's draft. All great pass rushing teams have this. Bingo! The pressure up the middle is missing. I think Kyle is outplaying Marcel by a large margin, and to this point of the season Marcel is just another guy in the rotation and unless something drastic changes I don't see that changing. This is a team playing well, and the excuse of not being motivated by the team's direction is not really valid. I also think the philosophy of the D is to stop the run consistently and keep guys in coverage in the passing game. Nothing complicated, but its not going to generate much in the way of sacks unless you have guys that are just unblockable freaks of nature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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