Safety/Corner Blitzes: Why so sparse?

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

It is very rare that you can really be given a game plan as a gift, but the Ravens basically showed the Jets are extremely vulnerable with safety and corner blitzes. Yes, Mangold played against us and not the Ravens, but the problem had more to do with Sanchez not being able to adjust to the blitz or make a hot read. The Ravens completely harassed Sanchez, forcing four turnovers, beginning with Ed Reed coming in untouched to force the first fumble and TD.

Let's make something clear: the pass defense was not great yesterday. The Jets killed their first three drives by missing wide open passes due to Suckchise and Conner's ineptitude. The pressure and coverage was still not there. The Pats were saved by stopping big plays from the Jets running backs and deep passes to Holmes and Burress. They dared Sanchez to beat them with some pretty simple passes and he couldn't until the game was almost over.

I counted one corner blitz yesterday, and it should have led to a sack. Kyle Arrington came in virtually untouched and had a clean shot on Sanchez, which he missed, but he still forced a throw away.

For all of the complaints (and a lot of it justifiably so) about our front seven and pass rush, I wonder why we are so incredible conservative, especially on passing downs. Typically, two linebackers lineup like they are coming with a blitz, only to go back into coverage after the snap. It's almost comical how many times they try to pull it off, and it clearly does not seem to be very effective in stopping the pass.

Chung is a great athlete and tackler; he is fast. Why is he never coming in after the QB? Likewise with McCourty and other CBs. During the preseason, Mayo was blitzing up the middle, which freed up defensive linemen too. I think our problem is as much about scheme as it is physical talent, but I'll kick off your responses by admitting I know about 1% or less of what's going on compared to BB.

 

[Big-T]

McCourty came in on a corner blitz too, it was a completed pass but McCourty had a clear line to Sanchez.

On the play Hunter took the Patriots player wide and McCourty just went straight through the gap inside left by Hunter (the guard was blocking a defensive tackle). Good play design, but the hot read by the Jets foiled it.

 

[scout]

Sanchez was also harrased into letting the ball go well before he wanted to. We did not get the sacks, but the defense was accountable. Arrington had a clear shot at Sanchez and we were lucky he didn't complete a helmet catch.

 

[Sciz]

Because if that DB doesn't get there, there's a mismatch somewhere, usually a safety on a WR.

 

[sbpatfan]

I've seen more exotic blitzes from college teams, this defense is so boring to watch.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Because if that DB doesn't get there, there's a mismatch somewhere, usually a safety on a WR.

Understood, but all teams run this risk, and the Pats used to blitz a lot with guys like Rodney Harrison.

Look at teams like the Steelers and Ravens. They blitz players from all over the field despite these mismatches. Against a guy like Brady, usually not a good idea; but Sanchez? He is going to make some big mistakes if you keep some pressure on, and he will be forced to make throws rather than sitting back there being able to choose his target comfortably.