Sharp Piece On How Defense Works In Today's NFL

[Brady'sButtBoy]

It focuses on Tenn. and KC but it's really about what's needed to succeed in today's pass happy NFL. Very interesting overall and this tidbit made me wonder about how we've reacted to our own DB's, especially in the past (my emphasis).

"For Tennessee, Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner spent the past few years predominantly playing conservative off-coverage concepts in zone-heavy game plans. Naturally, they were presumed to be so-so corners. But with Williams now mixing a lot of man coverages in with the zones, McCourty and Verner have, by necessity, become more assertive. The results have been spectacular. Verner has a league-leading four interceptions, mostly great individual plays. McCourty has barely seen the quarterback glance his way."

Check it out -

Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans use defense to succeed in 2013 | The MMQB with Peter King

 

[Kontradiction]

It focuses on Tenn. and KC but it's really about what's needed to succeed in today's pass happy NFL. Very interesting overall and this tidbit made me wonder about how we've reacted to our own DB's, especially in the past (my emphasis).

"For Tennessee, Jason McCourty and Alterraun Verner spent the past few years predominantly playing conservative off-coverage concepts in zone-heavy game plans. Naturally, they were presumed to be so-so corners. But with Williams now mixing a lot of man coverages in with the zones, McCourty and Verner have, by necessity, become more assertive. The results have been spectacular. Verner has a league-leading four interceptions, mostly great individual plays. McCourty has barely seen the quarterback glance his way."

Check it out -

Kansas City Chiefs, Tennessee Titans use defense to succeed in 2013 | The MMQB with Peter King

Not a bad article. I've long been of the belief that going extremely zone heavy simply doesn't work in today's NFL. You either have to mix it up, or play primarily press man to throw off the timing off the offense due to the rules changes. Belichick probably saw this too, which is why he made the move for Talib, moved McCourty to FS, and started playing more man than zone starting at the halfway point of 2012.

 

[Ozymandias]

Great article.

The Titans defense has been vastly improved from last season. Verner is playing lights out this season. Their coverage schemes have really allowed their front to get excellent pressure on QBs.

I think one of the many templates to being a successful defense is about be able to rush with 4 consistently and play man-to-man coverage defense. If your team can do that you'll on the right path towards being an above average to great defense depending on your talent level.

Coverage and pass rush obviously goes hand in hand, but I think coverage is slightly more important in today's NFL with these passing rules. At least if your team isn't getting any pressure you can hang your hat on the ability to cover man-to-man enough to force mistakes and so on.

 

[Mike the Brit]

It doesn't say who the author is, so far as I could see. Was it Bedard?

 

[JoeSixPat]

It's a fine read, but my take in general is that most of the DCs in the NFL are pretty good at developing a smart scheme.

The big question is whether the players execute

And then the added wild card is injuries.

DCs that have healthy, talented players and less talented role players who understand and execute their roles will have good defenses.

The more impressive feat is how DCs adapt their Ds when encountering injuries and dealing with less talented players.

Seems to me Belichick stands far above everyone else in this realm, finding a way to hide major deficiencies and get the most out of a depleted roster and still win.

Seeing as pretty much every team will eventually get the injury bug, that makes all the difference in the world in maintaining a successful team, year after year (and just ask Giants, Steelers, San Fran fans and others whether or not they agree.)

 

[JoeSixPat]

Not a bad article. I've long been of the belief that going extremely zone heavy simply doesn't work in today's NFL. You either have to mix it up, or play primarily press man to throw off the timing off the offense due to the rules changes. Belichick probably saw this too, which is why he made the move for Talib, moved McCourty to FS, and started playing more man than zone starting at the halfway point of 2012.

Interesting point.

This prompts me to look back to the Assante Samuel situation. At the time I got the impression that Samuel went off the reservation often, so to speak, dropping out of his zone to try to grab some INTs and fluff up his numbers in a contract season.

He certainly made some INTs (not always the critical ones though) but he also got burned - and if he did freelance, I can't think Belichick was too pleased about that (always a danger with a player in a contract year if you have them playing zone.)

This time around however it seems as if Belichick may have adapted his scheme with more man coverage and is allowing Talib to use his football judgement, using the fact that he is in a contract season to the team's advantage.

I've got no inside knowledge of what the schemes were or what coaches or players are thinking, but this is the assumption I've typically gone on.

 

[VrabelJr]

I haven't read the article yet but when I think about the Titans success I attribute it more to Zach Brown and Akeem Ayers than I do to Verner and McCourty. Overall a great defense. I remember two years ago people didn't think Zach Brown could tackle. Boy, oh boy.

 

[ausbacker]

It doesn't say who the author is, so far as I could see. Was it Bedard?

Andy Benoit. His name is next to the title.

 

[eom]

I'm absolutely not knocking the titans, or trying to discredit their d, but to be fair about it, they managed to shut down pitt and the jets --- houston o rolled that d.

 

[DocHoliday]

I would kill to have Brady narrate and explain each and every thought process that goes through his mind when examining a defense pre-snap.

Why he makes X adjustment, how he adjusts blocking assignments, the tells he looks for, etc. Would be really cool.

When Brady suspects a green dog blitz, does he reconfigure the play or does he tell the RB to stay in long enough to draw a blitz and then lob it over to a late leaving pass protector like we saw Ben Watson to in the Saints game?

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I would kill to have Brady narrate and explain each and every thought process that goes through his mind when examining a defense pre-snap.

Why he makes X adjustment, how he adjusts blocking assignments, the tells he looks for, etc. Would be really cool.

When Brady suspects a green dog blitz, does he reconfigure the play or does he tell the RB to stay in long enough to draw a blitz and then lob it over to a late leaving pass protector like we saw Ben Watson to in the Saints game?

I would also love to watch Brady go through game tape explaining his process.

 

[Fencer]

One very good, very general point, even if the first sentence is exaggerated:

Ten years ago, a sturdy run-stopping front seven was all a defense needed in order to create third-and-long. Nowadays, with so many dynamic tight ends, versatile running backs and smart-audibling quarterbacks, winning on first and second down requires stopping the pass.