The 4-7 Defense

[Kontradiction]

I've been thinking a little bit on this and, honestly, I'm not sure why they would abandon the 7 DB defense outright in this game. Brady is no threat to run the ball at all. The only time when they should shelf it is when Develin is in the game but, outside of that, in a single back set, I don't see any reason why the Chargers should outright abandon it.

 

[primetime]

The big issue is that Jackson was limited both by inexperience (or lack of skill, but I'm not going to kill a rookie in a wild card game) and by the Ravens offense. Like Flacco as a rookie before him, the Ravens protected Jackson by effectively calling an offense in which he wasn't allowed to take downfield shots or throw across the field, so the Chargers could stuff the box. They also have a defensive line that can hold up against the run without a need for run blitzes, and Derwin James is an animal in space.

They won't have the same leeway against the Patriots. Brady will force their defensive backs to back off. In the end, though, the offensive line is still going to have to win individual battles, especially our tackles versus their defensive ends. But I suspect this sets up as a big Sony, White, Gronk, and Patterson game, with a number of four verts throws to Edelman, Hogan, and Dorsett to keep them honest. Fans are going to wonder why they're taking downfield shots early (especially if they miss on them, which is more than likely the outcome) and the answer is to set up the run.

This Chargers defense is weirdly reminiscent of those mid-2000s Colts defenses with Mathis, Freeney, and Sanders as the superstar standouts. This team has better boundary corners but it's not that different.

The offenses that have done well against the Chargers, by the way, are those that involve their running backs in the passing game. James can shut down a tight end or a back or a slot receiver but not all three, and Addae is a liability in coverage.

 

[venecol]

Other, more knowledgeable sites with more thoughtful posters have pointed out the fact that the Ravens were just a few plays away winning a game having been down 24-3 with nine minutes left in the 4Q; a defensive collapse that would have made 28-3 look good in comparison. And no one talks about how ‘impressive’ the ATL D was in that game.

The fact that the Chargers 4-7 was effective against the run in Q1-3 and was destroyed against the pass in the 4Q - when they knew the Ravens were passing - is a remarkable and interesting fact if you are a student of the game. More so for us because it gives an insight to our next opponent. It deserves a more thoughtful treatment on a board that on paper at least prides itself on being more cerebral than the rest.

Thanks to those who have tried to stay on topic - I think many here are interested in hearing what you have to say.

The ATL D was gassed at the end and LOST that's why no one is talking about how impressive they were.

Ravens being a few plays away from winning is nothing but speculation, the reality is the Charges Defense created the 3rd turnover in the game to seal the deal (along w/ 7 sacks).

It doesn't really matter, Chargers won because their D only allowed 17 pts and their O scored 23.

I simply disagree with Andy's statement which if you reverse says: "very easy to argue the Ravens played better defense." Yea, no they didn't.

 

[goheels22002]

I suspect that we'd need a better DL.

The Patriots defense gave up 7 rushing TDs all year to 11 for the Chargers.
The Chargers gave up 4.3 y/a rushing and the Patriots gave up 4.9 y/a.

The Patriots have far superior run/pass balance than the Ravens. The Chargers can't use that defense designed to stop Lamar Jackson against the Patriots and have to play it straight. Putting a "spy" on Brady to stop him from running would be the biggest waste of time since Sex Lives of The Potato Men.

 

[goheels22002]

Yes. It is.

Sony is better than Dixon and Edwards. Tom can actually complete passes down the field which will open up the box for Sony, Cord, Burk and White for catches in the flat and short.

Actually, Baltimore had the #2 rushing attack in the NFL, but not by design. Lamar Jackson was a run-first QB and his 695 yards skewed their running attack at the expense of any semblance of a passing attack. No matter.

If the Chargers want to put safeties in the box, they'll get steamrolled by Develin and the interior line. Bottom line is controlling DEs Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Both have elite quickness at the edge, but they are manageable.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Actually, Baltimore had the #2 rushing attack in the NFL, but not by design. Lamar Jackson was a run-first QB and his 695 yards skewed their running attack at the expense of any semblance of a passing attack. No matter.

If the Chargers want to put safeties in the box, they'll get steamrolled by Develin and the interior line. Bottom line is controlling DEs Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa. Both have elite quickness at the edge, but they are manageable.

Run. Da. Ball. Keep Tom upright. Get Bosa and Ingram tired from run tackling

 

[Flash]

4-7 worked against Baltimore because Lamar is not a good thrower as of right now, he's only a level above Nathan Peterman. As many have pointed out if Gus Bradley tries this defense on the Patriots he will get fired at half-time. Chargers DBs cannot cheat to stop the run because Brady will hit open receivers unlike Lamar. Then, once the box becomes more open you can just power run them with Gronk/Develin destroying any DBs trying to stop them and Michel. Gus Bradley is not stupid, he won't run this same defense against us.

Regarding 4-7 as a whole, this is a gimmicky defense that will only be used in special situations IMO. Again, as long as there is a good QB and a semi-decent OL, you can just run down their throat. The DB/LB hybrids you need to run this defense is just far too hard to find.

 

[Kontradiction]

The Patriots defense gave up 7 rushing TDs all year to 11 for the Chargers.
The Chargers gave up 4.3 y/a rushing and the Patriots gave up 4.9 y/a.

The Patriots have far superior run/pass balance than the Ravens. The Chargers can't use that defense designed to stop Lamar Jackson against the Patriots and have to play it straight. Putting a "spy" on Brady to stop him from running would be the biggest waste of time since Sex Lives of The Potato Men.

I don’t see why they couldn’t. Especially with Mebane back. It’s not something I’d field if the Pats have two TEs and Develin on the field, but Brady is no threat to run. Why not keep it and not have anyone spy Brady under those circumstances?

 

[Tb12goesinya]

I think we should implement a lot of jet sweep motion with 'A' gap runs. The Chargers must rely on strong run defense from DEs if they want to have success with numerous DBs on field. Neutralizing Ingram and Bosa is imperative.

 

[Quest4SevenHomie]

Is the thought that our running game is much better than that of BALT?

I thought their only running game was Lamar?

 

[Wheelman]

It will be interesting to see if the Patriots attempt a copycat strategy at some point. A 4-7 may maximize the defense's talent in certain situations.

Pats use a 1-3-7 on 3rd/4th and long, obvious passing situations in crunch time, etc.

 

[njpatsfan]

I would like to post for the record that Andy was right and all the high-post-count-low-content-and-copypasta-cowboys were very, very wrong. About as wrong as it is possible to be.

Not that I expect that the will own up to it. They always have excuses.

On to KC.