Defense first drive blues

[sb1]

Opponents on their first drive vs our defense this season: 6 TD, 2 FG

Hope that trend changes as playoff time approaches.

 

[farn]

I’m almost at a point where I expect to be giving up 7 to start each game and seeing what happens next.

 

[manxman2601]

The defense almost always gives up the first drive TD and then limits the opponents to, usually, only one more TD in the game. I'd like to cut those first drive TDs out, but that's a ratio I'd take everyday.

 

[The Gr8est]

Well to be fair, we don’t have a DC. We have an interim being manned by an assistant.

Under the circumstances we are doing pretty well.

 

[yukon cornelius]

between josh McD setting up the opponents defense for big plays, and the defense adjusting after the first drive, I'm not sure there is a team in the NFL right now that makes better in game adjustments than this one

would love to see a shutdown first opponents drive, but hard to argue with the rest

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Time to stop that

 

[maust]

Time to stop that

Sammy FTW with the kind of indisputable logic not often seen in a feline. You really are the quickest of cats.

 

[Pape]

the break down so far ↦ 6 tds, 2 fgs, 2 punts, 1 fumble...

Game 1 - Raiders... 6 plays, TD
Game 2 - Dolphins... 3 plays, Punt
Game 3 - Steelers... 8 plays, TD
Game 4 - Panthers... 7 plays, TD
Game 5 - Bills... 6 plays, Fumble
Game 6 - Saints... 5 plays, FG
Game 7 - Titans... 6 plays, FG
Game 8 - Browns... 6 plays, TD
Game 9 - Falcons... 3 plays, Punt
Game 10 - Buccaneers... 6 plays, TD
Game 11 - Jets... 14 plays, TD

we are having an issue stopping the first scripted series... Maybe Kuhr is just trotting out a base defense, hoping to get a read on what the other team is doing... the defense does pivot well on the second series, usually... but the coaches do need to work on putting the defense in a better position on the opening drive...

 

[n1997y]

IIRC I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that Vrabes has even had one of the coaches (Marrone?) look at the game as though he was the opponent and script the first drive for them so the defense can use that to prepare. Doesn’t seem to be working, although it may inform our defensive game planning and facilitate better adjustments later.

I still think it’s a reflection on the state of our DC situation. Maybe if Terrell is doing anything for the team Vrabes should have him focus on solving this one problem?

 

[mike_usagisan]

IIRC I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that Vrabes has even had one of the coaches (Marrone?) look at the game as though he was the opponent and script the first drive for them so the defense can use that to prepare. Doesn’t seem to be working, although it may inform our defensive game planning and facilitate better adjustments later.

I still think it’s a reflection on the state of our DC situation. Maybe if Terrell is doing anything for the team Vrabes should have him focus on solving this one problem?

Ben McAdoo is the coach doing the scripted plays for practicing first drives.

 

[jdlboot14]

Why do people think T-Will could stop the first drive crap? I personally don't think he would be doing any better calling D, and may actually be worse - because he's known to be so over aggressive with the DL, that we may have way more QB scrambles and burned on screens.
The problem with the 1st drive laziness is - just that. They come out flat and safe. And seem cold at the beginning of games.
But, as I postulated a month ago - I almost think that's a secret ploy that Vrabel is good with. Like he wants to soft-play the opponent into false comfort, to set them up for the rest of the game. Because otherwise - wouldn't Vrabel & Co have spent 2 months figuring out how to start more stout?

 

[mike_usagisan]

Why do people think T-Will could stop the first drive crap? I personally don't think he would be doing any better calling D, and may actually be worse - because he's known to be so over aggressive with the DL, that we may have way more QB scrambles and burned on screens.
The problem with the 1st drive laziness is - just that. They come out flat and safe. And seem cold at the beginning of games.
But, as I postulated a month ago - I almost think that's a secret ploy that Vrabel is good with. Like he wants to soft-play the opponent into false comfort, to set them up for the rest of the game. Because otherwise - wouldn't Vrabel & Co have spent 2 months figuring out how to start more stout?

There was a funny press conference after we did stop the first drive (Falcons?) and then it was tight to the end, where Vrabel joked that if this is what a game where we stop the first drive looks like, he'd rather let them score the first drive.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Hopefully, opponents won't start scripting 2nd and 3rd drives.

 

[jdlboot14]

better not

 

[turkeyneck]

Nothing good can come from a long term practice of spotting your opponent a FG or TD before you decide to play defense. As the season gets more serious the consequences will get more serious. Hopefully, the D gets more serious.

 

[p8ryts]

Time to stop that

I didn't understand what the defense was doing. Even I knew that the only chance the Jets had was the running of Hall and Fields. Yet we didn't seem to do anything about containing Fields. In addition, the Jets were weakened at receiver and Adonai Mitchell was frequently open, unfortunately for him, Fields was not always accurate, and Mitchell was lousy at actually catching the few good throws. Glenn says later, they weren't considering Fields a runner. What? Are they saving him for a greater passing role? Herm says, "you play to win the game", Glenn didn't understand that.

 

[captain stone]

IIRC I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that Vrabes has even had one of the coaches (Marrone?) look at the game as though he was the opponent and script the first drive for them so the defense can use that to prepare. Doesn’t seem to be working, although it may inform our defensive game planning and facilitate better adjustments later.

I still think it’s a reflection on the state of our DC situation. Maybe if Terrell is doing anything for the team Vrabes should have him focus on solving this one problem?

I think I read or heard somewhere that Ben McAdoo was the coach who was running the defense through a scripted series...

After they have the weekend to R & R and catch their breath, this defense - coaches & players alike - need to find a way to cut this **** out and at the very least hold opponents to FGs during those first drives... I mean Justin ****ing Fields & the ****ing Jete, over a dozen plays and half of the first quarter, and a ****ing TD to cap it? Are you ****ing ****ting me?!? Why were they playing M2M coverage instead of zone where they could've been facing the QB in case he, like, you know, started to take off running 'n stuff...?

 

[PP2]

IIRC I read somewhere, can’t recall where, that Vrabes has even had one of the coaches (Marrone?) look at the game as though he was the opponent and script the first drive for them so the defense can use that to prepare. Doesn’t seem to be working, although it may inform our defensive game planning and facilitate better adjustments later.

I still think it’s a reflection on the state of our DC situation. Maybe if Terrell is doing anything for the team Vrabes should have him focus on solving this one problem?

They have been doing this in practice on a regular basis but the defense still folds in an actual game situation and plays on its heels. It's psychological and it is what it is. Don't know what else can be done except maybe:

 

[sturmrider]

I don't know where I saw it, but I was watching a video that pointed out that all teams are giving up more points on the opening drive this season. I have to go back and see if I can find that again; even with that, though the Pats may be giving up more. I don't know I figure the stats guys on the site may be able to dig this out easier than I could.

Either way, if true. it is interesting that the scripted plays this year seem more effective than in past seasons I wonder why that is.

 

[The Gr8est]

Has there been any word on whether Terrell Williams will return this year, or is that unknown?