The defense. Is it hurting?
 

We're 5th in the league right now which is extremely good as a ranking. However, all the other teams except BMore and Chicago ahead of us haven't had a bye yet. Since it's based on total yards this early one game can really skew the field.

Here's what I'm worried about, last year we created pressure on the QB with blitzes and LBs. This year our front 4 simply can't do it. They don't have enough push and we don't seem to be bringing the blitz much, if we keep up our current type of games like that then great, Im just worried about it in close games.

Also, we give up so many underneath passes. Seattle picked us apart in the 2nd half. Some receivers seemed virtually uncovered till a safety hit them late. This was a bit worrysome.

But the worst thing thus far is in 3 games we haven't forced a single turnover. That's not good, we should have gotten a fumble, INT, something by now. (someone refresh my memory if I'm wrong) Rogers got a FF last week but it didn't count becaue it rolled out of bounds.

Right now they're fine, but what's so different on our team now that we're afraid to bring that pressure?

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]We're 5th in the league right now which is extremely good as a ranking. However, all the other teams except BMore and Chicago ahead of us haven't had a bye yet. Since it's based on total yards this early one game can really skew the field.

Here's what I'm worried about, last year we created pressure on the QB with blitzes and LBs. This year our front 4 simply can't do it. They don't have enough push and we don't seem to be bringing the blitz much, if we keep up our current type of games like that then great, Im just worried about it in close games.

Also, we give up so many underneath passes. Seattle picked us apart in the 2nd half. Some receivers seemed virtually uncovered till a safety hit them late. This was a bit worrysome.

But the worst thing thus far is in 3 games we haven't forced a single turnover. That's not good, we should have gotten a fumble, INT, something by now. (someone refresh my memory if I'm wrong) Rogers got a FF last week but it didn't count becaue it rolled out of bounds.

Right now they're fine, but what's so different on our team now that we're afraid to bring that pressure?[/QUOTE]

First of all, don't forget Marshall's int against Chicago when they were driving and also C.Griff forced a fumble on Orton late in the game.

But the defense is getting a little soft underneath, which is a little worrisome. Just like the offense, however, I think they are just working through some things and will get better as we go along.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

We had that INT on Orton in the first game. I too, am worried about the dink and dunk type of passes that we will surely see from Plummer next weekend.

Harris being out is hurting us. That OR the fact that our LBs aren't that great in coverage. Regardless, I just don't think that Williams is blitzing as much these days.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

I think the main difference is we're not sneaking up on anybody this year. I think Williams said this too himself. There's not a huge difference in personnel or schemes over last year, I just think other teams are doing a better job at picking things up.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

What do you think the reason he isn't blitzing as much is?

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]What do you think the reason he isn't blitzing as much is?[/QUOTE]

Probaboly teams recognizing stuff sooner and knowing where the open man will be, so he doesnt want to get beat deep.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

Williams said he's still bringing pressure, I think against the Cowboys he was blitzing 7 out of 10 plays at one point. I just think teams are doing a better job at picking things up.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

we are ranked fifth, its based on averages, not totals. So the bye week does not make the standings misleading. It shows they have held those numbers for one week longer, but we are still ranked fifth.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

One of the things I've noticed is that it isn't so much that teams are picking up our blitzing, as much as the lanes seemed to be clogged or jammed up. Which may be by design on the offesnes part. I think we are still blitzing, we're just not having those same lanes up the middle like last year.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

Two of the O teams we have played are ranked in the top 10 in the NFL. Our D has allowed 7 on a turn over and a short field, 13 to Dallas, and 17 with 7 coming on another turnover and short field. The D is playing just fine but I would like to see some more turnovers given our O some short fields to work with.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

I don't think our front four is getting any less pressure than last year. If we remember they weren't all that pressure heavy last year either. The difference is multifold though. First we haven't blitzed nearly like we did last year. Our blitzing is mainly from LBs and not from the crazy angles like last year. This is probably due to the fact that Williams realized teams were going to prepare for that. Second the lack of QB pressure puts much more pressure on the secondary which is banged up to be honest. I don't think anyone in our secondary doesn't have some injury.

The lack of QB pressure HAS TO BE SOLVED or the defense risks becoming too predictable and susceptible to good scheming. Reid will have a field day if we can't pressure McNabb.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

quite honestly, the biggest thing we've yet to see is the impact that LaVar could be making as a LB/3rd down DE. I think if he eventually makes it into the rotation for longer than a play or 2, that it will make a huge difference in how other offenses prep to see the Skins D.

Teams makes adjustments. They now have 19 games of which to see how Gregg Williams makes decisions, and where pressure comes from. It's now up to G-Will to make adjustments, come from other angles, and put pressure on the QB.

If a guy like Warrick Holdman or Lemar Marshall can play shadow on Plummer, the Skins D can and will have a field day against the Shanahan West Coast. It helps that we played Seattle this past week, as their offenses are of similar molds. I think the dump passes and swing passes will be easily defended, and with Rod Smith being the only threat thus far, the Skins D will matchup extremely well against Denver.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

We also have to remember that Lelie is a burner. We can't let him get behind us.

Good thing is, Plummer is HIGHLY susceptible to turnovers. We also need to be on the low side of penalties like this past week. It was great to see them play some good, turnover-free, and low penalty football.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

You're right skins -- for some reason I thought it was based on total yards. My apologies. I also forgot about C. Griff and Orton INT. Two very important plays.

To be honest, besides the one play where rogers really bit hard and had to have safety cover his guy I thought he played great! I think he'll be starting before the year is out.

I just don't feel like Im watching the same team, and really the dink and dunk stuff they were throwing and getting like 6 yards after every catch is what worried me.

Re: The defense. Is it hurting?
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]You're right skins -- for some reason I thought it was based on total yards. My apologies. I also forgot about C. Griff and Orton INT. Two very important plays.

To be honest, besides the one play where rogers really bit hard and had to have safety cover his guy I thought he played great! I think he'll be starting before the year is out.

I just don't feel like Im watching the same team, and really the dink and dunk stuff they were throwing and getting like 6 yards after every catch is what worried me.[/QUOTE]

Me too. I feel as though we leave the middle of the field too open. Hopefully everyone can be healthy for Denver...