Quote:
Originally Posted by Hog1
Gotta' be Branch. How sweet would it be to rush only the down lineman, and still pressure the QB? That leaves lots of other guys for GW's mischief!
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This is a great suggestion/point. I think its reasonable to assume that this season Gregg Williams was trying to become far less blitz dependant this season with the signing of Carter. I think he realizes that statistically, the blitz is a play on which you are going to give up more yards per play than a play where a team rushes four. A play where a team blitzes isn't more likely to produce an interception. Quite simply, the blitz is a play that teams use to get some pressure on the QB when the front four aren't getting it done.
I suspect GW figured that the combination of Saleve'a, Griffin, Daniels and Carter could get to the QB consistently without a blitz. It worked...to an extent. Carter commanded double teams when we four man rushed. In my estimation, last season our blitzes were pretty effective because of the presences on the defensive line. Players like Wynn or Daniels could get to the QB or at least draw double teams. It just seems like anytime GW dialed up a blitz this season, Carter became a non factor. Instead of using the speed rush, he was relagated to rush an interior gap, and simply didn't have the skills to make an impact. Thus this season, we'd blitz and get beat in the secondary because the pressure would never get there.
Carter wasn't the only factor, but if we are going to play with him at end, we have to start moving away from the blitz and rely on his pass rushing skills.