Versatile Defense

[KJ3]

i certainly think we're building towards one. i sit here wondering though, in our base 4-3 scheme, if bringing in guys like colvin and thompson will add to the trend mario kind of set last year. he would line up standing occasionally like a 6' 7'' 290 lbs linebacker giving a weird 3-4 look, a hybrid if you will. i would like to see if this trend continues and who would fill the spots. or, since colvin/thompson are primarily LBs anyway if they just had a few straight up 3-4 sets. obviously it would come around in definite passing situations...fun to think about anyway since we really aren't in full-on football mode yet.


mario amobi cochran

thompson demeco diles colvin

[NBT]

You'er right KJ, makes you wonder exactly what Richard Smith has in mind this year? I too, think we surprise a lot of people with our defense. The safeties will definitely be better with FS Will Demps here for the whole year (Barber & Ferguson in the wings). Earl and Brown will duke it out for S.S. with Brandon Harrison being interesting to watch how he performs.

The CB situation is a little unsettled still, but with the potential to come on strong with Fred Bennet and Jacque Reeves to start, and Antuan Molden learning on the go.

The pass rush on the Dline will be improved, and Okoye and Okam (The Double O's), we will have a run defense finally.

LB's I'm not sure of yet, but after all is said and done Greenwood, Ryans, and Diles should make for considerable improvement there too.

[nero THE zero]

I think they were letting Mario stand up to see if he could get off the ball faster that way. I don't know if you would consider that a "hybrid 4-3" or not. But, if he liked it I'm sure we'll see it again this year. I also think it adds an interesting crinkle to our defense. With the emphasis put on athleticism and speed in our defense; the increasing use of zone dogs; and the ability of Thompson, Colvin, and Mario to play with a hand down or standing, I think we're starting to see Smith's "vanilla look" defense take form.

[KJ3]

yea, i know hybrid is the wrong word but it seems like since thompson/colvin are true LB's who can play down or up and they came for pass rushing i just kind of followed my nose to the idea that having both of them out there in a 3-4 curveball would cause some problems.

[NBT]

Yikes, "Vanilla Defense"? I don't like the sound of that. Let's open it up and see what we are made of. Control the LOS. Stop the run, and blitz like heck on 3rd and long.

[edo783]

blitz like heck on 3rd and long.

The one time I saw them do that it didn't go well. Not saying we shouldn't , just didn't go well when we did.

[nero THE zero]

Yikes, "Vanilla Defense"? I don't like the sound of that. Let's open it up and see what we are made of. Control the LOS. Stop the run, and blitz like heck on 3rd and long.

Well, I said "vanilla look"

Smith has said that he wants to roll out there with a very plain looking defense, making it difficult for the QB to decipher what is going to happen when he snaps the ball. I think with some DE who can drop back and cover, or put their hand down and put pressure on the QB it fits well into the "vanilla look" scheme.

Though, I have been thoroughly disappointed with the pressure where have gotten in the first two preseason games. Hopefully that starts to change when the games start to count.

[NBT]

Yes, I know you did, and I didn't mean to jump on your interpretation. My point was that Richard Smith has run a "vanilla defense" too much while he has been here. I want to see some kick-ass, go get 'em D, for a change.

[KJ3]

in all fairness, i have seen more of the agressive D we've all been aching for this preseason...which is sad because you know they aren't running out 9/10 of the playbook until the season starts. they've also been more active pre-snap than i can recall them being last year (which kind of defeats the "vanilla look" idea). i can't imagine with the wealth of coaching we've accumulated on the defensive side that smith is going to let his job slip away before he sends the dogs once or twice.

....i mean, if they aren't stopping anybody anyway...we haven't been known to force turnovers regularly....send 9!!!

[NBT]

Now that's not a good prospect. More of a well we can't get to 'em anyway else, let's throw the kitchen sink, type attitude. I would hope that we are not seeing anything like what we will see out of the defense come opening day. Or am I just wishful thinking again?

By the way, I wasn't at all impressed by the performance of CB Jacque Reeves.

[NBT]

Went back and reread all the posts in this thread, and after seeing us dog a couple of LB's in the Dallas game, I am still not sold on Richard Smith. I know we have not shown 1/10th of the defenses we can (will) run yet, but danggit, I'm ready for some kickass defense. One I know we are now capable of.:(

[KJ3]

Now that's not a good prospect. More of a well we can't get to 'em anyway else, let's throw the kitchen sink, type attitude. I would hope that we are not seeing anything like what we will see out of the defense come opening day. Or am I just wishful thinking again?

By the way, I wasn't at all impressed by the performance of CB Jacque Reeves.

ha, well, kitchen sink or not richard smith needs to light a fire under this defense because quite frankly, his job should be hanging on by a few threads now. i mean like 4, 5, maybe 6 games to show marked improvement for the marked improvement in talent he has had since his first day here.

mario and demeco can't carry this defense by themselves. they can make it tough, fill it to it's potential but for every mario we have a weaver. for every demeco a greenwood. bennett has reeves. mario can play tenacious, demeco can play swarm, bennett can do what he do and it won't matter as long as weaver continues his useless play, greenwood continues his very, very, very average play and reeves continues being jacques fecking reeves.

at this point i don't see any ramification that is worse than actually keeping weaver. big bob can either give him the millions he signed for and get the play out of someone else, or give him the millions and watch anthony weaver drop back into coverage six times a game. like anthony weaver has stopped any passes, let alone any runs. how is he so slow?

[painekiller]

Coordinator are rarely let go during the season, Capers aside, HC's are let go more often during the season, but it makes no sense.

Kubiak is not going to fire Smith midseason. No going to happen.

[KJ3]

why not?

he's terrible at his job, not making this team better, hasn't in 2 years, his replacements are on staff.....

actually, instead of re-hashing through all the reasons why smith isn't a very good DC can anyone give ONE reason why he should get to keep his job?

[Nconroe]

I'd like to see our defense play better too, but for sake of discussion:
1. It is a very young team
2. He inherited a bad defense with lots of personnel changes needed in players and coaches
3. They have improved from year 1 to year 2
4. Give them a chance in regular season and see if improve year 2 to 3
5. They have had some reasonable results in preseason as a group winning two games and possibly winning third, with three turnovers forced last game.
6. they are playing fairly smart with few dumb penalties
7. maybe its the players who need to rush the passer, not the coach
8. maybe it is the DB that needs to knock down pass, not the coach
9. trying to stay optimistic and positive during preseason

[popanot]

Coordinator are rarely let go during the season, Capers aside, HC's are let go more often during the season, but it makes no sense.

Kubiak is not going to fire Smith midseason. No going to happen.There's a thing called demotion or loss of power. It doesn't even have to be obvious to the media or fans.

[kravix]

Smith isnt the only person to point fingers at. Kubiak is the HC. Although he is inheirently offensive minded he does have control of the def. He takes responsibility for it. How do we know that Smith isnt implementing the type of def that Kubiak wants to see? I think it is a good idea, but it may be abit too cutesy without the correct players. And face it there are only 2 real good players on our def right now, Mario and Demeco, most good defenses have much better peronel.

Not only did they transition players from a 3-4 defense, they turned over alot of players each year in injuries and other things. I would be interested to see what the number of starters aver the last two seasons our def has had compared to other teams.

Finally, its preseason. Indy and NE suck it up in preseason every year, and there isnt a fan that wouldnt want their team to have those types of seasons year after year. Wait 3-4 regular season games and see what happens.

[painekiller]

Add to the good points already made. One starting CB is a 2nd year guy, one DE is entering his 3rd year, the other DE that should start is entering his 4th year and it would be his 1st as a starter (Cochran). The starting DTs are a 2nd and 3rd year guy being backed up by a rookie. The starting LBs only have one guy with over 3 years experience. The DBs have 2 starters with less than 4 years.

Guys this team has not had time to mature yet. This and next year will still be growing years for the defense. And they are getting better every year. Remember most of you wanted to cut Mario after his rookie season ( exaggeration). Let the guys mature. McNair has patience, so should we. I still think we are pushing for a playoff spot, just missing but pushing.