DC Frank Bush a Disaster so far

[NBT]

http://blogs.chron.com/jeromesolomon/2009/09/dont_expect_texans_defense_to.html

Where was the attacking defense Frank Bush is always talking about? :(

[EndZoneSeats]

So much for the high-risk, high-reward defense.

So far it's been all-risk, no-reward.

[Big Texas]

I do agree that we seem to be a step slow in the blitz department. However we are getting a lot of pressure. Our secondary is just not holding there man long enough. It looks as though they are scared to press with Bennett. He is always lined up 10 yards off the receiver and still gets taken advantage of like a school girl. If we can press the receivers simultaneously with the blitz we could get to the qb. We are getting pressure though.

[NBT]

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. Well.........I don't think these defensive players are stupid. Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties. But we haven't seen any plays out of the safeties, to speak of. So to me it has to be the gameplanning of the DC and his coaches, it just can't be all the fault of the defensive players. remember when they were always having to dumb down the playbook for the players? Well, it's still same chapter, different verse.

[barrett]

I do agree that we seem to be a step slow in the blitz department. However we are getting a lot of pressure. Our secondary is just not holding there man long enough. It looks as though they are scared to press with Bennett. He is always lined up 10 yards off the receiver and still gets taken advantage of like a school girl. If we can press the receivers simultaneously with the blitz we could get to the qb. We are getting pressure though.

The pass defense has not been the issue because nobody has really even had to pass. Press vs Soft coverage has nothing to do with us giving up 200 yards per game rushing.

[NBT]

Exactly - What we need that we didn't get was plain 'Ol everyday gap integrity. Kubiak also said that the Drew-Jones play that went for 61 yards and a TD, was the same play JAX ran on the very first play of the game. Exception, they only got one yard on that play because we played gap integrity. He said it was driving him nuts because it was the same read on both plays, but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.

[Nconroe]

I got a dumb question - isn't gap integrity a problem of the front 7 in stopping these long runs?

If that is the problem , likely it is a player and not the coaching.

[edo783]

Exactly - What we need that we didn't get was plain 'Ol everyday gap integrity. Kubiak also said that the Drew-Jones play that went for 61 yards and a TD, was the same play JAX ran on the very first play of the game. Exception, they only got one yard on that play because we played gap integrity. He said it was driving him nuts because it was the same read on both plays, but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.


This is why it has to be a player issue. Same play by the offense & the same defensive play, but on one the players stay in their lanes and and it's a 1 yard gain, but on the second they jump out of their lanes and the big gain happens. It's been happening time and time again. The right calls are being made, but the players are screwing them up, usually by over committing and then being out of position.

[kRocket]

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. . . Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties.

Now safety is one of the weakest positions on the defense, wouldn't that make it pretty DUMB to put emphasis on your weakest players holding up. I am not a coach paid Millions to figure these things out, but come on guys.

[painekiller]

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. Well.........I don't think these defensive players are stupid. Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties. But we haven't seen any plays out of the safeties, to speak of. So to me it has to be the gameplanning of the DC and his coaches, it just can't be all the fault of the defensive players. remember when they were always having to dumb down the playbook for the players? Well, it's still same chapter, different verse.

Just rewatched the channel 13 post game report from Sunday night at 10:30, and they showed the gap responsibility, and how on the 61? yd run Busing went to wrong hole. How is that Bush?

In most defenses everybody has to cover a gap. If they do not cover the gap then cutback lanes develop, and boy has our back 5, the LBs and Safeties not played their gaps well. The front 4 appear to playing the run the way the system appears to be designed. The front four run with the flow of the OL. WHY you ask? Because a moving target is harder to block.

If we add a two stud safeties and stronger WILL, this defense should be improved.

Lastly how is Bush responsible for all the missed tackles, this teams DBs are some of the worse tacklers I have witnessed.

[Fonz the Boss]

we need Richard

[popanot]

Ok, here's the deal... If it's not the coaching then it's the players, right? Who drafts the players, chooses/signs free agents, chooses who's on the roster and which players play? What kills me is I have not heard any of the pundits who say its the players calling out Kubiak or Smith for their draft day acquisitions. Most people say they've done an admirable job on draft day. If these players are so bad, then we're screwed and in for a another 5+ years of mediocrity.

IMO, there are other teams out there that have the same or less talent on defense than the Texans do but play much better. What gives? I find it hilarious that someone in the organization (*cough* Kubiak) decided to go with a defense that relies so heavily on the weakest link, yet, hasn't invested any serious draft picks or FA money to that area. On the field of play, if they're counting on the Safeties to consistently make plays to stop the run, then something is seriously wrong up front.

Toss aside the player issue for a moment... Isn't it the responsibility of the coaching staff to make adjustments? Forget in-game adjustments because other than replacing a player or two here and there, that's way too complex and asking way too much of this staff (it's been 3 weeks in a row the opposing team has taken the 2nd-half kickoff and rammed it down their throat). We've seen 4 preseason and 3 regular season games of this crap! You'd think by now they'd see something is not working and adjust accordingly. Your new "aggressive" scheme is getting torched??? Then rush 3 or 4 and drop more into coverage. Try some run blitzes... Go back to a less aggressive bend-and-hopefully-not-break scheme... Try Rhodes at DC... I don't know, but do something!

Personally, I think it's a combination of both - the coaching and players. However, I'm still of the opinion that if we had a top DC, you'd see a much better defense. A great defense??? Maybe not, but a much better one. I hope they can turn it around or it's gonna be a looooong season and we'll be talking draft by Thanksgiving - again!!

[nunusguy]

but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.

"earned degree in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship."
http://www.houstontexans.com/team/player.asp?player_id=408
***********************************************
That's about as close as Kubiak will come to calling somebody out by name in public, but clearly that's him pointing a sharp finger at Busing on that busted
61-yard play by MJD.
I dunno but maybe we should stay away from these risk-taking entrepreneurial types who might otherwise be taking long-shots with the Enrons of the corporate-world on derivative-type schemes if the Texans don't give them another opportunity in the NFL ?

[popanot]

That's about as close as Kubiak will come to calling somebody out by name in public, but clearly that's him pointing a sharp finger at Busing on that busted 61-yard play by MJD.I don't know, Kubiak may have been talking about a player (or players) with that quote. I know Busing left the game at some point and I think he got yanked, not injured. Was it after that play?

[kravix]

I would be interested to see where the Def ranks in TFL and average 3rd down yardage. To me these 2 stats will be the biggest indicator or how Bush's system is working.

I would also be interested to see how they are stacking up on QB hurries. They may not be sacks, but they are pressure and can lead QB's to make mistakes, however if the secondary is 10 yards from the reciever down field it will not matter.

[NBT]

Lastly how is Bush responsible for all the missed tackles, this teams DBs are some of the worse tacklers I have witnessed.

Because in the final analysis, it is his responsibility to mold what he has into a usable (attacking?) defense. He has supposedly been hammering this into their heads since TC. The players have been playing football all their lives. While they may not be mental giants, they are supposed to be football smart, if they are not getting it, it has to be at least partly Bush's fault............And yes, gap defense is everyone's responsibility.

[Fonz the Boss]

Why didnt we hire a big time defensive coordinator?.... Do they not want to pay a top DC alot of money or what? It makes a huge difference to have a top guy. Just look at what Rex Ryan did with the Jets.

[Arky]

Because in the final analysis, it is his responsibility to mold what he has into a usable (attacking?) defense. He has supposedly been hammering this into their heads since TC. The players have been playing football all their lives. While they may not be mental giants, they are supposed to be football smart, if they are not getting it, it has to be at least partly Bush's fault............And yes, gap defense is everyone's responsibility.

This might be your best post ever.

Two safeties, two corners and three linebackers and not a single one of them notices Chris Johnson splitting out wide? Inexcusable. I'd say most any Junior High safety would have noticed that...

The coaches are speaking of consistency yet it is tough to be consistent when you are changing one of the starting safeties from week to week. So far we've had Barber, Ferguson and Busing with Wilson being the most "regular". I heard ND Kalu on the radio yesterday recommend going back to Ferguson but I disagree - he looks a step slow to me these days.... So that leaves Barber and Busing. Just pick one of these two and stick with him. Both are inexperienced so let them get the reps. Rotate if one needs a break or if there's ever a big lead (!). It's a little tough on the player when one mistake can get you benched. And now we have the just-acquired Pollard in the mix. Sounds like he is good against the run - not so good against the pass. He might work in a SS role with Wilson in the FS role.... whatever.

My point is, there has to be consistency among the coaches as well as the players. Just take the best candidate and make him the starter. If he's just not getting the job done then put someone in who will. Don't bench him for one boneheaded mistake. Mistakes happen but the good ones don't make many mistakes. If we've got a bunch of guys that keep making mistakes then we don't have very good personnel.

I guess this makes me a "both" person and I'm afraid we won't see the best this defense can do until the 2nd half of the season.... There is still a lot of season yet and the more "W's" we can get now, the better.... I still think this team has the ability to go toe to toe with the best in the league but right now, they've got issues....

[Roy P]

If we add a two stud safeties and stronger WILL, this defense should be improved.



If I didn't see you were the one who posted this, I would have thought that I had said it.

[painekiller]

Ok, here's the deal... If it's not the coaching then it's the players, right? Who drafts the players, chooses/signs free agents, chooses who's on the roster and which players play? What kills me is I have not heard any of the pundits who say its the players calling out Kubiak or Smith for their draft day acquisitions. Most people say they've done an admirable job on draft day. If these players are so bad, then we're screwed and in for a another 5+ years of mediocrity.


I guess I have been to subtle. I am calling out Smith for not being good at signing FA during the off season. He seems to listen to his coaches to much. I am calling out Kubiak for his style of play definitions. ie, the Gibbs ZBS, smaller OL can not move the pile in the red zone. He has employed a bend but don't break defense for to long. Theses styles has not won together in 10 years.

Lets talk draft, I am still mad we did not take Willis, best LB to be drafted since Ray Lewis. The next season I felt they reached for the OT, he is turning out OK, but I still think he was early.

This last draft, I wish they had played it more like the Pats, trade down trade down trade down. The pats added 3 key players, we added a couple of question marks.

[kravix]

The next season I felt they reached for the OT, he is turning out OK, but I still think he was early.


I seem to recall the Chargers saying they were actually going to take him in the first if we hadnt.

[painekiller]

I seem to recall the Chargers saying they were actually going to take him in the first if we hadnt.

No one really knows that for sure.

[Roy P]

I guess I have been to subtle. I am calling out Smith for not being good at signing FA during the off season. He seems to listen to his coaches to much. I am calling out Kubiak for his style of play definitions. ie, the Gibbs ZBS, smaller OL can not move the pile in the red zone. He has employed a bend but don't break defense for to long. Theses styles has not won together in 10 years.

Lets talk draft, I am still mad we did not take Willis, best LB to be drafted since Ray Lewis. The next season I felt they reached for the OT, he is turning out OK, but I still think he was early.

This last draft, I wish they had played it more like the Pats, trade down trade down trade down. The pats added 3 key players, we added a couple of question marks.

Ditto.

They need to employ at least a larger OL like the Eagles or Ravens in order to get some push. The defense needs to be more creative and aggressive to create turnovers. The thought of Willis next to Ryans would have been nice.

Trading down is a process that requires several variables, including relationships between GMs, team needs, team draft boards, etc. I'd like to have us trade down too, I just don't know how easily it could be done. Luckily we didn't lose prospects by trading up.

[Roy P]

Since we are getting in the mood to start over, I took a look at the top defenses in the league for the first 3 weeks. Those who stop the run aren't necessarily the best, whereas the ones who contain the passing game also lead in Total Defense. I found a common thread - Baltimore Ravens coaches and ex-coaches. Mike Nolan, Rex Ryan, Mike Singletary, etc. have gone through that franchise. So, if we are looking for a head coach, I'm going to ask Brian Billick to quit doing those Coors Light commercials and NFL Network shows.

However, if we just want to re-shape the Defense, I'm suggesting Dennis Thurman.

Dennis Thurman spent six seasons coaching Baltimore's secondary, four as the secondary coach, two as defensive assistant alongside Rex Ryan. During his Ravens tenure, the team led the NFL with 126 interceptions and 18 interception returns for touchdowns while he was coaching, among others, Ed Reed (34 INTs, 2002-07), Chris McAlister, Samari Rolle and Deion Sanders.

http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/coach/1420-dennis-thurman

[papabear]

As is usually the case, nothing is as simple as black and white. I think our scheme is basically sound. The NFL is a copycat league and there really hasn't been anything completely new in a long time so most schemes are going to have some level of success if you have the right players running them.

We have actually been pretty good on first and second down. The big problems have come on third and long, which is where defenses should thrive. Most of the breakdowns amount to either blown assignments or just sloppy tackling.

The sloppy tackling is maddening, but it's something you see a lot of these days. I don't know if it's because college stars are being coddled more than they used to be or not, but it seems like fundamental tackling is dying art in some ways. Unfortunately, it seems as if we have an especially bad case of it. Either way if I see one more Texan lunge in the general direction of a players legs with their head down and kind of roll into the tackle I might just lose my mind. That's something coaches shouldn't have to teach at this level, but it's obvious they do.

The coaches are also responsible for getting the team ready to play. That includes making sure guys know where to line up and what their responsibilities are on each play. The coaching staff has to take some of the blame, but there's only so much a coach can do as well. At the end of the day the players have to take it upon themselves to execute.

It's easy to call Frank Bush a disaster at this point, but it's hard to blame him when he has many times put them in a position to make the plays and get off the field. Like I said, it's not black and white, there's a whole lot of gray area. If I had to pick one area that is the biggest problem it would have to be the safety play. If they can get that squared away somehow then some of those big plays will be a little smaller, and hopefully easier to regroup from and get a stop.

[NBT]

NO, it wasn't easy to call Bush and his defense a disaster. I have been a frustrated pro football fan in Houston probably longer than any but a few of you, however I have to call a spade a spade when I see it. It is just too darn easy to blame it all on the players not doing their assignments, or not tackling like they should. Well, maybe the tackling, but the scheme and assignments should have been drilled into their heads by now. PK &, I think RP, don't agree with this analysis, but if we all agreed on everything, it would make for a very dull message board.

[papabear]

The whole point that I was trying to make was that they are all to blame, and it's not as simple as saying that Coach x is responsible or that it's player y. The front office is to blame for not getting the players, the coaches are responsible for not getting the players well prepared enough, and the players are responsible for not doing their job. You can't pick out anyone person or group and put all the blame at their feet.

I will also add that the large majority of Texans fans were convinced that Richard Smith was the worst defensive coordinator ever and that by getting rid of him the defense would improve automatically. Even though Bush wasn't necessarily a popular pick either, I think you could make the argument that Richard Smith got a little more blame than he deserved last year.

[NBT]

PK says "Lets talk draft, I am still mad we did not take Willis, best LB to be drafted since Ray Lewis. The next season I felt they reached for the OT, he is turning out OK, but I still think he was early."

I declare, some people are never satisfied. You can't say that Oakland wouldn't have taken Brown, now can you? Hind sight is always 20-20, but really, in this case, not even needed. Demeco is a fine Mike LB, and Brown is proving out at OLT. As for trading down, I have been for that too, but at what cost, or for that matter - benefit? Right now it is an exercise in futility. Cushing is the leading tackler. You think it is the players fault, I think it is the scheme and lack of getting the players on the same page as the DC.

[painekiller]

Right now it is an exercise in futility. Cushing is the leading tackler. You think it is the players fault, I think it is the scheme and lack of getting the players on the same page as the DC.

Cushing is the leading tackler, IMO, because of scheme. Zack Diles was the leading tackler last season until he broke his leg. So the SAM and MIKE have a lot of freedom in this defense, well then that is by design, not the player.

We have to get Bennett off the field until he learns to tackle. Otherwise he is killing us. I want to see Robinson and Okam on the field on 1st down. I want to see a modern defense with movement that confuses the QB.

[papabear]

You think it is the players fault, I think it is the scheme and lack of getting the players on the same page as the DC.


No, I think it is a combination of all those factors.

[mussop]

I want to see a modern defense with movement that confuses the QB.

Maybe Im just missing it but does our DL ever stunt?

[Roy P]

Cushing is the leading tackler, IMO, because of scheme. Zack Diles was the leading tackler last season until he broke his leg.

We have to get Bennett off the field until he learns to tackle. Otherwise he is killing us. I want to see Robinson and Okam on the field on 1st down. I want to see a modern defense with movement that confuses the QB.

The difference is that Cushing takes his man to the ground and stops their forward momentum. Diles made tackles further down the field.

I don't know what the deal is with Bennett. Molden is still an enigma to me, seems like he should be on the field with Glover Quinn and Dunta Robinson. If we can't keep Dunta after the season, then McCain could take the slot. With so many youngsters in the Secondary, there needs to be a strong presence in the Secondary to line people up. Perhaps Jaques Reeves or Eugene Wilson step into that role. Maybe it's Bernard Pollard who has some history with lil' Gibbs.

Putting Okam in on 1st down is an idea I want to implement. I've seen flashes where he is really impressive at holding the point of attack as well as getting penetration. The more double-teams he takes on, the more single matchups Mario has outside.

I have seen some stunts from the DL and have seen some LB blitzes. Not with the frequency I would like to see, but at least I know it's in the play book. What I haven't seen is blitzing anyone in the Secondary. Well, except for the time Busing blitzed right past the RB.

[Nconroe]

I'm really hoping the poor defensive start is because we have new Defensive coaches and players, first time DC, and they are all young, perhaps still adjusting. Overall defense is 32nd in many categories, although 17th against pass. Against the run it has been improving every game. Its been a few big runs , if those stop, defense would rank much better. If tackle for loss is a good measure of pressure and perhaps potential of the defense to be good, we rank second only to Baltimore, along with a few others. Through three games Ravens have 15 TFL. At 13 TFL sits Texans, Titans, Jets, and Chicago. Minnesota has 11, Eagles 10, Oakland and San Fran have 9. Then Pittsburg, New England, Cowboys, and Giants have 8. Colts have 4 and Jaguars only 3. Well, trying to find something positive with all this doubt flying around.

[Joshua]

I'm really hoping the poor defensive start is because we have new Defensive coaches and players, first time DC, and they are all young, perhaps still adjusting. Overall defense is 32nd in many categories, although 17th against pass. Against the run it has been improving every game. Its been a few big runs , if those stop, defense would rank much better. If tackle for loss is a good measure of pressure and perhaps potential of the defense to be good, we rank second only to Baltimore, along with a few others. Through three games Ravens have 15 TFL. At 13 TFL sits Texans, Titans, Jets, and Chicago. Minnesota has 11, Eagles 10, Oakland and San Fran have 9. Then Pittsburg, New England, Cowboys, and Giants have 8. Colts have 4 and Jaguars only 3. Well, trying to find something positive with all this doubt flying around.

While I understand the desire to look for something optimistic, I just can't subscribe to the excuse anymore that the coaches, players, etc. are new to the system, "learning curve," etc. First off, we didn't make some dramatic transition in the defense, such as converting from a 4-3 to a 3-4. Second, teams replace coordinators and install new defenses all the time. Again, this usually involves substantially more change that what we underwent from promoting within. You think the Jets underwent fewer changes going from a 4-3 to a 3-4 (along with Denver and Green Bay). How about the Saints having to learn Gregg Williams new D? Where is their month of crappy D while they adjust? The bottom line is that changing coordinators is par for the course for several teams every year and virtually everyone else is able to do it without giving up historically bad numbers for the first month of the season while trying to learn the system. Seriously, can anyone point to another defense in the last few years which put up horrendous numbers for the first month under a new coordinator while trying to learn the system and then turned it around after doing so? I'm honestly curious.

[nero THE zero]

No one really knows that for sure.

Yea, not even Norv Turner (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20080428-9999-1s28chargers.html):
Funny that the Chargers finally got a tackle with their final pick. They had been stymied from starting off the draft with one when an unprecedented eight tackles were selected before they picked at No. 27.

“We came up one pick short,” said Turner, who along with the rest of the Chargers brass watched Houston trade into the 26th spot and take tackle Duane Brown of Virginia Tech.

[WMH]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth

Offenses steering left with runs vs. Texans

October 1, 2009 1:37 PM


Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky

Everyone connected to the Houston defense needs to raise his hand when it comes to assessing blame for the team’s miserable run defense so far.

Back in Week 2 after a huge tackle of Chris Johnson by Mario Williams, I thought perhaps things had begun to turn. Nope.

My new best friend, Marty Callinan of ESPN Stats and Information, gave me this breakdown or where teams are attacking, and not attacking, the Texans on the ground.

Mario Williams is moved around and plays on both sides, but he starts out on the right and it seems they try to keep him on the weakside. I just re-watched the Jaguars’ first series against the Texans and of his seven snaps I saw him on the right for six. The general rule is he is on the right in the base on run downs, then flips left to rush the passer.

Amobi Okoye lines up at tackle on the right, next to Williams on a lot of run downs.

And it seems to be where offenses feel like they can control people and find run yards.

Opponents have done much more damage against the Texans running anywhere from the left sideline to the right guard, while doing much less from the right tackle to the right sideline.
Texans rush defense by direction, 2009

RG -- left sideline RT -- right sideline
Att-yds 73-523 20-93
Avg. 7.2 4.7
Long 91 39
Rush TD 6 1

Take note in the Oakland game Sunday: are the Raiders sending Darren McFadden and Michael Bush more to the left and a lot less to the outside on the right? Do the Texans look to do anything to bandage what’s become the weaker side of their run defense?

And what does this tell us about the run play of left end Antonio Smith?

[NBT]

Cushing is the leading tackler, IMO, because of scheme. Zack Diles was the leading tackler last season until he broke his leg. So the SAM and MIKE have a lot of freedom in this defense, well then that is by design, not the player.

We have to get Bennett off the field until he learns to tackle. Otherwise he is killing us. I want to see Robinson and Okam on the field on 1st down. I want to see a modern defense with movement that confuses the QB.

Amen! Now we are back on the same page. Bennet is not only not tackling, he is giving such a huge hole off the LOS, that a WR can get a first down on almost every play before Bennet can get back to him. And why can't Molden even get on the field? Now he has a hammy? Where is the press coverage we all yearn for? If we can play a rookie nickle, why not go the next step and put McCain in at CB? See what he can do.

And looks like we will see still another try at SS this weekend with the new pickup, Pollard. Hope he can improve the tackling and coverage.

And, as if things weren't bad enough, according to the official site, Reeves, on the eve of coming back from an ankle injury, has fractured a pinkie, and will be out for the game, darn it.

[painekiller]

Maybe Im just missing it but does our DL ever stunt?

They stunt a lot, I am wanting them to do more of what the Steelers/Pats/Ravens/Jets do which the Lbs are moving around, the safeties are walking up and back, the DEs are jumping up and back down. They show overloads that some times happen and other times are backed out of.

Our defense looks the same every presnap, the Mike and Sam are in the same spot in relation to the TE, the holes are pretty defined as to who is covering what.

No one can snap a ball on Jimmy Johnson's (RIP) defense cause they have no clue who is going where. Johnson would force the offense into certain responses and have his guys ready for that response, that is how they make so many big plays.

Give me a Rex Ryan protege, a Jimmy Johnson protege, or a Dick Lebeau pretege. We missed on Rex Ryan himself, we missed on Jim Scwartz, we missed Spagnuolo.

[NBT]

Yeah, and look at what Greg Williams is doing for NOLA's defense.
I hate to say this but Kubiak seems to be fixating on certain coaches, and certain favorite players (such as those from Colorado State), much like Capers was doing.

[Roy P]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcsouth

Offenses steering left with runs vs. Texans

Mario Williams is moved around and plays on both sides, but he starts out on the right and it seems they try to keep him on the weakside. Amobi Okoye lines up at tackle on the right, next to Williams on a lot of run downs.

And what does this tell us about the run play of left end Antonio Smith?

I'm a little confused. The offense's left is the defense's right. Are you suggesting that offenses are running at Mario and Amobi with success? Are you implying that Antonio Smith is feared and offenses are running away from him?

If we are trying to implement an attacking defense, then Amobi might penetrate the A-gap while Mario rushes around the C-gap, leaving the B-gap to a LB (Diles or Ryans). Conversely, if the NT has the A-Gap to the right of Center, then the B-gap is Ryans, the C-gap is SS (insert name) or possibly Cushing, or Antonio Smith.

I think it's a matter of gap integrity. Either the SS or Diles over-shooting their gap to "make a play on the ball" only to leave a cut-back lane without any help.

I'm hopeful that Pollard will be better against the run than his predecessors at the SS position.

There is the other elephant in the room as well, how about our CB's doing a better job tackling or turning the play inside.

[Nconroe]

Well, here is a good breakdown from the last game. I don't know if other games were similarly analyzed, but I think each of the big plays was a different breakdown.

http://blogs.chron.com/fantasyfootball/2009/10/film_study_lets_take_a_look_at.html

If you follow this, I think you'd have to say righht defense was called, just a couple players didn't do their part.

And I don't think Mario, Amobi, or Smith were in this particular play on the left side of defense.

And this analysis seems to differ from Kuharsky's analysis.

[Roy P]

Now safety is one of the weakest positions on the defense, wouldn't that make it pretty DUMB to put emphasis on your weakest players holding up. I am not a coach paid Millions to figure these things out, but come on guys.

The defensive philosophy that we have been wanting to see is that of an aggressive blitzing style defense. If we can get pressure on the QB, we should be able to get more TFLs, Sacks, and Interceptions. However, if the front 7 is getting into the backfield, the play of the Safety has to able to clean up and protect against big plays.

Now, if our Safety is so horrible that he can't be depended upon, then the defense would revert back to what it was last season. The LB's stay back and the CBs get picked apart. We essentially go into a Prevent defense that allows the offense to do anything they want, but a "big" play.

Personally, I prefer what Bush is trying to implement. It's just a matter of coaching the players better to execute the called defense. I'm hopeful that Pollard will make a difference in the Secondary. I'm still taking a wait and see approach.

[Roy P]

If tackle for loss is a good measure of pressure and perhaps potential of the defense to be good, we rank second only to Baltimore, along with a few others. Through three games Ravens have 15 TFL. At 13 TFL sits Texans, Titans, Jets, and Chicago.

This is the main reason I'm not completely fed up with the defense. They are having some success and getting into the backfield. There is a bit of high risk and high reward with this mindset. Thus far, we've seen much of the high risk. If we can get more consistent play from the Secondary vs. the RUN game, then there will be less complaints.

[NBT]

Texans 29, Raiders 6. The defense, and Frank Bush, sure showed up today. We have found our safety in Pollard, he played a good game. Cushing got his TFL, and for a safety! Maybe this was the coming out party we have all been hoping for.

[Roy P]

We have found our safety in Pollard, he played a good game.

It is pretty plain to see that Pollard can make a difference in the run game defense. Next week the Cards come up on the schedule, so we will test how well he can cover. Very impressed with Quinn today against the run, hoping he gets an interception next week like he was doing all the time in training camp. Can't say enough about his play long with the rest of the defense.

Supposedly, the word is that Bush decided to make things simpler this week so that players would be able to digest what he wanted. With fewer things to memorize, the less likely a singel player would forget his assignment. At least, that's the word. Whatever the case may be, I actually enjoyed watching the defense this week.

Don't get me started about the offense though.