It doesn't matter what the scheme is, if the pass rush leaves run lanes open. Three weeks ago, there was no rush discipline and MN beat us, two weeks ago, they have the rush discipline and we win, this game no lane discipline and again we lose. I give much of the credit in that to SF. They blocked us out of our lanes as much as we rushed ourselves out of them. Our edges get to far upfield and our middle doesn't get enough. We had the same problem back with the 4-3. the center got no push and the edges go up field making huge escape lanes for QB.
Originally Posted by: PackFanWithTwins
It all comes down to discipline.. and we lack it in several areas, most notably on the edge. A guy like Walden gives the edge way to often. That is the overall season and not just this game.
But beyond that.. we just got beat at the point of attack, their offensive line simply beat our front. Big physical lines will exploit the 3-4 at times, the is one of the knocks on a 3-4, if your backers are not physical enough across the boards or disciplined enough, they will get exposed.
We got beat in that match up, their offensive line beat our front. And it was enough to beat us on Saturday.
This is my opinion, this league is circular in offensive schemes, things are tried, if they succeed they become popular and copied until the defense figures it out and how to stop it. The read option, especially out of the pistol, is the latest newcomer to the scene. Defenses the last couple years have seen the league torched by the pass, teams build to stop the pass. They scheme to stop the pass. And then someone exposes the underbelly of these concepts, and it becomes a fad.
The real answer, IMO, is to build a defense that can play multiple fronts with strong cover corners behind it. Just like the offense, defenses go through cycles. 3-4 to 4-3 and back to 3-4 as the dominate fronts. Look no further than the Packers.. 80's were 3-4, 90' through the most of the next decade 4-3, then back to the 3-4. Both have weaknesses and strengths, but I think to many times a DC gets too married to one or the other. I personally think, to be successful in this league, you have to be able to play a multiple front defense based on match ups.
That is my disappointment with Capers.. I anticipated a guy that would bring more variations to the table and make adjustments in game a little more fluidly and rapidly. That said, I refuse to lay all the blame at his feet when he is playing at least 3 or 4 deep down the depth chart at several positions and still help carry this team this deep into the season.
Example.. the Cap run off the right edge.. Walden got sucked in and pinned, and Jones failed to read and cover the gap. Both of these guys are backup players being forces up the rotation. Both are good players, but have weaknesses at this point in their games. Walden is undisciplined as they come.. and this has been exposed over and over from 2010 on. Go back to a late season Bears game in 2010.. it looked almost identical to this season often. Jones is a first year inside backer that is trying to forget his outside backer mindset, sometimes he gets caught. Is it Capers fault that we lost DJ and Bishop? Is it his fault that we lost Perry whom is a better edge player?
No.
I think Capers is a good defensive mind, and I refuse to lay all the blame upon him. However, if they choose to part company, a fresh mind might be welcomed.
"The oranges are dry; the apples are mealy; and the papayas... I don't know what's going on with the papayas!"