If you can generate pressure without blitzing, then playing "coverage" is always a better option. The key is to generate pressure with as few people as possible and using the blitz to keep the offense off balance and uncomfortable. I'm surprised we were able to get some decent pressure against the Jets line, which does make me feel more comfortable about where we are as a team. That Matthews sack really opened my eyes. He was left on a single team against Damien Woody while Brandon Moore and Mangold doubled Raji who was a headache in the middle all day. He even got a little chip from LG Matt Slausen who then continued on to help D'Brick with Cullen. If you can have a defensive line generating a push in this system, you don't have to get all fancy.

The other thing to note is that Dom has really changed the way he plays defense given all the injuries. He has toned down the blitz a lot and allowed our terrific secondary to play coverage. Our DL + Matthews are slowly, but surely getting some pressure. The sacks aren't coming like they did early on when he was dialing them on, but we're still playing a very effective defense, as proved by the shutout vs. NY.

"chrisbozzonerocks" wrote:

If you can generate pressure without blitzing, then playing "coverage" is always a better option. The key is to generate pressure with as few people as possible and using the blitz to keep the offense off balance and uncomfortable. I'm surprised we were able to get some decent pressure against the Jets line, which does make me feel more comfortable about where we are as a team. That Matthews sack really opened my eyes. He was left on a single team against Damien Woody while Brandon Moore and Mangold doubled Raji who was a headache in the middle all day. He even got a little chip from LG Matt Slausen who then continued on to help D'Brick with Cullen. If you can have a defensive line generating a push in this system, you don't have to get all fancy.

The other thing to note is that Dom has really changed the way he plays defense given all the injuries. He has toned down the blitz a lot and allowed our terrific secondary to play coverage. Our DL + Matthews are slowly, but surely getting some pressure. The sacks aren't coming like they did early on when he was dialing them on, but we're still playing a very effective defense, as proved by the shutout vs. NY.

"chrisbozzonerocks" wrote:

"chrisbozzonerocks" wrote:

As surprising as it may sound, Harris may have to surpass Shields to get his playing time. I don't think he's guaranteed even the nickel to this point. As much as it saddens me (Harris has always been my 2nd favorite corner behind Deion), that's where we are as a team. Williams and Woodson will firmly be the 1-2 for the rest of the season unless one of them COMPLETELY falls off. Shields is a guy who has the speed to hang with the fast guys and really hasn't been targeted all that much, which tells me he must be doing a good job. Both Harris and Shields are boundary corners, so it's possible we just interchange them in the lineup based on opponents. We do play a ton of nickel, which means there will be snaps to go around if we do decide to split the time. Regardless, I'm looking forward to see the return of Harris even if it will be in a limited capacity.

We may not force sub-50% completions like the Jets do, but we're more capable of picking passes off. After each week, just listen to McCarthy's pressers. #1 on his list each and every week is the turnover ratio. That means grabbing a couple on defense and being flawless on offense. He doesn't come from the old school of 3 and outs. He's a greedy SOB who wants turnovers and a short field, which is why you'll see our guys take some gambles now and then.

Anywho, given the nature of last season and the late season games vs. Pittsburgh and Arizona, this secondary is far more talented, deep, and healthy than we were at this point a year ago. Despite the injuries we've had this year, I'm glad our secondary remains in tact because everything Mike McCarthy wants from his defense comes from turnovers generated by our guys in the back end.

"chrisbozzonerocks" wrote:

"chrisbozzonerocks" wrote: