Defense Asessment: Week 1

[EternalEnigma21]

What about the Defense last week. I thought we got decent pressure, but only a fraction of the sacks we should've. Our safeties I thought played well, but we didn't really see enough of Arrington. I do like that Lamar Marshall can drop back 30 yards down field into coverage without getting blasted. I'd really like to see more of arrington. I think Taylor and co. covered Moose well as we didn't really hear his name called all day. We gave up some cushion underneath when we played soft zone, but it was usually not enough for them to convert.

When Cornelius Griffin came through the line on the last defensive play he looked posessed. Slamming through 2 blockers, stripping the ball and recovering to seal the game. If he doesn't make the pro-bowl this year it'll be a crime. I didn't really see too much of Carlos Rogers, and I've heard in other threads on here that he's not supposed to play next week? What's up with that?

All in all I give the D a solid A. If they had one more TO and a couple of more sacks on the rookie (who didnt really do much, but did show some poise given the situation) they would've gotten an A+. I really wanna see some more turnovers this year.

What do you guys think?

[illdefined]

hard to say against the Bears offense with a rookie at the helm, but i have to say the defense just kept getting stronger and stronger. not like last season, where the defense was on the field the whole game and would buckle by the fourth quarter because they never got rest. good to see what a little t.o.p. can do.

[FRPLG]

I think even the defense was somewhat conservative on Sunday. With Orton out there they didn't put as much jail break type blitzes in I guess figuring he wasn't going to beat them unless they gave him open opportunities downfield. I'd expect to see a mad rush on Monday night against Bledsoe. Arrington showed flashes of his greatness. Marshall brought some coverage skills that Pierce wasn't as dept at but also was clearly niot a take on the blocker type as much as Pierce. I am concerned a little about our corners. They look more beatable than last year but it was only one game so no reason to panic. Whats this I hear of rogers not playing?

[skinsguy]

Would've liked to have seen a little more pressure from the front four. If we can start pressuring the QBs more with our DL, then I think our defense would be undisputed #1!

[BrudLee]

The QB was a rookie - but the O line is considered a strength, and the starting RB is a 1000 yard rusher. We held the team to 41 yards on the ground, andput some pressure on the QB. I'd say we should probably get used to the fact that we aren't going to get a lot of sacks. C-Griff is the only lineman with closing speed, and he's going to see a lot of double teams.

[JWsleep]

I agree, skinsguy. But the run defense was stout, which I think is the crucial stat for this D. Still, having to blitz to get pressure will expose us eventually to big plays--it's just a fact in this league. We need to minimize those plays, and our offense needs to score enough to offset them if they happen. That's what killed us in Dallas last year. Ok, the D blew a big play. But we only had a 3 point lead, so there is no margin for errorr at all! Pressure up front and points on the board will help.

BUt overall, I like this D! And Giffin at the end: what a great play. I'd love to see Sean get a pick or two Monday.

[MTK]

Lost in the drama of the QB change is the great job the D did on Sunday.

They've picked right up where they left off last year. Looks like it should be the same type of unit. Not alot of pressure from up front, but they are very stout against the run. I'm eager to see the continued development of Taylor and how Arrington will work into the mix as they ease him back in. The secondary looked great and Marshall made it look like we may not miss Pierce all that much.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Actually I heard Mushin's name a lot because Orton doesn't throw to anyone else!

[mooby]

i think the reason we didn't pull out all the tricks vs. the bears is because joe gibbs wanted to win without revealing everything up his sleeve. i do think that this week vs. dallas gibbs will pull out all the stops.

[Wanga Skins]

I think as long as the D line contains Jones then Williams and company can bring an assortment of blitzes on a QB so slow he makes Ramsey look like Vick (Ron Mexico).

[JWsleep]

Check out the excellent Williams press conference on skins.com:

skins.com

He agrees with your assessment, Wanga--contain the run, and this D works great. If not, could be trouble a brewin. Contain Jones, keep the roids in 2nd and 3rd-and long, and then bring selective heat. Everything turns on good run D.

[Daseal]

The defense looks great, I was worried about Walt Harris's corner spot (still am, especially with Terry Glenn coming up, also afraid Price may get past Springs a time or two when he takes over for Keyshawn.) Only thing I didnt like was the lack of pressure on Orton. We didn't rattle him, and we have GOT to hit Bledsoe.

[skinsguy]

I dunno, maybe Orton is one of those guys who just doesn't get rattled. I remember when Gus started for us..in his first game, we score over 40+ points.

[STPainmaker]

Bledsoe is notorious for unravelling after taking alot of shots. Hopefully we can take back to the good ol days soon. He took some hits vs the Chargers but managed to keep his composure. Hopefully we can do something else to get pressure with 4 down lineman. I think in all honesty the Bears O line is better than the boys so maybe by just stunting, and outplaying there line we can get pressure. We'll see in 4 days.

[That Guy]

i think putting bledsoe on his back is priority #1 through 10, I don't think JJ will be that hard to stop while blitzing from the gap and the ends... and JJ isn't the one that put up 3 tds last week either.