New defense

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by illdefined

pretty much exactly that. when Williams talked about 'packages' LaVar wasn't in, i think he was referring to 3-4 type defenses that weren't right to use against heavy running teams like Denver and KC. when he saw the anemic 9ers coming, he didn't feel threatened enough by the running game and instead chose to welcome Alex Smith to the NFL by throwing LaVar in the 3-4 at him.

3-4 against a good running team isn't the best idea especially if it's not your base and most practiced defense. the general feeling is LaVar lacks coverage skills which is vital in Williams defense. you never see Holdman in the backfield, he's out covering TEs and FBs and in our defense that's important.

i think the best use of him today would just be to replace Daniels as DE on non-short-yardage situations. and teach him the Dwight Freeney spin. until we get true pass rush threats on our Dline, we need excellent coverage all around.

I dont generally dispute someones posts, but I have to in regards to this. Holdman plays the weakside, marcus the strong. The strong side LB is the one who covers the TEs and backs. The weakside is generally the pass rusher and is a little more free to rome and make plays on the backs. Out of the two(arrington and Holdman) arrington is far better in coverage than holdman. He definately has more speed and athletic ability when it comes to coverage. He(arrington) is also stonger in pass rush. This weekend we will mostly see Taylor covering shockey and Marcus on few occasions. Marcus will probably be more responsable for the RB and FB coming out of the back field. If we are in the 3-4 this weekend, LaVar will be used mostly as the 4th rusher, or 5th blitzer. I generally think if a team runs the 3-4 correctly it is more difficult to run against. with the style of offense the Giants have been running, I think the 3-4 may be bennificial to us. More playmakers on the field and more speed to match up with the Giants.

[illdefined]

Marcus does play weakside, but TE's very often go in motion, and the LB's assignment just switches, they don't follow their 'man'. this year you've seen Marcus in the backfield and making sacks (like the fumble last game), not Holdman. i haven't seen Holdman in the backfield at all really, i think Williams uses him almost like another DB and covering the flats.

yeah there's no question who's better athletically between LaVar and Holdman. the knock on LaVar is that he tries to anticipates plays and blow them up early and will abandon his assignment too easily. he bites a lot on play action is the best example of this.

yeah i think the 3-4 would be great for us personally, it would probably end the long runs on the outside we've been giving up this year but it's just not our base defense. with our personnel talent where it is now, i think it should be. i'd love to see LaVar out there full time, i just think Williams' priority is stop the run up the middle first and foremost and then get creative.

[railcon56]

No matter what Manning is still basically a rookie ..well still learning ..we have to froce him to make fast decisions...pressure him ...look for plenty of turnovers...

[That Guy]

he handles blitzes very very well thusfar. he's not acting like a rookie qb in any way.