A Very Falcoholic Discussion: Is The Run Defense Cooked?

These offenses we are going to face pose a very different threat than the Saints. In that game, their ability to run was of secondary concern to getting beat by Brees’ arm. The Vikings really don’t pose that same threat. I would expect the defense to key on the run game much more against them. Stephen Jackson really hasn’t been himself most of this season, and the Rams are struggling all around. I would imagine our defense will be able to dictate the pace of that game.

Naturally, the Bucs concern me most. Their offense is very well rounded and Jeff Garcia has been killing the Falcons for years. Dunn has rejuvenated himself, and Williams, even only at three-quarter speed, is better than nothing. The Tampa game, possibly more than any other this season, is one where our defense must clamp down in the red zone while our offense scores touchdowns, rather than settling for field goals. I know that is obvious for any game, but in a game against a stout defense and a well rounded offense, we can’t afford to leave any points on the field.

NFL players usually don’t chose to “not give it their all.” I think they were outmanned and outcoached. If someone “doesn’t give it [his] all,” he won’t have a job for very long.

What the heck is a boogerbear?

will lead this team to greatness in the coming seasons. He’s a monster in the pocket and out. He makes (mostly) right decisions and plays with heart and emotion. He wants to win and you can feel it every time he’s got the ball.

I could deal with a cooked run defense if it looked that delicious.

Once (Denver) was a fluke, but twice (NO) makes it seem like there is something to be concerned about here. In both cases (moreso in NO) the D had trouble stopping their offense in late game situations when a stop would have really helped out. Late in the games has been one of our weaknesses this year with really only the Carolina game being one where we put on a good late performance. If we get up on Tampa on Sunday and it gets late in the game we HAVE to be able to finish.

We’ve benefitted a lot from a relatively easy schedule. The NFC North and AFC West are shadows of their former selves. So has the rest of the South, for that matter.

The reason our Run D hasn’t been exposed as badly before was that we got out to an early start. You can’t grind the ball on the ground all day long when you’re going into the half 24-0. It’s been our “secret” weapon all year long, and I don’t expect it to change. It’s the only constant so far, and it’s the only thing that masks a defense we all knew was pretty bad coming in. I mean, we all wanted a DT in the off-season, and it wasn’t because we just thought Matt Ryan was a stupid-face-doo-doo-head. It was because the D needed/needs some TLC in a major way. It’s not a good defense.

I think Smith knows it, and I think it’s why he’s always pushing for the fast starts and keeping practices up tempo. Maybe that’s just what he does, but I suspect he knows that if another team has a comfortable situation and can pick and choose their playcalling (i.e. they’re not forced into a one-dimensional role) we’ll get shredded.

Fast starts. That’s the key.

They didn’t plan for Bush or Thomas. But think about it. Reggie has been injured … Thomas is a relatively unproven (until he met our defense), second year back. Where was the threat? Plus Brees is having his best year ever, maybe the best year any QB has ever had. So it makes sense that we planned to defend the pass.