Quote
dzrams
Quote
PeoriaRa
I have no evidence to support this - just a theory.
Obviously a team cannot be superior in every area - not with a salary cap. I have wondered over recent years if the analytics just show that success running does not correlate closely with winning - and our brain trust has decided to optimize the team against the pass at the cost of stopping the run. Because the analytics show that stopping the run effectively does not lead to more wins as much as other competencies. Analytics often uncover trends that run counter to what you eyes tell you watching the game.
In the last two years, have we lost a single game based largely on a failure to stop the run?
On the other hand, I may just be giving our FO too much credit.
In the playoffs, when we shut down Zeke, Wade was quoted as saying that he knew we could shut down the run when we really wanted to. He very strongly implied that it's not the primary focus of his scheme during the season.
There. Direct from the DC. He's not trying to optimize stopping the run at least during the regular season.
I doubt he said that. I would like to see a direct quote. To me it's obvious what happened is that with a 2 week window they fixed the defense and got Suh to commit. To not prioritize run defense as much as other things is NOT the same as letting it fall completely apart, which is what happened.
And then look at all their defensive changes. Every single one has a relation to run defense. That's especially true of promoting Kiser, making sure Joseph-Day progresses, and drafting Gaines.
Why would they even draft and coach up and promote a 2-down inside run defending ILB if they don't really need that.
Again, neglect and collapse is a different thing from not prioritizing it. They may not have it as the highest priority. What happened last year was a collapse...one they're fixing.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/17/2019 10:47AM by zn.