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Fortenbaugh (NFP) on the importance of pass-rushers
May 15, 2011 at 3:54 PM
- SnakePlissken
- Veteran
- Posts: 15,028
In the modern game, the importance of pass rushers to the defense are as almost adjacent in importance as a franchise QB is to an offense.
May 15, 2011 at 4:07 PM
- allday
- Veteran
- Posts: 89
Its still football, if you dont stop the run they will just ram it down your throat all game.
Sacks are overrated, the real key is pressure with the front 4 or 5 and be able to drop everyone else back to take away the deep ball and make the qb complete underneath passes. That should be obvious based on how stressed completion percentage is for qbs now instead of ypa which it used to be.
Case in point, Demarcus Ware is the premiere pass rusher in the NFL and how many playoff games have the Cowboys won since he has been there? The Jets also seem to do pretty well with no top end pass rushers also. Todays NFL is about scheme and minimizing mistakes and big plays. Sacks are a function of that, not a cause. Most sacks come from 3-4 confusing blocking schemes, not some dominant guy just blowing stuff up. This isnt the early 90's LT football anymore.
Sacks are overrated, the real key is pressure with the front 4 or 5 and be able to drop everyone else back to take away the deep ball and make the qb complete underneath passes. That should be obvious based on how stressed completion percentage is for qbs now instead of ypa which it used to be.
Case in point, Demarcus Ware is the premiere pass rusher in the NFL and how many playoff games have the Cowboys won since he has been there? The Jets also seem to do pretty well with no top end pass rushers also. Todays NFL is about scheme and minimizing mistakes and big plays. Sacks are a function of that, not a cause. Most sacks come from 3-4 confusing blocking schemes, not some dominant guy just blowing stuff up. This isnt the early 90's LT football anymore.
May 15, 2011 at 8:28 PM
- Oakland-Niner
- Member
- Posts: 24,062
Ground Breaking!
Earth Shattering!
The man is a genius.
Earth Shattering!
The man is a genius.
May 15, 2011 at 8:35 PM
- excelsior
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,432
The point about the importance of a pass rusher circles back to another critical conclusion: The reason a pass rusher is so important is that teams realize that PRESSURE on the QB affects his play, and not in a good way. Thus, what happens to a QB who is asked to function behind a shaky OL? Bingo! That's right.
So, how solid has our OL been here for the last 6 years? And how well have our QBs played during that time? Humm.
So, how solid has our OL been here for the last 6 years? And how well have our QBs played during that time? Humm.
May 15, 2011 at 8:56 PM
- Oakland-Niner
- Member
- Posts: 24,062
Originally posted by excelsior:
The point about the importance of a pass rusher circles back to another critical conclusion: The reason a pass rusher is so important is that teams realize that PRESSURE on the QB affects his play, and not in a good way. Thus, what happens to a QB who is asked to function behind a shaky OL? Bingo! That's right.
So, how solid has our OL been here for the last 6 years? And how well have our QBs played during that time? Humm.
You know that cuts both ways. Defenses love to pin their ears back when they know they dont have to worry about a QBs ability to make quick decisions. Looking, looking, looking, roll right, throw away, sound familar? I got it out of the unnamed QBs playbook.
May 16, 2011 at 12:25 AM
- GORO
- Veteran
- Posts: 2,248
When the 49ers traded Charles Haley to the cowboys it was the missing piece that propelled them to the team of the 90's. While it was a nightmare for the 49ers each time they played them in the playoffs.
Lawson and Haralson were drafted in Nolans first year and they never developed into consistent pass rushers, what makes me mad is each year Pittsburgh drafts somebody to convert to OLB. Each year the Steelers are among the best teams in the league.
Lawson and Haralson were drafted in Nolans first year and they never developed into consistent pass rushers, what makes me mad is each year Pittsburgh drafts somebody to convert to OLB. Each year the Steelers are among the best teams in the league.
May 16, 2011 at 4:09 PM
- RichmondPete
- Member
- Posts: 682
Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:Originally posted by excelsior:
The point about the importance of a pass rusher circles back to another critical conclusion: The reason a pass rusher is so important is that teams realize that PRESSURE on the QB affects his play, and not in a good way. Thus, what happens to a QB who is asked to function behind a shaky OL? Bingo! That's right.
So, how solid has our OL been here for the last 6 years? And how well have our QBs played during that time? Humm.
You know that cuts both ways. Defenses love to pin their ears back when they know they dont have to worry about a QBs ability to make quick decisions. Looking, looking, looking, roll right, throw away, sound familar? I got it out of the unnamed QBs playbook.
We had an offensive line that was good enough to pave the way for 1700 rush yards for Frank Gore. One good enough for Trent Dilfer to have a 300 yard 3 touchdown game, something Alex Smith has NEVER done.
Seriously give it a break. There have been QBs who have played well behind poor offensive lines. Big Ben, Peyton, Rodgers all had poor offensive lines last year and were able to perform. Good QBs can make things happen when a play breaks down, when the pocket breaks down, when the game breaks down.
May 17, 2011 at 12:50 AM
- elguapo
- Veteran
- Posts: 25,083
Originally posted by RichmondPete:Originally posted by Oakland-Niner:Originally posted by excelsior:
The point about the importance of a pass rusher circles back to another critical conclusion: The reason a pass rusher is so important is that teams realize that PRESSURE on the QB affects his play, and not in a good way. Thus, what happens to a QB who is asked to function behind a shaky OL? Bingo! That's right.
So, how solid has our OL been here for the last 6 years? And how well have our QBs played during that time? Humm.
You know that cuts both ways. Defenses love to pin their ears back when they know they dont have to worry about a QBs ability to make quick decisions. Looking, looking, looking, roll right, throw away, sound familar? I got it out of the unnamed QBs playbook.
We had an offensive line that was good enough to pave the way for 1700 rush yards for Frank Gore. One good enough for Trent Dilfer to have a 300 yard 3 touchdown game, something Alex Smith has NEVER done.
Seriously give it a break. There have been QBs who have played well behind poor offensive lines. Big Ben, Peyton, Rodgers all had poor offensive lines last year and were able to perform. Good QBs can make things happen when a play breaks down, when the pocket breaks down, when the game breaks down.
Actually Ben Rothlisberger did not play that well and they have an average OL which is a lot better than ours last year and he did aweful in the playoffs. Manning can do well behind most lines but didnt do well at all bc his OL was just above average.....he threw so many ints as well.
So a good qb like you stated rogers manning and Rothlisberger can do well behind bad ols is not that true at all.Manning had wayne Garcon rothlisberger had wallace ward and rogers had jennings driver and co who ALL BAILED them out......put any of those 3 qbs on our team with no great wr a worse ol and they not only do a lot worse....but HAVE A CAREER LOW in rating td.s and highs in ints and SORRY but that is a fact. Yes we would of picked up 2 to 3 more wins and the division but dont try to tell me that these qbs can do it behind bad ols with little help.......
Rogers has a probowler on the ol and wr position.....Manning has probowlers at the wr and ol positions......Rothlisberger has pro bowlers on the OL and wallace is a pro bowl level wr.
May 17, 2011 at 7:21 AM
- mayo49
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- Posts: 64,320
I'll cream my pants if Aldon turns out to be the next Charles Haley. Pass rush wise.
May 17, 2011 at 7:29 AM
- Joecool
- Veteran
- Posts: 70,984
I look at it this way. The offenses primary objective or hope is to find a franchise QB who can win his team games so why isn't the defenses first priority to shut down that QB?
May 17, 2011 at 8:29 AM
- excelsior
- Veteran
- Posts: 1,432
If a primary goal of a defense is to pressure or sack a QB, then it follows that an offense's primary goal is to build an OL that can protect its QB.
Yet, the 49ers miserably failed to achieve this. They worked with Kwame Harris, and drafted Baas, Snyder and Rachel, yet never seemed to produce a solid group of pass protectors. A few may have been alright, but when it comes to pass protection, the line is only as good as its weakest link.
Finally, last year they invested some really high draft choices in the line, but they still struggled with freshman jitters. I do not understand how anyone can realistically argue that the 49ers have had an above average line for pass protection during the last 6 years. It has been poor, and our QB must have suffered as a result of it.
With respect to Manning and Rodgers, I watched enough of their games last year to be struck by how often they had all day to sit comfortably back in the pocket while they waited for their exceptional receivers to get open.
Yet, the 49ers miserably failed to achieve this. They worked with Kwame Harris, and drafted Baas, Snyder and Rachel, yet never seemed to produce a solid group of pass protectors. A few may have been alright, but when it comes to pass protection, the line is only as good as its weakest link.
Finally, last year they invested some really high draft choices in the line, but they still struggled with freshman jitters. I do not understand how anyone can realistically argue that the 49ers have had an above average line for pass protection during the last 6 years. It has been poor, and our QB must have suffered as a result of it.
With respect to Manning and Rodgers, I watched enough of their games last year to be struck by how often they had all day to sit comfortably back in the pocket while they waited for their exceptional receivers to get open.
May 17, 2011 at 8:31 AM
- NeeJ49er
- Veteran
- Posts: 9,580
Just think ...if we can get Asomugha, it will make our pass rush much, much better
But I'm sure the Redskins or Eagles will overpay to land him....if we sign ONE free agent please let it be him, we need a shutdown corner in a bad way
But I'm sure the Redskins or Eagles will overpay to land him....if we sign ONE free agent please let it be him, we need a shutdown corner in a bad way
May 17, 2011 at 10:37 AM
- PA49ersfan
- Veteran
- Posts: 8,555
Originally posted by GORO:
When the 49ers traded Charles Haley to the cowboys it was the missing piece that propelled them to the team of the 90's. While it was a nightmare for the 49ers each time they played them in the playoffs.
Lawson and Haralson were drafted in Nolans first year and they never developed into consistent pass rushers, what makes me mad is each year Pittsburgh drafts somebody to convert to OLB. Each year the Steelers are among the best teams in the league.
Bad, very bad flashbacks you inflicted on me! Good points though.
May 17, 2011 at 11:52 AM
- LifelongNiner
- Veteran
- Posts: 22,326
Originally posted by allday:
that was a pretty lame article by an obvious hack
the pats are pretty good without anything close to a dominant pass rusher.
defense is more about scheme and players who make a minimum amount of mistakes as possible.
Of course a guy who can blow up the qb makes everything easier, but in football the first thing you have to be able to do is stop the run. Always has been and always will be.
Yes the Pats are good, but they weren't exactly lighting it up on defense early on in the year. Also, are the Pats the rule or are they exception?
And if you look at the 49ers for the pass few seasons, we've been pretty good against the run, but not exactly a dominating defense. Today, you have to be able to get to the QB now more than ever.
May 17, 2011 at 12:24 PM
- MadDog49er
- Hall of Fame
- Posts: 19,368
I agree that having a good pass rusher or two is very important to a team's success. However, teams should never bypass better players on the board in order to select at a position of need.
I just don't see Smith being the 7th best player in this draft, and while I think he will be an asset to this team, I think many are making the mistake of throwing out names like Ware and Haley when projecting his productivity and impact on the team.
I just don't see Smith being the 7th best player in this draft, and while I think he will be an asset to this team, I think many are making the mistake of throwing out names like Ware and Haley when projecting his productivity and impact on the team.
[ Edited by MadDog49er on May 17, 2011 at 12:24 PM ]