The NFL's # 1 Defense Thread

Originally posted by Wodwo:

Originally posted by Joecool:


Yes but for the Slot, whichever would be better, Brown or Smith. Actually, Brown has also been decent in helping with the run so maybe even having Clements at slot with Brown at CB as Browns responsibilities there won't be difficult.

I don't know about Brown. I think he's burnt toast right now. That's why James upped him on the depth chart.

Reggie Smith has CB experience and is better against the run.

Anyway, if this is our base set, he's not even a true slot guy. He's still basically a third LB. He just covers like a corner.

f**k, I hate myself for this, but "Big Nickel" actually sounds like it might be better on base downs. Reggie Smith at SS and Mays as slot/LB. You want to make Bradford soil his shorts, send Mays on blitz a couple times on base downs.

I still hate myself.

Sign Al harris, he could come in on friday (not knowing the gameplan) and still play better than tarrell brown.

Originally posted by Joecool:

I hope our coverage flusters the s**t out of him and we keep the CB's home for the short s**t.

Man, we have great personnel if we want to run a 4-3.

I still think we lack a real 4-3 DE. Justin Smith is the best we have as far as prototypical base down type guy, he's just really more of a LE guy. He's our best pass rusher overall, IMO. He breaks through double and even triple teams. He just doesn't have the burst to finish.

So, I think we're basically stuck with the same problem in either set. 3-4 or 4-3 we still lack a legit pass rusher for the blind side. That's why I like the 3-4 better for right now... if only they would use the advantages of it... confusion with blitzing and aggressive play. Seems to me to be the best option to get pressure and actual sacks with what we've got.

I know corner is a HUGE need for us next year. I'd still rather take a pass rusher if I had the choice.

Originally posted by unst4bl3:

Sign Al harris, he could come in on friday (not knowing the gameplan) and still play better than tarrell brown.

Already signed with Dolphins, I believe.

Originally posted by Wodwo:

Originally posted by unst4bl3:

Sign Al harris, he could come in on friday (not knowing the gameplan) and still play better than tarrell brown.

Already signed with Dolphins, I believe.

that sucks, I don't know how our coaches couldn't tell he was an upgrade over what we have. (and get him in here)

Originally posted by Wodwo:

Originally posted by Joecool:

I hope our coverage flusters the s**t out of him and we keep the CB's home for the short s**t.

Man, we have great personnel if we want to run a 4-3.

I still think we lack a real 4-3 DE. Justin Smith is the best we have as far as prototypical base down type guy, he's just really more of a LE guy. He's our best pass rusher overall, IMO. He breaks through double and even triple teams. He just doesn't have the burst to finish.

So, I think we're basically stuck with the same problem in either set. 3-4 or 4-3 we still lack a legit pass rusher for the blind side. That's why I like the 3-4 better for right now... if only they would use the advantages of it... confusion with blitzing and aggressive play. Seems to me to be the best option to get pressure and actual sacks with what we've got.

I know corner is a HUGE need for us next year. I'd still rather take a pass rusher if I had the choice.

Well you don't have a choice, so zip it!

(kidding)

We are looking at a nice and deep CB class ahead, so I think there is a high chance we take a CB in the first 3 rounds. Which one will obviously just depend on best value.

- If we stay 3-4... we have 2 major problems... (1)no true NT (2)no true 3-4 rush LB

- If we go 4-3... we have 1 major question mark... (1) RE rusher

I say question mark, as while we do have options in Haralson, Brooks, and LaBoy... we can't really say with any degree of certainty if one or any can be effective enough. Obviously, I like the latter option above. Obviously, you are stubbornly in love with what a 3-4 scheme could do with the right pieces.

Looks like we sort of have a good grasp of the 49ers Defense:

"Smith, a third-round pick in the 2008 Draft, will share time with rookie Taylor Mays at strong safety Sunday."

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/11/bradford-will-see-more-of-old-teammate-nemesis.html


The reason is that Mays gets too winded from all of his special team priorities. Hmm, one would think if a starter is winded due to special teams that his role as a starter on Defense is more important than his role in special teams which would lead to limiting his role on special teams.

The reason they give is bogus. It's obvious Mays is having difficulty with coverage.

Originally posted by Joecool:
Looks like we sort of have a good grasp of the 49ers Defense:

"Smith, a third-round pick in the 2008 Draft, will share time with rookie Taylor Mays at strong safety Sunday."

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/11/bradford-will-see-more-of-old-teammate-nemesis.html


The reason is that Mays gets too winded from all of his special team priorities. Hmm, one would think if a starter is winded due to special teams that his role as a starter on Defense is more important than his role in special teams which would lead to limiting his role on special teams.

The reason they give is bogus. It's obvious Mays is having difficulty with coverage.

Either that, or the special teams is really missing MRob. lol

Originally posted by Joecool:
Looks like we sort of have a good grasp of the 49ers Defense:

"Smith, a third-round pick in the 2008 Draft, will share time with rookie Taylor Mays at strong safety Sunday."

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/11/bradford-will-see-more-of-old-teammate-nemesis.html


The reason is that Mays gets too winded from all of his special team priorities. Hmm, one would think if a starter is winded due to special teams that his role as a starter on Defense is more important than his role in special teams which would lead to limiting his role on special teams.

The reason they give is bogus. It's obvious Mays is having difficulty with coverage.

Kinda works for me regardless, as it gives us more opportunity to see what both have to offer.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Joecool:
Looks like we sort of have a good grasp of the 49ers Defense:

"Smith, a third-round pick in the 2008 Draft, will share time with rookie Taylor Mays at strong safety Sunday."

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/11/bradford-will-see-more-of-old-teammate-nemesis.html


The reason is that Mays gets too winded from all of his special team priorities. Hmm, one would think if a starter is winded due to special teams that his role as a starter on Defense is more important than his role in special teams which would lead to limiting his role on special teams.

The reason they give is bogus. It's obvious Mays is having difficulty with coverage.

Kinda works for me regardless, as it gives us more opportunity to see what both have to offer.

I think it's better to say that about mays, and get smith some playing time. When smith proves good, they can state the real reason he is getting playing time, which is to see if they have an option to replace Goldson.

Originally posted by unst4bl3:

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Originally posted by Joecool:
Looks like we sort of have a good grasp of the 49ers Defense:

"Smith, a third-round pick in the 2008 Draft, will share time with rookie Taylor Mays at strong safety Sunday."

http://blog.pressdemocrat.com/49ers/2010/11/bradford-will-see-more-of-old-teammate-nemesis.html


The reason is that Mays gets too winded from all of his special team priorities. Hmm, one would think if a starter is winded due to special teams that his role as a starter on Defense is more important than his role in special teams which would lead to limiting his role on special teams.

The reason they give is bogus. It's obvious Mays is having difficulty with coverage.

Kinda works for me regardless, as it gives us more opportunity to see what both have to offer.

I think it's better to say that about mays, and get smith some playing time. When smith proves good, they can state the real reason he is getting playing time, which is to see if they have an option to replace Goldson.

Yes, pretty much. I'm not ready to give up on any of the three, so it would be great to dig more into what each of them can offer. Let's us better know what our offseason priorities should be. Still not acting as if we're throwing in the season just to see, as I wouldn't put money on any of them being clearly better than the other.

Originally posted by oldman9er:

Well you don't have a choice, so zip it!

(kidding)

We are looking at a nice and deep CB class ahead, so I think there is a high chance we take a CB in the first 3 rounds. Which one will obviously just depend on best value.

- If we stay 3-4... we have 2 major problems... (1)no true NT (2)no true 3-4 rush LB

- If we go 4-3... we have 1 major question mark... (1) RE rusher

I say question mark, as while we do have options in Haralson, Brooks, and LaBoy... we can't really say with any degree of certainty if one or any can be effective enough. Obviously, I like the latter option above. Obviously, you are stubbornly in love with what a 3-4 scheme could do with the right pieces.

I do so have a choice! I can go to headquarters and... you're right, I have no choice.

Alright, you win. I don't know what happens next season, but even though I disagree about your "true" NT concept, Franklin might not be back and RJF isn't proven.

Too many question marks at this point to even discuss this so early. Don't even know for sure we'll be playing games.

I do know I don't like any of the options you listed as a starting RE.

We'll see what we'll see in the offseason. Only thing I can tell you is that I don't have any love for the 3-4 defense. I say you build scheme around the players, not the other way round. Grab the best you can get and be creative.

* MB plays short zone but must keep a close eye on the backs... should they come out on a pass pattern.

* Can easily flip MB + WB assignments here.

* Of course, we'll mix things up, but I wouldn't mind us running a lot of this one.

I just hope that we don't get blitz happy. They are mentioning on KNBR that Bradford rarely throws an INT and that he gets rid of the ball very fast (of course due to their short passing game). This tells me our blitzes won't get their fast enough and will exposes us more to exactly what they do well, screen passes and short passes.

We seriously need the defense to be able to close out games. We got lucky this time with only allowing a field goal and winning in overtime, but when it was supposed to be the biggest strength on our team, we should be able to get a lead late in the 4th qtr and trust them to stop the opposition.

Originally posted by cutbarlow:
We seriously need the defense to be able to close out games. We got lucky this time with only allowing a field goal and winning in overtime, but when it was supposed to be the biggest strength on our team, we should be able to get a lead late in the 4th qtr and trust them to stop the opposition.

both times the Rams scored Reggie Smith was in the game.