Originally posted by ninertico:
HI N,
Been along time since Hybrid Mayhem...
...lol
Anyway, what I wanted to bring up is the fact that most 2-gap-type 3-4s use more of their OLBs than we do who don't deploy this kind of 3-4. Rather, we use Franklin as more of a one gap with the rush coming from anywhere.
Am I wrong in this line of thinking?
It has been a while, my friend and thanks for the post!
In my understanding, 1-gap vs. 2-gap has more to do with the assignments of the d-linemen. In the 2-gap, Franklin was responsible for holding his position and responsible for each gap on his left and right where this year, he is responsible for shooting through a gap and penetrating, hence why he is so much more visible to fans this year (though he's still 16th against the run).
You are on to something though - WE don't run a traditional 3-4 b/c we don't have one or two dominant 3-4 OLB's who can provide consistent pressure. In fact, until this year, I'd say we ran the most vanilla 3-4 I have ever seen with our OLB's ALWAYS lining up at the LOS like pseudo-DE's making it very esay to block and scheme around.
This year, we've gone to a 1-gap and Lawson/Haralson are rotating between the WILL & SAM spots, we started using ILB blitzes and are relying on safety and CB blitzes as well. In ahort, we're becoming a more traditional and in-line 3-4 defense like the rest of the league despite not having a dominant OLB. Manusky is generating pressure from having a stellar secondary which buys time for our front 7 to generate pressure.
That said, our OLB's should be producing even MORE sacks given the extra time they have b/c really, what 3-4 defense has our secondary and can afford that?
Originally posted by ninertico:
I mean, the old Pats and Steelers 3-4 Ds primarily use their OLBs to rush, correct? Yes, they sometimes mix it up, but that has been their primary rushing point. Whereas, Manusky uses much more rushes by the corners, MLBs, and of course his OLBs...the pass rushes are much more diverse based on the fact that the rush is coming from everywhere.
Therefore, couldn't it be said that your stats are skewed for this reason. The tapes of the previous four games do show both Parys and Manny just getting to QB, but someone else finishes the sack. What is wrong with that?
There's nothing wrong with that at all as long as you still have OLB's that can pass rush and provide a balance, or in this case, 50% of the teams sacks.
And again, manusky didn't even start using the MLB until last game against the lowly Rams.
But to further define it, let's look at the number of attempts and sacks by all of our players:
Parys Haralson: 130 attempts = 1 sack
Manny Lawson: 118 attempts = .5
Justin Smith: 167 attempts = 1 sack
Ray McDonald: 121 attempts = 2 sacks
Aubrayo Franklin: 48 attempts = 1 sack
Patrick Willis: 28 attempts = 3 sacks
Takeo Spikes: 10 attempts = 1 sack
Dashon Goldson: 4 attempts = 1 sack
Mark Roman: 3 attempts = 1 sack
We wouldn't expect anyone on the d-line to come close to the sacks our OLB's get b/c their job is to occupy 2 blockers and relieve the OLB's to get the glory. Smith is the exception though but he's also playing at a probowl level right now. So again, per attempts, there's no question this defense is designed to rack up sacks from the OLB's but that's not the case...they are coming from everywhere else despite very few attempts. Sure, you could say one or two of these sacks were as a result of pressure from Lawson/Haralson but the flip side is that the reverse is also true so it's a wash.
Originally posted by ninertico:
Seriously man, I respect what you have to say and see your point and of course agree on the stance that both Manny and Parys have less sacks per other 3-4 teams.
However, I don't think that makes them less of a pass rusher. Instead, I think it demonstrates the great team D we have. Sure, I definitely think that we can improve at that spot for sacks.
Yet, we still get them because of those two. If they weren't applying pressure, we wouldn't be getting sacks from other guys. Hence, I believe that scheme here is playing more into it than just the players.
MTC...
PS That said, we do need that dominant pass rusher and will concede that both Parys and Manny don't fit that bill.
You bet we're playing excellent team defense right now so let's hope you're right and we start seeing some of these QB pressures resulting in balls stripped, INT's, sacks, 3rd down stops, tipped passes, OC's having to make in-game adjustments, etc.
If we can get more production from the OLB positions, we have an opportunity to become one of the elite defenses. They are playing like a "family" right now. One thing that has stood out to me is that in the past, of a LB missed a tackle, a RB would go for huge gains. Now, the LB will make the tackle and if not, hold him up and then you'll see 5-7 guys there instantly to clean up the play; team speed, hustle and winning many one-on-one battles.
