 Replies to Zack's Comments on the DBs |
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"Zack's
provocative comments stimulated some interesting responses:" By Butt-Head Those are interesting stats. I have also been curious about our secondary. The one other stat I would like to see is interceptions. My guess is if we are not #1, we are close to it, especially over the last 8 games. In addition to the interceptions the defense has made, there has probably been even more occasions when I have heard the announcer say (and RFL write) "THE RAMS ALMOST PICKED ANOTHER ONE OFF, THEY JUST DIDN'T HOLD ONTO IT." This has led me to believe that the RAMS scheme to make plays on the ball, not just defense the pass. It may not be that they are merely trading yards for points alone (though that certainly may be part of it), but they may also be trading yards for interceptions. Yards for points + interceptions might be a good formula, and it would be better if our defense caught everything that hit them in the hands (which I think they have been doing more and more of). I also agree that our secondary appears softer since Lyle has been out, and the defense does miss him, he's one of the best safeties in the league. However, if one of our stat people on the board could check this out for me, I would bet our interceptions per game have gone up since Lyle has been out, not down. I'm not implying that it wouldn't have gone up with Lyle in, to the contrary, I think they would be doing even better. I'm thinking that with the new starters in the secondary, they are just getting better with this complicated defense as time goes on. If "shut-down" corners really exist, we don't have them. I have been worried about our secondary weaknesses but I have recently been wondering if I'm perceiving only the weaknesses. In short, does this defensive scheme "hide" the weakness of our secondary, or magnify its strengths? (incidentally, the question is not argumentative, I really don't know). Perhaps what I perceive as playing soft, is actually somewhat of a risk taking way of playing when they have a lot of field behind them. Whatever it is, it sure causes me to type @%$@#!!!$@####%@!!*&%## in the chat room on Sunday a lot. ********************************************************** By OvisDall It is clear that the Ram defense is NOT an 'elite' defense, but they're a good defense. However, other defenses do not have all the marbles either, just more of them. I define an elite unit as a defense that is successful in ALL the previously mentioned categories including the following: Red zone defense, and 3rd down %. For red zone defense %: Miami (1st) 27.8%, allowed 10 TDs of 36 attempts. Minnesota (2nd T) 33.3%, allowed 15 of 45. Tampa Bay (4th) 36.7%, allowed 13 of 30. Buffalo (11th) 45.9%, allowed 17 of 37. Baltimore (12th) 47.5%, allowed 19 of 40. RAMS (20th T) 50%, allowed 17 of 34. Jacksonv. (20th T) also 50% and also 17 of 34. One can argue the relative importance of red zone defense, but for me stuffing an opponent and NOT allowing TDs inside the 20 is really intimidating to the opposition. Both the Rams and Jaguars, while not lousy in this regard, are not particularly noteworthy. J-ville, being called an 'elite' defense should do better here. Note that Minnesota has a good red zone %, but they allow a lot of attempts within their 20 yard line. Among the 'elite' defenses, Tampa Bay and Miami do particularly well in this regard. The Rams do better in 3rd down %. Miami (1st) 29.3% Buffalo (3rd) 30.6% Tampa Bay (10th) 34.1% Jacksonville (11th) 34.1% Baltimore (12th) 34.2% RAMS (13th) 34.4% There are only tenths of a fraction difference between TB, Balt, JV, and the Rams. However, Miami and Buffalo really stand out here. What does this all mean? Nothing more than what you've already said with an additional observation: The Rams are 2nd (tied with J'ville) with allowed attempts (34) within their own 20 yard line. That means they don't give the opposition many chances, either by turnovers, special team breakdowns, or drives to be within easy striking range of the end-zone. As stated elsewhere, the Rams also don't allow many long TD strikes also. One then can surmise that the Rams allow A LOT of passing first downs and yardage, but when the opposition gets near the Ram 20 yard line, somehow they falter or the Ram defense steps up. Note, though, that Jacksonville DOESN'T allow a ton of passing yardage and passing first downs and have the same red zone stats. Gee, I hope I'm not going in circles. ************************************************************* "Why the Safeties? " By JamesJM Do you have some player statistics that would indicate this? Is this something you surmise from the type of pass being completed against the Rams? I'm not saying you're wrong, just curious as to how you single out the Safety position....( and yes, I know you feel the entire DB unit is partially responsible ). Most of the passing schemes the Rams have seen, IMO...(difficult to see on TV), have been pretty straight forward...meaning Safeties are mostly used to help out in mid to deep range coverage, and I haven't noticed that many passes aimed at getting our FS one on one....there are many that call for a SS one on one match up, but that is SOP for any team that features a short crossing route attack utilizing TE's and RB's. It looks to me like the opposing teams try to find the single coverage....they utilize a TE or RB, or even slot Rec to negate the SS, then they watch the FS for his flow - the good QB's use their eyes and head to dictate the FS flow, then the pass is thrown on a come-back type pass, (curl, square in or out), toward the CB with one on one coverage. The Rec. with the one on one knows to run the comeback, the other Rec knows to show deep threat. And all this because I don't think either of our CB's cover very well against this type of pass. So it can go either way just as effectively.....although it does seem to me that Allen is singled out more often. Basically what I'm saying here....is I don't KNOW that the Safeties are any more responsible for the "type" of breakdown that you are talking about than the CB's.....It goes without saying that it could very well be the Safeties, I just can't tell on TV, but I right now I'm guessing it's more the CB coverage. - JamesJM ****************************************************** By StPetersRamFan Good analysis Zack.. IMO I think it's a combination of both.. getting early leads while forcing the other team to put the ball in the air more than usual and a "soft" defense, but more of the O dictating the D. Here's what I get from the stats: 1. Rushing Defense - Has to be the most stable of the stats. They seem to be very good with or without a lead. I couldn't find the stats on opposition rushing attempts but I would bet it's pretty low. Which goes along the lines of having that big lead... 2. Scoring Defense - Having these big leads, and the offenses ability with TOP(6th in NFL), allows the defense a big advantage in 2 areas-- A. Not having to be on the field a lot and - B. The ability to know what the offense has to do. If they're behind, you can play pass defense. 3. Total Defense - 12th because of a combination of Rush and Pass.. talk about the Pass below. 4. 1st in Sacks, 6th on completion percentage, 28th in PFD's allowed, 25th on passing yards allowed, 17th in Average yds per completion--- I believe all the stats can be attributed to a stat that you don't have listed, and that's Passes attempted. The Rams are the second highest defense passed upon. They rank next to last with 564 pass attempts. That can be attributed right back to being ahead. 5. T-3rd in Passing TD's allowed. Now this is a big indicator of keeping receivers in front of them while holding the TD's down.. duh... I think it maybe how you look at being in 1st in Rushing ... yes they are.. low attempts and just down right good against the run... looking at some passing stats you say... wow they're 15+ in the league in these stats, they must suck.. I don't think that's the case at all.. I don't believe there is anything screwy going on with the stats, but reflects exactly what we're seeing. The Rams get out to big leads, eventually, which forces teams to put the ball in the air. Our defense plays some soft zones and gives up the short stuff while trying to run out the clock. They give up some long drives, mostly in the air, without allowing the opposition to score TD's. They're very good at keeping the defense off the field. When their defense is on the field they have the upper hand because they know what the opposition has to do(i.e, sacks, INT's, defensive TD's) With that said.. the Rams have given up a few big plays.. that bothers me too... I attribute that to the other part of your quandary... our Db's are average at best... plus we play "stuff the run" first and zone second. IMO, when the game is close the Rams are bringing up the linebackers and SS to support the run. Now, can this also be contributed to jumping out to big leads ?.. our "reputation" if you will. Teams come out to play us and their game plan is to control the ball, keep their O off the field. I would say to do that you're probably going to come out running the ball. Just my opinon.. everything seems in order to me... |
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