Three Weeks In...Defense Is More The Same - Except One Thing

[tynimiller]

Three weeks down...two weeks against green in the ear QBs....where are we at as a defense still is vastly unknown? However let's look at the numbers (pulling mainly from Pro Football Reference and/or PFF just for clarity - as numbers can differ on things depending on the origin).

Honestly, the bend bend bend but don't break system we all grew so used to is still visible, BUT there is one massive difference and that's the takeaways. This team has truly capitalized on turnover opportunities VASTLY more than in the past. Is that a coach/scheme thing or is it purely execution thing....is it luck? Either way that non-measurable item just seems entirely different.

Currently (yes Monday night game hasn't happened yet)....remember 16th would put us right in the middle of the pack...

15th in the league for Points Against
22nd in yards given up
21st in the league in yards given up per play
24th in passing yards given up
17th in net yards gained per pass attempt
13th in rushing yards given up
24th in rushing yards given up per attempt
2nd cleanest defense in penalties league wide (only Bengals are better and they haven't played 3 games yet)
8th best team in % of possessions ending in points given up

1st in Interceptions
2nd in fumbles recovered
1st in Total turnovers

23rd PFF graded defense overall
25th PFF graded run defense
11th PFF graded tackling
21st PFF graded in pass rush
15th PFF graded in coverage

Few other differences of observations...

Our pursuit and angle of attacks when a runner or receiver gets the ball out along an edge seems massively better. I haven't studied it in depth to know if it is just a few guys typically making those plays and it is just a too small of a sample size type thing or truly better.

HIGH HIGH level safety play on the backside is I think a MUCH bigger force of change than Hafley.

 

[longtimefan]

I say it every year.

After game 4 we get a real good idea of what this team is about

Right now it may start to be clicking on Def

 

[tynimiller]

I say it every year.

After game 4 we get a real good idea of what this team is about

Right now it may start to be clicking on Def

Except last year some would argue we were nowhere projecting to how we finished. If we can eek out a win vs the Vikings and the defense hold this potent offense say under 21....watch folks the year's special rating is growing.

 

[milani]

Three weeks down...two weeks against green in the ear QBs....where are we at as a defense still is vastly unknown? However let's look at the numbers (pulling mainly from Pro Football Reference and/or PFF just for clarity - as numbers can differ on things depending on the origin).

Honestly, the bend bend bend but don't break system we all grew so used to is still visible, BUT there is one massive difference and that's the takeaways. This team has truly capitalized on turnover opportunities VASTLY more than in the past. Is that a coach/scheme thing or is it purely execution thing....is it luck? Either way that non-measurable item just seems entirely different.

Currently (yes Monday night game hasn't happened yet)....remember 16th would put us right in the middle of the pack...

15th in the league for Points Against
22nd in yards given up
21st in the league in yards given up per play
24th in passing yards given up
17th in net yards gained per pass attempt
13th in rushing yards given up
24th in rushing yards given up per attempt
2nd cleanest defense in penalties league wide (only Bengals are better and they haven't played 3 games yet)
8th best team in % of possessions ending in points given up

1st in Interceptions
2nd in fumbles recovered
1st in Total turnovers

23rd PFF graded defense overall
25th PFF graded run defense
11th PFF graded tackling
21st PFF graded in pass rush
15th PFF graded in coverage

Few other differences of observations...

Our pursuit and angle of attacks when a runner or receiver gets the ball out along an edge seems massively better. I haven't studied it in depth to know if it is just a few guys typically making those plays and it is just a too small of a sample size type thing or truly better.

HIGH HIGH level safety play on the backside is I think a MUCH bigger force of change than Hafley.

It is relative to 3 specific games and 3 specific opponents. Sacks and turnovers standout. We faced one high powered offense and 2 low powered ones with green QBS. But the 2 strong defensive performances came when we ourselves were without our franchise QB. Obviously, we will not see that happen in the next several months when we face experienced QBS with potent offenses. With that said we see Hafley using more pressure and positioning players closer to the line than Barry. Yet, at the same time he has had the safeties prepared for the deep ball which they will need vs. Jefferson.

 

[PikeBadger]

If we can control the flow of game and clock we'll be fine. Once again will need a very good game plan from LaFleur and lack of penalties for once.

 

[longtimefan]

Except last year some would argue we were nowhere projecting to how we finished. If we can eek out a win vs the Vikings and the defense hold this potent offense say under 21....watch folks the year's special rating is growing.

True. There are times a team really gels at end. 2010 Packers

But I think in general you get a good idea way more than the 1st 2 weeks

 

[sschind]

From what little I was able to see but I have read about it seems that the problems our defense does have is from performance and not scheme. What I mean is Haffley seems to have done a good job (as opposed to what our past DCs had done) game planning for teams but our "failures" have been more on the players simply not performing. I don't know if that is accurate or not. If so it definitely a step in the right direction. Put the players in position to make the plays rather than rely on them to make them on their own.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

This defense looks more like the 2nd half of 2010 than any other defense we've seen since. This defense is contributing to the scoring, and getting the ball back into the offense's hands. I would call this bend, sometimes bow up but never break defense.

 

[Sanguine camper]

Turnovers are great but very erratic. Play a top 10 qb and you won't get many. I'd rather see the front 7 win their matches and control the LOS with a consistent pass rush and stout run defense. That type of defense tends to show up every week. So far, I'm encouraged by the play of the secondary but other than Wyatt, the front 7 has been been inconsistent and has been disappointing. Yeh, they had a monster game against the worst O line in the league last week but let's not kid ourselves; the Titans O line is getting thrashed every week.

 

[PackerDNA]

The talent is overrated. We keep talking about umpteen first round draft picks maybe they shouldn't have been to begin with. Outside of Clark, who hasn't been very good so far this season and is a very good but not elite player, the rest of this defense down lineman are anywhere from jags to guys who are basically best suited to spell starters and give you a play here and there. You're inside linebackers have been bad for the most part. Not ready to give up on Walker, but if the lights don't come on soon...
We are not elite on both sides of the ball. When push comes to shove, against the truly talented and physical fronts like the 49ers, Lions and Eagles, super bowl talk is just talk.

 

[Thirteen Below]

With that said we see Hafley using more pressure and positioning players closer to the line than Barry. Yet, at the same time he has had the safeties prepared for the deep ball which they will need vs. Jefferson.

This week was the first time I started to really notice what I've been expecting to see from Hafley's D ever since he was hired - defenders aggressively attacking at every opportunity. Pass rushers going after the quarterback like momma grizzly bears, pass defenders and rushers alike attacking the ball at every opportunity... a defense that doesn't lay back and wait for the game to come, they create opportunitites to make big plays.

One of Hafley's stated goals for this D was to lead the league in takeaways. For him, takeaways aren't just a result in and of themselves, but an indicator of how aggressively and oppoprtunistic his team is playing.

Another of his indicators is sacks, and while I see Tiny missed that stat in her post, we're currently tied with 4 other teams for 5th in the league with 11. For some reason, it's really hard to find team stats for sacks, but I believe we had 45 last year, so clearly we're way ahead in that metric as well.

I think what are seeing right now is the moment where this D starts to play the way Hafley intended. Sunday will be a huge test.

 

[milani]

This week was the first time I started to really notice what I've been expecting to see from Hafley's D ever since he was hired - defenders aggressively attacking at every opportunity. Pass rushers going after the quarterback like momma grizzly bears, pass defenders and rushers alike attacking the ball at every opportunity... a defense that doesn't lay back and wait for the game to come, they create opportunitites to make big plays.

One of Hafley's stated goals for this D was to lead the league in takeaways. For him, takeaways aren't just a result in and of themselves, but an indicator of how aggressively and oppoprtunistic his team is playing.

Another of his indicators is sacks, and while I see Tiny missed that stat in her post, we're currently tied with 4 other teams for 5th in the league with 11. For some reason, it's really hard to find team stats for sacks, but I believe we had 45 last year, so clearly we're way ahead in that metric as well.

I think what are seeing right now is the moment where this D starts to play the way Hafley intended. Sunday will be a huge test.

As opposed to recent years in which our defense took what the offense would give them. Not much.

 

[milani]

This defense looks more like the 2nd half of 2010 than any other defense we've seen since. This defense is contributing to the scoring, and getting the ball back into the offense's hands. I would call this bend, sometimes bow up but never break defense.

Sunday will be a major test on both sides of the ball.

 

[tynimiller]

This week was the first time I started to really notice what I've been expecting to see from Hafley's D ever since he was hired - defenders aggressively attacking at every opportunity. Pass rushers going after the quarterback like momma grizzly bears, pass defenders and rushers alike attacking the ball at every opportunity... a defense that doesn't lay back and wait for the game to come, they create opportunitites to make big plays.

One of Hafley's stated goals for this D was to lead the league in takeaways. For him, takeaways aren't just a result in and of themselves, but an indicator of how aggressively and oppoprtunistic his team is playing.

Another of his indicators is sacks, and while I see Tiny missed that stat in her post, we're currently tied with 4 other teams for 5th in the league with 11. For some reason, it's really hard to find team stats for sacks, but I believe we had 45 last year, so clearly we're way ahead in that metric as well.

I think what are seeing right now is the moment where this D starts to play the way Hafley intended. Sunday will be a huge test.

Dude for the FINAL time I’m not a chick. You’ve been told this quite a few times.

Also

 

[tynimiller]

Please tell me I have your permission to make this my theme statement?
Or at least a bumper sticker?

It’s got a little bit of the “Dude where’s my Car?” feel.

I’m always good with a laugh, seeing it will be a chuckle every time

 

[OldSchool101]

I’m always good with a laugh, seeing it will be a chuckle every time

no. I wouldn’t do it out of respect. But that was definitely one of the funnier things I’ve seen. Thank you!

 

[Sanguine camper]

The talent is overrated. We keep talking about umpteen first round draft picks maybe they shouldn't have been to begin with. Outside of Clark, who hasn't been very good so far this season and is a very good but not elite player, the rest of this defense down lineman are anywhere from jags to guys who are basically best suited to spell starters and give you a play here and there. You're inside linebackers have been bad for the most part. Not ready to give up on Walker, but if the lights don't come on soon...
We are not elite on both sides of the ball. When push comes to shove, against the truly talented and physical fronts like the 49ers, Lions and Eagles, super bowl talk is just talk.

I hate to admit it but you are probably correct. The front 7 on defense has players that flash here and there but tend to disappear for long stretches with the exception of Clark who may be on a downward trajectory. Maybe Cooper can upgrade the poor LB play? I disagree with your projection for the offense. It has the potential to be a top 5 or 6 unit. They have to stay healthy for that to happen.

 

[RicFlairoftheNFL]

I’m always good with a laugh, seeing it will be a chuckle every time

Surely you can't be serious

 

[sschind]

Surely you can't be serious

Dude for the FINAL time I’m not a chick. You’ve been told this quite a few times.

Also

Shirley? I thought you said you were a guy tyni.

 

[longtimefan]

Surely you can't be serious

He isnt a Chuck, don't call him Shirley

 

[longtimefan]

He isnt a Chuck, don't call him Shirley

Omg Chuck?

Lol

Chick