Defensively, our pash rush was slow out of the gate for a D-line that was billed among the best last year. We didn’t get great pressure until began bringing a fifth or more, and I don’t think Hux is dedicated to pressure. Without it, I don’t think our backend holds up.
First of all I believe our D-line was billed as one of the best in rush defense last year. We likely were playing the run first and then pass. In rush defense one objective is to keep blockers off our LBs. In theory one of our nose tackle to be so disruptive that he has to be double teamed while an edge rusher gets free to pressure the passer. We are reading the play and blocking scheme and where appropriate sending a blitzer.
We are committed to the 4-2-5 defense which, while I don’t understand it, I believe it is the correct direction to go with defensing modern day offenses. Related to this I just read something about Josh Jones’s first practice with Green Bay where they had him playing some linebacker, doing some LB drills as well as working as a safety. Green Bay people are saying it’s their best pick of their entire draft. He was described as a LB disguised as a safety. They see him as their nickel back and as a safety in their dime package. Last season GB used a nickel or dime package 80% of the time. 80%! Dom Capers is the DC and a very smart DC. This is not your father’s 4-3-4 defense.
I also think that Hux in particular and the other assistants as well had some learning to do. The 4-2-5 was installed in 2014. We made a lot of assignment errors that first year. In 2015 we continued learning (learning balance like getting on a bike and riding, not learning balance by reading about it) assignments and playing without thinking about what we were doing — reading and re-acting.
IMNSHO we are now ready to put in the wrinkles that will make this defense very tough. I’ve mentioned before something I saw at the Spring Game — well not really a game but a practice designed benefit our players. The corner away for the slot receiver was lining up in press coverage position but backing off and playing more like a safety. This gives support coverage for the short routes and puts men in run-stopping position as well.
As far as blitzing is concerned, I think our defense is being taught to read the offense and blitz when it’s there to do effectively. How good the offense we are facing is at picking up the blitz might have something to do with how often and where we blitz. You say, “I don’t think Hux is dedicated to pressure.” Okay. I think Hux is playing within our system of defense. It would be great if young Aaron Henry was bringing some cutting edge expertise to the back-end.
As far as our back-end holding up is concerned, I think our back-end is going to be better on pass defense than last year. My concern for the back-end is the status of Bryce Banks and James Valdez, 2 R-Fr. Both had some problems but are still on the roster.
I would like to see a more LB looking pair of NIKs — someone like Germaine Pratt. (see comments about Josh Jones.)
