Why not have Watson and Branch start?

[clif]

I know this would require us having some depth at the position (God forbid) but I think it would be interesting to see what these guys can do. It is obvious that our Dline is too small right now to make any kind of push so I think it would be nice to see these two hogs tying things up while DD and Berry hold up on the end.

Would DD even be the pick to play end in a D like that?

Has Berry lost too much weight? He doesn't seem very stout against the run. In fact I don't recall him making any plays last night.

 

[football karma]

The run D hasnt been the issue-- its stopping the pass

I dont think adding Branch to the mix would address that

 

[JeffGollin]

It might be a good idea situationally, but understand that stopping the inside run is more than just sticking a couple of good widebodies in the middle - you also need LB's and sometimes a safety filling the gaps properly and enough speed on the defensive line to penetrate and disrupt running plays - otherwise what you'll see are speedy cutback RB's whizzing around and past our big, stout DT's before they can react.

Also - the radio commentary suggested that Branch still has a way to go before he'll make a bigger impact - Wolfley & Co. feel he's a year behind Watson in his development (no surprise since he actually is) and will need to master hand-usage, leverage, reading keys before he can be really effective. As I think Pasch put it, "he's still relying on his college skills to get by as he learns the NFL game."

 

[ajcardfan]

The run D hasnt been the issue-- its stopping the pass

I dont think adding Branch to the mix would address that

Actually, run D HAS been part of the problem. How many times have seen a team have a 2nd and 10 and then get 6 or 8 yards on a run play making 3rd down much easier for them. I think Branch should be rotated in more as well. The "starter" tag doesn't mean much on D, they run so many players in and out due to down-and-distance.

 

[football karma]

Actually, run D HAS been part of the problem. How many times have seen a team have a 2nd and 10 and then get 6 or 8 yards on a run play making 3rd down much easier for them. I think Branch should be rotated in more as well. The "starter" tag doesn't mean much on D, they run so many players in and out due to down-and-distance.

SD had all of 3.3 yards per carry. Their starters had even less than that. I will gladly take that from the defense for the season.

 

[ajcardfan]

SD had all of 3.3 yards per carry. Their starters had even less than that. I will gladly take that from the defense for the season.

Well, an awful lot of those yards came by running on pass downs. I too will take a 3.3 yard average. But, if our pass rush and coverage don't get any better, we can ill-afford to be giving up favorable down-and-distance on runs.

 

[CaptTurbo]

Teams get an easy 6-8 yard run up the middle because we do not have a top flight MLB. I rarely see Hayes hit any one straight on. He is usually tackling him ala McKinnon style from behind 6-8 yards past the los.

 

[clif]

Run D is most certainly a part in that as Ajcardfan alluded to... teams routinely gash us for 5,6, 7 yards therefore creating easy 3rd downs. I also think this is not allowing our LB's to get out in space in the pass game. They are too worried about stopping the run. We all know Dansby's strength is in the open space and rushing from the edge. He seems to be getting swallowed up in the run game.

 

[football karma]

c'mon guys--

Micheal Turner had 20 yards on 9 carries for a 2.2 avg. His longest was 8 yards.

Darren Sproles had 20 yards on 6 carries for 3.3. One of those carries was a 19 yard draw for the Td. So his other 5 carries gained a collective 1 yard.

If those players were "routinely" getting 6 to 8 yard runs -- San Diego's collective rushing average would have been a heck of lot more than 3.3.

This defense had many issues last night, but rushing D wasnt one of them.

 

[Second Deck]

c'mon guys--

Micheal Turner had 20 yards on 9 carries for a 2.2 avg. His longest was 8 yards.

Darren Sproles had 20 yards on 6 carries for 3.3. One of those carries was a 19 yard draw for the Td. So his other 5 carries gained a collective 1 yard.

If those players were "routinely" getting 6 to 8 yard runs -- San Diego's collective rushing average would have been a heck of lot more than 3.3.

This defense had many issues last night, but rushing D wasnt one of them.

Thats what I say tough crowd. We had them in third and long more times than I can remember and give up a 10 yard plus pass play. I have no problem with the run defense.

 

[CardShark]

I may be wrong on this, but my take on teams running against us has primarily been to the outside where our DT's wouldn't have an impact. They are going where our OLB's should be.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I think many people fail to realize the different responsibilities that these guys face in the 3-4 as opposed to the 4-3. Essentially you want three huge space/blocker takers as your lineman. You aren't normally looking for any penetration out of them at all. Their job is to occupy as many blockers as they can so that the linebackers can make plays and be the heroes. If they have the stamina to keep it up, I would love to see them on the line together and think that we will by season's end.

 

[Shzm13]

I'm still baffled as to why we haven't used Branch at end when we run the 3-4.

The guy ran a 5.0 40, so he's got some speed.. Probably more than we're gonna get from any other D-lineman.

So far, i've only seen Branch at the NT position.



I still don't think very many coaches are going to put two (generally) inexperienced linemen next to each other.

So we'll have to wait til they mature a bit more.

 

[kerouac9]

Mostly because Branch hasn't had an impact against 2nd and 3rd teamers who are more likely to be asking what Brown can do for you than collecting and NFL paycheck in three weeks.

Branch looks lost out there, and even the AZ guys were saying that it might be another year before Branch has any impact at all.

 

[D-Dogg]

c'mon guys--

Micheal Turner had 20 yards on 9 carries for a 2.2 avg. His longest was 8 yards.

Darren Sproles had 20 yards on 6 carries for 3.3. One of those carries was a 19 yard draw for the Td. So his other 5 carries gained a collective 1 yard.

If those players were "routinely" getting 6 to 8 yard runs -- San Diego's collective rushing average would have been a heck of lot more than 3.3.

This defense had many issues last night, but rushing D wasnt one of them.

Yeah, we handled those guys in the run game.

 

[Goldfield]

I think the D is doing OK considering they are trying to play a 3-4. Its a learning curve and were doing ok sofar. Chike would help alot also.