09-13-2017, 01:38 PM
So, three wideouts (plus a QB and a ball carrier), leaves 6 players to block. A nickel defense will leave 2 DL and 4 LB in the box (plus any safety who creeps up). So that means that at least one member of the front 6 at or near the point of attack has to be able to shed their block to make the tackle. When the opposing team's linemen are good that's a favorable matchup for the offense. Or, to put it another way, I would assume that if we were in a three wide formation and looking at a nickel defense, we would likely pick the run option and like our chances.
However, consider the alternative. Let's say we decided to line up in a traditional 3-4 defense facing 3 wideouts and a tight end. We have good defensive backs, but Darnold would have carved it up. In fact, most competent quarterbacks would, which is why Shaw is right that most teams shift to a nickel defense when up against 3 wideouts. Add to that the fact that we haven't established ourselves as a good passing rushing defense, and that we don't really have the quantity/quality defensive linemen, and as flawed as it was against running plays, it offered us the best chance to get the best 11 defenders on the field.
When the offense is executing well, it doesn't matter if the defense is geared towards stopping the run or stopping the pass; you exploit the defense's weakness, and that is what USC did to us. I sensed a lot of frustration in Shaw's voice. He was in a damned if you do/damned if you don't position. But I think the bigger problem is that I don't think there are easy fixes for this problem as we simply don't have enough quality defensive linemen. That means other good teams will be able to exploit our weakness.
Through two games, it is clear that the loss of Solomon Thomas was much more impactful than the loss of Christian McCaffrey.
BC
However, consider the alternative. Let's say we decided to line up in a traditional 3-4 defense facing 3 wideouts and a tight end. We have good defensive backs, but Darnold would have carved it up. In fact, most competent quarterbacks would, which is why Shaw is right that most teams shift to a nickel defense when up against 3 wideouts. Add to that the fact that we haven't established ourselves as a good passing rushing defense, and that we don't really have the quantity/quality defensive linemen, and as flawed as it was against running plays, it offered us the best chance to get the best 11 defenders on the field.
When the offense is executing well, it doesn't matter if the defense is geared towards stopping the run or stopping the pass; you exploit the defense's weakness, and that is what USC did to us. I sensed a lot of frustration in Shaw's voice. He was in a damned if you do/damned if you don't position. But I think the bigger problem is that I don't think there are easy fixes for this problem as we simply don't have enough quality defensive linemen. That means other good teams will be able to exploit our weakness.
Through two games, it is clear that the loss of Solomon Thomas was much more impactful than the loss of Christian McCaffrey.
BC