12-20-2011, 04:22 PM
A good, quick, athletic defensive backfield is a potential match-up problem for us. There is less room for error - be it receivers slipping, dropped passes, tipped passes, or just bad passes. And turnovers are killers. Most games are won/lost in the turnover battle. The other impact is that it gives the DL more time to put pressure on the QB. But if we establish our running game - which we have in every game - then the defensive backfield/LBs are going to spend a lot of the game worried about the run and the play-action pass becomes much effective - especially against a quick reacting, play the run-first defensive backfield/LBs.
On the flip-side. A strong pass rush can cover up shortcomings in the defensive backfield. And a stout defense against the run can make the offense one dimensional and give the DL the ability to be much more aggressive in the pass rush.
That's why I think the running game - for both teams is going to be important.
On the flip-side. A strong pass rush can cover up shortcomings in the defensive backfield. And a stout defense against the run can make the offense one dimensional and give the DL the ability to be much more aggressive in the pass rush.
That's why I think the running game - for both teams is going to be important.