49ers Pass Rush and actually, you know, having one
Through four games it's readily apparent that the biggest weakness of your 2008 San Francisco 49ers defense is the pass rush, or lack thereof. The only time we've seen a legit pass rush was the first half of the Cardinals game and most of the Lions game. The Cardinals adjusted in the second half to shut down the rush and the Lions...well they're the Lions.
The secondary certainly deserves a share of the blame for yesterday's debacle, but I think most of us can agree the lack of pass rush opened up the deep game. If you look at the Seahawks game, when Hasselbeck had time he picked apart the defense even with subpar wide receivers. Even with all the injuries, the Saints brought a better crew of receivers to the game (damn you Lance Moore!).
To this point the most prolific pass rushers have been Parys Haralson, Justin Smith and Roderick Green. In yesterday's game the most interesting play came when Patrick Willis blew through the line and took down Drew Brees as he was passing the ball. Up to this point much of the discussion has centered on further development of Manny Lawson as a pass rusher. Well, what about Patrick Willis?
If we were running a traditional 3-4 I'd understand the role of Bamm Bamm and Takeo Spikes in the defense. However, since the team is using a non-traditional hybrid defense, why not expand Willis's role in the Mike position and alter Spikes's role in the Ted? Patrick Willis finished 2007 with 4 sacks. Based on general observations over his brief 20-game career, when the defense runs he closes in on the running back and when the defense passes he drops into coverage fairly often (please correct me if I'm wrong).
He is clearly an athletic freak who can make plays in virtually any situation. And he's not the Vernon Davis non-performing type of freak. So, why not mix him into the pass rush a little more when you're running a 4-man front. Takeo Spikes is an established veteran middle linebacker who still has enough athleticism to make plays (see yesterday's interception). Why not let him roam that middle of the field and take advantage of Bamm Bamm's athleticism? I'm not saying have Willis rush the QB on every play, but I think it's an option that could be further explored.
I said in the offseason I thought this could be a very good defense and I still believe that. However, as long as the pass rush is relatively non-existent, the rest of the defense will be held back. I need to go back over the video of the game but Ray McDonald is one guy who has flown under the radar through much of the first four games. He is a guy that I think needs to be a playmaker for this defense. Aubrayo Franklin has shown improvements at times, but is still clearly not the answer at nose tackle.
It's time for Greg Manusky and Mike Nolan to get creative. The 49ers schedule is packed with quality quarterbacks that will make things a living hell. Even a guy like Matt Cassel could end up looking like Tom Brady if he gets all day in the pocket to find Randy Moss. So, any other ways to improve this pass rush?
Comments
I completely agree
It seemed like every single time Reggie Bush had the ball and a little field in front of him, Willis would come FLYING out of nowhere and just grab him by the legs or toss him out of bounds. I’d love to see him have the chance to pursue more quarterbacks with his ridiculous closing ability. Seriously – I don’t think I’ve ever seen another linebacker who can close and finish a tackle like that.
-- Jay T.
by jaytierney on
Sep 29, 2008 10:20 AM PDT
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Watching that game
Our defense looked like the Rookie CPU on Madden. It was really hard to watch Drew Brees just step back and let loose with the cannon that he has, throwing into coverage (only some of the time) and making huge gains.
by renke81 on
Sep 29, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
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Actually on Willis's hit...
He wasn’t a blitzer. He was set up on man on the RB (I believe it was Reggie Bush), and when Bush took up a position of pass protecting, he came in to mess up the play.
Next year will be our year! (copyright 2003*, been used each of last five years)
by StrictlyFootball on
Sep 29, 2008 10:59 AM PDT
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It’s time to start the push for Selvie and/or Johnson in the draft.
by TexanNiner on
Sep 29, 2008 11:06 AM PDT
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Any word on Balmer
and his lack of playing time? Do they not see him as ready? It seems like if he’s even close to being able to go in, it would be worth it to see if he can provide some pass rush.
STEVE HOLM! refuses to be the odd man out.
by UnleashTheGore on
Sep 29, 2008 11:13 AM PDT
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Vernon Davis
Hey just wondering since i don’t get much information out here in KC on the niners, has everyone written Davis off as a bust out there or are people still holding out hope he is not a workout wonder.
by wjp1982 on
Sep 29, 2008 12:59 PM PDT
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I think...
… a lot of people are getting frustrated with him (myself not included). He still acts a bit selfish (i.e. celebrating after his ONLY catch in the team’s losing effort), and from what I understand, still runs fairly poor routes. I think that because of his route-running, or lack thereof, O’Sullivan may be looking to him less because he can’t depend on him to be where he needs to be (they were seen working together after practice this week, however).
I think that Davis still has that potential. No injury or anything has taken anything away from him. The hope is that he’s finally getting some consistency at QB (and coordinator), and that may help him turn into a solid option in the NFL. For now, though, he’s still pretty raw, although it seems like he’s come a fairly long way since his rookie season.
While there are plenty of people frustrated with him, I’m pretty sure there are more people that are still holding out hope on him (including those that matter: the 49ers coaching staff).
by sfgfan on
Sep 29, 2008 1:34 PM PDT
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there was a big discussion about him recently
here it is
Still defending Rich Aurilia, and the Niners' classic unis
by wjackalope on
Sep 29, 2008 3:13 PM PDT
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They had pressure the first series, but then it went away. The lack of a pass rush opened up the deep passing game for Brees and it all went downhill from there.
I see the future, and it is Pablo
by CB30 on
Sep 29, 2008 6:00 PM PDT
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Defensive Philosophy
In general I subscribe to the Eagles’ Jim Johnson school. He manufactures pressure constantly by blitzing. I just think it dictates to the offense what they have to do rather than playing defense “defensively.” The Seattle game is a good example of what I am talking about. Rather than being agressive and forcing the offense to react to us we play nickle the whole game and try to react to them. I might not be explaining what I mean very well, but I guess it comes down to imposing your will on an opponent versus just trying to prevent what an opponent wants to do. Watching two very good defenses like Baltimore and Pittsburg tonight make me think we need more of an identity on defense.
Tom will never be as cool as Joe
by wader251 on
Sep 29, 2008 7:13 PM PDT
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Completely agree
I think the all-time example of this will always be last year’s super bowl, in which the Giants’ defense set the tone instead of trying to sit back and defend against New England’s offense.
-- Jay T.
by jaytierney on
Sep 30, 2008 1:50 PM PDT
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