When is the Defense gonna get in the game?

[NBT]

We finally won today over the Fish, but it certainly wasn't due to the defense, who couldn't hold a lead if their life depended on it. Try something else, or mix it up a little more, or hold onto an interception when you get it. Just do something!

[painekiller]

I thought the defense has been looking solid for the last few weeks. Today the defense over came the turn overs, and the game plan for the defense was solid.

We still need an upgrade of talent, but the unit will be solid for most of the season.

[barrett]

I agree. I was there and it was not a bad day for the D. They pressured the QB and covered well. They also defended the run well against a very good back, and they got miami off the field all day (2/10 on 3rd down).

The two big plays in the first half were bad, but the D was not the problem today. Turnovers and Red Zone trouble held us to 23 offensive points on almost 500 yards of offense.

[NBT]

Well, I beg to disagree. The offense has to score almost 30 points every week for us to have even a chance to win. that doesn't sound like very good defense to me. Plus turnovers are still killing us. We have got to tighten down the screws.

[TexicanMexican]

I think the defense played a decent game. I thought they came close to a few more sacks but most times Pennington had time to throw.

[Nconroe]

we're dead last in turnover ratio, so that makes it tough on the defense. and game clock management seems weak so far. but we seem to be getting better against the run, getting more pressure, and even defending a few passes. game smarts, tackling still need to get better, hope that is due to being mostly a young team. might get Dunta back in a week or two.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by NBT

Well, I beg to disagree. The offense has to score almost 30 points every week for us to have even a chance to win. that doesn't sound like very good defense to me. Plus turnovers are still killing us. We have got to tighten down the screws.

Well if the offense didn't turn the ball over 4 times a game maybe they wouldn't have to score so many points. The defense is far from solid, but you can't lay all the points scored in the games this year on the defense. 14 points of the total in the colts game were directly due to offensive turnovers. (Sage's fumble returned for a TD. Another Sage fumble on the Texans' 20 yard line). You could argue that the defense should have held them to a FG on the second turnover, but that is still 10 points directly due to turnovers. The offense had the same issues against Miami.

[NBT]

We won the game yesterday because the offense was good at the last. The two games before we had a small lead to hold. The defense blew it. Case rested.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by NBT

We won the game yesterday because the offense was good at the last. The two games before we had a small lead to hold. The defense blew it. Case rested.

so it was the defense's fault that sage fumbled the ball and it was returned 60 yards for a td? it was the defense's fault that sage then fumbled the ball a second time on the texans' 20?

I am not disagreeing that the defense is not good for the most part. They really only have 2 good players on the squad, but you can't put all the losses on the defense. Turnovers kill football teams.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by NBT

We won the game yesterday because the offense was good at the last. The two games before we had a small lead to hold. The defense blew it. Case rested.

over-simplification and bad argument. Defense gave up just 14 first downs and held 2/10 on 3rd down. That is how you turn it over 4 times and yet hold a 69-49 advantage in plays run.

Bottom line, if the offense does not turn the ball over yesterday its a blow out. Can anyone disagree with that statement.

[cadams]

no disagreement here

[papabear]

Originally Posted by barrett

Defense gave up just 14 first downs and held 2/10 on 3rd down.

I think that was my favorite stat from yesterday. The D was actually able to get off the field. There's plenty of room for improvement, but I can't remember the last time we were that successful at holding on third down.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

We won the game yesterday because the offense was good at the last. The two games before we had a small lead to hold. The defense blew it. Case rested.

Against the Colts, the defense had a 17 point lead with 4 minutes left. The offense turned the ball over 3 times to loose the game. That is not on the defense.

Sorry but what game did you watch?

Again as was pointed out by cadams, if the offense gives up the ball 3 times a game, then the defense is going to be at a disadvantage.

The last 3 weeks Richard Smith and the defensive coaches have been doing a solid job, the players are not always making the play, but the coaches have been making the correct calls.

[KJ3]

for any reason it would be nice to see this defense hold a team to under 20 points in a game. because if our offense is to continue scoring as they do, that's really about all we need from them.

[NBT]

Well, yesterday against Cincy, we finally played a complete game on both sides of the ball. We limited Cincy to only 6 points. Now let's see how well this is going to translate to a good running team like Minnesota.

[coloradodude]

It won't. Minnesota is gonna run that ball down our throat. Ugly game coming. We better depend on the offense rather than put any hope in the defense!

Score mucho grande points!

[KJ3]

i'm thinking we're going to be working on 8-in-the-box type defenses a lot this week...you know, like...a defensive gameplan or something? i've heard of other teams using such things but maybe...

anyway, i'm sure peterson will run rampant through arm tackles and oles all day but really...just limit him and our offense should be able to take advantage of their D. like i said, if we can limit them to under 20 points we'll have a great shot at winning.

i also heard on the radio the williams-es DT's might both be suspended to balance out pittman's suspension. sounds fair to me.

[papabear]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

It won't. Minnesota is gonna run that ball down our throat. Ugly game coming. We better depend on the offense rather than put any hope in the defense!

Score mucho grande points!

If we don't turn the ball over I think we'll be fine. Minnesota will slow down our rushing attack, but I think we can move the ball through the air. If Minnesota has to play catch-up they will struggle.

On D we just have make sure we tackle well. Peterson is going to get his, but you can't let him pick up gobs of extra yards because of poor tackling. We've been in position to make a lot of plays defensively this year and haven't done it. That changed a little bit last week, and hopefully that gives them the confidence to keep it up against the Vikings.

[cadams]

Originally Posted by coloradodude

It won't. Minnesota is gonna run that ball down our throat. Ugly game coming. We better depend on the offense rather than put any hope in the defense!

Score mucho grande points!

detroit held them to 10 points (plus a 2 point gift by the qb stepping out of the endzone)

they basically had 8 men in the box the entire game and dared minn to try to beat them with the pass. the texans will probably do the same thing. they have been improving against the run, and if they don't have to worry as much with the pass i think they have a chance of shutting the run down.

[NBT]

Yeah, I am hoping the coaches really bear down on the arm tackles and oles this week. I really think we can win if we shut down the run attack. Not likely, but I can always hope.