Run defense, who is to blame?

as good as our 3 d linemen are how do we get gashed like that?

 

This is a great topic that gets a lot of discussion, but there isn't much to discuss. Our interior linemen are greatly overrated (including McClendon). McCullers didn't play so he gets a pass tonight, but Cam Thomas AND McClendon aren't good enough.

I know some people here think that McClendon is good, but he is not. Name a time he made a play?

Tuitt and Heyward are great but we need to retool our interior defensive linemen next season.

 

No true nose tackle that demands a double team, guys over pursuing and breaking contain and the real killer is guessing wrong and flowing to the wrong spot. That one that Forsett had that he almost took to the house(30+ yards) one of the inside guys possibly TImmons but Im betting Vince Williams flowed to where he thought the play was going before Forsett cut and once he did his gap was open, Forsett cuts back and accelerates no one to stop him. I think having to use Cam Thomas as a backup nose and not having The Mountain ready to go hurt alot. I don't want to misspeak but I don't think Tuitt's as good a run stopper as he is getting after the QB so I hope he improves in that area as well, could be wrong though

 

I think if and when Ryan Shazier gets back you will see a difference in stopping the run.

 

Shazier being out really hurts. Heyward and Tuitt are getting it done but we're lacking a solid DT and solid OLB play. The Ravens just always seem to be able to run the ball well against us.

 

Casey Hampton for retiring.

 

Not so sure? Seems like it doesn't matter who is in there? shazier is good in pursuit, but not when it is comin right at him...

 

I was surprised that the Raven's O-line was able to man handle our D-line. I did not expect that. I think they just wrote the blue print on how to beat us up front. BUT I'm not going to say our defense played poorly either. I think our Offense and coaching staff did their best to put our defense in the worst possible position to succeed. They definitely did enough to win that game.

 

Has there EVER been so much blame to go around???

 

Cam Thomas anytime he was in they ran right at him.

 

Cutbacks have killed us for years.

 

This is the secord or third time tonight I've read this although I did not see it. It actually makes me wonder if games like this actually turn players against their coach, lose respect for them as their leader, tune them out, ect..? And not just one of those games where the outcome has the potential to deflate an entire season (and maybe their confidence).

 

no we don't we need to draft a stud nose tackle like we had in Casey Hampton. That will stop the run, especially if we have Shazier flying around behind him.

Mike

 

There were a lot of posts before the game about what we needed to do: shut down Smith, pressure Flacco, etc.

We did pressure Flacco into two turnovers. Our pass defense was looking good, I thought. That was meant to be our weakness, and Forsett has not been playing well so far this season; so gameplan-wise, I'd have expected us to look for the pass more than the run.

I guess doing that while also keeping the run in check was going to be a lot to ask for with some key players out.

I'll add this: I didn't feel like Forsett was running over us at will. He had some breakout plays, and looked more dangerous than Bell, but it was the consistency with which we were able to stop him that ultimately let us down.

 

Do you think he some weight on since he retired?

 

agreed. cam thomas is back in last years form. williams and spence at times looked clueless. the whole defense would make a play and then look like they never played before. our safeties still stink. our team can't tackle. very inconsistent group.

 

Or injured from a cut block that the Ravens always seemed to give him...

 

Last night when ever I saw a LB finally bring Forsett down it was VInce Williams, why he is not playing on running downs... I have no idea.

Also why did we not sell out on stopping the run and bring a safety in the box. After Smith got hurt Flacco had nobody to throw too.

Ravens offense is a bunch of nobody's, and we let them beat us. Its embarrassing, and cause for concern.

 

You are correct. I saw Vince Williams way out of position on one of those big runs, and earlier in the game I was wondering who #93 was due to noticing how bad he was - then I saw it was Cam Thomas and started shaking my head. He was getting totally manhandled to the point one man could move him to take out one of our other guys as well.

 

Tomlin, isn't that how it works whenever the team loses it's his fault.

 

Casey Hampton, as great as he was for years was done. A turnstile. Getting eaten up by one blocker. Let it go.

I have been critical of McClendon, really thought he was more suited for the DE position. He is the best option at this time.

Tomato Can Thomas should NOT even be on this roster.

McCullers being injured doesn't help. Hope he gets back in the line up soon.

I to believe if they are going to stick with the 3-4 the nose needs an upgrade.

Shazier worries me. He is a special player, but, the injuries are already piling up.

I'm sure with this new Defense, Butler will address this gashing issue before the UnChargers game.

 

The one huge run up the middle, the ILB on that side (either Spence or Williams) must have been completely out of position because Forsett ran right through the empty spot where they should have been. Once he got through the D Line there was nobody at all there. Somebody missed their assignment there or it would have been a 3 yard gain instead of 40 or whatever it was. The closest guy to him was Timmons who was pursuing from the opposite side.