Bend but don't break defense

[A.J. Hicks]

I know, it's the offseason and we get lots of silly threads. I wasn't sure where to put this post - as most of the threads are related to offense.

That being said, I know that in the past years under Fisher we ran a bend but don't break defense. A defense that often leads to your D being left on the field for longer periods, but is hoping for opportune takeaways as a result.

To my knowledge Wade Phillips doesn't have this bend but don't break philosophy. How do you think that will affect our D? How about our O with more potential possessions? Tavon getting more PR opportunities?

I see our D as being able to hold up through a game a bit better. If we aren't getting dragged on these 80 yard drives only to hold them to a field goal. I'd have to think our players will have more energy.

Anyway, what do you all think?

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

I agree 100%.

Fisher hated offense so much he preferred to see the d on the field for the majority of the game. thus bend don't break.

Mcvay likes offense so I'm guessing we'll see a more aggressive d that will try to force 3 and outs.

.

 

[jrry32]

I see our D as being able to hold up through a game a bit better. If we aren't getting dragged on these 80 yard drives only to hold them to a field goal. I'd have to think our players will have more energy.

Anyway, what do you all think?

Personally, I don't think that will make much difference. I think the offense not being terrible is what could make a big difference.

The thing about our bend but don't break defense is that it was effective at what it did (until the team quit last year) under GW. It kept points off the board. And frankly, they did the entire team and fanbase a favor by keeping the offense off the field.

I think the whole defense being gassed narrative was always overblown.

 

[bubbaramfan]

DB's playing 7 yds off the ball on 3rd and 6 just drove me nuts with William's D. Hopefully that's not Wade's style.

 

[Loyal]

DB's playing 7 yds off the ball on 3rd and 6 just drove me nuts with William's D. Hopefully that's not Wade's style.

Sometimes it was back 10 yards, and the bastids only need 7 yards!!!!!!!!

 

[Ram65]

I don't why but, the Rams would give up big yards on second and long. So many times they would just let the offense off the hock. A sack or holding call on first down . Second and 21 and they let up a 15 yard draw or screen pass and then this

DB's playing 7 yds off the ball on 3rd and 6 just drove me nuts with William's D. Hopefully that's not Wade's style.

Seems like they just gave them a first down. You have to play smart which I din't think the Rams did at times. Keep the foot on the gas so to speak. I think Wade will use smart play calling and keep the pressure on the offenses without being reckless. I think the players and Williams got greedy and it hurt them.

 

[DaveFan'51]

Personally, I don't think that will make much difference. I think the offense not being terrible is what could make a big difference.

The thing about our bend but don't break defense is that it was effective at what it did (until the team quit last year) under GW. It kept points off the board. And frankly, they did the entire team and fanbase a favor by keeping the offense off the field.

I think the whole defense being gassed narrative was always overblown.

This^ is pretty much what I was just thinking! The reason the "D' became less effect during latter Games was do to the Fact they where on the Field 45 minutes per game! The Offense couldn't sustain a Drive!!
The better Offense we will have under McVay will keep our "D" fresher!! And then add in Wade's New D-Scheme and "Look-Out-Brother!!" JMHO!

 

[jrry32]

DB's playing 7 yds off the ball on 3rd and 6 just drove me nuts with William's D. Hopefully that's not Wade's style.

This is also something that got overblown. We were one of the best third down defenses in the NFL under GW.

 

[threesox84]

Late in the year we turned into a "bend and then subsequently break" defense, tbh.

Not that I blame the defense for that.

 

[RedRam]

It's a team game in which to be successful, all facets of the team (offense, defense, special teams) need to be successful in their own respect.

That being said, we can't have Hecker being the MVP. The offensive unit has clearly been the boat anchor of late. Hopefully, under the new regime, the offense hoists the anchor and we see solid play on both sides of the ball. I'm least concerned about Bones putting a productive unit on the field.

It was mentioned earlier about Austin getting more opportunities to return punts. That's a good thing as we all know Austin is a huge threat in the return game. More chances obviously lead to increased odds of breaking one.

 

[nighttrain]

I for one, hated the "Bend but don't break defense"
train

 

[nighttrain]

I for one, hated the "Bend but don't break defense"
train

Much rather have our D cause the other teams offense to go three and out.

train

 

[den-the-coach]

The defense under Gregg Williams was very good and they will be very good in Cleveland too as he's a quality defensive coordinator. The Rams new defensive coordinator just happens to be the best in the NFL IMHO.

 

[KNUCKLEHEAD]

This is also something that got overblown. We were one of the best third down defenses in the NFL under GW.

Curious. Where did we rate on second down... Anybody?

edit: Just looked at our 4th down defense. We allowed an 85.7% conversion rate.:shocked: Teams were successful on 12 of 14 attempts!

 

[Dxmissile]

Our defense under GW would have been a lot better if they had a average offense. How many times did the offense not convert a first down until the 3rd or 4th quarter. No matter how aggressive you play defense you go always be on the field more if your offense can't move the ball

 

[LesBaker]

Personally, I don't think that will make much difference. I think the offense not being terrible is what could make a big difference.

Certainly that is true.

The thing about our bend but don't break defense is that it was effective at what it did (until the team quit last year) under GW

The defense has been OK, at times really good and at times not so good. It's like it wasn't game to game to game good but more situationally good.

This is also something that got overblown. We were one of the best third down defenses in the NFL under GW.

There are two other downs yaknow. LOL

Three technically but you get my point.

The defense under Gregg Williams was very good and they will be very good in Cleveland too as he's a quality defensive coordinator. The Rams new defensive coordinator just happens to be the best in the NFL IMHO.

We will see about that!

 

[A.J. Hicks]

I believe that GW had a reputation as being an aggressive coordinator. IMHO his aggressiveness was misplaced in the middle of the field ( between the 20's). It's an opportunistic approach. Which certainly has highlights all over the place due to its success at times. But it can be manipulated with a good QB/Offense approach. In today's league, good teams offenses are too efficient to play this type of defense.

I'm excited to see the team this year. From some players I see on twitter, it seems as though they are much more ready for this year.

 

[den-the-coach]

We will see about that!

 

[Mojo Ram]

First off i think GW's defense was good enough and talented enough to win playoff games but we'll never know because they got zero offensive support week in, week out for three years with the exception of a handful of games. It was a defense that was difficult to score TD's on in the red zone and wore down the opposing QB's and his protection over the course of a game. It was also a D that beat up on you physically.

Unfortunately it was also undisciplined and occasionally gave up the big play between the 20's...but if we'd had even a decent offense that was able to sniff more than 15ppg , none of those weak points would have mattered to anyone.

 

[HometownBoy]

All NFL teams run on the bend but don't break philopshy. The NFL offenses are way too good to just shut them down anymore.