So, yeah, about those DT's

[carpanfan96]

You ever play DT? I did... if the DT's can press the gaps on a stretch play they can kill the effectiveness of the play because the blockers can't release as easily and head for the edge. If they can get off the blocks and get into the backfield they can stuff that play.

I'm not saying it's not important for the DE's and LB's to hold the edge, but the DT's are a BIG PART of those plays as well.

Wasn't saying they aren't important, but a properly ran stretch play eliminates even the best DT's in the league. Why? Because they are hit with 2-3 linemen on the backside of the play and even if they get penetration, unless they are fast enough to run down a RB on the stretch or it gets forced back inside that penetration means nothing. Just look at how Suh and Williams were taken out of outside run plays last night against SF.

[carpanfan96]

Also I'm not expecting the run defense to be great or even good most of the time. We just don't have enough impact players in our front 7. Hardy at the moment shouldn't be in the game on anything but passing plays as he's horrible against the run. CJ is playing good football, but that's it. DT, DE and OLB are glaring needs and we just need to hope that Beason can come back 100% or ILB is a need as well as Connor was abused last night.

[mav1234]

Dan would be fine in a group of 3 LBers with even a decent line in front of him. No Beason, but he'd do OK...

[nosuchthingasapanther]

I'm not The DT's haven't been playing great. They did there job yesterday though, It was the De's who didn't do the job last night.

It you want more proof at how little a DT does to a stretch run that's executed properly, go back and watch the Detroit - SF game. The three DT's for the Lions had 4 tackles all game and SF killed them on RT/RE runs.

let's not pretend that carolina's dt's are on the same level as detriot's and the falcons had to gameplan around them.

[Snake]

The fact is it starts with the DTs and moves up. No one is saying its the sole reason for suckage its just we know Beason will be back next year and will improve the LB core.

[carpanfan96]

let's not pretend that carolina's dt's are on the same level as detriot's and the falcons had to gameplan around them.

Wow... that wasn't a comparison of DT's, it was the effect of stretch plays on DT's....

[CatMan72]

Wasn't saying they aren't important, but a properly ran stretch play eliminates even the best DT's in the league. Why? Because they are hit with 2-3 linemen on the backside of the play and even if they get penetration, unless they are fast enough to run down a RB on the stretch or it gets forced back inside that penetration means nothing. Just look at how Suh and Williams were taken out of outside run plays last night against SF.

Right, but at a minimum if the DT can get a decent push and force 2 linemen to stay with their block on him, then it eliminates a blocker from the play and frees up another defender to make a play.

The root of all of our problems on the d-line is that we do not have one interior player who commands a double-team. The center can handle any of our DT's alone and this frees up the guards to go find someone else to block.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

The fact is it starts with the DTs and moves up. No one is saying its the sole reason for suckage its just we know Beason will be back next year and will improve the LB core.

thank you.

the defensive tackle is the anchor of the entire defense.

carolina hasn't had a good anchor in years. their above average lb corp has been a decent bandaid up until this season.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Wow... that wasn't a comparison of DT's, it was the effect of stretch plays on DT's....

why are you using the lions as an example? because of suh?

suh isn't good against the run because he isn't smart enough to see what the offense is doing, but people overlook it because he's a freak of nature and makes plays.

[SOJA]

The bottom line is it is the front seven's responsibility to stop the run. If we had an awesome d-line, our linebackers could be 4th stringers and we would be average. If we had awesome linebackers but a crappy d-line we would be average

Two rookie DT's and a terrible LB corps is going to equate to teams destroying us on the run, and throwing to tight ends.

We really miss Beason, and need to draft a LB with our first or second round pick next year