I'm looking for a good answer to this question

[rskinsfan10]

I've read and heard alot of people say "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" in regards to LaVar and the defense, with the insinuatioin being that there is no need to play LaVar because the defense is ranked where it is.

I contend that there is something "broke that needs fixing", and that is the lack of pressure/sacks and turnovers. We are not applying as much pressure as we did last year, point blank. Since many of you contend that LaVar wouldn't help/isn't needed as far as these deficiencies (sp?) are concerned, then I would like to hear/read some solutions that you may have for the team to improve in these areas.

I'm looking for serious commentary.

[Santheb]

Originally Posted by rskinsfan10

I've read and heard alot of people say "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" in regards to LaVar and the defense, with the insinuatioin being that there is no need to play LaVar because the defense is ranked where it is.

I contend that there is something "broke that needs fixing", and that is the lack of pressure/sacks and turnovers. We are not applying as much pressure as we did last year, point blank. Since many of you contend that LaVar wouldn't help/isn't needed as far as these deficiencies (sp?) are concerned, then I would like to hear/read some solutions that you may have for the team to improve in these areas.

I'm looking for serious commentary.

I posted something about this a couple days ago. I fully agree that LaVar needs to be put in the game, freelancing or not. Warrick Holdman flat out doesn't get the job done. If he makes that tackle on Sunday, no TD for the Broncos. LaVar would always make the tackle.

My solution for this problem: put LaVar in the lineup for a game, and watch the difference.

[ShaggySkins]

Originally Posted by rskinsfan10

I've read and heard alot of people say "if it ain't broke then don't fix it" in regards to LaVar and the defense, with the insinuatioin being that there is no need to play LaVar because the defense is ranked where it is.

I contend that there is something "broke that needs fixing", and that is the lack of pressure/sacks and turnovers. We are not applying as much pressure as we did last year, point blank. Since many of you contend that LaVar wouldn't help/isn't needed as far as these deficiencies (sp?) are concerned, then I would like to hear/read some solutions that you may have for the team to improve in these areas.

I'm looking for serious commentary.

I agree with you in that we need to get more pressure on the QB but I'm not necessarily certain that Lavar is going to solve the problem. I think the problem between Lavar and the coaching staff delves a lot deeper then any of us have any idea about. What I will say in regards the theory of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is this: Although we may need more pressure the defense has been good enough to keep us in every game thus far this season despite a lack of a true pass rush. You want your defense to keep you in games so even if the pass rush isn't as great as we would like it, it is effective enough to maintain the goal of keeping us in games. Also thus far our defense has been predicated on stopping the run as its #1 objective when facing other teams. A large part of this is having 2 DEs that excell in holding position and stuffing the run (Wynn & Daniels). Although I understand Lavar could be used on third downs and obvious passing downs do we even know if he would be willing to accept that role? Also are we absolutely certain Lavar would be willing to be just strictly a pass rusher if that is what he is asked to do? We've heard rumblings in the past when he was asked to be a DE and he was unhappy and sulking. If he does this again does he become an even bigger distraction to the team? Michael Wilbon had a quote from Marvin Lewis about a week or so ago similar to "Do you think Lavar Arrington was fun to coach?". If Lavar was a problem for Marvin Lewis perhaps he has become the same problem for Greg Lewis. Rather then dealing with the problem he has decided to sit the problem to teach it a lesson.

[whistleandthumb]

This is a great discussion topic.

I'm EXTREMELY concerned about our defense. I think GW is doing some great things, and our secondary is playing very well, which is really saving our arses, but our front 7, and, definitely, our front 4, are not getting the pressure they should be. A lot of teams know that we get pressure through the blitz, and, having blitzed nearly 3 out of every 4 plays last year, most teams are playing us this year with max-protect offenses. We're still shutting down the run, albeit not against Denver, but we haven't seen any big play D yet, which should be a major concern.

The problem is that our D lacks that big play guy right now. We don't have a pure pass rusher on the team, so, again, all our pressure is by design, instead of pure talent. Opposing teams are picking up on this, and I have a bad feeling that we could be exposed more and more as the year goes on. Seattle exposed us up and down the field a few weeks ago, and, had they gotten the ball first in OT, I feel rather confident we may not have gotten a chance on offense.

LaVar is that pure pass rusher that we need. Yes, he may over-pursue sometimes, and yes, he may be caught out of position. But he can also cause the fumbles and make the INT's... all things we have yet to see our D do in 4 games. We are playing pretty good on D right now, but not as good as we did last year, and we don't LOOK as good as we did last year. LaVar's presence on the field could be enough to ignite the big play, as, just like Ray Lewis circa 2000, I think other players are a little intimidated.

I think LaVar could very well be the answer we need. I understand GW's desire to have guys who understand the system in there, and that the system is what has provided so much success in the past (this is why Pierce and Smoot weren't needed - we have "the system"). But having just LaVar blitz the passer could be equal to sending 2 or 3 guys in there, and that frees up defenders to make good on the pressure LaVar will provide.

[rskinsfan10]

Originally Posted by ShaggySkins

I agree with you in that we need to get more pressure on the QB but I'm not necessarily certain that Lavar is going to solve the problem. I think the problem between Lavar and the coaching staff delves a lot deeper then any of us have any idea about. What I will say in regards the theory of "if it ain't broke don't fix it" is this: Although we may need more pressure the defense has been good enough to keep us in every game thus far this season despite a lack of a true pass rush. You want your defense to keep you in games so even if the pass rush isn't as great as we would like it, it is effective enough to maintain the goal of keeping us in games. Also thus far our defense has been predicated on stopping the run as its #1 objective when facing other teams. A large part of this is having 2 DEs that excell in holding position and stuffing the run (Wynn & Daniels). Although I understand Lavar could be used on third downs and obvious passing downs do we even know if he would be willing to accept that role? Also are we absolutely certain Lavar would be willing to be just strictly a pass rusher if that is what he is asked to do? We've heard rumblings in the past when he was asked to be a DE and he was unhappy and sulking. If he does this again does he become an even bigger distraction to the team? Michael Wilbon had a quote from Marvin Lewis about a week or so ago similar to "Do you think Lavar Arrington was fun to coach?". If Lavar was a problem for Marvin Lewis perhaps he has become the same problem for Greg Lewis. Rather then dealing with the problem he has decided to sit the problem to teach it a lesson.

We've also heard LaVar himself say that he would do whatever is asked of him (he said that way before this drama started, and he has said it throughout it all). We've heard LaVar say that he was wrong for giving Lewis as much resistance as he did and that he realized that he was wrong. My thinking is when McNabb (if healthy), Manning, Collins and even Brees pop on the schedule and are given as much time to throw as this defense is allowing, they will be very successful. We saw glimpses of it with Bledsoe and Hasselbeck.

[hail2skins]

Very good question.

IMO we are not blitzing as much as we did last season. We all knew last season that we didn't have that pass rushing DE that we needed and the coaches knew it as well. How did they create this pressure then? They were creative with the blitz packages they created. They had people coming from everywhere and teams didn't know what to expect. We saw CB's blitzing, we saw linebackers and safeties coming. We saw stunts on the dline and delayed blitzes by the LB's and safeties. We saw a lot of stuff last season. This season we haven't seen all of that and maybe the coaches feel teams would be prepared for that or maybe they are just toying with teams.

Can Lavar solve the problem. It's very possible. Contrary to what I read above, Lavar did complain about playing DE when Marvin Lewis was in town but he DID NOT when GW came to town. In the preseason games along with the 2 regular season games he played in, Arrington played the DE position a lot and didn't complain about it. As a matter of fact he came out and said whatever the coaches need him to do, he'll do. That brings up another issue. Lavar only played in 2 regular season games last year and we were still able to create some pressure on the QB. How? By the coaches being creative with the blitz packages they created. It was done without Arrington last season. The question is can we be more effective with Arrington in the game and the answer to that question is yes. Teams have to gameplan/account for him being on the field. He's the one the QB will be looking for and pointing to as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Right now, that person is probably Sean Taylor (and Marcus Washington). Just imagine if the QB had to come out of the huddle and look for all three of them.

[The Skinsinator]

I agree, I think Arrington could resolve our pressure problems and creating turnovers. He's just too good of an athlete and effective at gettting at the quarterback. Yes he may be out of position sometimes, but sometimes the reward is worth the risk. Williams' defenses are precise/specific and require consistent discipline. Honestly, I think his biggest concern is if a player is out of position in a certain package it could result in a big play for the offense. This has already been happening though on occasion. Lavar Arrington needs to see the field plain and simple.

[Biggie]

We can't use as many of our insane blitz packages this year, because offenses anticipate them. Therefore, a guy like Lavar could force other teams to look for the rush even when we drop back in coverage.

[rskinsfan10]

Originally Posted by hail2skins

Very good question.

IMO we are not blitzing as much as we did last season. We all knew last season that we didn't have that pass rushing DE that we needed and the coaches knew it as well. How did they create this pressure then? They were creative with the blitz packages they created. They had people coming from everywhere and teams didn't know what to expect. We saw CB's blitzing, we saw linebackers and safeties coming. We saw stunts on the dline and delayed blitzes by the LB's and safeties. We saw a lot of stuff last season. This season we haven't seen all of that and maybe the coaches feel teams would be prepared for that or maybe they are just toying with teams.

Can Lavar solve the problem. It's very possible. Contrary to what I read above, Lavar did complain about playing DE when Marvin Lewis was in town but he DID NOT when GW came to town. In the preseason games along with the 2 regular season games he played in, Arrington played the DE position a lot and didn't complain about it. As a matter of fact he came out and said whatever the coaches need him to do, he'll do. That brings up another issue. Lavar only played in 2 regular season games last year and we were still able to create some pressure on the QB. How? By the coaches being creative with the blitz packages they created. It was done without Arrington last season. The question is can we be more effective with Arrington in the game and the answer to that question is yes. Teams have to gameplan/account for him being on the field. He's the one the QB will be looking for and pointing to as he approaches the line of scrimmage. Right now, that person is probably Sean Taylor (and Marcus Washington). Just imagine if the QB had to come out of the huddle and look for all three of them.

Good post. I agree with all points.

My issues are, if you didn't do anything to improve your front four on the d-line, then why do you think that you can afford to not be as creative as you were with your blitz schemes from a year ago?

[IMALILTEAPOT]

Ok, i dont like making threads that usually have been touched on a lot, but this is different. Does anybody think that one of the reasons why we havent produced many turnovers is because of our system? Our system is based on being very disciplined and having everyone do their job and not wander, doing whatever. But usually, turnovers, especially interceptions, are created because of free lancing and following ur instincts. I remember a couple of years ago when G. Will was in Buffalo, they had one year when they couldnt produce any turnovers. I dont know the exact stats( enter Akhorrus) but I know it was really noticeable for such a great defense. Does anybody think that the system might be a reason? And dont think that I am automatically disfavoring G Will, cuz IM NOT at all, but we havent gotten many turnovers this year, and last year we could of gotten more. Thoughts?

[Biggie]

I don't think it's that the coaches think they don't need to blitz anymore. Our secondary has been nicked almost to a man since training camp, and putting more pressure on them than can be handled is not something Gregg Williams wants to do.

[rskinsfan10]

For the record, I didn't create this thread for it to turn into another LaVar needs to play saga. If your answers sincerly include playing LaVar, then fine. No one liners about just putting LaVar in please.

However, I'm really looking for some creative dialogue on this, because I've come to the conclusion that LaVar isn't going to play this year. I am deeply concerned about this D's ability to get away with this (lack of pressure and turnovers) for the entire season.

[hail2skins]

Originally Posted by rskinsfan10

Good post. I agree with all points.

My issues are, if you didn't do anything to improve your front four on the d-line, then why do you think that you can afford to not be as creative as you were with your blitz schemes from a year ago?

Well, you've got me with that one. I've been expecting to see them and haven't. No explanation here.

[The Skinsinator]

Originally Posted by rskinsfan10

However, I'm really looking for some creative dialogue on this, because I've come to the conclusion that LaVar isn't going to play this year.

I hope your conclusion is wrong, but if he doesn't see the field for a substantial period of time in the next 2 games then I believe you may be correct. It is absolutely inexplicable to me that Williams feels he could not be a benefit to our defense. I realize practice is vital to gameday success, however why can't Lavar practice better? Way too talented to be riding the bench.

[rskinsfan10]

Originally Posted by YoungSkin26

Ok, i dont like making threads that usually have been touched on a lot, but this is different. Does anybody think that one of the reasons why we havent produced many turnovers is because of our system? Our system is based on being very disciplined and having everyone do their job and not wander, doing whatever. But usually, turnovers, especially interceptions, are created because of free lancing and following ur instincts. I remember a couple of years ago when G. Will was in Buffalo, they had one year when they couldnt produce any turnovers. I dont know the exact stats( enter Akhorrus) but I know it was really noticeable for such a great defense. Does anybody think that the system might be a reason? And dont think that I am automatically disfavoring G Will, cuz IM NOT at all, but we havent gotten many turnovers this year, and last year we could of gotten more. Thoughts?

This seems to be on par with the thread that I created, so I'm merging it.