Will Shane Bowen’s Defense Survive Without Pressure?

[Ed Vette]

Last week we saw Sam Darnold pick apart the Giants Secondary in Zone Coverage standing in a clean pocket when Dex was off the field. This week, a Zone Defense is best suited for a QB like Jaden Daniels to contain the yards he gains on the ground, but he's also good at throwing the ball as the Receiver begins his break.

I think he has to adapt and have a better mix of Defensive strategy. I was disappointed that he didn't adjust or maybe he doesn't have much else other than a vanilla Defense.

They have gone from one extreme to the other. Too many soft spots in coverage where they got burnt.

This was lost in all the DJ bashing last weekend.

[Philosophers]

I dont believe any D survives without pressure.  What was the cause of it?  Poor disguise?  Poor executuon?  Poor defensive play call?

[uconnjack8]

Short is answer is no.

The lack of pressure from the outside is a concern given that there was pressure up the middle that I am sure caused some extra attention inside, leaving some one on ones elsewhere.

I think some of the holes you see in a zone scheme get smaller as the season goes on for a number of reasons.  To your point if there isn't some form of pass rush there is always holes in a zone to be exploited, especially if a QB has a lot of time receivers can make multiple moves to find those holes. 

[MrGap92]

I'm less concerned about the defense after one week, new system, some new players, several rookies starting.

If it is still this way in a few weeks than I will worry. But it is certainly valid, hopefully they get better. And they do absolutely need to adapt.

[Trench]

I'm extremely concerned about the pass rush and the fact Big Dex didn't play the entire game

[coggs]

Very rare for a D to survive without pressure.  I remember Belichick's Patriots doing it during their last few Super Bowl runs, but they were the rare exception.

[Jclayton92]

The most concerning thing for me was, why is flott the starting slot lol. Phillips earned that job imo.

We need an elite starting boundary opposite banks almost as bad as we need a qb.

[WheresDayne]

We beat the undefeated Patriots in the SuperBowl because of pressure on Brady.  It's the best way to neutralize any offense.  That being said, we are a long way off from that defense and guys like Burns and Thibs need to step up their game.

[TDToomer]

The most concerning thing for me was, why is flott the starting slot lol. Phillips earned that job imo.

We need an elite starting boundary opposite banks almost as bad as we need a qb.

Maybe because it rhymes?

[kingm56]

Can any defense survive without generating pressure in the modern era?  Has anyone researched how teams with the least sacks/pressures have done over the past decade? 

[Ed Vette]

Obviously there's varying degrees and types of pressure. The stats aren't always a true indicator but clean pockets kill a defense.

[spiderblue43]

Can anyone's. The Burns trade impetus was to have Thibs be able to make pressures more often in tandem. If they cant get there consistently, there is real trouble, no kidding. And the latter has never been consistent, but Burns has to win every game, I'm sorry or we're out of it in October again.

[DaveBrown74]

Can anyone's.

Our opponent's did last week.

[LennG]

No one was even remotely excited when Bowen was hired
 It's not like he was a force on defence. His defenses were middling at best and all we can do is hope for the best. I hope this defense is not Rod Rust II.

[Ed Vette]

No one was even remotely excited when Bowen was hired
 It's not like he was a force on defence. His defenses were middling at best and all we can do is hope for the best. I hope this defense is not Rod Rust II.

Or Johnnie Lynn.