These mobile QBs are finding yardage on the ground even when we try to keep them in the pocket anyway.
Allowing them to sit comfortably in the pocket allows even the worst passer a chance get into a confident rhythm.
It is imperative that we rush the progression clock for these inexperienced QBs. I don’t care if they run 4.1 forties.
We’re taking the mental edge away from our defense by asking them to not be too aggressive.
I say show these young guys one thing and send another thing at them and SEND IT FAST. Stunts and twists. Zone dog scud missiles from the secondary or in the form of #56 but don’t let these mobile QB scare us into not being ourselves at all. Of course we can play some contain after he has already been frazzled.
This team is built around the defense. It’s time for these guys to get back to being top five. For this to happen the game plan has to be aggressive.
I think the best route is to spy mobile QBs… Sacrifice the 2 high safety look to bring somebody down to play that low middle zone that’s vacated by man coverage, but with the intention to spy more than cover. To me, the biggest openings for those rush plays are created when all of the defense are downfield in coverage. Sometimes they do have a linebacker spying, but Pete Werner and Demario Davis aren’t quite quick enough to limit the damage most of the time. You’d need somebody pretty quick, like Jordan Howden (4.49), Lonnie Johnson Jr. (4.52), or Alontae Taylor (4.36)… Somewhat similar to how LSU utilized Harold Perkins last year.
Speaking of… The Saints will likely be in the market for a linebacker in 2025… I’d love to see Perkins play the Demario Davis role, especially if DD gets a team-friendly extension (his contract is through 2024) and can mentor him.
All I’m saying is be aggressive. Our defense is supposed to be our bread and butter. We cans drop 8 into coverage sometimes but routinely sending four in contain mode only is asking for an azz whoopin.