Random Theory

by jimmimoose on Oct 23, 2008 4:22 PM PDT

In trying to figure out some things about what's gone wrong this season, something occurred to me. One reason I've been so consistently surprised over the first half of the year is that every report on the defense has been so positive. Evening as we continue losing games, the word out of practice has commonly been "the defense looked good today, making some interceptions and batting down passes." That's the word out of camp today, again.

And then I started to wonder, maybe that's because our offense has become so broken down by injuries. As a consequence, maybe the defense is suffering because they're consistently practicing against inferior competition? They get used to the speed and execution of Charlie Frye throwing to Jordan Kent, and then get into a real game and they're just a half-step behind?

This is totally off-the-cuff and sort of inconsequential, just something that occurred to me, thought I'd share it.

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You know,

That’s crazy enough to be true. Hm. Now you’ve got me thinking…

HA HA HA, your Grandpa's an ASS!- Tourette's Guy (R.I.P)

by tootthekazoo on Oct 23, 2008 5:37 PM PDT reply actions

I was wondering the same thing....

Also visa versa, maybe our offense isn’t improving b/c they are playing against our defense. Is the play calling in practice as predictable as the games…and if so…and you know what they are going to call they are never really challenged. This goes for both sides?

Could be but probably not…hopefully not or we are stuck in a catch 22 and will stay bad on both sides of the ball

by collyb on Oct 23, 2008 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

no.

The first team O and D run against scout teams. The scout teams aren’t good but that is the norm around the league. They do this because they have the scout team emulate things that their opponents will be doing on Sunday to prepare.

by michaelfox99 on Oct 24, 2008 5:21 AM PDT reply actions

Hmmm

That does put a damper on the theory, doesn’t it?

Maybe our scout teams suck? Do we have new scouts this year?

by jimmimoose on Oct 24, 2008 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

During training camp

I remember thinking that it was because the defense was so good the offense had a difficult time. Way back then, the defense was going to be stifiling. Now, after 6 games, we know better. An anemic, injury plagued unit made an average defense look very good, inflating expectations. In fact, I believe that because the offense was so bad, the defense’s development was restricted, not having to work against a unit that had any level of competence.

by Dukeshire on Oct 24, 2008 6:27 AM PDT reply actions

Then what about the Ravens and the Steelers?

Their offenses are ranked in the bottom half of the league yet their defenses are ranked in the top 5.

If life gives you lemons, keep the receipt

by Bramlet A. on Oct 24, 2008 6:46 AM PDT reply actions

It's only a theory,

not the whole reason. There are so many other factors (as we all know) involved, but if this defensive unit had a practice and scrimmage against the Steelers everyday since training camp, I don’t believe, for one second, they would get pushed around like they do now.

by Dukeshire on Oct 25, 2008 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

That's kind of like the theory of:

No matter how well an NFC West team does, it won’t make it to the Superbowl, since it hasn’t faced good enough competition to prepare itself, whereas an NFC East team has to be mentally prepared week in and out if it wants to make the playoffs, and is more likely to suceed once in the playoffs since it has been tested at least 6x in the season.

by LantermanC on Oct 24, 2008 4:06 PM PDT reply actions