In the AFC South Is It More Important For Us to Stop the Pass Or Run?

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Architect, Jul 5, 2012.

?
  1. Rather have an awesome run defense, and average pass defense

    32.3%
  2. Rather have an awesome pass defense, and average run defense

    41.9%
  3. Rather be in the top 15 against both, but not excel in any particular area on defense

    25.8%
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  1. Architect

    Architect Pain Train

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    In the AFC South the Titans face a lot of good players at skill positions. Our d line was pretty bad at stopping the run AND getting pressure on the quarterback. Overall last year they just didnt play well as a unit.

    In the AFC South, we have to worry about facing Arian Foster, Ben Tate, and MoJo 4 times a year. All above average backs. I really dont see us having to worry about the Colts backs but I may be wrong with the new coaching staff.

    We also have to face Schaub and AJ. Lets not forget that Luck in time may be a very good passer at the pro level, and the Jags just drafted Blackmon (even though at this moment Gabbert SUCKS).

    Very few defenses are great at shutting down both the run and the passing game. Im sure all of us would love a defense that was great at both. If you had to choose would you rather have a defense thats awesome at stopping the run (Titans circa 99-2001), awesome at defending the pass and getting after the QB, or good at everything but not great at anything?
     
  2. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow All-Pro

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    The problem I have always had with gearing up to win the division, is that it sets you up to lose outside of it. Find your ninche, and embrace it, While it may be more important for us to stop the run in the South, all the big teams are going to pass all over us if that was the case.
     
  3. SlidePiece

    SlidePiece Starter

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    How about both be top ten. But if I had to choose I'd say with the league the way it is now that a good pass defense is more important. Also an effective pass rush is esential.
     
  4. 520titan

    520titan Special Teams Standout

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    most definately stopping the pass, because i envision us putting up mad points...and if we can stop the pass teams wont be able to keep up with running..
     
  5. EdRomeo

    EdRomeo Football Fan

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    This is a tough question.

    I would rather be good against the pass and getting after the QB.
    If you're good against the pass without using smoke and mirrors then you can always scheme e.g. load the box and dare teams to pass against you.

    This is a 'passing league' now.
    Big plays come via the passing game and converting 3rd downs is the key to sustaining offense.
    Therefore if you have good pass coverage and good pass rush you have a chance to limit your opponents chief means of gaining yards and scoring points.

    Also, if your team can score points you don't even need to be good against the run because you can force your opponents into more must pass situations.
    However if you can't stop the pass there is virtually nothing you can do to make teams stop passing.

    my 2 cents...
     
  6. Thaddeus43

    Thaddeus43 Sunshiner President

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    I chose stopping the run for a few reasons ...

    1. Last year we did a decent job of stopping the pass on 1st/2nd downs only to see the RB bust a 7 yard run on 3rd for a 1st ... I think it was demoralizing to the players (and the fans watching). It also really wore our defense down last year IMO.

    2. As of now, the AFCS is built on running the ball. The Jags have Mojo who is one of the best RBs in the league, and then they have Gabbert who is one of the worst starting QBs in the league. To beat the Jags, we have to stop the run

    The Texans have a good running game and a good passing game, but their passing game is built off of play action which becomes pretty ineffective if you stop the run game. If you can stop Foster and force Schaub to win games from the pocket he WILL falter and make some mistakes. Schaub is anything but clutch.

    As of now the Colts don't have anything so ...

    3. If we are going to be a 'high powered' offense, then I think it would be better to have a good run D, and an average but 'opportunistic' pass D.

    When playing against a team that likes to throw the ball, there is a lot more opportunities to create turnovers. Your D might give up 80 passing yards on one drive, but as long as they make the pick in the last 20 yds, it doesn't matter. When a team is throwing the ball, your D should get a lot of chances to make a play on it. There is also a lot more chances for your D to get sacks, and maybe cause the QB to fumble ... It is much harder to create turnovers when a team is able to run the ball effectively. RBs don't fumble very often.

    The formula to beat any team with a high powered O and a good passing game has always been to run the ball, and keep the other team off the field as much as possible. If we plan on being high powered, then teams will try to keep the O off the field. We need to stop the run to prevent that from happening.

    But if we were in the top in either category I would be happy
     
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  7. 2ToneBlueBlood

    2ToneBlueBlood Pro Bowler

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    Stopping the run. Because usually, if you're good at stopping the run you have good d-linemen who are stout and can still get after the QB on passing downs. QB pressure helps the pass defense as well. Look at '08 when Albert was dominating. Griff and Cort had the best years of their career.
     
  8. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Gotta stop the run or youre going to die a slow painful death

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  9. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Titan43 gets it

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  10. TorontoTitanFan

    TorontoTitanFan Pro Bowler

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    I'm not sure it's ever a good idea to build towards one specific thing. You need to stay balanced or you can't win it all.

    Case in point: in today's NFL, you need to have an offense powerful enough to take your team to the playoffs, but then you need a defense good enough to win a Super Bowl.
     
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