Depth on Defense

[BMORE_96]

I've been scratching my head recently trying to figure out how a team that had offensive lapses and horrible defensive play makes it to the final four again. I knew that we were not playing our best at the time because of health problems like suggs and ngata and webb and lewis. Then I noticed a change after the bye with ellerbe's emergence, upshaw's play, kruger acutally hitting the quaterback and not whiffing like earlier in the season that this team is deeper than I orginally thought.

So now I've come to the conclusion, that depth has saved our season, particularly on defense.

On the Defensive line, we realized early that the rotation needed to get bigger so guys would not tire and give up 200 yards rushing a game. And now we are reaping the beneifts with Jones playing extremely well, and Deangelo tyson (most of the time) actually taking care of his gaps in run defense. Not to mention the reemergence of Mcphee, he has been a more effective pass rusher than even ngata and helped with the fumble in the last game. The depth has also resulted in poorly conditioned cody to make more of an impact and for kemo to make plays as well like last game in the crucial third and 7.

The linebackers have been hit with injuries like Jameel, Suggs, and Lewis.But, then here comes Kruger, Upshaw, Mcclelan who did an adequate job until suggs and lewis finallly returned(suggs last week). Especially , Ellerbe's play has been a revelation at inside linebacker and has allowed us to at least not be absolutely terrible with coverage in the middle of the field.

Now, the secondary. Webb did not lie when he said we have the best secondary in the league. Even with webb out and smith M.I.A, guys like corey and chykie have been practically shutdown. And for those who doubt me or say peyton had no arm strength, why did their duo of receivers not destroy us like anticipated or do what they have been doing [b]all season?[/b] Peyton had decent time and could not throw against us in cover 2 man because of those guys and cary, no matter how much flak he gets on this forum.

If not for unheralded guys like this, we would have lost against peyton and may have not even beaten luck or made the playoffs. Hazahh for team depth and[b] IN Ozzie We Trust[/b]

[krrock10]

Reminds me of the Orioles last year (Joe Saunders, Nate McClouth, etc). Maybe not premier talent across the board, but more average players than most other teams. People tend to undervalue how crucial it is to have so many average players available as back up.

[AsianRice]

[quote name='BMORE_96' timestamp='1358371839' post='1314571']
I've been scratching my head recently trying to figure out how a team that had offensive lapses and horrible defensive play makes it to the final four again. I knew that we were not playing our best at the time because of health problems like suggs and ngata and webb and lewis. Then I noticed a change after the bye with ellerbe's emergence, upshaw's play, kruger acutally hitting the quaterback and not whiffing like earlier in the season that this team is deeper than I orginally thought.

So now I've come to the conclusion, that depth has saved our season, particularly on defense.

On the Defensive line, we realized early that the rotation needed to get bigger so guys would not tire and give up 200 yards rushing a game. And now we are reaping the beneifts with Jones playing extremely well, and Deangelo tyson (most of the time) actually taking care of his gaps in run defense. Not to mention the reemergence of Mcphee, he has been a more effective pass rusher than even ngata and helped with the fumble in the last game. The depth has also resulted in poorly conditioned cody to make more of an impact and for kemo to make plays as well like last game in the crucial third and 7.

The linebackers have been hit with injuries like Jameel, Suggs, and Lewis.But, then here comes Kruger, Upshaw, Mcclelan who did an adequate job until suggs and lewis finallly returned(suggs last week). Especially , Ellerbe's play has been a revelation at inside linebacker and has allowed us to at least not be absolutely terrible with coverage in the middle of the field.

Now, the secondary. Webb did not lie when he said we have the best secondary in the league. Even with webb out and smith M.I.A, guys like corey and chykie have been practically shutdown. And for those who doubt me or say peyton had no arm strength, why did their duo of receivers not destroy us like anticipated or do what they have been doing [b]all season?[/b] Peyton had decent time and could not throw against us in cover 2 man because of those guys and cary, no matter how much flak he gets on this forum.

If not for unheralded guys like this, we would have lost against peyton and may have not even beaten luck or made the playoffs. Hazahh for team depth and[b] IN Ozzie We Trust[/b]
[/quote]
As for this year or during our run in playoff, our defense have been stepping up big both on the running game and passing game. Next season, I don't know we can keep some key players like Kruger, Ellerby, Cary, and some more I forgot who.

As up right now, I'm optimistic about both our defense and offense; next season, kind of questionable but at least Webb is back....

[izvoodoo]

Also those young guys (Jones, Hall, Upshaw Kruger) are playing much better than before. We're still probably going Dline in the draft though.

[dhstandard]

Cary Williams has stepped it up. He still gives way too much cushion at times but he has turned into a solid corner. Corey Graham was an amazing FA pick up. Not only was he a special teams pro-bowler but he had 3 INT last season playing as the nickel back and starting only a few games.

Ngata getting healthy is a major factor as well. Suggs may not be the pass rusher he used to be but he still sets the edge better than anyone in the NFL.