Run defense: a new clue from Belichick?

[Hawg73]

The current issue of Pats Pro Football Weekly (always a good read if you aren't a subscriber - two thumbs up) contains an interview where he provides some insight into our problems with run defense which I have excerpted below:

"We did have some problems inside in the running game but I'd say more of our problems came on the perimeter in terms of run force between the outside linebackers and the secondary than right up inside. That was a significant part of the problem."

Since pretty much everyone is clamoring for a DL or two to pair with Seymour, how would you interpret this statement as relates to player acquisition? What is he really telling us?

[pookie]

Originally posted by Hawg73

Since pretty much everyone is clamoring for a DL or two to pair with Seymour, how would you interpret this statement as relates to player acquisition? What is he really telling us?

Not sure exactly what he's saying, but I believe I heard him whisper "Bye Bye Willie Mac". Is there writing on the wall?

[bideau]

Originally posted by Hawg73
Since pretty much everyone is clamoring for a DL or two to pair with Seymour, how would you interpret this statement as relates to player acquisition? What is he really telling us?

I still think it all starts with the interior linemen. If your DTs are being tied up with one blocker, it leaves other blockers to occupy the outside guys. In most defenses, its the linemen's job to take on double teams and leave the LBs free to roam about and make the tackles. We also saw in SB37 what a four man rush can do for the DBs.

[freak]

What he's saying is that the secondary (read CBs) were not forcing the run back to the OLBs. That is what he means by "run force."

CBs have run force responsibility. They have to defeat the block of the WR, or even evading a pulling OG, to be able to "force" the runner to cut back up inside to the LBs, who have been scraping down the LOS.