(08-22-2021, 10:56 AM)TheO-LineMatters Wrote:

(08-22-2021, 10:53 AM)The Real Marty Wrote: Those are good.  I would add, I think against the Browns we packed the line of scrimmage to stop the run, which we did successfully, but it hurt us in coverage especially on short stuff, and that allowed them to dink and dunk down the field.  It's pretty amazing the way the Browns controlled the clock with only 1.6 (?) yards per rushing attempt.  I'd like to see us play more of a balanced, honest defense and see if we can still stop the run.

Absolutely. We need to strike a healthy balance between stopping the run and pressuring the passer.

That is true, but what I was talking about was striking a balance between stopping the run and covering short passes.  I may be wrong, but it seemed like our linebackers were much more concerned about stopping the run than they were about dropping into coverage.  It seemed like the area just beyond the line of scrimmage was often devoid of linebackers and safeties, and that let the Browns dink and dunk their way down the field.

---