San Diego D without Merriman (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

I thought the Titans were talented enough last year to be OK without Albert Haynesworth. They weren't. Today he got banged up and they played the worst D game they've played in a calendar year. Why would one player's health cause such a dramatic effect? It doesn't really make sense when I try to explain it.

One thing I was thinking was to try and put this burden onto SD fans instead. It's not so dissimilar. Why is the Chargers D terrible without Merriman this year? There is plenty of talent still there. It should be enough to be a good D.

Well I figured if you guys wouldn't mind explaining it, maybe it'd help make some sense out of Big Al and the Titans.

 

[Sigmund Bloom]

Haynesworth in, Haynesworth out, the Jets offense was working no matter what. They kept the Titans off balance, especially on the initial drives of each half. The game plan and execution were both impeccable.

As far as one player's loss affecting a defense, there's certainly guys who "light the fuse" of the whole defense, and great players also create externalities for the rest of the defense. A shut down corner on one side means the safeties can focus on the other side. A good edge rusher gets the attention of the pass protection scheme, meaning the other end probably gets one-on-one blocking. There's no denying that one player can be a "keystone" - that the entire defense can stand on the shoulders of a great player in more ways than one. We also see it in Indy with Sanders, and it's certainly something we need to be aware of in fantasy circles.

 

[BoltBacker]

In both cases I really think you are over-simplifying everything going on around the Haynesworth/Merriman absences.

In the case of TEN

- they have also been struck by DB injuries, they had to sign DB's and call guys up from the practice squad this week.

- VandenBosch/Bulluck less than 100%

- they played Favre who has the ability to light anyone up on a given day

In the case of SD

- The LB corp has been deteriorating for a few years now even before the loss of Merriman and the whole Cooper/Wilhelm transition in the middle has been a failure SD fans have been talking about for awhile.

- Williams still shows flashes but it's obvious he can't sustain dominant play like he once could

- S play was pretty bad while Merriman was there but looks even worse in Merriman's absence and the opposing QB has more time to throw

- SD lost Florence, and while Cromartie deserved his place on the field I don't think many would argue last years combination of Jammer/Cromartie/Florence was better then what they have on the field now in nickel/dime situations

- the past success of the SD defense was built around pressuring the passer. Take the best pass rusher off a defense built around rushing the passer and the results are fairly predictable..... every other crack in the defense stands out.

In both cases taking out the one player in each case that demands a double team or at least the full attention of the offense on every snap will obviously make things tougher going on the rest of the players but I really think there are other problems in each case that go beyond simply the loss of their star player.

 

[Bri]

In both cases I really think you are over-simplifying everything going on around the Haynesworth/Merriman absences.In the case of TEN- they have also been struck by DB injuries, they had to sign DB's and call guys up from the practice squad this week.- VandenBosch/Bulluck less than 100%- they played Favre who has the ability to light anyone up on a given dayIn the case of SD- The LB corp has been deteriorating for a few years now even before the loss of Merriman and the whole Cooper/Wilhelm transition in the middle has been a failure SD fans have been talking about for awhile.- Williams still shows flashes but it's obvious he can't sustain dominant play like he once could- S play was pretty bad while Merriman was there but looks even worse in Merriman's absence and the opposing QB has more time to throw- SD lost Florence, and while Cromartie deserved his place on the field I don't think many would argue last years combination of Jammer/Cromartie/Florence was better then what they have on the field now in nickel/dime situations- the past success of the SD defense was built around pressuring the passer. Take the best pass rusher off a defense built around rushing the passer and the results are fairly predictable..... every other crack in the defense stands out.In both cases taking out the one player in each case that demands a double team or at least the full attention of the offense on every snap will obviously make things tougher going on the rest of the players but I really think there are other problems in each case that go beyond simply the loss of their star player.

good post, some real good detail.IMO although a drop in production was expected losing a great player in SD, I didn't think it'd be that enormous. Your latter point seems one of the largest. Also, furtherring the pressuring the passer, simply the playmaker angle. Haynesworth had a forced fumble and a sack in the first half. IIRC pressuring Favre he threw an INT in the first half too. Continuity or rhythm is so important to an O and I think some of the plays by Merriman and Haynesworth really put a kink in things and change momentum. I mean their 4-5 tackles in a game isn't much. A large % of defenders probably get that. Thanks for the reply

 

[Bri]

Haynesworth in, Haynesworth out, the Jets offense was working no matter what. They kept the Titans off balance, especially on the initial drives of each half. The game plan and execution were both impeccable.

I don't disagree with you. Mangini ....hats off to him for yesterday and the Jets that executed perfectly too. Haynesworth got hurt at nearly halftime. Jets only had a small lead but seemed like a solid lead and in control. However, after that point they allowed as many points in a half as they have(more or less) in a game during the last calendar year. A loss was coming, I'm just referring to the total collapse.

As far as one player's loss affecting a defense, there's certainly guys who "light the fuse" of the whole defense, and great players also create externalities for the rest of the defense. A shut down corner on one side means the safeties can focus on the other side. A good edge rusher gets the attention of the pass protection scheme, meaning the other end probably gets one-on-one blocking. There's no denying that one player can be a "keystone" - that the entire defense can stand on the shoulders of a great player in more ways than one. We also see it in Indy with Sanders, and it's certainly something we need to be aware of in fantasy circles.

I'd put a postit on my forehead with a list of those players. I can never remember them all until after the game when that comes with some regret.