So if the defense is terrible again this season?

[Joemailman]

So, to all you X's and O'S folks, if Raji is going to be 1-gapping at NT, whose responsibilities change to cover up the other gap?

[KYPack]

So, to all you X's and O'S folks, if Raji is going to be 1-gapping at NT, whose responsibilities change to cover up the other gap?

Good question, there, Maildude.

Basically, in a 3-4, the only DL two gapping is the nose tackle (0 tech). There are exceptions to that rule based on individual talent (Haloti Ngata 2 gaps anywhere he plays for instance) but generally that's the case.

Who's responsibility for the gaps?

The defense. All 11 guys make their forces, get body on blockers and the free tackler makes the play. Some of the talk on here is kinda shit. Defense is simple, especially vs the run, until you fuck it up. The key to any running offense is to try and get your best blocker in front of your best runner and call those plays against the right situation and looks.

In a standard defense, it's 7 across the front with each man doing his job including being responsible for his gap. It goes beyond just the gap responsibility really. That defensive coach is trying to get his guys in position to put a hat on a hat and have a free man in a spot to make the tackle. The defense is clicking when all 11 guys move like one giant body. Certainly, if your 0 tech is getting wiped out or not covering one gap or the other, it's a huge setback for defensing the run.

Wist is definitely right about the fact that the run D sucked last season. Was it because Capers has become dated and stupid? Hardly.

I blame the shoes. That's right, the shoes the Packers wear.

Those shoes need to have better defenders in them.

There were many times last season defenders were in position to make tackles and plays and they failed. Was it coaching, yeah, could be. But it boils down to execution and last season we didn't get it done. I think we got outplayed last year, not out schemed.

[wist43]

So, to all you X's and O'S folks, if Raji is going to be 1-gapping at NT, whose responsibilities change to cover up the other gap?

I can't say how Capers will run the base... he sparingly played a base 3-4 when he had the personnel to run it better - how will he run it now that he doesn't have 'best-fit' players for the alignment??

That said, you can 1-gap out of the 3-4 base, but I think you have to crash the backside DE of which ever way the NT goes, and the OLB on that side takes on more responsibility for setting the edge on that side. As long as everyone executes to their responsibility, it shouldn't be a problem.

There is more than one way to skin a cat - but one thing is for sure, Capers can't be trusted to use the players according to their strengths - he's proven that.