Interesting analysis of how our defensive scheme helps our secondary

[KB_fan]

This is one of the better articles I've read which examines the play of our defense and how it really helped maximize the effectiveness of our secondary last season.  This doesn't mean that Josh et al didn't ball out... they did.  But still our entire scheme helped ensure that excellence.  (Thanks to BBR for the link.  As always, "What they're saying" has some great links).

https://www.numberfire.com/nfl/news/9637/the-panthers-secondary-can-still-succeed-without-josh-norman#

Here's an excerpt:  I've emphasized in bold the line that really jumped out at me:

Quote

 

In 2015, the Panthers were slightly above the league average in rushing the passer. Carolina was 12th in percentage of pass plays creating pressure and tied for 14th in sack rate at 6.3 percent (the league average was 6.1 percent). The Panthers did this by relying heavily on their front four to create pressure. Over the past three seasons, the Panthers have blitzed on roughly a quarter of their defensive plays against the pass, which places them in the bottom third of the league. This rush-four approach allows seven to drop into coverage, keeping the zone responsibilities of each defender slightly smaller.

Take a look at the following play from the NFC Conference Championship Game against the Arizona Cardinals, the number-one passing offense in the league by Adjusted NEP per play last season. On this play, the Panthers rush only four while the Cardinals keep in a tight end and a running back until he releases late on a delayed route.

With more players blocking than rushing, the Panthers don’t get much pressure on Carson Palmer. The problem for the Cardinals, though, is down the field, there are only three receivers with seven defenders in coverage. By the time Andre Ellington released from his block and into the flat, Palmer had been in the pocket for more than five seconds.

With the first three options covered, he rushes the throw to Ellington and the pass falls incomplete. It’s like creating pressure without having to get to the quarterback. (Videos courtesy NFL Game Pass.)

Here’s the play frozen when Palmer gets to the top of his drop, ready to throw the ball. His pocket is completely clean, but there’s nowhere to go with the ball until Ellington releases as each receiver is instants away from being fully covered.