Originally posted by NCommand:
Originally posted by Niners816:
Originally posted by thl408:
Looks like you'll be scoring more than the 49ers. What you think of how ARI got their RBs involved in the short passing game? ARI had zero running game as the run defense continues to shine. With missing starters on their OL and no David Johnson, no surprise they couldn't run. But their RBs combined got 12 catches for 117 yards. Most of the RB catches seemed determined, as in they weren't checkdowns, they were actually the go-to target on the play.
A weakness of this Cover3 is the short throws to the RBs, but the 49ers called Cover2 and Tampa2 as well in this game and the LBs were still victimized with short throws to the RB and were not being able to rally in time to keep it a minimal gain. On the last ARI drive, they got a couple nice catches from Ellington, each totaling 11 yards. The 49er LBs were so worried about the intermediate routes that they sagged hard and the short pass to the RB coming out of the backfield was easy pickings for Palmer.
We are now getting beat like cover 3 teams get beat. Reminds me of what NE did to Seattle in that SB.
That was my exact thought and you know the Cards know how to beat this defense.
I also saw a theme in the passing game that they attacked that intermediate route between the outside CB and S. All day that seam was open.
Did you notice that? If so, any thoughts?
Well the one thing with this defense is that division rivals get to play it 4 times a season (SEAx2, SFx2) so they are going to have ways to beat it, and more importantly, they will get reps to practice beating it. The 49ers seemed to want to take away the intermediate routes, so they would have the LBs gain depth to defend the intermediate, but then ARI would throw a short pass to the RBs.
As an underneath zone defender, there's a feeling of timing to how route combinations develop. Zone defenders are always taught to take away the High read first then go to the Low read when defending a vertical stretch. There's a sense of timing that has to become instinctual as he gains depth to take away the High read, then instinctually know when the QB is progressing to the Low read, and get a head start on breaking towards that route.
SEA LBs do this well. Partly because they know they have a good pass rush to support them. Take away the High read, know that the QB is running out of time in the pocket and will be progressing to his Low read. Break towards the Low route, just before the QB starts his throwing motion and limit RAC. I'll post a few plays of how simple it was for ARI to attack the 49er LBs in the short passing game.
