clearly a defense in the 2nd qtr with a 14 or 17 point lead plays “atypical” compared to when it’s a 7-7 game. Additionally, when you lead by 3+ scores in the 4th qtr, you tend to give up 5-10 yd gains easily and not sweat it in the prevent defense just trying to keep the ball in bounds and in front of the d to run the clock.

“The Wildcat may be a different formation, but the secret to stopping the run is still the same: gap discipline.”

This is true, but what so many people fail to realize (or acknowledge) is that the Wildcat allows for an extra offensive lineman, thereby creating an additional gap to maintain. If a team was running it on every snap, it would be easier to defend. You’d know to keep your strong safety up, maybe an extra linebacker in the huddle, if you’re going with the 3-4, etc. Not knowing when exactly when to expect it is what’s keeping DCs on their toes. It’s almost like a tackle eligible play in the red zone, only instead of having a surprise bonus receiver to deal with, you suddenly have a sixth (or seventh, or eighth) 300 lb blocker trotting out of the huddle. To stay atop of that, a DC has to rely heavily on personnel recognition by their comrades in the pressbox. “Is that a tight end or a tackle? Oh sh*t. Gregg, we a Cat on the prowl.” It’s a whole lot more complex than just “stay focused and remember your assignments”.

Gregg, we have a Cat on the prowl."

I think that Greg will dial up some variations of blitzing and have them conducted somewhat like run blitzes. I believe that our players will blitz with filling the gaps and stopping the run as a first priority then reaching the QB or whoever takes the snap as a second priority. I think this should work against the wildcat.

hire someone …who has one purpose in the game, to watch who is and isnt coming off the field… and a red button linked to sean so when something fishy is going on he knows…

that isnt illegal, is it

How bout the saints having long methodical drives to keep the wilcat of the field…just a thought…

My thoughts on it are that you simply have to sell out on the run. Don’t respect the pass. Saying “respect the pass” for the Dolphins version of the wildcat is pretty much saying “respect the pass” against a punt formation. You know that there is an outside chance of it, but you just don’t see it often.
Ronnie Brown is a thrower, not a passer, and if he tries to throw a ball more than 10 yards he is going to hang it up long enough for Darren Sharper to field it like a punt. Ronnie Brown has attempted 2 passes this year, and completed 1. That 1 pass went for 21 yards. Even if Henne stays in the game for the wildcat, Miami hasn’t shown an ability to utilize that aspect of it. So if we have the unfortunate luck of being only the 2nd team this season to allow a Ronnie Brown completed pass, I’d gladly take a 21 yard pass if it means shutting down a staple of their offense.
With that in mind, I would sub in Malcolm Jenkins for Tracy Porter to add some size and tackling power on D whenever I see both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams come into the game.

“Ronnie Brown is a thrower, not a passer”

For some reason, this reminded me of the Michael Jackson line:
“I told you, Paul … I’m a lover, not a fighter”.

Heh. Sorry, VA. I’m sure your voice isn’t quite that feminine.

One of the keys to a successful run game is wearing down the d line. None of the teams against the Saints have really gotten to test that theory since they are getting their asses handed to them by the time the 4th quarter rolls around.

That was supposed to be a very tough game for the Saints….and now bring on Atlanta….the read on the Falcons at season’s beginning was they can score but they have a very porous defence…I guess we will see….

Wildcat my ass. Didn’t do much of anything.