Best Defensive performance last week

[minny65]

With our rebuilt defensive personnel and scheme, we have two new additions that are leading this unit.  Obviously, Z'Smith has been our MVP but Jordan Hicks is having an All-Pro type year and really hasn't gotten much hype on here or in the media.  He is 10th in the NFL with 74 tackles, has 6 passes defended, 2 sacks and an Int = very impressive stat line.  

Both Smith and Hicks played in the 3-4 before which is an interesting tidbit as some of our veteran defenders have struggled but it seems like the light is coming on - Hunter had a 2-sack game last week and Kendricks is playing better the last few weeks.  Of course, having the rookie Evans play great helped a lot as well to give us our best defensive performance to date.  

Washington stat line - held them to 263 yards which included that fluke ref TD, 3 sacks and an Int.  

Wanted to give a shout-out to Hicks!  The Kwesi pickup of him and Z'Smith have been crucial to infuse veteran 3-4 players into our mix to help the learning curve of our veterans. 

[Guest]

I have been really confused with what we are running in terms of the 3-4, because the last 2 weeks it seemed like the majority of the defensive snaps that we were in were more of a 4 man front with two DTs down and Hunter and Smith on the line but up and Hunter sometimes down.  I think our defense plays much better in that alignment.  I am not familiar with the 3-4 so was just wondering if that is what is run for passing downs or if it just something we have been switching off too.  

Great post on Hicks, he has definitely been an underrated star on the defense and has been a rock back there. 

[Guest]

@JR44 said:
I have been really confused with what we are running in terms of the 3-4, because the last 2 weeks it seemed like the majority of the defensive snaps that we were in were more of a 4 man front with two DTs down and Hunter and Smith on the line but up and Hunter sometimes down.  I think our defense plays much better in that alignment.  I am not familiar with the 3-4 so was just wondering if that is what is run for passing downs or if it just something we have been switching off too.  

Great post on Hicks, he has definitely been an underrated star on the defense and has been a rock back there. 

I think what you're seeing is adjustment to help Hunter.  He's a 4-3 lineman that belongs in that alignment. I could care less what they call it if it works. 

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:

@JR44 said:
I have been really confused with what we are running in terms of the 3-4, because the last 2 weeks it seemed like the majority of the defensive snaps that we were in were more of a 4 man front with two DTs down and Hunter and Smith on the line but up and Hunter sometimes down.  I think our defense plays much better in that alignment.  I am not familiar with the 3-4 so was just wondering if that is what is run for passing downs or if it just something we have been switching off too.  

Great post on Hicks, he has definitely been an underrated star on the defense and has been a rock back there. 

I think what you're seeing is adjustment to help Hunter.  He's a 4-3 lineman that belongs in that alignment. I could care less what they call it if it works. 

Let's call it the 2X4 all hands-on deck alignment - 2 DT's and 4 DE with some dropping and some rushing

[Guest]

@AGRforever said:

@JR44 said:
I have been really confused with what we are running in terms of the 3-4, because the last 2 weeks it seemed like the majority of the defensive snaps that we were in were more of a 4 man front with two DTs down and Hunter and Smith on the line but up and Hunter sometimes down.  I think our defense plays much better in that alignment.  I am not familiar with the 3-4 so was just wondering if that is what is run for passing downs or if it just something we have been switching off too.  

Great post on Hicks, he has definitely been an underrated star on the defense and has been a rock back there. 

I think what you're seeing is adjustment to help Hunter.  He's a 4-3 lineman that belongs in that alignment. I could care less what they call it if it works. 

Yes, Hunter's success seems to coincide with his hand on the ground.  Watching him power thru a tackle, beat them with speed or whatever, it all starts from his stance.  Z thrives in the walking around, being hard to locate or pin down, but Hunter is so much better from the traditional DE.

[Guest]

I will also add Peterson to that defensive performance.  He has seemed to be reborn the last few weeks.

[Guest]

@greediron said:
I will also add Peterson to that defensive performance.  He has seemed to be reborn the last few weeks.

Agree, he leads the team with 10 Passes defended and has been playing well.  

[Guest]

Our Defense made the adjustments in the second half and held the Bills to just 6 second half points.

I think our defensive performances is being overlooked.  Washington game showed what we could do and the adjustments made vs the Bills gave the offense a chance to compete and win.

This game ball goes to Kendricks - 7 tackles and fumble recovery TD and PPetterson for the 2 Int's.  Two of our old vets seem to be picking up on the scheme.  Kendricks is starting to play like he did in the 4-3 and just make plays.  

The two new guys that I highlighted in my original post were not the stars today - Z'Smith and Hicks.  But like I said I was hoping to se some of the vets lights to go on in the new system and it really seems to be trending that way.

How about the later round pick Evans...playing for Dantzler...another solid performance and forced fumble.

We forced 4 turnover's and shut down the mighty Bills offense for over a half of football.  

[Guest]

The difference this year from last year is the way the Vikings capitalized on turnovers and turned them into points...

[Guest]

https://twitter.com/MatthewColler/status...79713?s=20&t=VvkpuMT-NsQxvspVSksuAg