The Zimmer Report - Ravens Run Dallas
We are quickly running out of answers on whom to blame for defensive mess.
Wednesdays are the day for us to evaluate the defense in this space. We call it the “Zimmer Report.” Here we want to isolate the defense and try to look at the game purely from their perspective. What did they try to do against the threats from the opponent and how successful were they in carrying that out? We will also check in the tactical and strategic plot-lines of the game and get a feel for how well it worked out for that side of the ball. For those of you new here speak up if you don’t understand a concept and we will attempt to explain.
Here we go. Our objectives today will be:
Evaluate the defensive effort against Baltimore
How to destroy a destructive pass rush
The Read Option and the Scrape Exchange Mystery
The Missed Tackles Epidemic
Look at some All-22 film
Splash Plays update through three weeks
Let’s begin.
The defensive effort against Baltimore
We know now that all of our talk in the buildup to Week 3 was not very grounded in reality. I expected a resounding response to the New Orleans debacle, and it very much went the wrong way, and it started immediately.
They gave up three explosive runs (10 yards or more) against the Browns. They gave up five to the Saints. And then, in a supposed response to what the Saints did to them, they gave up ten explosive runs against the Ravens.
They cannot stop the run right now, and it appears to get worse with each passing week. With Dallas now ranked 32nd in rushing per game and 32nd in rushing per play, we should prepare that every opponent coming up will simply study these 18 explosive runs and build their game plan accordingly.
The Ravens had 161 rush yards before contact and 113 rush yards after contact in this game – in which the Cowboys were charged with 17 missed tackles.
Yes, you heard this correctly: The Cowboys allowed 161 yards before contact and then missed 17 tackles to allow 113 yards after contact.
Guys, I try not to say this lightly: this is as bad as it gets.
They ran for 274 yards against Dallas in one game. It was the 7th worst beating on the ground – EVER – against the Cowboys. They took the Saints humiliation and might have made it worse.
Here is the Ravens first play. The very first play of the game:
This is the first explosive run of the game as Lamar Jackson keeps on a read option and he keeps as Micah dives down on Derrick Henry (more on that in a bit) and Lamar has the unflanked left to run for 12 yards without the slightest contact. None.
And, here we go again.