Chapter 2: Run Defense

Quarter 1

2nd and 8 - D. Cook 12yd Run (06:12)

This is a great cutback by Cook and an equally awful over pursuit by our linebackers. This will become a recurring theme. 

1st and 10 - D. Cook 21yd TD Run (00:52)

Again, Cook cuts it back, Barnes runs himself into a block and P. Smith is just remarkably soft against that tight end. That gap is wide fucking open. We only have one high safety here with savage playing close to the line. Cook has to cut it back here because Martin burst through the left side. If there were someone in the cutback lane this is a gain of a couple yards if not a tackle for a loss. 

Quarter 2

2nd and 1 - D. Cook 7yd Run (1:22)

Everyone crashes the left side and we have another beautiful cutback lane. Savage is right there and I would love to see him hit that hole harder. 

Quarter 3

1 and 10 - D. Cook 37yd Run (14:54)

For the love of all that is holy just maintain your goddamn gap, there are two LB’s in the same spot. Keke is in position to make the play here and, of course, whiffs on the tackle. Look at this fucking lane

Quarter 4 

2nd and 7 - D. Cook 17yd Run (14:11

Our defense getting absolutely manhandled. 

Random Thoughts:

• The Smiths were never good against the run. 

• There was almost no chance for a pass rush because Minnesota got the ball out quick. Almost every incomplete pass that Cousins threw was because pressure was in his face or he had to get the ball out before he wanted to. 

• I’ve said this before but our safeties do not inspire any confidence when they have to make a tackle or take an angle. 

• Our problem continues to be bad tackling and inexperience/lack of talent at the ILB position and the big men. People in this sub were ready to crown Barnes and Martin as the saviors of our run defense and then those same people are surprised when a 5th round rookie and an undrafted rookie with 10 starts and 34 combined tackles between them contribute to one of the worst defensive efforts against the run. Don’t get me wrong, I think they show a lot of potential and I’m excited to see their development but, right now, they are not assignment sure (particularly Barnes) and they over pursue. 

• I wrote against Houstoun that there is hope for our run defense but not to get too excited because they are one of the worst running teams. I’ve also written in the past that outside of Kenny Clark our big guys are just guys and we need to invest in some big motherfuckers. 

• People love to meme about Preston being out in coverage but the 3 plays where he was outside resulted in a quick 7yd pass away from Preston, a 3yd run and a sack. Obviously, I’m not saying that these were the result of Preston playing CB but those plays were essentially nothing. 

• I keep asking around the sub why people think Pettine is the problem and I get a lot of non-answers (because the defense is bad), platitudes (doesn’t inspire, needs more energy) or downright lies (he had every LB and Safety 10 yards away from the line of scrimmage.)

• We played two high safeties for like the first two possessions and then we played everyone close to the line in the second half besides in obvious passing situations or when we had a two high safety look then had one come crashing down on the run, something that would have been more successful had Amos and Savage not missed tackles. I remember during the broadcast one of the announcers said Chandon Sullivan was playing off coverage when he got beat for a first down and I just new that people would repeat that to death in this sub.  

• Minnesota is a lot better than their record indicates. Counting the records of their opponents when Minnesota played them their opponents were 15-11 and they lost to a 3-0 Titans team and a 5-0 Seahawks team by 1 point.