How do we get more QB sacks?

[Ole Miss Texan]

The topic here is something everybody wants more of... Sacks. Now that you've quit laughing and taken your head out of the gutter... let's get back on topic and talk about football: QB Sacks- want more of them but how do we get them?

Something I've been thinking about is how much one aspect of the defense relies on another. Pass rush helps the secondary, better secondary gives the pass rushers more time to get to the QB, etc. I believe if you stop the run, your team will get more sacks. This is something the Texans need to improve upon (both run stopping and pass rushing).

I want to preface this in saying that while sacks are invaluable and a great measure of how your pass rush is performing, I not only want to see that go up but QB pressures as well. Often times it's the pressure that leads to an interception... something else we've been severely lacking in.

If you break everything down and get to the bare basics of things... when are sacks most likely to occur? The QB sack is most likely to occur when the offense is forced into an obvious passing situation allowing the DL (and blitz) to come full force at him. If this is a 3rd and long situation that magnifies the chances because the QB is more likely to make a 5-7 yard drop (extra time for the DL).

So I think what the defense really needs to get better at is stopping the run. HUH!!?? As mentioned earlier, we're not even that good at that. If we are able to stop the run consistently on 1st and 2nd down, then that is what leads to the 3rd and long situations. If you're rebuilding a car, it's nice to have powerful engine but it's hard to take advantage of that HP if your axles broke.

Stop the run = Force the offense into 3rd and longs = more sacks/interceptions.

I looked at the top sack producing teams from the 2008 season (top 8 below) and what they all had in common (whether they were a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense) was that they were consistently ranked at the top of the league in rushing defense.

1. Cowboys- 59 sacks; ranked 12th in run defense.
2. Steelers- 51 sacks; ranked 2nd in run defense.
3. Eagles- 48 sacks; ranked 4th in run defense.
4. Vikings- 45 sacks; ranked 1st in run defense.
5. Titans- 44 sacks; ranked 6th in run defense.
6. Giants- 42 sacks; ranked 9th in run defense.
7. Jets- 41 sacks; ranked 7th in run defense.
8. Dolphins- 40 sacks; ranked 10th in run defense.

27. Texans- 25 sacks; ranked 23rd in run defense.


So while we're all eagerly awaiting a pass rusher opposite Mario, I think the Texans should also still be focusing on DL that can stop the run (ideally do both). I think the best course of action is to get a pass rush specialist that stays fresh until needed to come in at RDE in which case Mario moves to LDE. In the meantime, we should have a good rotation of LDEs that can stop the run as well as get up field. No 3-4 ends please, but a good rotational all around type of DE. I see Antonio Smith as being the kind of DE for that spot, let's add another. Then we get to the DTs. I think a NT would be extremely helpful however I don't want to just get a run stopping 3-4 NT... we need a guy that can still penetrate. I think our DL is getting closer to what is needed but we're still a few parts away. I think we have some excellent players that fit in the rotation, like Tim Bulman and Deljuan Robinson.

[alphajoker]

Having a lead usually helps, too. As a matter of fact, wasn't there a comparison during the MNF game vs. the Jags where they broke down the percentage of sacks players had whose teams had a winning record? I don't remember the numbers but the differences were huge.

[Vinny]

I'd say stop the run better and get teams in more 3rd and longs instead of 2nd or 3rd and 3 or less, but every time we got someone in 3rd and 12, some rookie QB would complete a 13 yard pass.

[Specnatz]

How about not giving the WR a 10 yard cushion on 3rd and 7 so the QB can just do a 3 step drop and get the first down.

Oh and stop dropping the LDE into pass coverage and let him rush the passer.

[BigBull17]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I'd say stop the run better and get teams in more 3rd and longs instead of 2nd or 3rd and 3 or less, but every time we got someone in 3rd and 12, some rookie QB would complete a 13 yard pass.

Ding ding ding. Thats the way. ALso helps to make a tackle where you hit guys, not allow them to fall foward for three yards. That happends way to much.

[spurstexanstros]

Originally Posted by Vinny

I'd say stop the run better and get teams in more 3rd and longs instead of 2nd or 3rd and 3 or less, but every time we got someone in 3rd and 12, some rookie QB would complete a 13 yard pass.

I would love to wager our combined salries that Petey Faggins was involved in those plays the last couple of years. That is why he hearned the name Petey " Big Play" Faggins, when other teams needed a first down they looked his way.

Seriously have we cut that guy yet? When he is I have a feeeling we will be able to make stops on third down.

[nunusguy]

"I want to preface this in saying that while sacks are invaluable and a great measure of how your pass rush is performing, I not only want to see that go up but QB pressures as well. Often times it's the pressure that leads to an interception... something else we've been severely lacking in."
*******************************************
To me that says it all - pressure on the QB. How do you get that pressure,
which may or may not result in a sack ? Primarily by pressure thru the pass-rush of the front 4 of course. So it seems that it all gets back to giving Mario
some help up front.

[WolverineFan]

The better your run defense is the more the other team will drop back to throw, thus more opportunities for sacks.

[DBCooper]

Fire Richard Smith!

Get better pass rushers.

Good pass rushers gets sacks.

[Mari-OWNED!]

Clone Mario Williams.

[ChampionTexan]

Originally Posted by Mari-OWNED!

Clone Mario Williams.

Would your user name then change to Mari-CLONED?

[barrett]

i would recommend that when the ball is snapped we should tackle the quarterback while he has the ball.

i think that's the best way to get more sacks.

[76Texan]

Another way to help creating 2nd or 3rd and long is to tackle better on first and second downs.

Whether you're a LB, a CB or a safety coming up on the run or defending the short pass.

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

Another way to help creating 2nd or 3rd and long is to tackle better on first and second downs.

Whether you're a LB, a CB or a safety coming up on the run or defending the short pass.

How about, now this is just a crazy thought, but, possibly if we disguised and mixed our coverages... maybe, that would create a level of uncertainty and cause the QB to hold on to the ball for a second longer. (I'm way out of the box here, but it's time for trying something just that crazy)

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by dalemurphy

How about, now this is just a crazy thought, but, possibly if we disguised and mixed our coverages... maybe, that would create a level of uncertainty and cause the QB to hold on to the ball for a second longer. (I'm way out of the box here, but it's time for trying something just that crazy)

That would take us one step further... to the overall plan of Grand Master Kubiak:

To win ugly with what we got.
Ball control offense, keeping the other team off the field.
Bend but don't break defense, keeping the game close.
Try to win it in the 4th quarter.

That was obvious with his comments before and during the season.
Except we failed in the redzone on both sides of the ball... a bit too often.
And the turnovers.

To me, personally, the TOs by the QBs was also at the forefront of the problem (and that one is squarely on Kubiak, he who's supposed be a QB's guru - or something close to it.)

[Shaft75]

Blitz more?

[76Texan]

Originally Posted by Shaft75

Blitz more?

I hope I do not offend anybody by saying that yeah the more hits you try, the more you score!

[Dapper]

How about winning the hitting war every game!

[Kaiser Toro]

Since we play a 4-3, I would start with rushing our four down linemen.