Up Close: Phins Run ‘D’ Failure… Players or Staff

Flores’ defensive philosophy is based on a stout run defense

The Phins 2019 Season opened up with the Ravens ripping off a 49-yard run on their very first offensive play. Baltimore’s rushing success continued through the rest of the game to the tune of 265 yards on 46 carries.

Some context on these numbers is that a fake punt generated 60 yards, which shines a little of the ugly off the total. So, sans this play, the defense really relinquished about 205 yards on 45 carries. Still not good…

… not good at all.

Here’s a look at the run dispersion and effectiveness of the two most prolific Ravens rushers, courtesy of the NFL’s Next Gen stats.

Considering how effective the Phins rush defense was in preseason, this failure was the biggest shock. Of course, the meltdown of the passing game is a close second. But that can of worms is for another discussion.

The real question is are the Dolphins really this bad at stopping the run and where does the responsibility lay? Is the issue the scheme, the staff, lack of talent, poor techniques and reads by the players… or a combination?

This study isn’t soup to nuts comprehensive of the game, rather it will highlight some overt themes in the failures of the run defense. But, I did get somewhat dense on the plays covered.

I’ll throw it right out there, this wasn’t a matter of the Dolphins being dominated physically… mentally yes according to the PPH sportsbook service, physically no.

The opening play in all its ‘glory’:

Keys to this play

• Davon Godchaux slides to the A-Gap presnap. By doing this he leaves the B-Gap even more exposed. And this is right where the play is going with pulling linemen. Bad timing.
• This is very strange for two reasons. He is sliding away from the strong side of the offense and DT Jenkins takes an inside move, which causes the DTs to pinch.
• Someone screwed up. My guess is Godchaux because not only does he slide inside, but his first step is inside. This leaves Ledbetter covering a ton of range and gives a free lane for the O-Tackle to fold Godchaux on a double and then to peel off and to block MLB Baker.
• Baker misses a JV read with the pulling linemen. This is the most basic key for an LB. Not once does Baker take a wider view of the play. Given this key, it is very troubling. He has tunnel vision with his first responsibility of the left side B-Gap.
• He also drifts towards the Line of scrimmage. Because he gets so shallow he gets trapped.
• The runner has 3 gaps covered by two defenders with two holes to choose from. Pretty easy play. The perfect call by the Ravens in light of the mistakes made by Baker and Godchaux.

This is a 2-Gap system, not 1 Gap. Godchaux should have controlled the A AND B Gap. This would have taken away an open gap for the runner and kept Baker cleaner. Also, Baker can’t be an MLB and have tunnel vision. This is shades of last year’s play at MLB.

Godchaux is still growing in his 2-Gap technique

• Godchaux is again pinching too much.
• Notice the tackle, Orlando Brown Jr., first looks at Godchaux to see if he needs to chip before his double on Ledbetter. Brown dismisses Godchaux because he has slide himself out of the play by chasing O-Guard Yanda. This isn’t a proper technique or understanding of leverage in 2-Gap.
• Because Godchaux has slid out of the play, 280 Lb Ledbetter must handle the double of 345lb Brown and 270lb TE Boyle. He does remarkably well in this Herculean task.
• Godchaux does show his talent though by almost making the tackle. If he had understood the situation and leverage needed better, he’d of made the tackle.

Mr. Jones should understand this situation and respond accordingly

• Jones is the last man on the Line of Scrimmage who is flanked by a blocker. He sees the motion coming his way… so why does he line up inside the blocker? And more pathetically why does he take his first step inside and then look surprised that he is getting blocked?
• It’s mindblowing that he doesn’t understand the situation. Yes, he makes the key tackle down by the goal-line later this drive, but this is inexcusable. This is why he doesn’t fit in this scheme. He’s inconsistent. This scheme is based on consistency from all eleven. Maybe he should have shown up to more practices?
• If he had just lined up even on the blocker or had his first step to get even, he could have strung out the play. This is Jones going rogue and trying to get inside to make the big play. If not, then he has little football understanding…. which I find hard to believe.
• Baker tries to split the blockers to save the situation. Instead, he should have slowed down the play until help arrived by stringing it with an outside pursuit.

Football is a game of leverage… both for the player and the play call

• DE Avery Moss takes his first step inside. Every other LOS defender and offensive blocker step outside.
• Again, this is a poor understanding of leverage both for the player and the situation. Moss traps himself and helps block Baker.
• While the play doesn’t go for much, this is a major theme of the day.
• 2-Gap is about team defense. 1-Gap is more about disruption and raw talent. Now, talent does come into play in 2-Gap of course, but there is less leeway for a parnters’ missteps in this dance.

Avery and Wilts lose leverage

• DE Avery loses leverage again by pressing too much inside and losing contain.
• DB Wiltz… I don’t know where he is going. He has 3 defenders in front of him and he abandons contain as he runs all over the field like a chicken with his head cut off. He does get into position, but can’t finish. If he had been patient, his chances to stop the run would have been much greater

Are we doomed in run defense?

Davon Godchaux had those two missteps, but other than that he was lights out with a Run-D PFF Grade of 81.3. Although, that first mistake cost the Phins big. Avery, Wiltz, and Baker were terrible all-day with a Run-D PFF Grade of 55.1, 27.1, and 46.2, respectively.

Baker is the biggest concern for the Phins run defense. You can’t have a Mike LB with tunnel vision.

Some might say what about Raekwon in a more conventional 3-4? That’s an article in itself.

I don’t see the Phins staff as the primary fault in the failure to stop the run. Although as I continue to study the film maybe I’ll change my mind. The one key area where I blame the staff is on the fake punt.

This was like taking candy from a baby.

Overall, though, if you minus the two big runs of 60 yards on the punt and the opening 49 yarder, the Phins weren’t a disaster. While I wondered about the loss of Vincent Taylor, his replacement, John Jenkins was outstanding and is a good fit. Charles Harris and Ledbetter both had pretty good days as well, so I do see some light. But this will all come down to Baker and Sam Eguavoen improving.

You know Belichick will look to do to them what he did to McMillan last year. Also, you can bet with the top bookie software services that he’s going to try and repeat all those bombs for touchdowns the Ravens had as well. Gordon and Brown could make it ugly again. Let’s hope not. Go Phins!!!

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