Why Would You Want This Type Of Defense?

[Brett Snyder]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

[OLD FAN MAN]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

works great if your ahead 30 pts,sucks if your behind, why not be unpredicatable

[presto123]

Just like it is a cop out to say this team is built around Manning it is also a cop out to make excuses for a defense that is sub par every year. Why settle? Your goal should be to have the best defense in the league regardless of whether you are ahead or behind. If your defense isn't getting any better over(oh lets say a decade) maybe it's time to change something up in the philosophy or type of players you're drafting.

[Blue Horseshoe]

BSPN translation of Polian's statement

"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything."

[swflacoltsfans]

I like our catch-and-chase defense. You let the receiver catch every pass and chase him down the field. Seems to be working great.

[SoldierColtsFan]

Pretty simple answer to the topic. Most people I talk to don't want it, point blank, bottom line.

This we "play with the lead" defense translates into "we can manage to keep just enough points off the board as long as Manning is dominating the ball and putting up enough points" defense. In short, it's rubbish, has been a joke for a while now.

The objective of any defense is to prevent the opposition from scoring and disrupting their offensive gameplan. Our "d" does not do that, it consists of 2 pass rush specialist DEs, a soft middle and much open space on the back end, designed to "lull" the other team into passing it in hopes the DEs get enough pressure to get a sack and/or force a mistake and if anything else happens these guys are incapable of stopping it. They want to force the other team into perfect execution, which with the talent and scheme we have a less than perfect execution gets the job done now.

The defense needs rebuilt and a new scheme installed, one designed to STOP the other team, you know a complimentary system for Manning not one that forces him to play perfect week in and week out to keep this team afloat. So outside of QB #1 these drafts need to be gearing torwards real defensive playmakers, Nevis is a good start, but he is just one deep at a very important position, a SS is needed badly and some CBs that would actually make another team's roster talentwise would be nice too. This defense is so terrible that relying on the draft alone will not get the job done, some mid level FA vets will be needed to fill some holes and show the youth "how it's done".... I just don't see it happening, been complaining this exact complaint for years, but I will keep the faith, maybe the hot mess this year has truly opened some eyes and something meaningful will get done for a change.

[sfergson727]

BSPN translation of Polian's statement

"I didn't do it. Nobody saw me do it. You can't prove anything, in fact, it's your fault for noticing it"

Fixed it for you.

[Fatboyslim11]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

Just another example of Polian's stubborness and inability to think outside his own closed reality. His mentality appears to go into bunker like mode where he thinks he knows more than anyone else and darnit, he is not going to change his mind.

I hope Irsay puts down the tweeter pipe long enough to realize this out of it Vice Chairman is ruining a great franchise and is alienating his customer base.

[oldunclemark]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

It creates turnovers (see the Bears) if you tackle well because you get a lot of free shots..

It also prevents you from getting beaten deep.

Its an answer top 4 and 5 WR spreads which seek out tour worst DB

It creates shootouts which the Colts won when they had a QB

[smittywerb]

Polian just admitted that this entire team is built for Peyton. SMH Even thought I already knew this, I never liked it.

[Jaric]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

There are two reasons.

1. It's what Tony Dungy ran.

2. It's cheaper to staff players because no one wants small fast guys on defense because they get pushed around a lot and wear out at the end of the year.

[oldunclemark]

There are two reasons.

1. It's what Tony Dungy ran.

2. It's cheaper to staff players because no one wants small fast guys on defense because they get pushed around a lot and wear out at the end of the year.

True words..

all our No.1 drafts (except for Hughes) are on offense...//Polian seems to believe you can get defensive players who are just off the street.

[mahagga73]

"In the years when we were a Super Bowl contender, which is really the last 10 years, our defense, the Tampa-2 defense, is never going to lead the league in defense and it is never going to lead the league in getting off the field on third down." - Bill Polian

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

this is a scheme that can work if you have a high powered offense and never keep or acquire any elite talent on defense.

[chrisfarley]

Just say it, the cover-2, tampa-2 is a prevent defense. let's call it what it is. we don't have the right personnel group for this defense. it s-u-x.

[bavanlan]

Ok, now I get it. I understand the Tampa-2. I understand how we want to run it. My problem is, why be ok with the mediocrity of the scheme?

I think one appeal of the Tampa-2 is the belief that with few exceptions (Freeney), you could fill it with lower-cost and lesser experienced players, allowing you to spend more freely at the offensive positions and to surround Manning with more weapons (or keep Manning, lol) and THAT use of resources would be more productive.

It's accepting your shortcomings on defense because they allow more benefit to the offense than loss to the defense, making the team better as a whole.

Theoretically.

[21isSuperman]

I believe it was in 2007 where we had the 3rd overall defense and the 1st defense in terms of scoring.

Someone said earlier that this kind of defense works great if you are ahead by 30 points...but so would putting a college defense in there.