Strategery: "Bend But Don't Break" Defense Edition

We have been a little tough on some of the other Bengals blogs out there when we think they make statements that provide cover for the Bengals' horrible incompetence.  Thus, it is only equitable if we extend a little praise when they make statements that in just a few sentences completely dismantle the foundation upon which something like, I don't know, the entire defensive philosophy, rests.

So on that note, it's time for another edition of Strategery!  (go here and read the first edition before moving on please, things will make more sense later...also, if anyone can find the video of the SNL skit which coined the term please link to it in the comments, sorry Bush fans, but it IS funny).  This time, instead of critiquing strategy at the micro level, we will focus on the macro level and look at our defensive strategy the past few years.  In a nutshell, the idea was to not give up big plays, take few risks, and use the blitz to create pressure only sparingly.  The consequences have been ugly, to put it mildly (see photo).   Why?  Take it away Strype Hype:

"All the “bend but don’t break” defensive philosophy of the Breshnahan era did was to keep the offense off the field while the D surrendered seven- and eight-minute drives. Take some risks. Sure, you’ll get burned some, but at least it gets the O back out quickly and who knows? You might even make a few big defensive plays, too."

Indeed, perhaps it is a good philosophy if you have good players on defense, but we, of course, have TERRIBLE players on defense.  The default outcome for our defense is that the opponent will drive and score.  Thus, we might as well take some chances.  Worst case the opponent scores fast (they were gonna score in all likelihood anyway) and the offense is right back out there or best case we create a turnover.

But in the broader sense, these two editions of Strategery combine to demonstrate the ignorance of our coaching staff the past few years.  A "Bend But Don't Break" strategy coupled with rarely going for it 4th down combine to maximize the time the defense is on the field while minimizing the time the offense is on the field.  Read that again.  In general, no matter the relative strength of these two units, it is wise to do the opposite...maximize the time the offense is on the field.  This is all the more true when the offensive unit is much stronger than the defensive unit (note:  one of the exceptions to this may have been the Ravens in recent years, when their defense actually may have had a better chance of scoring than their sorry offense).

However, there is reason for hope, new coach Mike Zimmer appears to be non-retarded, so perhaps our defensive strategy will be altered in the upcoming year so that it does not minimize our chance to win.

Comments

[Reggie Rembert]

Zimmer's non-retardness seems to only be the beginning. He seems to have our corners playing very tight, physical man so we can get after the QB more...hardly bend don't break. We'll see if he can in fact implement and if Jon Jo and Leon are up to the challenge.

I got faith in Zimmer. I have faith in our corners. It is the rest of the defensive personnel that concerns me.