Is the Cover 2 defense a complete sham?

**Bowser** · 12-10-2006, 07:36 PM

I know it's easy to say not only yes, but hell yes, especially after two losses in a row. I'm asking this based on the three teams I can think of that run a Cover 2 as their bease defense - us, the Colts, and the Bucs. None of these teams are anything special on defense, and Indy got embarrassed by Jax running it for nearly 400 yards on them.

I hate it. I hate any kind of bend-but-don't-break zone defense that dictates your best players on D not matching up with the offense's best players. I know the theory is to give them whatever they want underneath and flow to the ball, but this type of defense just isn't working. This Cover 2, or Tampa 2, was made famous by a collection of very good athletes at the peaks of their careers - Sapp, Lynch, Brooks, Rice....

I think this defense is way overhyped, and should in no way ever be deployed as a base defense. Certain situations, maybe, but not a base defense.

I guess my question is - is the defensive scheme crap, or are they players executing it crap?

ChiefsfaninPA · 12-10-2006, 07:37 PM

Cover 2 sucks unless every player on the field is of pro-bowl caliber.

milkman · 12-10-2006, 07:38 PM

The Bears run a cover-2.

The Steelers of the 70's ran a cover-2.

To answer the question, it's the players.

Deberg_1990 · 12-10-2006, 07:38 PM

Dont the Bears run a Cover 2??

milkman · 12-10-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsfaninPA

Cover 2 sucks unless every player on the field is of pro-bowl caliber.

That's not true.

For it to be successful, you need DT's that can get a push in the middle, and a front 4 that can get pressure.

CoMoChief · 12-10-2006, 07:40 PM

I think the system is good for not letting up the big play. Just because we run a cover 2 doesn't mean we can't blitz. We need to blitz LB's more and jam WR's at the line.

Overall we need to be more disciplined. It just really sucks when we ignored the defensive side of the ball for so long and now we are paying dearly for it.

milkman · 12-10-2006, 07:41 PM

Someone in the chat today gave our defense the perfect name.

(tinyevel?)

Cover Who.

ChiefsfaninPA · 12-10-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

That's not true.

For it to be successful, you need DT's that can get a push in the middle, and a front 4 that can get pressure.

So basically you need good players like I said.

StcChief · 12-10-2006, 07:41 PM

We don't have the players now.

That's how they plan on dumping our not up to it players.

Don't fit what we do.

Whatever it takes

**Bowser** · 12-10-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milkman

Someone in the chat today gave our defense the perfect name.

(tinyevel?)

Cover Who.

Awesome!

ClevelandChief · 12-10-2006, 07:43 PM

No, the problem is that Wesley is a giant vagina who has no idea how to cover a zone. Knight knows his role but he's dirt slow. We need to get rid of some of the DV rejects and let Herm get some actual talent at safety.

tk13 · 12-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Don't forget the Bears run it, and they're a nightmare to play.

I think it's had a lot of success because it forces you to not make mistakes... and in today's watered down NFL, teams can't go the whole game without making mistakes. There aren't that many great QB's. And then you have DB's and LB's all in position to catch everything that's overthrown/thrown wide... sometimes I do think it is kind of the Martyball of defenses... at least for a lot of teams that run it, you're kind of waiting on someone else to screw up. Although the Bears are pretty aggressive out of it, they're very talented though, especially up front.

milkman · 12-10-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsfaninPA

So basically you need good players like I said.

No, that isn't what you said.

You don't need pro-bowl calibre players at every position.

FringeNC · 12-10-2006, 07:44 PM

I think the cover-2 was designed to stop the West Coast offense, and it did a good job. Very few teams run the WCO anymore, though.

Dark Horse · 12-10-2006, 07:44 PM

I'd be ecstatic if they could just cover one.

12-10-2006, 07:36 PM
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $3311616	Is the Cover 2 defense a complete sham? I know it's easy to say not only yes, but hell yes, especially after two losses in a row. I'm asking this based on the three teams I can think of that run a Cover 2 as their bease defense - us, the Colts, and the Bucs. None of these teams are anything special on defense, and Indy got embarrassed by Jax running it for nearly 400 yards on them. I hate it. I hate any kind of bend-but-don't-break zone defense that dictates your best players on D not matching up with the offense's best players. I know the theory is to give them whatever they want underneath and flow to the ball, but this type of defense just isn't working. This Cover 2, or Tampa 2, was made famous by a collection of very good athletes at the peaks of their careers - Sapp, Lynch, Brooks, Rice.... I think this defense is way overhyped, and should in no way ever be deployed as a base defense. Certain situations, maybe, but not a base defense. I guess my question is - is the defensive scheme crap, or are they players executing it crap?
Posts: 100,885

12-10-2006, 07:37 PM	#2
ChiefsfaninPA "F_ck Family Fun Night" Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: York, PA Casino cash: $10005025	Cover 2 sucks unless every player on the field is of pro-bowl caliber.
Posts: 2,373

12-10-2006, 07:38 PM	#3
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	The Bears run a cover-2. The Steelers of the 70's ran a cover-2. To answer the question, it's the players. __________________
Posts: 70,769

12-10-2006, 07:38 PM	#4
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3864454	Dont the Bears run a Cover 2?? __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

12-10-2006, 07:40 PM	#6
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $8042254	I think the system is good for not letting up the big play. Just because we run a cover 2 doesn't mean we can't blitz. We need to blitz LB's more and jam WR's at the line. Overall we need to be more disciplined. It just really sucks when we ignored the defensive side of the ball for so long and now we are paying dearly for it.
Posts: 39,163

12-10-2006, 07:41 PM	#7
milkman Dumbass! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Leading the Marty bashing Casino cash: $10029395	Someone in the chat today gave our defense the perfect name. (tinyevel?) Cover Who. __________________
Posts: 70,769

12-10-2006, 07:41 PM	#9
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	We don't have the players now. That's how they plan on dumping our not up to it players. Don't fit what we do. Whatever it takes __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

12-10-2006, 07:43 PM	#11
ClevelandChief Balls balls balls Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Youngstown, Ohio Casino cash: $10004900	No, the problem is that Wesley is a giant vagina who has no idea how to cover a zone. Knight knows his role but he's dirt slow. We need to get rid of some of the DV rejects and let Herm get some actual talent at safety.
Posts: 203

12-10-2006, 07:43 PM	#12
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1852500	Don't forget the Bears run it, and they're a nightmare to play. I think it's had a lot of success because it forces you to not make mistakes... and in today's watered down NFL, teams can't go the whole game without making mistakes. There aren't that many great QB's. And then you have DB's and LB's all in position to catch everything that's overthrown/thrown wide... sometimes I do think it is kind of the Martyball of defenses... at least for a lot of teams that run it, you're kind of waiting on someone else to screw up. Although the Bears are pretty aggressive out of it, they're very talented though, especially up front.
Posts: 54,970

12-10-2006, 07:44 PM	#14
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $1646014	I think the cover-2 was designed to stop the West Coast offense, and it did a good job. Very few teams run the WCO anymore, though.
Posts: 10,173

12-10-2006, 07:44 PM	#15
Dark Horse Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $8595015	I'd be ecstatic if they could just cover one.
Posts: 1,396