Stopping the run usually comes down to having more numbers in the area of the run than the offense has blockers. You can achieve it in different ways, but the goal of dominant run D is always to win the numbers game at the point of attack
You can also run light boxes that leave you more vulnerable to the run because you are focusing on limiting the passing game, e.g. running nickle early downs against heavier looking personnel/tight formations, and running 2 or 3 high shell coverages. I think Warhead is saying that this is the choice we are making, and I think he's probably right. It follows that we'd do this because of how weak we've been in the secondary. We also have to scheme most of our pressure by blitzing linebackers and stunting and stuff like that leaves you vulnerable when they check to runs.
Yeah that's definitely part of it. Light boxes. They didn't really have a CB they trusted at outside corner aside from Sainristill who improved as the season progressed.
Newton is more of a pass rusher than run stuffer and he had to play for a good chunk of the season. He's light for a DT. Logan Paulsen talked about this a ton on reviewing the games. And it was his rep in college. 7.5 sacks. Disruptive. And his PFF scores reflect it big time especially in the pros. But I like his potential moving forward albiet he had a meh rookie season. But heck I presume coming off of foot surgery on BOTH feet didn't help his quickness this season along with missing basically all of camp and the preseason.
I haven't studied Allen and Payne this season. Judging by their PFF both were horrible against the run (unusual for both) and decent but not great pass rushers. Wonder if that's because of how they were coached to play? Shoot through the gap and go get the passer?
Whitt to me is unproven. I am agnostic about him right now. Will see.
The draft seems loaded at DT and DE including edge setting type DEs. FA is pretty good too at DT both in terms of 3 technique types and 0-1 types. Be interesting to see how they approach it.
I just started watching the DTs and some are very tempting. Nolan, Grant if they fall to 29 maybe. And a deep draft too. It might be the deepest spot in the draft after RB.