Rush or Cover excellent QBs?

[RA30]

If u are a defensive coordinator and facing an excellent QB in the other team(e.g. Favre, Warner, Manning etc), would you...

1) Rush and try to pressure the QB
or
2) Play Coverage to limit passing lanes


This came about watching the Cardinals-Packers game when the analysts including Jimmy Johnson all said to rush an inexperienced QB and to play coverage against good QBs.
Well, that didnt seem to work out playing coverage.

Personally, playing Madden, I always rush/blitz the QB.

What would you do?

[CW McGraw]

Depends. The Dolphins desperately rushed the living crap out of Peyton Manning, but he scored every time he touched the ball. With Brees, we blitzed him into oblivion and had success in the first half and then played coverage the rest of the day largely unsuccessfully. There's no right way to stop a Hall of Famer other than simply having overwhelming talent.

[kehlis]

Must have a successful combination of both. Can't be one or the other.

[Cebby]

It depends entirely on the defense you have and the players around the quarterback.

Personally if you can get it, I'll take pressure all day. Quarterbacks whether Jamarcus Russell or Peyton Manning don't do well when they're on their back.

[SPTO]

You need a combination of both in a game, have multiple looks on defense and disguise the blitz package as best as you can.

[NYJets]

The key is to mix it up, but how much of each depends on your team. If you can get to the QB, go after him. Just about every time Brady, Manning, etc. has a bad game, the key is that he was under pressure. If you don't have good pass rushers, then sit back in coverage. You'll have no hope of stopping them, but you at least can limit big plays, and maybe make a couple of plays on 3rd down or force a couple turnovers.

[OSUFan_88]

Not only rush, but rush up the middle. 90% of the QB's in the NFL cannot throw well on the move.

If you get Manning or Brady out of the pocket, you've done your job.

[Vince]

Quote: Originally Posted by OSUFan_88

Not only rush, but rush up the middle. 90% of the QB's in the NFL cannot throw well on the move. If you get Manning or Brady out of the pocket, you've done your job.

THIS

Warner was only rushed on the edge.

Jones and Matthews were completely shut down . They (GB) never blitzed the A gap.