Problems with the Defense, IMHO

[CrazyCanuck]

Originally Posted by djnemo65

There are two problems for this year: first, except for Griffin our d-line is mediocre. Second, and this is scary to deal with, it looks like our entire defense could only be slightly above mediocre as well. We all knew, or at least suspected that this might be the case before the beginning of last season, but seemed to forget it after our defense so severely overachieved. Drunk on our own success, every last person on this board - and I absolutely include myself in this - forgot that we are a defensive of relatively pedestrian talent - at least on paper. Moreover, we all forgot that our defense had played above its abilities, remarkably, for an entire season, and would have to continue to overachieve to maintain that level of success. We all praised the genius of Greg Williams, deservedly so, and took it for granted that with Lavar back 21 points a game from the offense this year would get us 14-2.

The key to all of this was the exotic blitz packages that no one could seem to find an answer for. That, and smart linebacker play (led by Pierce) to check the run. We could get to the qb and force a rushed throw on third and long. This disguised the weakness of our front four as well as our relatively mediocre coverage skills, particularly with our second and nickel CB's. Now that teams have learned how to effectively parry any blitz we bring (seemingly 100 percent of the time) it is becoming clear that we don't have the coverage skills downfield to effectively defend the pass. Which brings me back to my first point, that our defensive line is lacking. Until we can count on the guys up front to consistently generating pressure ala Carolina, we are going to continue to get burned.

I know someone will argue that we played well defensively today; that we only gave up 16 points and stood strong at the end of the game. And that's true. But this is the third straight game where our defense had the whole field to stop our opponent with the game on the line and couldn't do it (I'm counting the end of the Eagles game because of the ease with which they got in scoring position, even though we stopped them in the redzone). I'm not trying to beat up on our defense. I love their heart and character, and admire the success they have had as a unit. I'm just suggesting that maybe we need to reevaluate how good we really are.

Sorry this was so long but these last two games have caused alot of emotion to build up inside and this is the best way I can think of to vent (I tried punching my coffee table but that didn't work).

Fantastic post.

I agree 110%.

[offiss]

I don't know how we can really blame our defense, they scored our only TD of the game, [ and outscored our offence for the game ] and held the Raiders to 16 points, we turned the ball over 2 times, they kept the Raiders to a field goal on first and goal at the 1, and did force a TO on that goal line stand which obviously we didn't get, our defense outplayed our offense today without a doubt, when's the last time our offense bailed out our defense? Yet our defense is alway's looked upon to bail out our offense, and when they fail it's their fault not the inability of our offense to seal a game with a first down, or score a TD, do they have their faults on defense? Yes! but they are not nearly the problem our offense is!

[Redskins8588]

Originally Posted by offiss

I don't know how we can really blame our defense, they scored our only TD of the game, [ and outscored our offence for the game ] and held the Raiders to 16 points, we turned the ball over 2 times, they kept the Raiders to a field goal on first and goal at the 1, and did force a TO on that goal line stand which obviously we didn't get, our defense outplayed our offense today without a doubt, when's the last time our offense bailed out our defense? Yet our defense is alway's looked upon to bail out our offense, and when they fail it's their fault not the inability of our offense to seal a game with a first down, or score a TD, do they have their faults on defense? Yes! but they are not nearly the problem our offense is!

Not to add fuel to the fire, but did you watch last weeks game against Tampa? Our offense did put up 35 points, and our D gave up 36 points. Even our D players said something to the effect, "It's our worst game, so much worse because our offense gave us 35 points," Clark said of the secondary. So that is why people are blaming our D, hell they even blame themselves. I agree that we need to step up on both sides of the ball, but after last years D performance so many were hoping for a repeat and not realizing that we were hurting this bad on our front 4.

[Gmanc711]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

Not to add fuel to the fire, but did you watch last weeks game against Tampa? Our offense did put up 35 points, and our D gave up 36 points. Even our D players said something to the effect, "It's our worst game, so much worse because our offense gave us 35 points," Clark said of the secondary. So that is why people are blaming our D, hell they even blame themselves. I agree that we need to step up on both sides of the ball, but after last years D performance so many were hoping for a repeat and not realizing that we were hurting this bad on our front 4.

But that was last week. I'm with offiss on this one. Every week its a different unit, player or person, which freaking sucks. This week it was the offenseive unit, last week it was the defensive unit. This team can not put a complete game together for the life of them.

[offiss]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

Not to add fuel to the fire, but did you watch last weeks game against Tampa? Our offense did put up 35 points, and our D gave up 36 points. Even our D players said something to the effect, "It's our worst game, so much worse because our offense gave us 35 points," Clark said of the secondary. So that is why people are blaming our D, hell they even blame themselves. I agree that we need to step up on both sides of the ball, but after last years D performance so many were hoping for a repeat and not realizing that we were hurting this bad on our front 4.

Take a look who wasen't in the lineup last week as well, Taylor, and Griffen, Taylor is a major player on our defense, of coarse the defense isn't going to make excuses because of injuries especially this group, they believe they can stop anyone, but it's awfully tough when your missing 2 players who may be the best in the game at their positions.

I believe if Taylor played last week we win that game against Tampa he's that valuable.

[SmootSmack]

I wonder if we miss Noble at all. Either way we definitely need to get some pass rushers in there. I sort of liked it against the Niners when we went with the 3-4. In fact has Holdman even been on the field these past couple of weeks?

[MTK]

It's very simple, we just don't have the talent up front to get the job done rushing the passer. We can blame the coaches all we want, but look at the names up front. This unit needs a serious overhaul. I wouldn't mind Wynn and Daniels as backups, but it's definitely time to replace both guys with some DE's who can get after the QB. We somehow got away with mediocre talent on the DL last year, but this year it's finally catching up with us.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

It's very simple, we just don't have the talent up front to get the job done rushing the passer. We can blame the coaches all we want, but look at the names up front. This unit needs a serious overhaul. I wouldn't mind Wynn and Daniels as backups, but it's definitely time to replace both guys with some DE's who can get after the QB. We somehow got away with mediocre talent on the DL last year, but this year it's finally catching up with us.

The coaches are as much to blame for the lack of pass rush as the front four are. They knew last year that the starting DE's were useless as far as the pass rush, and they had ample time to do something about it. Instead, they drafted a corner to sure up the pass coverage...

But seriously, this line has needed an overhauling for almost five years, and the only positive thing that has happened in that time is the addition of Griffin.

[MTK]

We probably won't be laughing at the Rogers pick at this time next year, though I guess that's not soon enough for the people who are already convinced he's a bust.

You can't address every single need each year, if only it were that easy.

GW needs to regroup this offseason with this schemes and most definitely his personnel. Stuff that worked last year isn't working this year, and we've had some key injuries.

Maybe next year we can finally get the offense and defense on the same page.

[Southpaw]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We probably won't be laughing at the Rogers pick at this time next year, though I guess that's not soon enough for the people who are already convinced he's a bust.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not labeling Carlos Rogers a bust at the moment. I actually think he's as good or better at tackling than any of our other corners, and I've only seen him get beat deep once, which isn't bad for a rookie. My only real knock against his is that he plays very soft intermediate coverage.

My main point is the D line has been a problem for years, and the coaching staff has put forth very little effort to fix it.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Mattyk72

We probably won't be laughing at the Rogers pick at this time next year, though I guess that's not soon enough for the people who are already convinced he's a bust.

You can't address every single need each year, if only it were that easy.

GW needs to regroup this offseason with this schemes and most definitely his personnel. Stuff that worked last year isn't working this year, and we've had some key injuries.

Maybe next year we can finally get the offense and defense on the same page.

corners were plentiful and cheap in FA, DEs weren't... rolle, dyson, henry, surtain, baxter, and ty law among others...

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by That Guy

corners were plentiful and cheap in FA, DEs weren't... rolle, dyson, henry, surtain, baxter, and ty law among others...

A lot of those corners didn't come cheap and/or came with baggage (i.e. Ty Law's injury). Plus, a problem with drafting dlinemen is they don't develop quickly and they are so hit or miss. So, I think it's a little early to say we shouldn't have drafted Rogers. Let's give him a little more than one season to prove his worth.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by That Guy

corners were plentiful and cheap in FA, DEs weren't... rolle, dyson, henry, surtain, baxter, and ty law among others...

corners may have been plentiful but I don't know about cheap

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

corners may have been plentiful but I don't know about cheap

baxter and rolle got deals close to springs i believe (with less bonus money), henry got 21 over 5 (too much), dyson 17 over 5 and rogers 11 over 5... dyson is a much better deal right now and he'd let you pick up a non corner in the draft... the team was willing to pay 30mill to smoot, and that 30mill would buy any of those 4 and they'd have an immediate impact.

And yeah, law came with baggage, but he also came VERY cheap for his skill level, which when 100% can be top 3-5.

[firstdown]

Its funny that this time last year we were worried that a team would try to make GW their head coach. Thats one thing I don't think we have to worry about this year.