Defense Is Back, Really!

[dgack]

Secondary coverage was mostly pretty good, and excellent at times, but we really need to run receiving drills with those guys, because it literally seems like our DB's can't catch a ball when it hits them in the numbers.

D-Line was creating a lot of pressure. No major complaints there.

Linebackers were solid, though I think we missed too many tackles. I really have no patience with sloppy tackling. If you get a body on a guy, he needs to come down. Too often in the past, we would grab a guy for a loss or minimal gain and let him bounce it back the other way for a huge gain.

Overall I'm really pleased with the defensive performance tonight. I'd like to see us creating more turnovers (that overruled fumble would have been a great start) but keeping guys out of our end zone is a pretty nice talent, too.

[skinsfaninok]

We are actually getting pressure on the QB!!! If we can only stay healthy this is a playoff type team!

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

You know who really did well tonight? David Macklin. The guy never got beat and, whenever they showed replays, #38 was on his man. Why this guy was inactive last week is perplexing.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

You know who really did well tonight? David Macklin. The guy never got beat and, whenever they showed replays, #38 was on his man. Why this guy was inactive last week is perplexing.

MackSmack!!!

He's definitely solid. And Torrence played well too

[Hijinx]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

MackSmack!!!

He's definitely solid. And Torrence played well too

Really saw a lot of different DBs in there tonight. I couldn't tell if it was a bunch of nickel/dime or substitutions. Or whether the subs were because of a plan or injury. Of course if the booth trio would stop talking about the Pat's cameragate maybe I coulda found out.

[70Chip]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

You know who really did well tonight? David Macklin. The guy never got beat and, whenever they showed replays, #38 was on his man. Why this guy was inactive last week is perplexing.

I concur. He looked good enough to start to me. I thought Carlos looked a lot better. Maybe his best game. Leigh Torrence even got a tackle. It was encouraging and I hope the secondary continues to gel. One thing is for sure; teams are definitely afraid to throw the ball down the deep middle. Sean Taylor is lurking. I hope he doesn't get discouraged by the fact that he can't make a lot of highlight plays because teams are simply not going to take the chance.

[Monksdown]

That's what depth is for, he's a quality cornerback. A good, sound number 4. We need to face a team with some offensive firepower spread throughout their wideouts, before we'll know the value of our depth at cb. The Eagles are back to the same old problem, no wideouts.

[RMSkins]

Defense played extremely well tonight. You have to give it up to them for not giving up a TD. The three sacks were nice, but the only problem I have with the D is the lack of turnovers. If the D can start creating more turnovers they will be a force to be reckoned with.

[JWsleep]

I agree that it'll be a test next week against NY's WRs and TEs, but Philly has the best underneath game in the league, IMO, and our D is not well designed for that. So they did well, given Philly's scheme.

What this D needs is TOs--watching the cowroids, it was like the Fins were trying to throw the ball to the roids DBs--why doesn't that happen to us? Is it our scheme? Bad luck? I think the TOs will come, but that's what this D is missing, and it's a big part of what Williams is trying to do, no doubt.

But only giving up FGs in philly, against MCNabb, who is one of the best red zone QBS--that's big time. To much underneath stuff and runs by Westbrook, but when it mattered, they held up. And they got some pressure and sacks. That's a very encouraging sign.

[JWsleep]

And don't forget, Westbrook is GOOD (much as I hate that fact). He's an all-around player, and he gives everyone fits. Great out of the backfield as a receiver, and great as a cut-back runner. Tough to stop, even if you key on him. Thank god philly has NO WRs!

[mooby]

Where was Shawn Springs? Once again we didn't see much of him. I was impressed with Leigh Torrence's and David Macklin's play though, they were pretty good. Overall though we have work to do because against some of the better offenses in the league this philosophy won't work.

We also need to work on our tackling, Westbrook was once again having a good game against us. We won't be facing a back of his caliber next week when we play the Giants, but if we don't wrap up we'll be looking at a nice performance by whoever the Giants are using to replace Jacobs.

The main gripe I have is once again we are failing to create turnovers. I realize we can still be a good D if we don't get turnovers, but turnovers are such a crucial part of the game. Through 2 games we have one fumble recovery and no picks. That's a pretty bad sign if you ask me. Look at Cincy, they got 6 turnovers from Baltimore in one game. Good teams make turnovers happen, and so far they aren't happening for us.

[AlvinWalton'sNeckBrace]

Originally Posted by mooby

Where was Shawn Springs? Once again we didn't see much of him. I was impressed with Leigh Torrence's and David Macklin's play though, they were pretty good. Overall though we have work to do because against some of the better offenses in the league this philosophy won't work.

We also need to work on our tackling, Westbrook was once again having a good game against us. We won't be facing a back of his caliber next week when we play the Giants, but if we don't wrap up we'll be looking at a nice performance by whoever the Giants are using to replace Jacobs.

The main gripe I have is once again we are failing to create turnovers. I realize we can still be a good D if we don't get turnovers, but turnovers are such a crucial part of the game. Through 2 games we have one fumble recovery and no picks. That's a pretty bad sign if you ask me. Look at Cincy, they got 6 turnovers from Baltimore in one game. Good teams make turnovers happen, and so far they aren't happening for us.

Cincy also allowed 51 points to the browns...I'll take our no turnovers and 1 touchdown allowed in two games played

[jbcjr14]

Fletcher, Marcus Washington and Rocky McIntosh -- combined for 20 tackles and two sacks.

Enough said! Our LB's are making the play our safeties had to make last year!

[irish]

The D is playing much better this year but I would like to see how they do against a team with some offensive fire-power.

[Beemnseven]

Originally Posted by irish

The D is playing much better this year but I would like to see how they do against a team with some offensive fire-power.

Yeah, that is a relevant point. We haven't seen anyone with any real firepower yet. The Giants and Lions will pose more of a threat through the air.

God help us when we meet the Patriots.