The Official Defense Has Major Issues/Fire Jim Haslett Thread

[#56fanatic]

I am just curious at what point (if at all) they start using more 4-3 during the games, especially in running situations. I was very excited to see us install a 3-4 pittsburg style of defense in the offseason, but right now we are getting gashed in every way possibe. I know that switching now could cause more issues, but it could just as easily turn this season around. Guys are more familiar with the 4-3, and we honestly have a pretty damn good front rotation if we switch back. Good coaches adapt to what is given to them, and right now Haslett/Shanny have to see what they were given, which was not a 3-4 defensive personel group. It has been only 3 games, i realize that, and i know it will take time to improve. My only thing is if we are getting beat as bad as we are right now, switching back couldn't be any worse. Plus with the schedule looking as daunting as it is what else would we have to loose. The Eagles are scoring at will, the colts...well are the colts and the packers can put up points with the best of them. Rogers is no JOKE.

[skinsfan69]

Let's just see how they do this week. Last week is done. And even though the defense got torched by the WORST team in the NFL, w/ a ROOKIE QB and it's BEST player on the bench, we've just got to be patient. But it's hard when the FO builds the team to win now. I expect the defense to play well against team like STL and Det.

[SirClintonPortis]

Yeah, banking on Kemo was what made Shanahan thought he could win now. Guess that blew up in his face.

Assisting in lower AH's value. Can't totally blame AH, he's a passing rushing DT, not a statue of Easter Island.

[Longtimefan]

^^ I understand where you're coming from Matty, the only problem with your assessment is that seemingly too few people actually have that long run mentality within their grasp. For a great many people, as you've witnessed so many times right here on this forum, it's win now or else. If you don't win now you don't have the luxary of a long run, what you do have is what some are suggesting should now be the fate of Haslett after only three games.

[Mechanix544]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

^^ I understand where you're coming from Matty, the only problem with your assessment is that seemingly too few people actually have that long run mentality within their grasp. For a great many people, as you've witnessed so many times right here on this forum, it's win now or else. If you don't win now you don't have the luxary of a long run, what you do have is what some are suggesting should now be the fate of Haslett after only three games.

Not that I disagree, but the general mood as a whole that was being promoted thru the whole organization was "Win Now". I think the people on this board in particular, would have had no problem building the team up, all while trying to be as competitive as we could. Being aware that the team would get younger and need room and time to grow is a concept that I think could have gained plenty of traction, had it been the course of choice for the front office. Obviously, with the addition of McNabb, and other old vets, among other reasons, the win now attitude ran rampant, and me, like many, got caught up in the "possibility".

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Mechanix544

Not that I disagree, but the general mood as a whole that was being promoted thru the whole organization was "Win Now". I think the people on this board in particular, would have had no problem building the team up, all while trying to be as competitive as we could. Being aware that the team would get younger and need room and time to grow is a concept that I think could have gained plenty of traction, had it been the course of choice for the front office. Obviously, with the addition of McNabb, and other old vets, among other reasons, the win now attitude ran rampant, and me, like many, got caught up in the "possibility".

I understand your point, even adopted the slogan. Now that it seems doubtful there's going to be anything close to a quick turn around, we can't allow that to diminish the aspirations and/or prospects for the future, or give up on the current regime. Plan "B" maybe!!

[davy]

This situation is not a complete surprise.
Posted 3 months ago...

"Re: Predict the front 7 starters

However they line them up they aren't gonna frighten anybody.

I think our defence will stink this year."

[Defensewins]

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that Shanahan has a ton of pride and is a bit stubborn. Incorporating the 4-3 even in a small way does not seem likely, because Shanahan is too proud and to him it would imply failure or admitting he was wrong. I never understood why they scrapped the 4-3 all together. Seems drastic.

[MTK]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that Shanahan has a ton of pride and is a bit stubborn. Incorporating the 4-3 even in a small way does not seem likely, because Shanahan is too proud and to him it would imply failure or admitting he was wrong. I never understood why they scrapped the 4-3 all together. Seems drastic.

It hasn't been scrapped completely, we saw some 4-3 looks last week.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Defensewins

Correct me if I am wrong, but it seems to me that Shanahan has a ton of pride and is a bit stubborn. Incorporating the 4-3 even in a small way does not seem likely, because Shanahan is too proud and to him it would imply failure or admitting he was wrong. I never understood why they scrapped the 4-3 all together. Seems drastic.

Shanahan is a really prideful man and would be really slow to admit he was wrong, or even that he has a problem setting up defenses for long term, sustainable success.

With that said, any admission of wrongdoing in this specific case would simply be foolhardy. Haslett is doing some perplexing things with his defense (there's no obvious "contain" defender on a lot of calls), but nothing inexcusable. He's certainly adapted to his defense from going from almost entirely zone defenses in the opener, to a lot of man defenses in this game. Showing great flexibility in coverages week to week is a positive.

Question I'm trying to answer from the game tape is whether we have the guys to play those coverages.

[artmonkforhallofamein07]

Our problem with the 3-4 is we have good DEs playing as bad OLBs, because we have no OLBs.... Rak is OK, but really if he is going to rush all the time let him put his hasnd in the ground. Carter is suspect at best in coverage. Same with Zo, GB had some great Lbs on thier team to complete this move. We don't.

Matty I have no problem making the switch but we just do not have the LBing talent to make it work. Hopefully they all prove me wrong, but I do not know how well it will work until we get the right kind of LB personel.

[21SkinsFan28]

Just a question, but is it strange to anyone else that Chris Wilson hasn't started/played in place of AC/LZ opposite Rak? He made the switch last year and was a decent fill in option when Rak wasn't on the field.

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by 21SkinsFan28

Just a question, but is it strange to anyone else that Chris Wilson hasn't started/played in place of AC/LZ opposite Rak? He made the switch last year and was a decent fill in option when Rak wasn't on the field.

I have long been a fan of Chris Wilson. I feel he would fit perfectly in this defense as the other OLB. He is quick and agile ala Rak, and am guessing alot better in coverage than Carter. Move carter back inside, because i dont see him getting much of a push or having any impact what so ever as an OLB.

[GTripp0012]

More reality: Rams on drives 2-5 in this game: 19 yards of total offense. Longest play went for seven yards, with perfect offensive execution.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

More reality: Rams on drives 2-5 in this game: 19 yards of total offense. Longest play went for seven yards, with perfect offensive execution.

Yeah, but I painfully remember them scoring 30 points. Thats also probably double their average over the last year. Gtripp its the Rams, not Houston. Another painful obvious observation is they had more success in the second half, which means a) the Rams offense wore our defense down (now thats embarressing to type) b) Haslett made no significant adjustments to stop what the Rams were doing.

I think its not too late to get this thing going in the right direction. I our problem lies more with the line/linebacker play.

Anybody notice how obselete the Rams made London Fletcher? When he struggles, our entire unit struggles