Whats up with the D-Line?

[calia]

To be clear, though, the D-line is obviously designed to free up the LBs to make tackles, and they've done that. But if you look at teams with really strong 3-4 defenses, their front three do have tackles, sacks, and forced fumbles, and our guys aren't generating that. Until we do, I think opposing QBs are going to have enough time to pick our struggling secondary apart. They've been good at clogging lanes so that RBs don't have room (and our LBs have been closing fast and tackling well), and I agree that Bowen has looked pretty strong in getting his hands up on passes and otherwise forcing QBs to worry about him, but losing Carriker and Nield has been significant. I would also add that losing Orakpo has hurt the front 3 a lot -- teams can focus only on Kerrigan as they think that no other D-lineman can get to the QB. With Orakpo and Kerrigan, the D-linemen won't get as much O-line attention, and can get more pressure, etc.

Bottom line: with the injuries we have had, we really need to see if we can get better production out of Jenkins, Baker, and Cofield if our D is going to improve this year.

[SFREDSKIN]

One thing the line has been doing on a consistent basis, is deflecting many passes, especially Bowen.

[CrustyRedskin]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

One thing the line has been doing on a consistent basis, is deflecting many passes, especially Bowen.

That's a good deal cause the target it's headed to is more than likely wide ass open.

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by CrustyRedskin

That's a good deal cause the target it's headed to is more than likely wide ass open.

Like the NO game that Bowen prevented a TD.

[Mechanix544]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

Like the NO game that Bowen prevented a TD.

so did orakpo, twice in a row inside the 15 if I remember correctly. Orakpo is not among the 5 best at his position in all of football, but he is a strong veteran player who did take alot of the focus off of the front three. With him gone, the front three are getting double teamed and chipped, when Orakpo was the main concern. Now that has shifted, because even though Kerrigan is a stud, he is not as pure of a pass rusher as Orakpo. He is better in space and in coverage than Orakpo, and is quicker, but most of the time opposition doesnt double team Kerrigan. This negatively affects our front three, but the bottom line is they HAVE to create more havoc than they have been in order to somewhat cover up the ridiculous weakness that is our secondary. Our entire season might be riding on the effort that they bring, because without it, teams look like they are going to score at will.