1. This Defense is slow. We have a lot of talented players on D. We're probably one of the more talented D's in the league. This team is excellent at stopping the run. Yesterday was the first 100-yard-rusher against the Jets all season; that's amazing. However this Defense is slow. When we don't blitz, the QB has plenty of time and the coverage gets exposed. When the CB's play off the WR's, you see the WR catch the ball then rack up Y.A.C as the DB tries to chase him down. You can bet that any team we face in the Playoffs - as long as it has the personnel - will spread out the D and throw all over us. SD did it; Arizona did it in the second half; NE did it in the second half; now Denver did it all game. These teams racked up the yards (400-500?) and put up points. At this point, it's not a fluke, it's a blueprint. Mangini's focus in the Offseason should be to build trench depth and find fast players. All the craftiness, headiness, and football intelligence in the world will neither stick with WR's nor generate pass-rush -- Speed does that. 2. This Defense is not that good at pressuring QB's. Despite the stats, because we are among the tops in the league in sacks, we don't generate consistent pressure. It's all or nothing -- a sack or the QB has all day. Cutler wasn't even touched yesterday. Someone said when they saw Gholston chasing Cutler, it looked as though he were running through quicksand. I think Gholston needs to lose weight and work extensively with a Quickness Coach who can increase his overall speed. The other LB's aren't that fast either, which is why they get burned in coverage (i.e. can't cover TE's) and when we send 5-6 guys, they get picked up easily. When we send DB's they get in the backfield because - whataya know - they have enough speed to beat O-linemen. 3. The Safety spot opposite Rhodes isn't entirely ensured yet. Elam was exposed badly yesterday. I'm not writing Elam off, as I think he can still improve, but he showed that he can be a liability, and that's something you just can't have on a SB caliber Defense. I've written Smith off because he's utter crap. Tangini needs to find another playmaking Safety in either FA or the Draft. That will definitely help this D turn the corner and allow one of the S's to guard a TE. 4. The Coaches still lack the overall competence to make in-game Defensive adjustments. Elam didn't show up yesterday. Plain and simple. He played in what was, probably, the worst game of his NFL career. Having said that, at what point does Mangini or Sutton take action: "Gee, this guy is having an awful game; maybe I should bench him because right now he's a liability"? Instead, Mangini just sits there chewing his gum and being fat. Overall, I'm impressed with this Defensive turnaround from last year, especially the run D. When Mangini has time to prepare for a team (see Bye weeks and Titans game), he's like Pete Carrol at USC, he comes up with masterful gameplans. However, he now needs to find a way to adapt to in-game problems and find faster players. Just watch the Steelers, Buccs, Chargers (last year), Eagles -- watch those types of D. Their scheme is good, but their players are fast, and that allows them to bring consistent heat.
at times a blitz can be picked up and thus a big play can happen but in the last game there was no pressure it was pathetic
I agree on all points, but quite honestly, I'm not sure if I can offer any ideas for ways they can improve things this season. What I saw out of the CS yesterday was very similar to what we've seen their entire tenure here. They came into the game with a gameplan. When it came time to adjust, they were a day late and a dollar short. Unfortunately, as opposed to the last few weeks, our initial gameplan was exposed pretty badly very early when Denver came out slinging the rock all over the place in the freezing rain.... I still have great faith in this CS' ability to gameplan, but when things don't go their way, they have a tough time making adjustments before it's too late. Come playoff time, that could really piss a lot of Jet fans off...
I know a lot of people say the main need is a #1 WR.. and I agree that would make our O much more dynamic. But imagine a solid #2CB (high draft choice in my opinion if they are a good value wherever we end up picking in RD 1 or 2) and another solid veteran safety opposite Rhodes, who could help Elam develop into a more rounded player, so sure up the secondary. With the right DC (Rob Ryan please be available soon), our D's potential could be limitless.
Agreed about Elam. He missed tackles but he's also shown he can tackle and occasionally lay the wood. His coverage skills have a lot to be desired. Fortunately, these two things are correctable/coachable. I think getting a playmaking Safety should be one of the top priorities. If it's FA, start him over Elam; if it's a rookie, let him compete with Elam for the job. Either way, get rid of Eric Smith. And I agree, WR is no longer a need. With guys like Smith, Stuckey, Clowney, and Keller, it'd be a wasted pick next year. Wait till Coles is really at the end, then get a true #1. As of now, let the other guys compete because there ain't enough rock to go around anyway. The point of all of this is, we're a Playoff team, yes. But the minute we face a team that can spread us out effectively, we're done. Let's just hope we don't get the Colts in the first round.
i thought the 3-4 defense was designed to have 3 big guys up front to control the gaps so linebackers could shoot through and get to the QB. on so many snaps i see our main 3 guys rushing with NO gap shooting by anyone. each of our 3 rushers are doubled and at times triple teamed with no shot whatsoever of getting to the QB. if we're ony going to rush 3 and drop 8, we should rush 1 and drop 10. we'd have the same effect on the line of scrimage with two extra bodys deep.
I think the LB's are still feeling the absence of david harris. I didn't see bryan thomas yesterday, heck i noticed gholston and cody spencer before i saw thomas. I don't think it's fair to criticize the coaching staff though, i think they're plugging the holes as best as possible, but when zero pressure is applied, do you blitz with rhodes, revis, law, elam and further expose your weakest part of your team, the secondary? just who the heck should be getting to the QB?
Yes Yes Yes Yes. Well put. I ws trying to say something similar last week when explaining why I feared playing Denver offense, but could not put it as clearly. Not much more to say. I'm with everyone else ... what can be done? Dunno.
