Figured we need a separate thread for all whinings about the defense (and feel free to delete if I missed one).
Going into this year, I really was drinking the koolaid. Didn't like the Jones trade but, whatever, Sheard was better last year, Long will re-vitalize his career, and Nink will have his Nink moments. Or not. Sheard, Nink, and Long all look like crap. Flowers had a nice game but I doubt he becomes a weekly difference maker. Pass rush is the most important skill set on defense in 2016 and we suck at it.
But that's ok, we can still generate periodic pressure by blitzing our 2 highly-skilled LBs, Hightower and Collins. Or not. Now we're down to 1 impact LB and a collection of question marks.
Not ideal but this can be overcome because our secondary looked really good last year. Ryan was arguably every bit the player that Butler was last year, Jones will provide some quality coverage in the slot along with his elite special teams skills, and Coleman will continue to hold his own. Or not.
Basically, I feel like all three levels of the defense are performing well below our pre season expectations for them and I don't see that improving any time soon. This is simply a defense that can't make plays. It's not the X's and the O's, it's Jimmies and the Joes. And our guys suck. On the bright side, I am no longer worried about this offseason and having the money available to sign everyone.
So, what can we do at this point? I feel like there's not much other than to hope for some incremental improvement and a shit ton of luck. Sad!
Going into this year, I really was drinking the koolaid. Didn't like the Jones trade but, whatever, Sheard was better last year, Long will re-vitalize his career, and Nink will have his Nink moments. Or not. Sheard, Nink, and Long all look like crap. Flowers had a nice game but I doubt he becomes a weekly difference maker. Pass rush is the most important skill set on defense in 2016 and we suck at it.
But that's ok, we can still generate periodic pressure by blitzing our 2 highly-skilled LBs, Hightower and Collins. Or not. Now we're down to 1 impact LB and a collection of question marks.
Not ideal but this can be overcome because our secondary looked really good last year. Ryan was arguably every bit the player that Butler was last year, Jones will provide some quality coverage in the slot along with his elite special teams skills, and Coleman will continue to hold his own. Or not.
Basically, I feel like all three levels of the defense are performing well below our pre season expectations for them and I don't see that improving any time soon. This is simply a defense that can't make plays. It's not the X's and the O's, it's Jimmies and the Joes. And our guys suck. On the bright side, I am no longer worried about this offseason and having the money available to sign everyone.
So, what can we do at this point? I feel like there's not much other than to hope for some incremental improvement and a shit ton of luck. Sad!