The Defense Only Thread

So since Berry became the Defensive Coordinator the skins have led the league in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Do you think that "we must strip the ball" attitude is a reason the tackling has been so bad? Will Blackman said he missed two tackles against the Browns trying to strip the ball. Are others?

So since Berry became the Defensive Coordinator the skins have led the league in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Do you think that "we must strip the ball" attitude is a reason the tackling has been so bad? Will Blackman said he missed two tackles against the Browns trying to strip the ball. Are others?



I doubt he is preaching strip over tackle. Did see several plays on Sunday where it appeared they were more concerned witj stripping the ball, but, unfortunately, I think it is simply because they cannot tackle. Like once the guy runs for 14 yards stripping is the only option left.

So since Berry became the Defensive Coordinator the skins have led the league in forced fumbles and fumble recoveries. Do you think that "we must strip the ball" attitude is a reason the tackling has been so bad? Will Blackman said he missed two tackles against the Browns trying to strip the ball. Are others?

I think it could contribute a little bit, but Ive seen a lot of one-on-one straight up couldn't bring the runner down or the dreaded "arm tackle" because our defender wasn't in good position...cravens and wil ive seen this specifically.

Ive seen Bruton straight whiff too a couple times...like dive and miss or dive and then reach out and miss.

I think it could contribute a little bit, but Ive seen a lot of one-on-one straight up couldn't bring the runner down or the dreaded "arm tackle" because our defender wasn't in good position...cravens and wil ive seen this specifically.

Ive seen Bruton straight whiff too a couple times...like dive and miss or dive and then reach out and miss.

Yep, I think to be good both at tackling AND stripping the ball, the rule has to be that the first defender's priority is to tackle and if tackle is secured when the second guy gets there, he goes for the ball instead of trying to kill the ball carrier.

Anyway I've seen to many guy miss tackles just because of bad technique, not because they tried to strip anything...

Tackling in general has deteriorated across the league the last few years. Not enough live contact in the offseason. Hard to teach something when you can't actually practice it enough to perfect it.

Tackling in general has deteriorated across the league the last few years. Not enough live contact in the offseason. Hard to teach something when you can't actually practice it enough to perfect it.

I disagree. If you go through High School, College and one NFL training camp and you still can't tackle well, you just plain suck at tackling.
As a kid I learned to to tackle playing tackle football with no pads and playing rugby. By the time I put pads on in High School for the first time, I was one of the best tacklers on my team. Learning to tackle with out pads and a helmet makes you learn the proper technique because if you don't you will get hurt.
I think this new generation sucks at it because they go for the big hit instead of using technique. I think NFL Football and NBA Basketball has moved away from basics and technique and are all about showboating and trying to make your opponent look bad. Sad.

Tackling in general has deteriorated across the league the last few years. Not enough live contact in the offseason. Hard to teach something when you can't actually practice it enough to perfect it.



From pee wee on up they need to preach tackling. Wrap him up! That being said, even with the lack of live contact, Sunday was inexcusable. No reason a veteran should not make alot of those missed tackles we saw.

I disagree. If you go through High School, College and one NFL training camp and you still can't tackle well, you just plain suck at tackling.

As a kid I learned to to tackle playing tackle football with no pads and playing rugby. By the time I put pads on in High School for the first time, I was one of the best tacklers on my team. Learning to tackle with out pads and a helmet makes you learn the proper technique because if you don't you will get hurt.

I think this new generation sucks at it because they go for the big hit instead of using technique. I think NFL Football and NBA Basketball has moved away from basics and technique and are all about showboating and trying to make your opponent look bad. Sad.



Agreed. Well said.

I disagree. If you go through High School, College and one NFL training camp and you still can't tackle well, you just plain suck at tackling.
As a kid I learned to to tackle playing tackle football with no pads and playing rugby. By the time I put pads on in High School for the first time, I was one of the best tacklers on my team. Learning to tackle with out pads and a helmet makes you learn the proper technique because if you don't you will get hurt.
I think this new generation sucks at it because they go for the big hit instead of using technique. I think NFL Football and NBA Basketball has moved away from basics and technique and are all about showboating and trying to make your opponent look bad. Sad.

I think the emphasis on good technique hasn't been coached up well enough from pop warner on up through college for a while now. Then you get to the pro level now and they can barely hit each other in practice. There's plenty of opportunity for coaching guys up in the pros, they just aren't allowed to do it anymore.

I can't put it all on Barry when I see players missing tackles. We gave up 107 yards on Sunday after first contact. 107 yards!

I just other think we have the talent on defense and no coach is going to fix that this year.