The defense (MERGED)

We're 5th in the league right now which is extremely good as a ranking. However, all the other teams except BMore and Chicago ahead of us haven't had a bye yet. Since it's based on total yards this early one game can really skew the field.

Here's what I'm worried about, last year we created pressure on the QB with blitzes and LBs. This year our front 4 simply can't do it. They don't have enough push and we don't seem to be bringing the blitz much, if we keep up our current type of games like that then great, Im just worried about it in close games.

Also, we give up so many underneath passes. Seattle picked us apart in the 2nd half. Some receivers seemed virtually uncovered till a safety hit them late. This was a bit worrysome.

But the worst thing thus far is in 3 games we haven't forced a single turnover. That's not good, we should have gotten a fumble, INT, something by now. (someone refresh my memory if I'm wrong) Rogers got a FF last week but it didn't count becaue it rolled out of bounds.

Right now they're fine, but what's so different on our team now that we're afraid to bring that pressure?

We're 5th in the league right now which is extremely good as a ranking. However, all the other teams except BMore and Chicago ahead of us haven't had a bye yet. Since it's based on total yards this early one game can really skew the field.

Here's what I'm worried about, last year we created pressure on the QB with blitzes and LBs. This year our front 4 simply can't do it. They don't have enough push and we don't seem to be bringing the blitz much, if we keep up our current type of games like that then great, Im just worried about it in close games.

Also, we give up so many underneath passes. Seattle picked us apart in the 2nd half. Some receivers seemed virtually uncovered till a safety hit them late. This was a bit worrysome.

But the worst thing thus far is in 3 games we haven't forced a single turnover. That's not good, we should have gotten a fumble, INT, something by now. (someone refresh my memory if I'm wrong) Rogers got a FF last week but it didn't count becaue it rolled out of bounds.

Right now they're fine, but what's so different on our team now that we're afraid to bring that pressure?

First of all, don't forget Marshall's int against Chicago when they were driving and also C.Griff forced a fumble on Orton late in the game.

But the defense is getting a little soft underneath, which is a little worrisome. Just like the offense, however, I think they are just working through some things and will get better as we go along.

We had that INT on Orton in the first game. I too, am worried about the dink and dunk type of passes that we will surely see from Plummer next weekend.

Harris being out is hurting us. That OR the fact that our LBs aren't that great in coverage. Regardless, I just don't think that Williams is blitzing as much these days.

I think the main difference is we're not sneaking up on anybody this year. I think Williams said this too himself. There's not a huge difference in personnel or schemes over last year, I just think other teams are doing a better job at picking things up.

What do you think the reason he isn't blitzing as much is?

What do you think the reason he isn't blitzing as much is?

Probaboly teams recognizing stuff sooner and knowing where the open man will be, so he doesnt want to get beat deep.

Williams said he's still bringing pressure, I think against the Cowboys he was blitzing 7 out of 10 plays at one point. I just think teams are doing a better job at picking things up.

we are ranked fifth, its based on averages, not totals. So the bye week does not make the standings misleading. It shows they have held those numbers for one week longer, but we are still ranked fifth.

One of the things I've noticed is that it isn't so much that teams are picking up our blitzing, as much as the lanes seemed to be clogged or jammed up. Which may be by design on the offesnes part. I think we are still blitzing, we're just not having those same lanes up the middle like last year.

Two of the O teams we have played are ranked in the top 10 in the NFL. Our D has allowed 7 on a turn over and a short field, 13 to Dallas, and 17 with 7 coming on another turnover and short field. The D is playing just fine but I would like to see some more turnovers given our O some short fields to work with.