Game Day #6: Conquer the Night or Be Conquered

[calia]

I think last night was revealing in a number of ways. First, our defense has some real issues, particularly on the back end, and the only way to mask it is to generate pressure. When we don't do that, we lose -- ATL and CHI are very good examples of that. It isn't surprising when one considers we've lost one starting safety and that Quan Martin has been inconsistent (badly whiffed on a Swift TD run -- in a game decided by 1 point). And it doesn't help that our LBs just aren't that fast; we're getting killed when guys bounce outside (Robinson and Swift were most effective that way). Second, we're showing sloppiness that we didn't show last year -- guys don't seem consistently dialed in, and I cannot understand why that is. Third, I like that JD5 plays loose, but last night I didn't see any real sense of urgency (from him or anyone else) until half-way through the second quarter. We are not a good enough team to spot our opponents 10 points to start every game. We fell behind quickly against the Packers, Falcons, Chicago, and the Chargers -- 4 of 6 games -- and only pulled out a win against the Chargers. Not a path to a winning season.

Since our team seems to show up every other week, maybe we'll see a better effort this weekend against Dallas. They'll be pretty desperate to win at home after losing a close one to the Panthers. But our squad needs to wake up to the fact that no one gives two shits that they went to the NFC Championship last year. And fast.

[sdskinsfan2001]

Originally Posted by calia

I think last night was revealing in a number of ways. First, our defense has some real issues, particularly on the back end, and the only way to mask it is to generate pressure. When we don't do that, we lose -- ATL and CHI are very good examples of that. It isn't surprising when one considers we've lost one starting safety and that Quan Martin has been inconsistent (badly whiffed on a Swift TD run -- in a game decided by 1 point). And it doesn't help that our LBs just aren't that fast; we're getting killed when guys bounce outside (Robinson and Swift were most effective that way). Second, we're showing sloppiness that we didn't show last year -- guys don't seem consistently dialed in, and I cannot understand why that is. Third, I like that JD5 plays loose, but last night I didn't see any real sense of urgency (from him or anyone else) until half-way through the second quarter. We are not a good enough team to spot our opponents 10 points to start every game. We fell behind quickly against the Packers, Falcons, Chicago, and the Chargers -- 4 of 6 games -- and only pulled out a win against the Chargers. Not a path to a winning season.

Since our team seems to show up every other week, maybe we'll see a better effort this weekend against Dallas. They'll be pretty desperate to win at home after losing a close one to the Panthers. But our squad needs to wake up to the fact that no one gives two shits that they went to the NFC Championship last year. And fast.

All 3 levels of the defense aren't good enough. The DL cannot generate any pressure outside of Armstrong. And they aren't stopping the run well either. I think its an edge issue more than interior. The DTs can clog the middle but they can't stop outside contain, the edge guys need to do that, and the LB's need to fill the correct gaps. Unfortunately Wagner and Luvu really can't make any plays outside of the G-G box. Anything outside of that is easy money for the opposing offense.

Wagner is 100% done. He is a liability in the run and pass game. He can't pursue outside at all and he cannot be trusted to cover anyone in zone or man in the passing game.

Luvu has been a huge disappointment this year too. He isn't making much of an impact in either the running or passing game.

Magee, Kaho, & Medrano should all be seeing tons of snaps every week. There is a possibility the whole room needs to be replaced for 2026. We need to see what these guys have. Not like Wagner and Luvu are crushing it.

Amos is a stud in the secondary. Outside of that, we have zero playmakers. The whole secondary outside of Amos could be replaced too. Sainristil has been especially awful. Total liability.

This defense simply sucks and Whitt is not a good coach, so he can't get them to play up to their maximum level. Half the time everyone looks confused.

Quinn and Whitt are losing their luster quite fast.

I don't see us winning more than 1 of the next 4 games. 2 would be a pleasant surprise.

The offense has to play perfect for us to beat any decent team.