Sean Taylor struggling???

[GTripp0012]

We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.

Who are the three good outside LB's? Washington, yes. Rocky? He barely played. I know you aren't talking about Holdman and I haven't seen enough of Marshall on the outside to say that he is good there.

Pick a position on the defense and you have a hole. You are correct that MLB is a huge liability as well.

[JDALY27]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

We can't really afford to move Taylor or Archuleta to outside linebacker because we already have 3 good OLBs (assuming Rocky is good enough to play). Our LB deficiencies are in the middle. Let Arch compete for the 2nd safety job. If he shows that he can improve his cover skills, then you actually might have a player. If not, start Prioleau. Going foward, I think ST will be fine.

How about not moving them at all? Start Taylor and AA together to begin the season. Skins had like NO sacks this year. Skins corner play was also pathetic most of the year. I feel AA was made a scapegoat by Greg Williams. Yes, Witten was wide open but that was one play.......Taylor got smoked in coverage all year long. Without a pass rush even Champ Bailey would get burned.........well......maybe not Champ.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by JDALY27

How about not moving them at all? Start Taylor and AA together to begin the season. Skins had like NO sacks this year. Skins corner play was also pathetic most of the year. I feel AA was made a scapegoat by Greg Williams. Yes, Witten was wide open but that was one play.......Taylor got smoked in coverage all year long. Without a pass rush even Champ Bailey would get burned.........well......maybe not Champ.

In no way shape or form should AA be back at SS. Nickel or dime sure or as an LB maybe.

[BleedBurgundy]

Originally Posted by Grim21Reaper

In no way shape or form should AA be back at SS. Nickel or dime sure or as an LB maybe.

He can't cover tight ends and running backs as a safety and you want to move him to the 3rd or 4th corner spot? Are you a masichist? J/k

[IrishSkins Fan]

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

[IrishSkins Fan]

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

[Pocket$ $traight]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

He can't cover tight ends and running backs as a safety and you want to move him to the 3rd or 4th corner spot? Are you a masichist? J/k

No. A nickel or dime package is the only way he can get on the field.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by IrishSkins Fan

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

I too have felt it is more scheme than players. I also think if there was one player, and there isn't, that truly had a mediocre season, it was Cornelius Griffin. He was getting man handled most of the time, and rarely recorded tackles in the backfield.

[TheMalcolmConnection]

I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.

I think the only way we pass on the kid Branch or someone better, is if and only if, Calvin Johnson is still there.

Yes, I would take him over a pressing need at defensive tackle.

I watched C.Griff closely the last few games, and he was getting man handled by opposing guards, then they would put a body on either Marshall or Holdman, and like that you had a five yard gain.

No way we can suffer through another season of Taylor running across the field trying to stop a guy running full speed. Unfortunately, he was caught in that position all too often this year.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

I was thinking the same thing, which makes me want to take a DT even more.

Amen brother. Alan Branch, Alan Branch, Alan Branch.

I think there's a reason the LBs looked average this year. The DT play was atrocious and blockers were getting to the LB level. Griffin was mediocre, and Golston was poor. Golston had nice pass rush moves, and he could be quick at times, but he's only 290 pounds. He gets moved out of the way very easily in run situations.

If we can't stop the run on first down, we can't get into the 2nd and 3rd and longs we need in order to blitz the QB. A strong DT is a must.

The other must is strengthening the secondary so you can actually cover on those 2nd and 3rd and longs when you're sending blitzers. Which brings us back to Archuleta: cut his ass. Sign Nate Clements, and rotate Springs around the field as a hybrid safety/nickel CB.

[12thMan]

The way this class is starting to shape up, I can't imagine Branch not being there at number six. But is there any other DT that are projected to be as good or better?

[JDALY27]

Originally Posted by IrishSkins Fan

Many of the previous posts have identified what I see as the overall problem. Our defense as a whole was bad. Although when I say bad, I mean schematically bad, most of the guys out there I thought fought like warriors. If you will let me elaborate for a moment:

Example 1: D Line
It is the fundamental root of football and starts with the O line beating the D line. This happened all year long. Everybody ran on us, and ran big....

Example 2: Linebackers
When the O line breaks thru to the second level our backers were getting blown out of position. I can't remember how many times I saw this.

Example 3: Secondary
When the run works the secondary is forced to come up for run support. The article I saw in the WP when GW said he thought offenses figured out the cover 2 I almost crapped. That is still a good D as long as you play it correctly. It has is weaknesses like everything.

Summary: In my opinion it all starts up front. It's kind of like a house, if the foundation is bad the house will fall in upon itself.

Agreed 100%. Our entire defense seemed to collapse. AA was not the reason we went from 9th to 31st. This was supposed to be about ST so lets get back to him. He should be our defensive team Captin in 2007. The guy is still one of the best in the business at what he does. But our broken "foundation" never enabled him to roam free and make impact plays. He was always chasing a running back or reciever down the field after our defense gave up a huge play.......

[firstdown]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Amen brother. Alan Branch, Alan Branch, Alan Branch.

I think there's a reason the LBs looked average this year. The DT play was atrocious and blockers were getting to the LB level. Griffin was mediocre, and Golston was poor. Golston had nice pass rush moves, and he could be quick at times, but he's only 290 pounds. He gets moved out of the way very easily in run situations.

If we can't stop the run on first down, we can't get into the 2nd and 3rd and longs we need in order to blitz the QB. A strong DT is a must.

The other must is strengthening the secondary so you can actually cover on those 2nd and 3rd and longs when you're sending blitzers. Which brings us back to Archuleta: cut his ass. Sign Nate Clements, and rotate Springs around the field as a hybrid safety/nickel CB.

Another thing which hurt the skins is that our D had too much time on the field and our O did not help them much with long drives through out the game. Yes, we did have some long drives but we need a few each game that takes alot of time off the clock to give the D a rest. Our D also seemed to have good 1st & 2nd downs then would let the other tem convert a 9 yard first down keeping them on the field.