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.

[Chico23231]

Getting Terry, Cosmi and to a lesser degree Noah Brown back will help a lot.

When it comes to coaching, our secondary coach isn’t getting it done.

[GridIron26]

Kinda funny to see how some people feel like the sky is falling after a loss. This is not to discount any of the comments made as most of them are true, although this is a long season and a lot of things can change quickly within next few games.

[calia]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

Kinda funny to see how some people feel like the sky is falling after a loss. This is not to discount any of the comments made as most of them are true, although this is a long season and a lot of things can change quickly within next few games.

What bothers me the most today -- and I am not in the sky is falling camp, but more in the "we'd better fix this now camp" -- is that we have these lapses where it feels like the team is going through the motions, which I didn't feel like at really any time last year.

I also agree with the earlier comment that getting back Cosmi, Brown, and McLaurin can help -- assuming that they're all 100% and really ready to go. I felt like Terry was pretty rusty in his first two games back and was playing well against the Raiders when he was injured. We need guys to stretch the field better than we've been doing (not sure why Lane isn't getting more downfield looks).

Beating Dallas would make us all feel a lot better, I am sure.

[AnonEmouse]

I agree the sky isn't falling. Some of the gripes on here make it sound like we're 0-6. But we should be better and I don't think DQ is the problem (well maybe partially). The O is capable, if not very good, especially with 2 great starters missing, and little WR depth. I'm warming to McCaffrey a lot, but he's not getting enough snaps, and neither is Lane. I can't see why, as without Scary and Brown (and maybe even with Brown) there's only Deebo getting a lot of looks. the others aren't really #2 or #3 material.

D I think it's scheme and personnel packages. Wagner shouldn't be in there on obvious passing downs, and Luvu should be rushing the passer more than playing OLB. I think Whitt hasn't got the balls to change it up. Wagner's a HOFer but that's the old Wagner. Great leader and still valuable on early downs, but time to get his replacement ready. Whitt better change it up starting with Dallas, or he should be out of there.

[CRedskinsRule]

I think people forget the year ending injuries to Wise and Will Harris. Basically the two players specifically brought in to stop end around runs.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't have had at least some sort of back up plan, but just like the offense has limitations without Terry and Noah, our defense has severe limitations without Wise and Harris.

Though I do hope this is Whitt's last season here, but I wasn't a fan of his from the start - if Aaron Glenn is canned And I was AP/DQ I would be on the phone with his agent right away.



Sent from my SM-S711U using Tapatalk

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I think people forget the year ending injuries to Wise and Will Harris. Basically the two players specifically brought in to stop end around runs.

Doesn't mean we shouldn't have had at least some sort of back up plan, but just like the offense has limitations without Terry and Noah, our defense has severe limitations without Wise and Harris.

Though I do hope this is Whitt's last season here, but I wasn't a fan of his from the start - if Aaron Glenn is canned And I was AP/DQ I would be on the phone with his agent right away.



Sent from my SM-S711U using Tapatalk

Great point, even I forgot that for a little bit.

[AnonEmouse]

Not saying injuries can't be a big factor, and not saying they aren't factoring for us, but the 49ers are 4-2 and top their division with a long injury list, including multiple starters. Now they may well stumble in the coming weeks, especially after losing Warner. But I don't think ours excuse our lousy outside run defence. That smells more of scheme and play calling.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by AnonEmouse

Not saying injuries can't be a big factor, and not saying they aren't factoring for us, but the 49ers are 4-2 and top their division with a long injury list, including multiple starters. Now they may well stumble in the coming weeks, especially after losing Warner. But I don't think ours excuse our lousy outside run defence. That smells more of scheme and play calling.

to be fair- the 49'ers have been an exceptionally well run organization for a long time. I hope that in a year or two we will be at that level but right now we don't have the depth of experience or youth to make up for injuries like they do. imo That's just reality.

Sent from my SM-S711U using Tapatalk