Nothinbutm
Member
First of all. I realize this board is going to go into 3-mile Island Mode after today. Last week was understandable. The Bengals have been on an absolute tear and we went into their place. Just couldn't hold onto a lead.
This week is where the bubbles of poop rise to the surface of what our franchise is.
I'll be bottling up the problems this team has from my point of view as objectively and as much as I can identify them. For everything chronic (defensive scheme changes) to acute ones (injuries).
1. Kris Richard
I bit my tongue for 6 weeks and simply observed how our defense has responded and been guided under our new DC. He's new. He's young. I get it. And he probably has a ton to learn. But he is no Dan Quinn. Richard is more blitz oriented and not very confident in his play calling when zone is involved. The 4th quarter has shown this. Now granted, the defense is gassed almost every game by this point (I'll expand on this a little bit later), but the plays he calls in the fourth quarter are killing this team. Not understanding his players strengths and weaknesses is what I would attribute this to by far and away. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors in the franchise (at least I don't), but there are some major issues I see on how the personnel is utilized. Which segues me to...
2. Carey Williams
I've been on the fence about this guy. Still kind of am but the seesaw has me leaning in this direction. But as far as I know, Pete still has his DC enforcing a press zone coverage system, thus the need for lengthy/tall corners. Williams, through the first 6 games this season, has struggled tremendously with this philosophy. I am by no means saying he is the sole problem with the defensive personnel, but he is the weakest link as of right now. And it's a pretty sizable one. He whiffs on jamming at the line and his recovery from a WR blowing past him is mediocre at best. Tharold Simon was doing a better job before he got injured. Granted, Simon incurred his fair share of penalties but at least he made the WR's earn it. Carey is not a CB who has been taught to function in this system. He is a professional athlete, and his technique has definitely improved (hip and footwise at the onset of a play) but he doesn't utilize it the way this team needs. I'll try to watch todays game again (with a brown bag in proximity) and see how much he was victimized in todays (Carolina) game, but it was a lot.
3. Run Defense
I remember watching the Chicago game and seeing Forte gashing us in the first three quarters before we contained him. He didn't have eye popping numbers, by any means, but what was eye popping was they the Bears had a much less than serviceable QB (Clausen) and we were loading the box and trying to pinch the gaps when we knew they were going to run and they were able to spring Forte loose on us more than enough. Today was no exception, especially in the second half. Stewart started going off on us through holes which Pamela Anderson could rival going spread eagle. They were large. Granted, for today, Wagz was out and we all know how much of a difference he makes in this defense, but he is tremendous at pursuing the ball carrier and angling him off to prevent additional yardage. The D-Line is struggling to stop the run, plain and simple. I think Rubin is a solid run stopper, in all honesty, but the play calls to shoot certain gaps and pinch the line to bottle up inside runs at times are a huge factor in what's going on with this defense. No DC holds a crystal ball (except for the Pats, in which case is the frequency to the opposing teams comm system), so it's more instincts and experience here. One of which could be arguably remedied, but experience implies time needed. We'll see how that goes. Quinn utilized a veteran Kevin Williams last year when Mebane went down with absolute wizardry. Neither of those men are here this year, and it shows.
4. Conditioning
This is pretty self explanatory (remember, this list is opinionated, obviously), but there is something going on with the stamina and durability of this team this year. The players are pre-dominantly in the age group that indicates they are in their prime. And from one year to the next, having such a large drop off, there is seriously something going on here. This team held together from these trials the last two years beautifully (and occasionally, tragically) the previous two seasons. Having a huge part of the core still intact and relatively healthy indicates something, but I'm simply making an educated guess. It explains the lack of run defense compared to previous years as well. Who knows, maybe Richard is quite simply not the motivator and caretaker as much as Quinn was.
5. Injuries
This is a pretty general and common subject, I understand. But the fact we are without Marcus Burley, Tharold Simon, and Jeremy Lane in the secondary is going to create a problem. It makes it exponentially worse when leaning on someone like Carey Williams even more due to the lack of depth. It is my understanding all three of these players will return soon and that is seriously some good news. In my opinion, this has a ton to do with what is going on with us in the 4th quarter. If conditioning is a problem, then having no depth and making sure players are out there for longer stretches make it (obviously) worse. Burley, when he played earlier this season, showed some great promise in his progression. He was surprising in his closing speed and tackling ability. Simon has shown flashes at times, and by that I mean he has flashed his ceiling and his floor. The personnel is strained in the secondary. Quite simply, for a little while until these guys get back. Lane and Burley's absences are hurting us due to their ability to do coverage on slot personnel. People, namely TE's, have been murdering us down the middle this season.
6. Offensive Philosophy
I put this as generally specific as I can, but this years offensive philosophy is not working. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has been seriously concerned with how Bevell calls things at times. I'm not in the "Crucify Bevell" bandwagon right now, but the things he does kinda makes you wanna take out loans to make sure you're covered from how many computer and TV screens that you'll break in fleeting moments of games. We were a creative "Run First and supplement it with large passing plays" team. We are not that this year. We are noticeably shifting the focus of the offense away from Lynch (and running in general) to Wilson. It's a huge indicator this is the case when we traded for Jimmy Graham as well. We may be transitioning and these are growing pains, but it seems as through we've lost our smash-mouth offensive identity. That aspect of our team that terrified other teams in the NFL, the fact that they knew what we were going to do and there was nothing anybody else could do to stop it. We need to get that back. Bevell during this game (Carolina) was not a problem. I honestly thought he had a solid game plan and play calls throughout the game. He does have a tendency to call plays that strains the O-line on long developing routes for the receivers and can lead to sacks for Wilson or him running for his life. But Bevell overall has not been terrible this season, It's time to start holding players accountable. Which brings me to...
7. Offensive Line
This is stating the obvious. I've kept this list and explanations fairly neutral so far, but dear God, this unit is atrocious. Pass protection is non existent at times. I don't know if this has to do with coaching, natural ability, or both. My guess is both. During the draft, we have neglected to address the line for the most part when everybody knows that is the unit that needs the most work. We have addressed it indirectly, and by that I mean we draft D-lineman and convert them into O-line projects. That's one way to band-aid the situation but, to me, that's all it is. Is a band-aid. Now, I will say this, throughout the league, there is a large shortage of quality O-lineman, but that excuse only goes so far. We had Even Mathis in our lap (office, to be more precise) and we let him walk away due to the financial contract he and his agent we demanding. Now, that may seem like a very convenient thing for a .Net poster thing to type, but this man would be in Justin Britt's spot. Think about that for a second. Our LG's actually engaging in blocks instead of whiffing on them. Instead of our RB getting hit in the backfield or stopped after a 1-2 yard gain, could actually keep going for a 4-5 yard gain. This FO has a plan and priorities, and I realize when you follow a priority list, it comes at the expense of other aspects, but this is showing to spill in other areas of the team, such as the progression of Russell Wilson himself.
For the most part, that's my .02
This is simply my opinion and observation, but this year is showing to go down under a bit and damn is it not a good feeling.
This week is where the bubbles of poop rise to the surface of what our franchise is.
I'll be bottling up the problems this team has from my point of view as objectively and as much as I can identify them. For everything chronic (defensive scheme changes) to acute ones (injuries).
1. Kris Richard
I bit my tongue for 6 weeks and simply observed how our defense has responded and been guided under our new DC. He's new. He's young. I get it. And he probably has a ton to learn. But he is no Dan Quinn. Richard is more blitz oriented and not very confident in his play calling when zone is involved. The 4th quarter has shown this. Now granted, the defense is gassed almost every game by this point (I'll expand on this a little bit later), but the plays he calls in the fourth quarter are killing this team. Not understanding his players strengths and weaknesses is what I would attribute this to by far and away. We don't know what goes on behind closed doors in the franchise (at least I don't), but there are some major issues I see on how the personnel is utilized. Which segues me to...
2. Carey Williams
I've been on the fence about this guy. Still kind of am but the seesaw has me leaning in this direction. But as far as I know, Pete still has his DC enforcing a press zone coverage system, thus the need for lengthy/tall corners. Williams, through the first 6 games this season, has struggled tremendously with this philosophy. I am by no means saying he is the sole problem with the defensive personnel, but he is the weakest link as of right now. And it's a pretty sizable one. He whiffs on jamming at the line and his recovery from a WR blowing past him is mediocre at best. Tharold Simon was doing a better job before he got injured. Granted, Simon incurred his fair share of penalties but at least he made the WR's earn it. Carey is not a CB who has been taught to function in this system. He is a professional athlete, and his technique has definitely improved (hip and footwise at the onset of a play) but he doesn't utilize it the way this team needs. I'll try to watch todays game again (with a brown bag in proximity) and see how much he was victimized in todays (Carolina) game, but it was a lot.
3. Run Defense
I remember watching the Chicago game and seeing Forte gashing us in the first three quarters before we contained him. He didn't have eye popping numbers, by any means, but what was eye popping was they the Bears had a much less than serviceable QB (Clausen) and we were loading the box and trying to pinch the gaps when we knew they were going to run and they were able to spring Forte loose on us more than enough. Today was no exception, especially in the second half. Stewart started going off on us through holes which Pamela Anderson could rival going spread eagle. They were large. Granted, for today, Wagz was out and we all know how much of a difference he makes in this defense, but he is tremendous at pursuing the ball carrier and angling him off to prevent additional yardage. The D-Line is struggling to stop the run, plain and simple. I think Rubin is a solid run stopper, in all honesty, but the play calls to shoot certain gaps and pinch the line to bottle up inside runs at times are a huge factor in what's going on with this defense. No DC holds a crystal ball (except for the Pats, in which case is the frequency to the opposing teams comm system), so it's more instincts and experience here. One of which could be arguably remedied, but experience implies time needed. We'll see how that goes. Quinn utilized a veteran Kevin Williams last year when Mebane went down with absolute wizardry. Neither of those men are here this year, and it shows.
4. Conditioning
This is pretty self explanatory (remember, this list is opinionated, obviously), but there is something going on with the stamina and durability of this team this year. The players are pre-dominantly in the age group that indicates they are in their prime. And from one year to the next, having such a large drop off, there is seriously something going on here. This team held together from these trials the last two years beautifully (and occasionally, tragically) the previous two seasons. Having a huge part of the core still intact and relatively healthy indicates something, but I'm simply making an educated guess. It explains the lack of run defense compared to previous years as well. Who knows, maybe Richard is quite simply not the motivator and caretaker as much as Quinn was.
5. Injuries
This is a pretty general and common subject, I understand. But the fact we are without Marcus Burley, Tharold Simon, and Jeremy Lane in the secondary is going to create a problem. It makes it exponentially worse when leaning on someone like Carey Williams even more due to the lack of depth. It is my understanding all three of these players will return soon and that is seriously some good news. In my opinion, this has a ton to do with what is going on with us in the 4th quarter. If conditioning is a problem, then having no depth and making sure players are out there for longer stretches make it (obviously) worse. Burley, when he played earlier this season, showed some great promise in his progression. He was surprising in his closing speed and tackling ability. Simon has shown flashes at times, and by that I mean he has flashed his ceiling and his floor. The personnel is strained in the secondary. Quite simply, for a little while until these guys get back. Lane and Burley's absences are hurting us due to their ability to do coverage on slot personnel. People, namely TE's, have been murdering us down the middle this season.
6. Offensive Philosophy
I put this as generally specific as I can, but this years offensive philosophy is not working. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, has been seriously concerned with how Bevell calls things at times. I'm not in the "Crucify Bevell" bandwagon right now, but the things he does kinda makes you wanna take out loans to make sure you're covered from how many computer and TV screens that you'll break in fleeting moments of games. We were a creative "Run First and supplement it with large passing plays" team. We are not that this year. We are noticeably shifting the focus of the offense away from Lynch (and running in general) to Wilson. It's a huge indicator this is the case when we traded for Jimmy Graham as well. We may be transitioning and these are growing pains, but it seems as through we've lost our smash-mouth offensive identity. That aspect of our team that terrified other teams in the NFL, the fact that they knew what we were going to do and there was nothing anybody else could do to stop it. We need to get that back. Bevell during this game (Carolina) was not a problem. I honestly thought he had a solid game plan and play calls throughout the game. He does have a tendency to call plays that strains the O-line on long developing routes for the receivers and can lead to sacks for Wilson or him running for his life. But Bevell overall has not been terrible this season, It's time to start holding players accountable. Which brings me to...
7. Offensive Line
This is stating the obvious. I've kept this list and explanations fairly neutral so far, but dear God, this unit is atrocious. Pass protection is non existent at times. I don't know if this has to do with coaching, natural ability, or both. My guess is both. During the draft, we have neglected to address the line for the most part when everybody knows that is the unit that needs the most work. We have addressed it indirectly, and by that I mean we draft D-lineman and convert them into O-line projects. That's one way to band-aid the situation but, to me, that's all it is. Is a band-aid. Now, I will say this, throughout the league, there is a large shortage of quality O-lineman, but that excuse only goes so far. We had Even Mathis in our lap (office, to be more precise) and we let him walk away due to the financial contract he and his agent we demanding. Now, that may seem like a very convenient thing for a .Net poster thing to type, but this man would be in Justin Britt's spot. Think about that for a second. Our LG's actually engaging in blocks instead of whiffing on them. Instead of our RB getting hit in the backfield or stopped after a 1-2 yard gain, could actually keep going for a 4-5 yard gain. This FO has a plan and priorities, and I realize when you follow a priority list, it comes at the expense of other aspects, but this is showing to spill in other areas of the team, such as the progression of Russell Wilson himself.
For the most part, that's my .02
This is simply my opinion and observation, but this year is showing to go down under a bit and damn is it not a good feeling.
