Linebackers=Disappointing

[vin.couve12]

You guys do realize many of that gap shooting is called. Clearly evident when a LB is shooting a specific gap and they run away from it.

How I know this is a bunch of sheeple BS is the herd isn't even talking about the DL....other than the fact that many of these claims are just plain false.

When Smith got burned for a TD everyone got their pitchforks out for him too so I'm sure if he plays and does something wrong you'll be talking about free agents.....

 

[justafan]

If players are guessing or just shooting any gap that is the problem.They all have an assigned gap,every player has to control their gap and trust the other guy to control theirs.Without knowing Wagners assigned gap its tough to tell if he was wrong or right.Maybe he was in the right gap

 

[dontbelikethat]

The last 3 post in this thread are spot on to me. Fans are goona be fans, they'll tell it how they see it, but there's always a thinking and understanding of why certain things are done.

 

[HawKnPeppa]

I'll put dollar to donut that most of this in because of the DL. An LB doesn't freelance what gap he shoots unless he's Junior S. I have no doubt the gaps were assigned. Pete has alluded to the double-edged sword we have by having so many light, speedy and disruptive DL. We're very good at bringing the heat but aren't so strong at the point of attack. As long as opponents can reliably get home through our crappy OL, they can keep us out of rhythm enough to slow us down and just pound the rock at all of our narrow-azzed tweeners. Let's face it, the ONLY interior lineman we have that can be described as a stout run defender is Mebane. There is a noticeable drop-off when Bryant, McDaniel, McDonald and certainly when Bennett is at DT.

 

[getnasty]

The DL has to blamed too but when I see nobodys running straight up the middle and not being touch until they get to the secondary you can't tell me LB's aren't missing assignments. Back to back games giving up more then 200 yards on the ground to horrible rushing teams and were gonna say its do to poor tackling? Nobody is saying lets cut all the LB's and start fresh, were making a observation that something is not quite right with the run defense and hope it gets fixed.

 

[LoneHawkFan]

(in my best robot voice) "Why are we being negative? We just won the game! We are 8-1! We are in the fast lane to home field throughout! Nothing wrong here...keep watching....we're 8-1...we're in 1st place...we won the game......"

 

[SomersetHawk]

Bobby's not the problem, but maybe he's part of it. It seems we've struggled the past two weeks against some powerful backs (I read our defense was real surprised how strong Stacy was last week), and I hope we fix it by the time we face Gore; I'm more worried about him than Kap.

I don't have the time to find out but It'd be interesting to see yards after contact stats the past two weeks vs the rest of the season, cause I don't think we're getting to the runner slower, we're just missing our tackles; even Earl left some on the field.

I don't know what the fix is, but I trust PC and Quinn to find one.

 

[McGruff]

Earl had his worst game of the season I thought. Horrible tackling.

Against the Rams there was lack of discipline in gap assignment, leaving some wide open cutback lanes. In addition our DL is get manhandled. Against the Bucs and DL still struggled to maintain space, but the gaps were better. This time around the tackling sucked.

Keep in mind the way this defense is designed is that it's not really and gap control type defense anymore. It's a defense based on penetration, disruption and speed. Right now teams a running behind our line. How many times does it look like a TFL and turn into a five yard gain. The problem I saw two-fold . . . The DL converting penetration into plays, and the linebackers and safeties tackling at the LOS.

 

[nanomoz]

I'm with those that say it was more about the d line. On most plays, Tampa gained leverage and got an inside shoulder on Mebane, McDaniel, and McDonald. This gave James a lot of vision and breathing room to pick up speed heading to the 2nd level.

 

[Teqneek]

I still dont see the hate on Wags, 10 Tackles and a Sack on a bum Ankle that he's not suppose to be playing on yet.

That game was obvious Dline issues. ::shrug:: Continue your witch hunt.

 

[Seeker]

I am not saying bench bobby, I am saying move him. people forget that kj and bobby used to be flipped around. I like kj playing his position and running packages that utilize either kj or malcom in that position.

Malcom getting burned for a touchdown is one thing, Bobby getting beat for catches all the time then tackling the guy after he has the first down is getting old. they are starting to pick on him. he had this same problem last year. he is a liability on the pass but great on the run. its okay. I am not saying cut this guy or bench him. just utilize him right. if pete has any weakness it is his hubris in not wanting to conform. its gutsy when you refuse to change your coverage matchups to accommodate key recievers and it works, not so cool when you get burned on an obvious mismatch. i'm not trippin though, we won.

 

[Seeker]

I say put kj in the middle and have a MALCOM/KJ/WAGNER line up.

 

[keatonisballin]

Is anyone surprised? Same thing happened last year at the midway point. I dont know what it is but our run D cant sustain itself for a full season it seems like. Hopefully im wrong though. Plus gotta remember the last time our run D looked great was against the literal Cardinals.

 

[Happypuppy]

Earl had his worst game of the season I thought. Horrible tackling.

Against the Rams there was lack of discipline in gap assignment, leaving some wide open cutback lanes
linebackers and safeties tackling at the LOS.

It's now reported that ET was sick so I will give him a pass

Agree on the gap play. Same as last year against SF. Bobby a lot of the time engages the pulling guard or FB ( as a result of the gap assignment mistakes) and has to guess which way the trailing back is cutting; When he disengages the block he has a choice , If he guesses wrong there is nobody until the secondary

I think perhaps why KJ works better is because he is longer and is very clean at his disengages... Bobby tries to blow the guy up KJ tries to slide around much more, and his longer arms may allow him to grab the back easier; I am guessing not sure as I don't have coaches film.

But McGruff is right... The problem is really the gap mistakes. If they do their jobs there is not a hole

 

[scutterhawk]

Bobby Wagner is just guessing wrong a lot and is way out of position, KJ can't shed a block and Irvin disappears for long stretches. They all seem to be a liability in coverage too. We need these guys to turn it around and i mean quick.

The Bucs were holding ALL GAME LONG, and Carey didn't give a shit.

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Basically the same holding pattern for their passing game.

 

[Sgt. Largent]

Earl had his worst game of the season I thought. Horrible tackling.

Huh? Earle had I believe the most tackles in his career, with 12.

 

[General Manager]

To many big run plays up the middle Wagner has to be better . So does the DT's.

 

[Largent80]

Wright played Mike in St.Louis and the results were similar. If you are looking for a scapegoat the D-Line is where you stop because they are getting owned the last 2 games. At least in the first half.

 

[ZagHawk]

We face Adrian Peterson in 2 weeks.

I'm frightened.

Eh.. We're playing the Vikings, not just Adrian Peterson. He had 182 yards against us last season and we still kicked their ass.

Yeah..just like we were supposed to manhandle the Rams, Titans and Bucs this year right? I'm not overlooking any team right now.

 

[cacksman]

Pointing to stats as a reason a linebacker played well :roll:

The last time we didn't get completely ran on was when Wagner was out and KJ was in his spot. Coincidence? Maybe. Probably not.