Why cant we cover TEs?

[Seahawkx]

It seems like any opponent we have faced in the last 2-3 years, it is basically the TEs who usually is gaining yards on us. Its weird because we don't really blitz our LBs that much and our outside dbs don't need double coverage on their receivers as much either. Also, I believe we have one of the quickest/fastest LBs in the NFL. However, even then its the TEs that usually doesn't the damage against us.

 

[lukerguy]

Right now we are 12th best versus the TE compared to others:
http://fftoday.com/stats/fantasystats.p ... de=Allowed

Last year we were 11th best:
http://fftoday.com/stats/fantasystats.p ... LeagueID=1

I'd say you're not used to anyone getting yards through the air on our DBs, so perhaps it's just an illusion in your head.

 

[Smelly McUgly]

Malcolm Smith and KJ Wright aren't that good in coverage. We should just play more dime and throw Maxwell or whoever out there to cover TEs.

 

[DavidSeven]

I think that's an overreaction to one game. We shut down Vernon Davis and certainly didn't get lit up by any of JAX's TEs. Going back to last year, Gonzales had a big day against us, but he is the GOAT. Having trouble remembering many other TEs who had huge days against us. Maybe NE's TEs? But that's to be expected. We probably had a bigger problem with receivers in the slot last year than anything.

 

[Carmon1274]

I think that's an overreaction to one game. We shut down Vernon Davis and certainly didn't get lit up by any of JAX's TEs. Going back to last year, Gonzales had a big day against us, but he is the GOAT. Having trouble remembering many other TEs who had huge days against us. Maybe NE's TEs? But that's to be expected. We probably had a bigger problem with receivers in the slot last year than anything.

Did you watch the Panthers game? Greg Olsen got many open looks.

 

[Laloosh]

Sometimes we're going to face quarterbacks who can complete a pass over the head of a 6'2'' LB with his back turned, to a 6'6'' TE.

 

[Carmon1274]

I think Brees and Graham are gonna kill it.

 

[DavidSeven]

I think that's an overreaction to one game. We shut down Vernon Davis and certainly didn't get lit up by any of JAX's TEs. Going back to last year, Gonzales had a big day against us, but he is the GOAT. Having trouble remembering many other TEs who had huge days against us. Maybe NE's TEs? But that's to be expected. We probably had a bigger problem with receivers in the slot last year than anything.

Did you watch the Panthers game? Greg Olsen got many open looks.

Yeah, I watched it. TEs are prone to getting open looks. He had a decent day, but he didn't go off. Steve Smith had more catches, but we're not about to dump on our secondary over that.

 

[SalishHawkFan]

The OP is right. Not counting Jax, the Seahawks have given up 40% of their completions to TE's. TE's have gained over a third of the yardage our defense has given up in the air.

By comparison, TE's represent only 12% of our offenses completions.

 

[DavidSeven]

The OP is right. Not counting Jax, the Seahawks have given up 40% of their completions to TE's.

By comparison, TE's represent only 12% of our offenses completions.

Why would you exclude JAX? Obviously excluding one game but including the HOU game where we gave up a gajillion yards is going to skew those numbers. I can manipulate the numbers by excluding both JAX and HOU, too. Also, our secondary is dominate, so that would explain those proportions. Doesn't mean our TE coverage is bad relative to the rest of the league.

 

[Hawk-A-Loogie]

I don't think it's an over reaction of the OP cus i feel the same way. But 11-12th best at covering TEs? Didn't know that.

 

[seahawks08]

Red zone defense is what matters. Its ok to give yards in the middle. The defense save all their energy before they go on high gear in the red zone. Petes philosophy is bend but don't break. To be burnt over the top without making the opposing team earn yards is the most disruptive as per Pete's interview with Brock couple of weeks ago. What I read into it is if a team scores really fast, all their players are fresh, didn't go through the grind and style of football we play, changes momentum and also gets to the players. Now that the sea haws have gone through many 4th quarter wins, the team is mature enough to handle it. But I agree with Pete that he wants to keep the play in front. The other thing I noticed is we play more man coverage at home and zone at away games. That probably will change when the offense starts clicking. Our offense is still not clicking and it could be time given for RW is not enough. He is also trying to stay in the pocket to give the ball to the playmaker s, but if last year was example, the threat of QB running is critical for the offense to start scoring.

 

[JKent82]

Malcolm Smith and KJ Wright aren't that good in coverage. We should just play more dime and throw Maxwell or whoever out there to cover TEs.

Maxwell got thrown on more than once while covering TE's that I saw. Of course small sample size while spending most of my time yelling at the tv and jumping around but still.

As for my idea, uhh sack the QB more or something. Or make Kam hit them more often make them go all VD soft when they think about catching a ball.

 

[Hawkaholic]

I think it's because the WR's are covered so well there is nowhere else to go. They do seem to be wide open sometimes but I think that's just because Sherman, Browner, Thomas and Kam have everybody else completely locked up. And it comes down to 1 on 1 matchups. We have great LB's for our defense but that doesn't mean they're the best on the NFL at pass coverage.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Playing too much zone early on and Schaub killed us.

 

[penihawk]

Its been TE's and RB's against the LB's all year that have hurt our D. Andre Johnson got his catches and yards just like he always does but never scores so no biggie. LB and O-line play will cost us a few ballgames this year and I hope it doesn't cost us home field in the end.

 

[hawker84]

this has been a problem for 3 years now. It was talked about last year as well. Seems the scheme we are currently running has holes, some holes you just have to accept to maintain the scheme. Apparently Seattle has chosen to accept the TE's are going to get open accross the middle some times, it's that whole bend don't break mentality.

Earl Thomas touched on this in an interview, saying now that he has so much confidense in the CB's he can play closer to the line and take away some of those crossing patterns accross the middle. Still waiting for that to happen.

It's very fustrating to me to see a TE or RB wide open but apparently their ok giving up these receptions.

 

[Scottemojo]

This is a matchup issue that we will not face many times this year. The middle zones were all about keeping linebacker and nickel/dime players facing the line of scrimmage, the Texans run so many zone runs using them as blockers that just manning up in pass coverage can mean giving up big runs. Add to that, the receivers for the Texans can block too, and it becomes easier to understand.

Maybe we can give a little credit to the Texans here. They have a QB whose strengths lie in throwing up the seams, and they are good at getting him looks in those areas. You can look long and hard through the league and you won't find many linebackers who can key on the run and still play good pass coverage. It is the Texans strong running game that forces linebackers to make tough decisions, so much respect to them.

As far as Jimmy Graham goes, if he kills us it won't be for the same reasons as the Texans. Brees has mastered the art of playing above the rim with Graham, they aren't freeing Graham up with zone block running looks, and in fact Graham is only servicable as a blocker. Like Wilson, Brees uses the margins of the field better and isn't often throwing to linebacker zones. I will be surprised vs the Saints if we are in many 3 or even 2 LB sets. In fact, I would not at all be surprised to see Sherman, Kam, or Browner iso on Graham and Thurmond cover their normal assignment.
I am more worried about Sproles.

 

[McGruff]

First reason . . . Man outside with zone coverage underneath means that TE's and back are going to have more space.

Second reason . . . Would you throw to WR's covered by the LOB? Mot teams will take their chances with their TE's.

 

[Scottemojo]

Also, while it is kind of the thing to bitch about our LBs not covering tight ends, it was KJ Wright in zone who caused the first INT by perfectly timing the handoff of his intial read to come back on a well thrown ball to Daniels.