3rd down defense kills us!

[Miamifin23]

Is it just me or did it seem like throughout a lot of this season that we gave up way too many 3rd and 8+. The defense seems to do pretty good until it gets to 3rd down. I know everyone will say yeah Porter was 2nd in the league in sacks but he doesn't seem to have the impact off the edge as say a jared allen or demarcus ware. I don't think our secondary is all that bad, yes it can be improved, but when a qb sits back and has all day to throw the ball it's hard for any corner to stick to a reciever. We need to go find ourselves some pass rushers in the offseason if we're going to have any success going into next season.

 

[SRM]

I noticed this too, actually. I always thought it was a miracle when we would stop a team on 3rd down

 

[artdnj]

You need a strong rush to make a QB hurry throws. The Phins don't do that very well and an NFL calibre QB will convert those distances given the time. DB's can't cover for lengthy periods.

Have faith, we'll improve

 

[Miamifin23]

Yeah, it's really a joke imo. We get teams down where we can really flip the field and we just give up 1st downs all day. To add to that, I know this is Roth's 1st year at OLB, but he cannot be our future at OLB, way too stiff, can't cover and can't get after the QB. After the 1st couple of weeks I thought the guy would be a terror as the season went on but he looks like a zombie out there when it comes to passing situations. He's good against the run, so he is a guy to keep on the team, but we're going to have to upgrade that position.

 

[GoonBoss]

It's not your imagination. It didn't kill us today as much as some other games, but, yeah...It's an area of concern.

 

[SRM]

Yeah, it's really a joke imo. We get teams down where we can really flip the field and we just give up 1st downs all day. To add to that, I know this is Roth's 1st year at OLB, but he cannot be our future at OLB, way too stiff, can't cover and can't get after the QB. After the 1st couple of weeks I thought the guy would be a terror as the season went on but he looks like a zombie out there when it comes to passing situations. He's good against the run, so he is a guy to keep on the team, but we're going to have to upgrade that position.

We're gonna have to upgrade Roth's position as well as ILB .. and NT.. and FS. Wow, there's more upgrading needed than I thought

 

[KYMDFAN]

Your 3rd Down D was pretty solid today.

We only converted 5 of 12 and make no mistake that inside the Red Zone, a D that can keep the O to only 3 points is pretty solid esp when giving short yardage to work with.

 

[SA_BUTTA]

I dont understand why we have so much trouble getting pressure on the QBs. It also seems like our DBs are giving WRs too much cushion and they get burnt on simple moves.

 

[SRM]

I dont understand why we have so much trouble getting pressure on the QBs. It also seems like our DBs are giving WRs too much cushion and they get burnt on simple moves.

I think its the fact that rushing any other LB's other than Porter does relatively nothing for us than leave some guy wide open. Baltimore was successful nearly every time they blitzed an LB or two .. hell, even Ray Lewis was getting in there on some sacks

 

[PJack]

It's true that we really don't have effective pass rushers beyond JP. However part of getting to the QB is designing schemes to get to the QB. The best D's in Baltimore and Pittsburgh not only blitz, but they disguise blitzers where the other team doesn't see it coming. My god, I can point out our blitzers before the snap. NFL QB's and line protections certainly know where we are coming from. I'm soooo tired off watching our blitzers run directly into a blocker time after time....after time. Can we please show any element of surprise next year.....PLEASE.

I'm certain with the upgrade of talent we should improve here but it was extremely frustrating to watch especially on 3rd and long.