Do you think a change has to be done on the defensive side of the ball?

[phintim]

Linebacking plqay must change, espeically the sheme and possibly the personel. As much as I would like to say just personel, Dansby was playing medocre under this sheme last year along Burnett, Dansby is playing lights out in AZ and Burnett is palying much better than here too. Take that into account plus realize that Ellerberee was playing much better at Balitmore last year before he arrive here and he was rate very highly at stopping the run and now his stats stink makes me believe much of our issue is linebacking coaching plus scheme.
If you also consider we are deepest and most talented defensive tackles in the NFL with Starke, Paul S and Odrick then the alarm bells should really start ringing. I consider this a hugh issue for next year if do not resign both of the former DTS because the run is kicking our butts.

 

[So Be]

I knew what you meant.

I like how our defense looks honestly. I would add a veteran DT to the mix on a cap friendly contract if we end up losing one of Starks or Solia.

I think our LB could be ok. But we need a true MLB. I like Misi for his role and i think Jordan should see some more time @ OLB next season. Would be a huge waste to cut Wheeler who is our biggest weak link, but Ellerbe hasnt been great either.

If we cant add a MLB , i would just move Misi to MLB and Jordan and Ellerbe outside. I think Misi would make a much better Mike then Ellerbe does. And Jordan cant be worse then Wheeler is. Bring Wheeler off the bench.


I think CB and Safety we are set. Jones has had somewhat of a down year in terms of his turnover production, but he is still a good tackler and hasnt given up any big plays on his side of the field. Clemons is also pretty serviceable. I would prefer more of a ball hawk, but Clemons hasnt been bad this year and IMO safety is not a position of "dire need" CB we are ok with. Id still look to add a vet or another late pick for depth. Hopefully Davis and Taylor are ready to contribute next year. I actually think Taylor has looked solid in limited snaps.

I like our defense, just the LB core is what concerns me. We need a true MLB in there. And hopefully Jordan plays and starts at LB next season.

Which safeties have you been watching? Jones has been horrible in giving up 35 of 42 completions for 464 yards and longs of 48, 43, 43, and 35. He has sucked.

Clemons, who you call "serviceable" has outplayed Jones by leaps and bounds i n giving up 10 of 20 completions for 97 yards, with one for 43. Clemons is also th QB with the DB's because Jones does not have the ability to do so.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

No. We need new linebackers but the defense is solid. The problem is that there WILL be a change on the defensive side of the ball because we have multiple free agents and it's not feasible to keep them all.

IMO our defense will regress in 2014. The offense must take a big step forward if this team is to finish 8-8 or better again next year.

 

[Carne Asada]

I don't get this. We are top 10 in points allowed, top ten in sacks, top ten in ints. Only team to have a takeaway every game this year. Literally won two games just by defense. All while spending the 4th most amount of time on the field. Our LBs all signed contracts so they won't change next year. Our DEs are all sticking around. We will prob see most of the FAs on the D side back next year too.

We have a really good D, why would anybody want to blow it up?

I think that's what you meant.

 

[So Be]

...And I have no problem with having done so, Starks got injured early on the season, is getting up there in age and is a free agent. Odrick has done better than Starks rushing the passer this year and I think they have simply been assigned with shooting gaps and stunting much more than just funneling the RB, which is the reason why we are getting killed on the run.

Starks has been our best on the DL this year, and no idea where you got the idea he has diminishing skills. He has rushed the QB 382 times with 4 sacks, 6 hits, and 29 hurries. Odrick has 481 rushes, with 5 sacks, 13 hits, and 25 hurries.

Also, Starks has FAR outplayed him vs the run. Where did you see the Starks injury? Have not seen it, and he has not missed any snaps?

 

[So Be]

Linebacking plqay must change, espeically the sheme and possibly the personel. As much as I would like to say just personel, Dansby was playing medocre under this sheme last year along Burnett, Dansby is playing lights out in AZ and Burnett is palying much better than here too. Take that into account plus realize that Ellerberee was playing much better at Balitmore last year before he arrive here and he was rate very highly at stopping the run and now his stats stink makes me believe much of our issue is linebacking coaching plus scheme.
If you also consider we are deepest and most talented defensive tackles in the NFL with Starke, Paul S and Odrick then the alarm bells should really start ringing. I consider this a hugh issue for next year if do not resign both of the former DTS because the run is kicking our butts.

Not true on Dansby and Burnett. Look it up.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

Burnett sucked last year and he sucks this year. Kevin Burnett sucks.

 

[So Be]

Burnett sucked last year and he sucks this year. Kevin Burnett sucks.

That's just not true, and there is no way that you can justify what you posted, NO WAY.

Last year, Burnett was the #4 4-3 OLB in the NFL. The year before, I would likely agree but, NO WAY last year.

 

[roy_miami]

I don't get this. We are top 10 in points allowed, top ten in sacks, top ten in ints. Only team to have a takeaway every game this year. Literally won two games just by defense. All while spending the 4th most amount of time on the field. Our LBs all signed contracts so they won't change next year. Our DEs are all sticking around. We will prob see most of the FAs on the D side back next year too.

We have a really good D, why wouldn't anybody want to blow it up?

Not only this but I think the D would go from being really good to stellar if our offense could ever get us a nice lead.

 

[So Be]

Not only this but I think the D would go from being really good to stellar if our offense could ever get us a nice lead.

This D would have been something special with Wake being the same as a year ago, with Jones being the same as a year ago, and Ellebbe being the same as a year ago.

 

[J. David Wannyheimer]

That's just not true, and there is no way that you can justify what you posted, NO WAY.

Last year, Burnett was the #4 4-3 OLB in the NFL. The year before, I would likely agree but, NO WAY last year.

I don't put any stock in PFF player ratings. NONE. PFF has said that Ryan Tannehill was the #7 or 8 rated QB for most of the year. I'm a big fan of Ryan Tannehill. He ain't the 7th or 8th best QB in the NFL.

Kevin Burnett sucks.

 

[blitzhappy]

If you don't think the downfall of our run defense is the two new linebackers and their inability to shed blockers and make tackles, please do tell what it is then!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Atila]

Our defense has not been a problem this season. They've been good enough or excellent in 12 of our games this season. We're 8th in points against. Our offense is 24th in points for. That tells you all that you need to know.

 

[twistedjay]

Our defense has not been a problem this season. They've been good enough or excellent in 12 of our games this season. We're 8th in points against. Our offense is 24th in points for. That tells you all that you need to know.

This. As others have mentioned, our defense is built to stop the pass and force turnovers. If our offense was playing better, the defense wouldn't be on the field all the time.

By falling behind so often, opposing teams are able to just keep pounding the ball against us, which is our biggest weakness. IMO our defense looks best when the opposition is forced to throw the ball. Our new linebackers were supposed to be better at attacking the ball, forcing turnovers and getting sacks.

We overpaid for Wheeler. I don't think anyone even argue that. Even if he matched last years production it wouldn't justify his salary. I think to get the most out of him he needs to be next to a MLB that is stronger at the POA than ellerbee. Someone that can take on a blocker in order to free Wheeler up to attack the ball. He is at his best when he can use his speed to mask his lack of instincts.

I think ellerbee is more suited to the outside in our scheme. I know they toyed with the idea of misi at MLB in the past. I think moving himself there is the way to get the most out of the guys we have.

I have no major issues the the dline. I doubt we can keep both starks and soliai, but I think we need to try. I would prioritize soliai mainly due to his age. He didn't play much early in his career. I think he still has quite a few good years left. Starks played a lot of snaps for the titans before we signed him. Although he is still playing at a high level, I think he is more likely to start breaking down physically in the next couple years. But if we could get him on a 2-3 year contract for a reasonable cap number I think we need to do it. I really wish we had tony McDaniel instead of Vaughn martin.

Clemons has actually been solid at safety. I see him as a (very) poor man's brock marion. I would like to have him back. I think Jones would look a lot better if he didnt have to help our linebackers so much in the run game. He is at his best when he can freelance more. As much as were paying him, coyle needs to find a way to maximize his skills. I would also like to pick up a young developmental safety in the draft. Coyle is terrific with dbs. Surely there will be a safety available on day three of the draft that coyle can develop.

I think we are OK at corner. Grimes must be resigned. Even if we have to franchise him, we need to keep him. Carroll has been decent this year. He has improved every season, I think we need to bring him back. Ideally Jamar Taylor would beat him out for a starting position at some point next year though.

I really don't know where Jordan fits in. All I know is that they need to figure out a way to get him on the field more. I can't wait to see what he can do with a full offseason.

So I guess this is my long winded way of saying no, I dont think we need to rebuild the defense. :beer:

 

[ChambersWI]

FOr the most part the scheme is fine, but we do tend to have lapses in zone coverage. The big issue is that Wheeler and Ellerbe both are the kings of near tackles. They never take somebody down on first contact. Now Wheeler's been enough of a liability the last 2 games where Jelani Jenkins is getting more and more time but he himself needs to get bigger .