Something about the D I have noticed

[Ryan1973]

The Eagles had the best defense in the NFL last year and the chiefs beat them in a shootout to win the superbowl. We can't expect to shut down the best of the best but thankfully our offense can outscore anyone.

Ya because the Eagles dominant pass rush was nowhere to be found in the Super Bowl. They got dominated up front. Mahomes had all day in that game to pick them apart.

 

[rickd13]

So why have 3 different staffs given him virtually every snap? Were they all incompetent?

If he's truly as terrible as you say, why would anyone trade for him?

No, you're not the only one that questions Baker's value. You are the only one that brings him up on a daily basis, out of the blue, in completely unrelated conversations.

It's fine. Push your agenda if that's what you truly believe. I just find it odd that our defensive coaches past/present seem to have a completely different opinion.

And yes, you absolutely have a choice.

To be fair, it’s not like Grier has prioritized the linebacker position, so the coaching staffs haven’t had a better option. Baker has been really bad and an upgrade at that position is needed.

 

[DuderinoN703]

I saw the thread title and thought my wife had joined the forum.

Wives know about D? Who knew?

 

[Mach2]

I am always going to point out the worst players on the team, if that means I have an agenda, so be it. Typically my agenda with former Buckeyes is to prop them up given my love for The Ohio State University.

The previous coaches didn't have a choice when it came to playing Baker. He had too much guaranteed money, which won't be the case after the season, when he's one of the first players released.

The only thing he had going for him is that we had no other LB's and little means of replacing him. When you're a zero impact player making 8 figures, everyone should have the same agenda.

He's a weakness no matter how you spin it.

Also remember Flores and Boyer got FIRED.

Hard to comprehend the defense of Baker here. Especially after he chose to do nothing on the Mike Gesicki lateral play, other than watch it unfold, while most of the other defenders swarmed to the ball. Its who he is, no heart, just athletic ability.

The irony here is that I only mentioned him this week because he actually made a single (big) play.

I think we can make a move to upgrade that position before the trade deadline.

Not defending him so much as pointing out that, IMO, he isn't nearly bad enough to warrant the level of distain you present.

Is he a All Pro talent? Hell no, but he isn't the steaming heap of dung you purport either.

If we can upgrade any positions, at a cost that makes sense in terms of the team as a whole, I'm all for it. No rational person would argue otherwise.

I wouldn't be surprised if he redoes his contract at a lower price to stay beyond this year at "market value'. It doesn't take Nostradamus to see the contract structure was such that there was no way he would see that 14m next season.

 

[Mach2]

To be fair, it’s not like Grier has prioritized the linebacker position, so the coaching staffs haven’t had a better option. Baker has been really bad and an upgrade at that position is needed.

What leads you to believe this will change?

I also think "really bad" is an overstatement. Respect your view, though.

 

[Ryan1973]

Do you realize the Dolphins only had one sack yesterday and that didn’t happen until the 4th quarter even though they were winning in blowout fashion from the 2nd quarter on . If Miami is going to play the way Fangio wants to play, without doing much blitzing, the front four has to greatly improve.

Exactly! The d-line has to get more pressure on the QB without blitzing!

 

[rickd13]

What leads you to believe this will change?

I also think "really bad" is an overstatement. Respect your view, though.

Unfortunately I don’t believe it will change unless Fangio pushes for Grier to do something about it. I get that LB is not really a high priority position, but I find it hard to believe that Miami won’t be able to find a way to upgrade from Baker.

 

[Mach2]

Unfortunately I don’t believe it will change unless Fangio pushes for Grier to do something about it. I get that LB is not really a high priority position, but I find it hard to believe that Miami won’t be able to find a way to upgrade from Baker.

Easier said than done.

Everybody wants an ILB that has sideline to sideline range, stack and shed ability, good coverage skills and is a thumper between the tackles.

Those guys are very few and very expensive unless you draft a guy high, and we have other positions to consider with our few picks.

Now, next year is an easy out, and easy decision if Bake doesn't want to play for less.

 

[finmann]

Our D is worrisome man. Many have said that it's a new concept and we need to be patient which I'm going to do, but I find that under Flores we had a more attacking style of defense. Our defense seems so reactionary now while under Flores we caused havoc with blitzes forcing turnovers. Then there's X...he's like a shell of himself.

 

[The Ghost]

Not defending him so much as pointing out that, IMO, he isn't nearly bad enough to warrant the level of distain you present.

Is he a All Pro talent? Hell no, but he isn't the steaming heap of dung you purport either.

If we can upgrade any positions, at a cost that makes sense in terms of the team as a whole, I'm all for it. No rational person would argue otherwise.

I wouldn't be surprised if he redoes his contract at a lower price to stay beyond this year at "market value'. It doesn't take Nostradamus to see the contract structure was such that there was no way he would see that 14m next season.

There will be no restructure, he's a 100% goner.

There's a LB currently playing in the state of Florida (and born in Miami) who would be a PERFECT fit for us this year and possibly next, as he's shown no signs of slowing down and has an extremely tradable deal.

 

[Mach2]

There will be no restructure, he's a 100% goner.

There's a LB currently playing in the state of Florida (and born in Miami) who would be a PERFECT fit for us this year and possibly next, as he's shown no signs of slowing down and has an extremely tradable deal.

Didn't you say he was a "goner" after last season?

Nothing is 100% by the way

 

[Ryan1973]

Our D is worrisome man. Many have said that it's a new concept and we need to be patient which I'm going to do, but I find that under Flores we had a more attacking style of defense. Our defense seems so reactionary now while under Flores we caused havoc with blitzes forcing turnovers. Then there's X...he's like a shell of himself.

You nailed it on the head! I prefer an attacking style defense to this soft zone crap they are playing now!

 

[The Ghost]

Didn't you say he was a "goner" after last season?

Nothing is 100% by the way

If he's on the team next year I'll donate $100 to Finheaven in your name.

He'll be the first one cut.

He's only here because Channing Tindal is a JAG.

 

[Mach2]

If he's on the team next year I'll donate $100 to Finheaven in your name.

He'll be the first one cut.

He's only here because Channing Tindal is a JAG.

Haha.....Bake is a JAG. Tindall isn't even that.....

 

[Jimi]

The defense doesn’t have the talent level to be a smothering elite defense. We already have an elite offense anyway, can’t have it all.

That’s why we paid all that money to Fangio. We just need them to be good and to come up big in big moments. So far definitely trending towards that.