Defensive Freefall
 

Interesting thing occurred to me yesterday as I watched TB put our lame ass's away ( in a game we should win). The thing that worried me most before the season is the least of my worries today. Except for a turnover problem, that MUST cease, the Offense can do with regularity those things necessary to win!

[b]Where has the D gone?[/b] We don't appear to be able to stop big plays when necessary, either running or passing. We look [b]VERY [/b]beatable. We kicked their ass in the running game. However, due to lack of QB pressure, poor coverage, (Walt Harris is having a tough couple of weeks), we allowed them to take this game away from us after it was[b] put to bed[/b] SEVERAL times. These dudes aren't that good. They scored at will! So did the Giants more importantly

Let it be known, I don't want to replace GW, or anyone else. Just food for thought!!!

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

In two of the last three games, our "D" allowed the opponents to score 36 points!!!!!!!!!!! Something is very wrong here. Our "D" of last year is no where to be found.

The loss of such defensive stalwarts as Smoot and Pierce are defintely being felt, despite what GW says.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Turnovers are what's wrong. We just cannot give the opposition a short field.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]Turnovers are what's wrong. We just cannot give the opposition a short field.[/QUOTE]

Malcom, correct me if I am wrong but only one turnover lead directly to points....take that TD away and our D gave up 28 points. That is still too many. Yes, the other Turnovers may have taken away points from us, but the D gave up 4 TDs in my opinion.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=TheMalcolmConnection]Turnovers are what's wrong. We just cannot give the opposition a short field.[/QUOTE]

That was the problem early in the game, but in the second half, Simms was picking the secondary apart. I'm usually not a person to say that one person was responsible, but I honestly believe if Sean Taylor had played, the game would have been much different. The secondary hasn't given up that many big pass plays all season, but with Taylor out, they look like the Arizona Cardinals secondary. The Bucs receivers were behind our safeties all game long.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=LadyT]In two of the last three games, our "D" allowed the opponents to score 36 points!!!!!!!!!!! Something is very wrong here. Our "D" of last year is no where to be found.

The loss of such defensive stalwarts as Smoot and Pierce are defintely being felt, despite what GW says.[/QUOTE]
How dare you question coach Williams the genius he is... u need to confess your sins immediately

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Our offense did its job yesterday; you can't score 35 pts on the league's #1 and say you didn't do your job. It's our defense that really worries me, especially since Shaun Alexander ripped off that 34 yd run in week 2. What is up with these guys? We were dominant last year even when we lost half the lineup at various times to injury. They NEED to step it up or else we're doomed for this season.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Our secondary is hurting. We took some big hits to both our starting core and depth. I don't think Walt Harris could hold Smoot's jock. Even Garnell Wilds seemed to be coming along and I doubt he was too expensive to hold on to. I really hope Rogers gets it together soon!

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=Daseal]Our secondary is hurting. We took some big hits to both our starting core and depth. I don't think Walt Harris could hold Smoot's jock. Even Garnell Wilds seemed to be coming along and I doubt he was too expensive to hold on to. I really hope Rogers gets it together soon![/QUOTE]

Our secondary is in tough shape on man coverage. The Buc's recievers are strictly average, twighlight of career, or unknown (with a shaky QB). No killers. They had their way with us time and again. We let them back in the game several times in the second half. The game really should not have been close. VERY unsettling!!!!!! However, I DO believe GW can cypher out the problem and correct!!!!

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

I totally agree with the other posts here - our defense has seen a dropoff from last year's.

I think a combination of turnovers and Sean Taylor's absence hurt our chances yesterday.

But no way should the Bucs be able to run up and down the field on us like that!??

Injuries or no, we have taken a step back in my opinion. The reason I say this is because last year when we had injuries to starters you didn't see any noticable dropp-off - this year is another story.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

With taylor out, i hoped GW would have changed his scheming a little and not try to bring the house as often. I do not agree with how many times we blitzed springs from the corner position, leaving that side of the field open. Every time springs blitzed, simms went to that side of the field and we got burned. Besides taylor, our other safties cannot cover deep and i was uncomfortable blitzing like we did. We didn't even get much pressure when we did blitz, so i think GW should have realized that and let up a bit, especially with our corners. I say that having taylor out was a huge factor (like it was last year against Green Bay) and knowing that, GW should not have been as aggressive, or at least changed his gameplan during the game after he saw that we were not getting much pressure on simms anyway and that we were getting beat deep often.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Every defense in this league gets "figured out" I think teams have been doing their homework and figuring out what they can do against us. Williams is ultra aggressive, there is no question. If the QB can get time to throw the ball, even average QBs can take advantage of 1 on 1 coverage. Especially when you have an average CB with average cover skills. I gave this example earlier today, but remember the Dallas D a couple of years ago when it was #1. Zimmer was blitzing all over the place, and the average corners were not exposed. The next year, teams figured out how to negate their blitzs and their corners were exposed. Any corner in the NFL can cover a guy for 2 seconds, its when they have to cover them on double moves and deep posts that brings out the good and the bad in corners. It comes down to pressure. Teams have figured out where we are blitzing from and keep extra people in to account for that. Until GW changed a few things regarding blitz packages and we are better at confusing the QB at where the blitz is coming from we will have these problems. Thats why we were so good last year. Spring had what 6 or so sacks last year. How many this year, 0!!!. that blitz was awesome last year, but this year we haven't gotten any sacks out of it. We have to adapt, or its going to be a long road.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=#56fanatic]Every defense in this league gets "figured out" I think teams have been doing their homework and figuring out what they can do against us. Williams is ultra aggressive, there is no question. If the QB can get time to throw the ball, even average QBs can take advantage of 1 on 1 coverage. Especially when you have an average CB with average cover skills. I gave this example earlier today, but remember the Dallas D a couple of years ago when it was #1. Zimmer was blitzing all over the place, and the average corners were not exposed. The next year, teams figured out how to negate their blitzs and their corners were exposed. Any corner in the NFL can cover a guy for 2 seconds, its when they have to cover them on double moves and deep posts that brings out the good and the bad in corners. It comes down to pressure. Teams have figured out where we are blitzing from and keep extra people in to account for that. Until GW changed a few things regarding blitz packages and we are better at confusing the QB at where the blitz is coming from we will have these problems. Thats why we were so good last year. Spring had what 6 or so sacks last year. How many this year, 0!!!. that blitz was awesome last year, but this year we haven't gotten any sacks out of it. We have to adapt, or its going to be a long road.[/QUOTE]

Good point.. I agree that adapting and coming up with new bitzs and scheme's is going to be the key.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

2 of our top 4 players on D are out right now and our depth obviously sucks. maybe that helps to explain it...

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I don't think our secondary should be getting as much of the blame as it is getting. I'm sorry, but Chris Simms had ALL DAY to throw the ball. I blame our front four as much as our back four for the poor passing defense.

I think our defense will get back on track once Griffin returns.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Our front four wasn't getting pressure, that is definitely a fact. However, there is such a thing as a coverage sack. Our secondary left gaping holes that even I could have thrown a couple TD passes through. I agree with That Guy, it's a depth thing. As long as our starting secondary is in, we're okay. Once one of those guys goes down, we're in trouble.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

fanatic got it right.
we have 3 blitz packages:
corner blitz, teams arent supprised when we do it so springs and harris always get stopped.

Delay blitz, stunt the linemen and have a linebacker(usually washington or marshall) run up the middle hoping the offensivelinemen are already committed to blocking.

Zone Blitz, bring up everyone to the line and drop both defensive ends and rush arrington and washington.


We dont blitz safeties because we HAVE TO use them in coverage( i miss you smooty ). when we play a zone defence, any QB in the league can pick us apart because our front four gets absolutely no pressure.


another problem: we are using our Dlinemen to cover gaps not rush the passer. it helped solve the big runs to the right side problem but opens up more problem.

and another thing:
the reason why we dont get turnovers is because our guys dont match up with anyone. they all play a zone. NFL QB's(even the really bad ones) can pick apart zone coverages. they threw to galloway every time he was in Piersons zone...
when they throw to our corners, they are so far off they never have a chance to make a play on the ball. [B] when was the last time you saw a Cornerback get his hands on the ball?[/B]
there is no reason why springs shouldnt shadow galloway( or any teams #1 WR).

our defensive scheme is too much "Bend but dont break" right now.

we have to make simms earn his TD's to galloway by throwing at springs one on one.

Match our talented guys up one on one and help the others. Give springs, Taylor, Washington and lavar a chance to make plays or get beat.

all year teams have been dictating our matchups. we cant let that happen. no more #1 WR vs a safety. we need to let springs lock them up. if springs gets beat, fine... but if we let pierson cover a teams WR, we are morons. I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE RAIDERS WILL LOOK FOR THAT MATCHUP.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

yesssss, I agree our defense is not doing its job very well,
we should limits our opponents to 10 points or less, but lately
it is very disappointing,

But I am not worried, because I know the GW is a heck of a coach

DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

I think Williams is probably on the case fellas.
Moss is the best nonsuspended WR in the league right now. He can out jump anyone on our team. Williams is no dummy and this ain't his first rodeo. He played Wilds on him last year with Taylor supporting. Not to worry there is a new fiesta in the making.... Fed Ex field 1 pm Sunday!

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

The Redskins defense usually dictates the pace , or the play calling of the offense we are playing, or atleast last year they did. I agree with matching Springs on the other teams #1 receiver. We didn't have to do that so much last year because of Smoot. I would take Harris over Rogers RIGHT NOW, especially against the Raiders and a very good play caller in Norv. Harris can match up with Porter, but will need some over the top help from Clark. Taylor, if he plays, will make a huge difference in our pass coverage. TEs and Moss will not like to go across the middle if LaVar and Taylor are playing. They wont know which one is going to take their head off. It makes it easier for Norv if Taylor isn't playing, but hopefully Sean will be in there. Griffin is probably out, isn't there a FAT A$$ we can pick up out there that can take up some space and get a push up the middle? We basically have DE playing DT right now, other than BIG JOE. Our pass rush has to improve with our D-Line and LB or we are going to be in trouble rushing our corners and safeties, especially against the Raiders. They are playing a lot better than the 3-6 record indicates.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=railcon56@comcast.net]How dare you question coach Williams the genius he is... u need to confess your sins immediately[/QUOTE]

I haven't been to confession in years!

We did miss ST on Sunday, but wasn't he playing when we lost to the Giants 36-0? I wish I could say a healthy ST is the answer, but there are more things wrong with the "D" than simply ST's absence. We've been beaten on big plays many times this year.

Neither Harris nor P.P. has impressed me at all. They always seem to be getting beat on their assignments. Many times on Sunday the Bucs receivers were so wide open it was mind boggling.

I'll say it again, the loss of both Smoot and Pierce has really hurt us. Pierce more than Smoot, because he was the on-field brains of this defense.

On the very positive side, despite the first half turnovers, the offense really came to life against the league's best defense. They redeemed themselves after a shaky start and we should have won that game. It's hard to have to admit it, but the "D" has to take the lion's share of the blame for what happened on Sunday.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=LadyT]I haven't been to confession in years!

We did miss ST on Sunday, but wasn't he playing when we lost to the Giants 36-0? I wish I could say a healthy ST is the answer, but there are more things wrong with the "D" than simply ST's absence. We've been beaten on big plays many times this year.

Neither Harris nor P.P. has impressed me at all. They always seem to be getting beat on their assignments. Many times on Sunday the Bucs receivers were so wide open it was mind boggling.

I'll say it again, the loss of both Smoot and Pierce has really hurt us. Pierce more than Smoot, because he was the on-field brains of this defense.

On the very positive side, despite the first half turnovers, the offense really came to life against the league's best defense. They redeemed themselves
after a shaky start and we should have won that game. It's hard to have to admit it, but the "D" has to take the lion's share of the blame for what happened on Sunday.[/QUOTE]

True enough! They had several drops on WIDE open recievers downfield. However, as you said lady T, you gotta' love the offense on Sunday. The running game was outrageous @ 10 ish yards per...........GW has his work cut out for him, I must say. This was a bad loss. I looked at the faces and listened to the interviews with the players. I feel just like that-just sad. Well, we'll have to [b]get well[/b] on NORV

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

Although I'm somewhat disappointed with our defense right now, we're still ranked number 7. Also, the two teams that were number 1 and 2 last year, Pittsburgh and Buffalo have slipped some as well.

Both are around 9 and 11, respectively.

I think the bigger problem for us this year is the turnover ratio, or lack thereof. It's really amazing to still have a winning record and be third from last in this category.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=12thMan]Although I'm somewhat disappointed with our defense right now, we're still ranked number 7. Also, the two teams that were number 1 and 2 last year, Pittsburgh and Buffalo have slipped some as well.

Both are around 9 and 11, respectively.

I think the bigger problem for us this year is the turnover ratio, or lack thereof. It's really amazing to still have a winning record and be third from last in this category.[/QUOTE]

Check the turn over margin against the last 4 or 5 games. Thats where the all telling signs are. The first 3 games I dont think we turned the ball over near as much as we have the last month. The record over the past 6 games will show how important the turn over ratio is. We need to get some INTs. We have only a few and that is not good for an agressive defense. but that all relates to pressure on the QB , which we dont have

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

[QUOTE=Ramseyfan]I don't think our secondary should be getting as much of the blame as it is getting. I'm sorry, but Chris Simms had ALL DAY to throw the ball. I blame our front four as much as our back four for the poor passing defense.

I think our defense will get back on track once Griffin returns.[/QUOTE]


I agree

Our most glaring weakness on Defense is the lack of a pass rush. Had we been able to generate more of a rush, many of the plays completed down field could have been negated.

Re: Defensive Freefall
 

agreed on the pass rush... if we're also missing key secondary personnel, they're going to be in trouble if they're left out to dry. Ideally, GW's scheme's genius relies on the unpredictability of the LB corps. Stunt blitzing, backing off after showing heavy blitz, etc... when you've got no D line pressure, you're forced to attack with the backers more and then it becomes predictable for the opposing offense. Then your secondary is in trouble, especially with second stringers.