Easy to tell why our defense has been poor

[Galian Beast]

A lot of people want to blame Kiffin, and honestly I'm not ready to do that just yet. It appears like he doesn't adjust, but you have to remember you have to have the players to make those adjustments. I would like us to play with more defensive backs, but I guess we just don't have them. I really did think it was questionable going into the year with only 3 cornerbacks with any playing experience... and then 1 rookie...

But let's look at why the defense has so grossly underperformed.

1. Defensive line injuries: First and foremost we talked all offseason about how in order for Kiffin's defense to work we needed a pass rush. The idea was that we would have Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, and Spencer on the defensive line, and that Ratliff might take a while, but originally was supposed to be ready by the start of the season. We currently have 1 starter playing, and he was the worst of the 4. It doesn't look like he'll be playing against New Orleans either.

I think Marinelli has done an amazing job for what he is working with. And look forward to what he can do next year with some draft picks.

2. Poor linebacker play. Bruce Carter has just played so much more poorly than we had all hoped. No one expected him to be better than Sean Lee, but he played downright bad, which caused him to get benched. Sean Lee wasn't playing all that inspired early in the season either.

I've got to say the decision to keep Eberflus seems like a head scratcher at this point. The guy was primarily a 3-4 linebackers coach, and he hasn't done anything to develop these guys in the 4-3. The entire linebacker corps is underperforming. I know they liked him for what he did with the linebackers in the 3-4, but we're not running a 3-4...

3. Secondary play. Morris Claiborne has turned into just a terrible pick. And Carr has really been a mixed bag this year. Either he is really good or really bad. The safety play has been for the most part uninspired as well..., but I think most of us expected that, especially after Matt Johnson got hurt again.

Jerome Henderson has really gotten a lot of hype since we brought him in here, but I don't see anything he has done that has been impressive in the secondary. He hasn't developed a single player since he has been here.

I think both Henderson and Eberflus need to be gone next year. We've put a lot of draft value and money into those positions and we're not seeing any return.

 

[Wood]

I give you credit for calling out the Claiborne pick. There were red flags last year that alot of people were not ready to acknowledge. I still think he can be a serviceable CB but certainly not what you would expect with #6 pick overall. Carter poor play wasn't really anticipated because he is so freakishly athletic but I think there is more here than meets eye. I just don't think he connected with Kiffin. Now its to the point that coaching staff doesn't even fully trust Carter and thus the Sims start last week. Carter is just too good but I almost feel he needs different DC to get back to excelling. The defensive line was mess before season and injuries have just magnified what was colossal failure by Jerry & Jason in not taking DL early in draft. The good news is the division is a pile of S so with few off-season moves Dallas can make run next year because I think there is zero chance of this defense being able to win anything in playoffs.

 

[jaybird]

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I'm not ready to proclaim Mo was a wasted pick. For the most part his issue has been injuries. The talent is there and he seems to be solid guy. At the end of his 3rd year we're not seeing pro bowling play, then I will buy in. I agree though for a 6th selection I'm dissapointed.

 

[Alexander]

I've got to say the decision to keep Eberflus seems like a head scratcher at this point. The guy was primarily a 3-4 linebackers coach, and he hasn't done anything to develop these guys in the 4-3. The entire linebacker corps is underperforming. I know they liked him for what he did with the linebackers in the 3-4, but we're not running a 3-4...

You kind of have to look at it that way. In retrospect, it seems like a mistake. The LB position in the Kiffin defense is more critical than most people think.

But there is one thing Jones does not like to do is dismiss coaches that are under contract. Usually when someone gets the boot, their time is up.

As for your comment about the "entire linebacker corps" underperforming, I disagree. Lee is playing outstanding football. But he probably would with Bozo The Clown as his position coach.

 

[Galian Beast]

You kind of have to look at it that way. In retrospect, it seems like a mistake. The LB position in the Kiffin defense is more critical than most people think.

But there is one thing Jones does not like to do is dismiss coaches that are under contract. Usually when someone gets the boot, their time is up.

As for your comment about the "entire linebacker corps" underperforming, I disagree. Lee is playing outstanding football. But he probably would with Bozo The Clown as his position coach.

Lee has played well the last few weeks but he started off the season extremely shaky. I had a lot of hope for this defense this year, but it seems like those hopes were farfetched now.

 

[Muhast]

A lot of people want to blame Kiffin, and honestly I'm not ready to do that just yet. It appears like he doesn't adjust, but you have to remember you have to have the players to make those adjustments. I would like us to play with more defensive backs, but I guess we just don't have them. I really did think it was questionable going into the year with only 3 cornerbacks with any playing experience... and then 1 rookie...

But let's look at why the defense has so grossly underperformed.

1. Defensive line injuries: First and foremost we talked all offseason about how in order for Kiffin's defense to work we needed a pass rush. The idea was that we would have Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, and Spencer on the defensive line, and that Ratliff might take a while, but originally was supposed to be ready by the start of the season. We currently have 1 starter playing, and he was the worst of the 4. It doesn't look like he'll be playing against New Orleans either.

I think Marinelli has done an amazing job for what he is working with. And look forward to what he can do next year with some draft picks.

2. Poor linebacker play. Bruce Carter has just played so much more poorly than we had all hoped. No one expected him to be better than Sean Lee, but he played downright bad, which caused him to get benched. Sean Lee wasn't playing all that inspired early in the season either.

I've got to say the decision to keep Eberflus seems like a head scratcher at this point. The guy was primarily a 3-4 linebackers coach, and he hasn't done anything to develop these guys in the 4-3. The entire linebacker corps is underperforming. I know they liked him for what he did with the linebackers in the 3-4, but we're not running a 3-4...

3. Secondary play. Morris Claiborne has turned into just a terrible pick. And Carr has really been a mixed bag this year. Either he is really good or really bad. The safety play has been for the most part uninspired as well..., but I think most of us expected that, especially after Matt Johnson got hurt again.

Jerome Henderson has really gotten a lot of hype since we brought him in here, but I don't see anything he has done that has been impressive in the secondary. He hasn't developed a single player since he has been here.

I think both Henderson and Eberflus need to be gone next year. We've put a lot of draft value and money into those positions and we're not seeing any return.

According to this: http://wp.advancednflstats.com/defenderstats.php?pos=CB we have two of the top 25 CB's in the NFL statistically. Carr at 5, Scandrick at 25

 

[Tabascocat]

Lee has played well the last few weeks but he started off the season extremely shaky. I had a lot of hope for this defense this year, but it seems like those hopes were farfetched now.

I don't think far-fetched at all, injuries have killed any chance of success. Just like last season, we will never know the true potential. It does take time to go from the 3-4 to the 4-3 and if this team stayed healthy, I bet we would be seeing a top 10 defense by now.

The offense needs to step up now to account for this and I don't think Garrett/Callahan will do so or if they are even capable of this. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out our defense is barely hanging on and they need some offensive help.

Fast forward to the end of the season.........Kiffin takes the fall because the defense(allegedly) is what is holding this team back, Garrett gets play-calling duties back with one more chance.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

The problem is not the players it's personal preparation . We don't put our players in the best position to succeed . Each player has strengths and weaknesses and the opposing coaches have been taking advantage of our lack of preparation on defense throughout the season .

Just a few examples : Bruce carter isolated on woodhead throughout the game . Woodhead was the MVP of that game .

The zone defense vs Denver . This one was the dumbest one . Peyton manning is way to smart for a team playing over the top zone . Manning a weakness is his arm strength and we gave him constant 5-10 yard zone cushions . Easy completions all game .

In that same Denver game , Ernie sims in the slot covering Wes welker ? Are you kidding me ? Scandrick shut him down but on the most crucial drive it was 2nd and 19 and sims was lined up taking welker easy completion to welker for 17 down to the 2 yard line . Set up a TD . Shows lack of preparation From coaching staff .

Another example this past week . We would all agree Jennings is one of the Vikings top threats right ? Well instead of having Scandrick or care taking him , we have rookie bw Webb taking him with no help . This was the case the entire game and the coaching staff didn't adjust . Just sickening .

 

[Doomsday101]

Kiffin and Marinelli will get this defense turned around. I think the unit has been good about creating the turnovers but we give up way too many big plays something that you normally will not see in zone where they tend to allow shorter catches in the seems but not the big plays down field. While some may see my post as a pipe dream I still have faith that this defensive staff will get this unit playing much better.

 

[GroundUp]

The problem is not the players it's personal preparation . We don't put our players in the best position to succeed . Each player has strengths and weaknesses and the opposing coaches have been taking advantage of our lack of preparation on defense throughout the season .

Just a few examples : Bruce carter isolated on woodhead throughout the game . Woodhead was the MVP of that game .

The zone defense vs Denver . This one was the dumbest one . Peyton manning is way to smart for a team playing over the top zone . Manning a weakness is his arm strength and we gave him constant 5-10 yard zone cushions . Easy completions all game .

In that same Denver game , Ernie sims in the slot covering Wes welker ? Are you kidding me ? Scandrick shut him down but on the most crucial drive it was 2nd and 19 and sims was lined up taking welker easy completion to welker for 17 down to the 2 yard line . Set up a TD . Shows lack of preparation From coaching staff .

Another example this past week . We would all agree Jennings is one of the Vikings top threats right ? Well instead of having Scandrick or care taking him , we have rookie bw Webb taking him with no help . This was the case the entire game and the coaching staff didn't adjust . Just sickening .

I agree with this sentiment and I think it's been a problem for some time now.

 

[Future]

So all three units of the defense have been bad? Good to know.

 

[Future]

The problem is not the players it's personal preparation . We don't put our players in the best position to succeed . Each player has strengths and weaknesses and the opposing coaches have been taking advantage of our lack of preparation on defense throughout the season .

Just a few examples : Bruce carter isolated on woodhead throughout the game . Woodhead was the MVP of that game .

The zone defense vs Denver . This one was the dumbest one . Peyton manning is way to smart for a team playing over the top zone . Manning a weakness is his arm strength and we gave him constant 5-10 yard zone cushions . Easy completions all game .

In that same Denver game , Ernie sims in the slot covering Wes welker ? Are you kidding me ? Scandrick shut him down but on the most crucial drive it was 2nd and 19 and sims was lined up taking welker easy completion to welker for 17 down to the 2 yard line . Set up a TD . Shows lack of preparation From coaching staff .

Another example this past week . We would all agree Jennings is one of the Vikings top threats right ? Well instead of having Scandrick or care taking him , we have rookie bw Webb taking him with no help . This was the case the entire game and the coaching staff didn't adjust . Just sickening .

I agree that the coaching hasn't been perfect, but your examples are way off. First of all, every team covers RBs with linebackers, what are they supposed to do...put Scandrick on Woodhead? Manning does not have a weak arm so idk where that idea comes from. If Sims finds himself in man against Welker, the players have to make that switch on the fly. Greg Jennings led all Vikings receiver sure...but he had a whopping 56 total yards.

 

[dcstands4]

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I'm not ready to proclaim Mo was a wasted pick. For the most part his issue has been injuries. The talent is there and he seems to be solid guy. At the end of his 3rd year we're not seeing pro bowling play, then I will buy in. I agree though for a 6th selection I'm dissapointed.

Im with you Revis didn't "come on" till his middle of second and 3rd year, Sherman 2nd year. Mo has been plagued by injured so next year will be key

 

[CaptainCreed]

A lot of people want to blame Kiffin, and honestly I'm not ready to do that just yet. It appears like he doesn't adjust, but you have to remember you have to have the players to make those adjustments. I would like us to play with more defensive backs, but I guess we just don't have them. I really did think it was questionable going into the year with only 3 cornerbacks with any playing experience... and then 1 rookie...

But let's look at why the defense has so grossly underperformed.

1. Defensive line injuries: First and foremost we talked all offseason about how in order for Kiffin's defense to work we needed a pass rush. The idea was that we would have Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, and Spencer on the defensive line, and that Ratliff might take a while, but originally was supposed to be ready by the start of the season. We currently have 1 starter playing, and he was the worst of the 4. It doesn't look like he'll be playing against New Orleans either.

I think Marinelli has done an amazing job for what he is working with. And look forward to what he can do next year with some draft picks.

2. Poor linebacker play. Bruce Carter has just played so much more poorly than we had all hoped. No one expected him to be better than Sean Lee, but he played downright bad, which caused him to get benched. Sean Lee wasn't playing all that inspired early in the season either.

I've got to say the decision to keep Eberflus seems like a head scratcher at this point. The guy was primarily a 3-4 linebackers coach, and he hasn't done anything to develop these guys in the 4-3. The entire linebacker corps is underperforming. I know they liked him for what he did with the linebackers in the 3-4, but we're not running a 3-4...

3. Secondary play. Morris Claiborne has turned into just a terrible pick. And Carr has really been a mixed bag this year. Either he is really good or really bad. The safety play has been for the most part uninspired as well..., but I think most of us expected that, especially after Matt Johnson got hurt again.

Jerome Henderson has really gotten a lot of hype since we brought him in here, but I don't see anything he has done that has been impressive in the secondary. He hasn't developed a single player since he has been here.

I think both Henderson and Eberflus need to be gone next year. We've put a lot of draft value and money into those positions and we're not seeing any return.

I do not think you are giving Carr enough credit. He had been a whole lot of good and one game of bad against Calvin Johnson.

 

[Kevinicus]

A lot of people want to blame Kiffin, and honestly I'm not ready to do that just yet. It appears like he doesn't adjust, but you have to remember you have to have the players to make those adjustments. I would like us to play with more defensive backs, but I guess we just don't have them. I really did think it was questionable going into the year with only 3 cornerbacks with any playing experience... and then 1 rookie...

But let's look at why the defense has so grossly underperformed.

1. Defensive line injuries: First and foremost we talked all offseason about how in order for Kiffin's defense to work we needed a pass rush. The idea was that we would have Ware, Hatcher, Ratliff, and Spencer on the defensive line, and that Ratliff might take a while, but originally was supposed to be ready by the start of the season. We currently have 1 starter playing, and he was the worst of the 4. It doesn't look like he'll be playing against New Orleans either.

I think Marinelli has done an amazing job for what he is working with. And look forward to what he can do next year with some draft picks.

2. Poor linebacker play. Bruce Carter has just played so much more poorly than we had all hoped. No one expected him to be better than Sean Lee, but he played downright bad, which caused him to get benched. Sean Lee wasn't playing all that inspired early in the season either.

I've got to say the decision to keep Eberflus seems like a head scratcher at this point. The guy was primarily a 3-4 linebackers coach, and he hasn't done anything to develop these guys in the 4-3. The entire linebacker corps is underperforming. I know they liked him for what he did with the linebackers in the 3-4, but we're not running a 3-4...

3. Secondary play. Morris Claiborne has turned into just a terrible pick. And Carr has really been a mixed bag this year. Either he is really good or really bad. The safety play has been for the most part uninspired as well..., but I think most of us expected that, especially after Matt Johnson got hurt again.

Jerome Henderson has really gotten a lot of hype since we brought him in here, but I don't see anything he has done that has been impressive in the secondary. He hasn't developed a single player since he has been here.

I think both Henderson and Eberflus need to be gone next year. We've put a lot of draft value and money into those positions and we're not seeing any return.

I think you are too hard on Claiborne. He was playing pretty good before he hurt his hamstring. Ever since the 2nd half of the Denver game. It was very noticeable when he left the Detroit game. I think having him back will be pretty significant.

 

[btcutter]

My issue with DC is how we played CJ. This in my opinion cost us the game. After CJ racked up 200 yards before half time it was time to adjust since whatever you were doing didn't work! You need to make someone else besides CJ beat you. Other teams has put gunner style coverage to take CJ completely out of the game. I'm sure some coaches has seen that. Why did we not try that when we know full well that they had to pass when they were down 10?
I hope our DC can adjust better. Many NFL games are determined in the 2nd half. Whoever makes better adjustment often wins the game.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Maybe I'm overly optimistic, but I'm not ready to proclaim Mo was a wasted pick. For the most part his issue has been injuries. The talent is there and he seems to be solid guy.

Not overly optimistic. He has been a Cowboy for just over 18 months. Because he can't walk on water yet, he is a bust? Please.

 

[theebs]

Eberflus is a well respected coach, why are you bagging on him? That seems misguided at best.

And he has a bunch of experience coaching the 4-3.

The assistants were not the problem, the coordinators scheme was.

Henderson and eberflus are good coaches.

 

[Dwight]

Draft some good Dlinemen next offseason and you will see a difference in this defense.

 

[Aven8]

The only stat worth anything is scoring defense and TO's.

If the offense could pull there heads out of there you know what, we might be ok.