Inexplicable and Unbelivable, but we have the #1 Offense

[jobberone]

This fact can't be emphasized enough. Our D has been stellar at times, swiss cheese at others. But one constant is that they do not consistently force turnovers. It doesn't even seem to be a mindset with this team. Dropped interceptions. And when we gang tackle, nobody tries to strip the ball. Even when we sack the QB, we do it so gently that the ball probably won't come out. So far, we have a really nice guy defense. Then when one of our guys has the audacity to lay the wood, i.e., Alan Ball, he gets a bogus penalty. I hope things turn around after the bye.

This is dead on. Don't know about being a nice guy but they do not get coaching in stripping the ball. Haven't seen this in years. I'd excuse it if they were taught to wrap up at all costs. But they don't do that either. Too many poor tacklers on the team and no one is trying to strip the ball.

I have but one other problem with the D. That's not getting and keeping containment. Too much free lancing trying to make a big play. Ratliff is the worst at that. If the coaches are giving him free reign then they are at fault. If not then it's still poor coaching to continue to allow it. Too many big plays given up or just gashing the middle of the defense with traps and lead draws allowing Ratliff to run himself out of the play.

I forgot. I also detest the way they play when they need a big stop. Way too soft and not enough blitzes. They play a good game most of the game then revert to a different scheme and wonder why teams march down the field. Esp when they run the same patterns and gash a cover 2 that has poor safety play and too large a cushion underneath coupled with poor tackling. Now that's mostly on the coaching. And they don't recognize it or just keep doing the same thing anyway. The definition of stupidity.