Middle of the Field Concerns

[Nation]

According to ProFootballFocus stats, on passes to the middle of the field that were thrown 0-9 yards in the air the Chiefs last week went 8 for 11 for 78 yards, no TDs/INTs, and a 92.2 QB rating. Eli Manning in that same section went 10 for 14 for 107 yards, 1 TD, and 0 INTs.

On passes to the middle of the field that traveled 10-19 yards in the air, the Chiefs were 4 for 4 for 55 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, and a perfect 158.3 QB rating. The Giants verse us were 9 for 10 for 188 yards, 1 TD, 0 INTs, and a 152.1 QB rating.

There are obvious caveats here, mainly the differences in talent level of the Jaguars defense and the Cowboys defense, and the arm limitations of Alex Smith vs Eli Manning. But it's something to be concerned about.

Other relevant stats

• Smith only attempted 5 passes outside the numbers beyond 10 yards in the air, and only completed 1 of those (15 yard completion)
• Both QBs had 100+ QB ratings on passes outside the numbers to the left side of the field traveling 0-9 yards, and both were below 45 on passes outside the numbers to the right side of the field.
• For all passes Smith was 15 of 20 for 142 yards in the middle of the field, but only 7 of 15 for 46 yards throwing outside the numbers.

 

[bayeslife]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

This.

Their drops (in coverage) were not that great against the G-Men. The LBs and safeties need to do a better job of playing smarter.

 

[Doomsday101]

I would like to see more than 1 or 2 games before concerns about trends.

 

[Idgit]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

Yep, that seems to have been a significant issue on defense for us last week. I have to admit, I didn't notice it in the game, and I thought the problem was with the S's recognition, but it sounds like it's something we're going to be working on quite a bit this week.

 

[JohnsKey19]

the quick slants hurt us as well. there was no play-action involved on these plays. simple 3 step drops. the CBs were trailing and the safeties were either nowhere to be found or took poor angles. These should be 5-7 yarders not 20+ yarders. hopefully this gets tightened up soon.

 

[Deep_South]

the quick slants hurt us as well. there was no play-action involved on these plays. simple 3 step drops. the CBs were trailing and the safeties were either nowhere to be found or took poor angles. These should be 5-7 yarders not 20+ yarders. hopefully this gets tightened up soon.

I was experiencing Jacques Reeves deja-vu.

 

[Boyzmamacita]

I would be more concerned if we hadn't been playing the Giants. They always have really huge plays against us. It doesn't necessarily translate into a weakness against every opponent. Sunday will be interesting.

 

[Cowboy4ever]

I think the fear of the big play last week had something to do with this. I doubt we are as worried about the KC WRs. They have 1 really good WR, not 3 like the Giants have. I expect the safeties to be closer to the LOS in this game to help take away the short middle field and support the run game, I do think KC has a better running game than the Giants, if Reid will use remains to be seen though. I hope we play a little more Man this week, but we will see.

 

[JBS]

The fact that our biggest issue is with the LB and their drops makes me feel pretty safe.

I trust lee and carter as much or more than anyone else on this team. Two bright studs, they will correct it. No doubt about that.

 

[reddyuta]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

that is not going to get better with Jamaal charles ,i am just hoping there are no blown coverages in the secondary.

 

[jrumann59]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

Which is disconcerting since NY had 0 run game. IF it is obvious that they can't run I would hedge my bets that any PA is a pass first until they prove they can run with success. Our LBs should have done what NY did to us and that was ignore the PA

 

[jobberone]

Those concerns are legit. The primary weakness of our defensive scheme is up the middle particularly deep. Receivers need to be bumped off their routes or at least delayed. And yes the LBs need a proper drop for the play and defense called. And we have to get to the QB. I think we blitzed 6 once. Not sure that's correct but that's what I remember. That needs to be several times a game if we aren't getting enough pressure and the QB is carving us up. And they have to either sack or disrupt the QB when the opportunity arises.

 

[Future]

The fact that our biggest issue is with the LB and their drops makes me feel pretty safe.

I trust lee and carter as much or more than anyone else on this team. Two bright studs, they will correct it. No doubt about that.

I dont really buy into the fact that it was all on the LBs. If you look at the second Cruz TD, where he may or may not have dropped the ball, Lee ran with the TE. That means that the seam route is CLEARLY Allen's responsibility, and he was late getting there.

 

[khiladi]

This is more of a queue to the designer of the offense, i.e. learn to attack the middle.

 

[khiladi]

Additionally, ths team went soft and essentially prevent defense early, according to some, in the second half on defense, no wanting to give up the big play.

 

[JBS]

I dont really buy into the fact that it was all on the LBs. If you look at the second Cruz TD, where he may or may not have dropped the ball, Lee ran with the TE. That means that the seam route is CLEARLY Allen's responsibility, and he was late getting there.

That's fine. But that play wasn't the play that burned us every single down.

The slant route killed us. Over and over. That was bc of the linebackers

 

[JBS]

Giants had 6 plays (I believe) over 20 yards. 1 was the huge screw up on the 70 harder to Cruz.

4 of the other 5 happened in the 4th quarter. In large part due to the soft coverages we ran. It's safe to say we played prevent style defense when we went up 17

 

[punchnjudy]

Part of the problem that I keep hearing being mentioned is that the linebackers are biting hard on play-action, and aren't getting deep enough drops in coverage as a result.

Before the game a lot of folks were afraid Dallas would get gashed in the running game b/c they were thin on the DL. Maybe the backs were overcompensating for that reason? If that was the case and they have more confidence in the front four now, then that may not be as much of an issue.

 

[Nation]

Additionally, ths team went soft and essentially prevent defense early, according to some, in the second half on defense, no wanting to give up the big play.

Eli's 2nd throw of the game was a slant to Nicks over the short middle that went for 57 yards. On that drive he also converted a 3rd and 10 to the short middle to Randle for 15 yards.