The middle of our defense

[Bleu Star]

I know this was discussed leading up to the game and a number of us had our reservations about how the middle would perform. But it seemed as though the effort was worse than any of us would have ever inagined. While our DTs didn't do much to shore up the most important area of our defense, I felt as though our linebackers were even worse.

I noticed multiple occasions where the linebacker would overrun the play or just blatantly misdiagnosed and hit the completely wrong hole. I ask you this. What are our chances to have both our DTs and our linebackers more focused on stopping the run Sunday? It seems as though the opposing running back had nothing short of third level once breaching the line on several occasions. Where were the heads of our linebackers??? Thoughts?

To me, the middle of the defense is the heart and should be protected at all times. If you want to run on us, go around... But teams should not be able to gash us north south like that. The Giants ran the same play multiple times in a row Sunday and found success every time. I would like to think a Marinelli coached defense is capable of making adjustments on the fly and protecting the heart.

 

[The Natural]

I think the nickel package is a problem for this team (in run situations). I would prefer a traditional 4-3 look on early downs. In that 6 man front you are banking on the guys on the line winning their 1 v 1 matchups, something they dont do

 

[Bleu Star]

Yeah. The nickel places even more pressure on the DTs to do their jobs which apparently they are completely incapable of doing thus far. Get it corrected Marinelli.

We controlled the clock on offense Sunday. Goal #1 accomplished. So our defense wasn't on the field much at all comparatively speaking to last year when we had far less of a run game. So, when given that limited exposure, PERFORM!

 

[Gaede]

Hitchens is bad.

Why don't we move Lee back to MLB?

 

[Bleu Star]

Hitchens is bad.

Why don't we move Lee back to MLB?

Great question! Look... Anything will be an improvement. It almost felt as though we were playing without a second level on Sunday.

 

[Floatyworm]

I know this was discussed leading up to the game and a number of us had our reservations about how the middle would perform. But it seemed as though the effort was worse than any of us would have ever inagined. While our DTs didn't do much to shore up the most important area of our defense, I felt as though our linebackers were even worse.

I noticed multiple occasions where the linebacker would overrun the play or just blatantly misdiagnosed and hit the completely wrong hole. I ask you this. What are our chances to have both our DTs and our linebackers more focused on stopping the run Sunday? It seems as though the opposing running back had nothing short of third level once breaching the line on several occasions. Where were the heads of our linebackers??? Thoughts?

To me, the middle of the defense is the heart and should be protected at all times. If you want to run on us, go around... But teams should not be able to gash us north south like that. The Giants ran the same play multiple times in a row Sunday and found success every time. I would like to think a Marinelli coached defense is capable of making adjustments on the fly and protecting the heart.

Let me say this...

The problems that we had last year.....Are the same problems we have this year. Nothing got fixed in the off-season.

Doug Free is still a liability....
Jason Wittten can't block...
Marinelli can't scheme a defensive game plan.

I honestly think Marinelli could have a roster full of pro bowlers and still screw it up. Once again Sunday in the 4th quarter we had a lead...and he managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory by playing a soft zone prevent defense.

It just goes to show we are in for a long season because the same people in charge are set in their backward ways. The game has completely pasted Marinelli by....Yet the front office is completely blind to that fact.

 

[Bleu Star]

Let me say this...

The problems that we had last year.....Are the same problems we have this year. Nothing got fixed in the off-season.

Doug Free is still a liability....
Jason Wittten can't block...
Marinelli can't scheme a defensive game plan.

I honestly think Marinelli could have a roster full of pro bowlers and still screw it up. Once again Sunday in the 4th quarter we had a lead...and he managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory by playing a soft zone prevent defense.

It just goes to show we are in for a long season because the same people in charge are set in their backward ways. The game has completely pasted Marinelli by....Yet the front office is completely blind to that fact.

I was looking for some inspiration going into Sunday and you haven't helped the cause.. lol

But spot on assessment.

 

[waving monkey]

Hitchens is bad.

Why don't we move Lee back to MLB?

Lee cant handle the load at middle line backer ,

 

[JohnsKey19]

There's no doubt about it, we have the least talented and athletic LB corps in the league. Our only shot coming into this season was both Wilson and Nzeocha stepping up and taking those spots. I still have some belief in Nzeocha when he can get healthy.

 

[darthseinfeld]

I know this was discussed leading up to the game and a number of us had our reservations about how the middle would perform. But it seemed as though the effort was worse than any of us would have ever inagined. While our DTs didn't do much to shore up the most important area of our defense, I felt as though our linebackers were even worse.

I noticed multiple occasions where the linebacker would overrun the play or just blatantly misdiagnosed and hit the completely wrong hole. I ask you this. What are our chances to have both our DTs and our linebackers more focused on stopping the run Sunday? It seems as though the opposing running back had nothing short of third level once breaching the line on several occasions. Where were the heads of our linebackers??? Thoughts?

To me, the middle of the defense is the heart and should be protected at all times. If you want to run on us, go around... But teams should not be able to gash us north south like that. The Giants ran the same play multiple times in a row Sunday and found success every time. I would like to think a Marinelli coached defense is capable of making adjustments on the fly and protecting the heart.

McClain seems to be doing his job and getting upfield. Didnt pay enough attention to Crawford, but he didnt jump out. It seems they are finally playing Marinelli's style line like it was designed with the line penetrating gaps. Problem is Hitchens isnt cleaning up. You really need a stout LB crew and Mike in particular to really pull that style off.

I hope that nerve fires up soon. Wont help us this year though

 

[Floatyworm]

There's no doubt about it, we have the least talented and athletic LB corps in the league. Our only shot coming into this season was both Wilson and Nzeocha stepping up and taking those spots. I still have some belief in Nzeocha when he can get healthy.

Nzeocha is my starting SLBer when healthy...No Questions asked. He was that good in the pre-season.

 

[Ken]

McClain seems to be doing his job and getting upfield. Didnt pay enough attention to Crawford, but he didnt jump out. It seems they are finally playing Marinelli's style line like it was designed with the line penetrating gaps. Problem is Hitchens isnt cleaning up. You really need a stout LB crew and Mike in particular to really pull that style off.

I hope that nerve fires up soon. Wont help us this year though

McClain played the best of the bunch. Crawford was awful, I mean awful. It is concerning that he has that contract...

Thornton was second best and I think he will get better. Collins had a few flash plays but was overpowered at the point of attack a few times. He should get better, he certainly has something.

I will add that DE Crawford should be cut because he is worthless. .

 

[black label]

Let me say this...

The problems that we had last year.....Are the same problems we have this year. Nothing got fixed in the off-season.

Doug Free is still a liability....
Jason Wittten can't block...
Marinelli can't scheme a defensive game plan.

I honestly think Marinelli could have a roster full of pro bowlers and still screw it up. Once again Sunday in the 4th quarter we had a lead...and he managed to pull defeat from the jaws of victory by playing a soft zone prevent defense.

It just goes to show we are in for a long season because the same people in charge are set in their backward ways. The game has completely pasted Marinelli by....Yet the front office is completely blind to that fact.

 

[Floatyworm]

I know this was discussed leading up to the game and a number of us had our reservations about how the middle would perform. But it seemed as though the effort was worse than any of us would have ever inagined. While our DTs didn't do much to shore up the most important area of our defense, I felt as though our linebackers were even worse.

I noticed multiple occasions where the linebacker would overrun the play or just blatantly misdiagnosed and hit the completely wrong hole. I ask you this. What are our chances to have both our DTs and our linebackers more focused on stopping the run Sunday? It seems as though the opposing running back had nothing short of third level once breaching the line on several occasions. Where were the heads of our linebackers??? Thoughts?

To me, the middle of the defense is the heart and should be protected at all times. If you want to run on us, go around... But teams should not be able to gash us north south like that. The Giants ran the same play multiple times in a row Sunday and found success every time. I would like to think a Marinelli coached defense is capable of making adjustments on the fly and protecting the heart.

Actually I called this last week....

http://cowboyszone.com/threads/d-line-has-me-real-nervous.355946/#post-6797111

 

[Risen Star]

We lack talent in all three levels of defense but particularly the front seven. The LB corp is the worst in many years. No DEs, average at best DTs.

 

[stilltheguru88]

Tyron Crawford is a mild mannered defensive tackle. Because those are the type of personalities that succeed at that position lmao. He's a bust

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Lee cant handle the load at middle line backer ,

This.

Lee wouldn't last four games in the middle. He is the type of player who sells out his body to do his job and, unfortunately, his body will fail him if he plays the Mike.

If I was the GM, I'd be looking to make a trade for a legit middle LB.

 

[Floatyworm]

This.

Lee wouldn't last four games in the middle. He is the type of player who sells out his body to do his job and, unfortunately, his body will fail him if he plays the Mike.

If I was the GM, I'd be looking to make a trade for a legit middle LB.

Bingo....

Trusting the purple drank annihilator to stay clean was a bad front office decision. Should have been looking for his replacement months ago.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Bingo....

Trusting the purple drank annihilator to stay clean was a bad front office decision. Should have been looking for his replacement months ago.

They found him in round 2, unfortunately, he will not be ready until 2017.

 

[waving monkey]

They found him in round 2, unfortunately, he will not be ready until 2017.

does Smith really look like a MLB. I know he played one year at the position before entering the draft but his build looks strong side to me.
I realize they like a speedy MLB today . I guess I'm still thinking old school run game. I dont know/