Hawkeye19
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There are no personnel moves we can make this late in the year that are going to fill roster holes. There isn’t a magic pill to fix the deficiencies in the structure of the team.
Physical teams that can run the ball and play great D are our kryptonite. What can we realistically do to give ourselves the best chance to go deep in the playoffs? A few thoughts:
1. Up Tempo Offense: Dak and Co HAVE to get points. They HAVE to either be playing with the lead, or keeping pace in a shootout. Therefore, we need to dictate matchups and maximize every drive. As soon as we have the matchups we want, shift to no huddle and put maximum pressure on the defense. We have to stay aggressive and creative and dictate tone and tempo through Dak and Co.
2. Team wide discipline. Dumb players do dumb things— as Parcells said. DQ and MM HAVE to get the players to avoid self-inflicted penalties. This IS addressable. No excuses. Coaches and players HAVE to clean it up.
3. Defensive mentality overhaul. Stop playing hero ball, stop chasing the individual stats and glory plays. Stop whining. Stopping the run is all about attitude, will-power, toughness, discipline, and handling your assignments. Can they be a “top” run stopping team? No. We don’t have the horse in the front 7 to do it. Having said that— Can each player sacrifice more for the team and play better in the running game? Yes. Tackling better and staying in your run fits would go a long way to improving the D.
IMO— this team goes as far as the offense can carry it. If teams can pound the rock and hold our offense in check— we will be one and done in Jan (or worse).
Gotta open up the offense. Find the opponents weakness, and attack it mercilessly. Get the lead, punish teams when they pass, and pour on the points. Make teams one dimensional, play good complimentary football, and we can make some noise— maybe. Lol
Physical teams that can run the ball and play great D are our kryptonite. What can we realistically do to give ourselves the best chance to go deep in the playoffs? A few thoughts:
1. Up Tempo Offense: Dak and Co HAVE to get points. They HAVE to either be playing with the lead, or keeping pace in a shootout. Therefore, we need to dictate matchups and maximize every drive. As soon as we have the matchups we want, shift to no huddle and put maximum pressure on the defense. We have to stay aggressive and creative and dictate tone and tempo through Dak and Co.
2. Team wide discipline. Dumb players do dumb things— as Parcells said. DQ and MM HAVE to get the players to avoid self-inflicted penalties. This IS addressable. No excuses. Coaches and players HAVE to clean it up.
3. Defensive mentality overhaul. Stop playing hero ball, stop chasing the individual stats and glory plays. Stop whining. Stopping the run is all about attitude, will-power, toughness, discipline, and handling your assignments. Can they be a “top” run stopping team? No. We don’t have the horse in the front 7 to do it. Having said that— Can each player sacrifice more for the team and play better in the running game? Yes. Tackling better and staying in your run fits would go a long way to improving the D.
IMO— this team goes as far as the offense can carry it. If teams can pound the rock and hold our offense in check— we will be one and done in Jan (or worse).
Gotta open up the offense. Find the opponents weakness, and attack it mercilessly. Get the lead, punish teams when they pass, and pour on the points. Make teams one dimensional, play good complimentary football, and we can make some noise— maybe. Lol