Watkins: Defense's problems bigger than Monte Kiffin

[WoodysGirl]

IRVING, Texas -- At some point, maybe today, or tomorrow, or even next week, Cowboys defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin's fate will be decided by owner/general manager Jerry Jones in consultation with coach Jason Garrett.

The discussion isn't going to be pretty.

The duo must decide what to do with a defense that needs an overhaul.

Statistically the Cowboys were historically bad.

The problems on defense are bigger than Kiffin. Kiffin returned to playing man coverage and Claiborne continued his struggles. If there was one play to sum up Claiborne's season it occurred Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. On an incomplete pass, Claiborne went to knock the receiver down instead of going for the ball that just hung in the air.

Secondary coach Jerome Henderson was standing there pleading with Claiborne to chase the ball.

Read the rest: http://espn.go.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4722611/defense-problems-bigger-than-monte-kiffin

 

[ScipioCowboy]

So they were histori-bad. That should be a new word, like terri-bad.

 

[Zordon]

such a dumb play from claiborne. him and bruce carter have the most important offseasons of their lives coming up.

 

[Kevinicus]

Claiborne continued his struggles? His return to the lineup made a huge difference in that game, and picking on one play where he didn't get an interception is pretty weak, especially considering how people complain about him not being physical enough.

 

[visionary]

Claiborne continued his struggles? His return to the lineup made a huge difference in that game, and picking on one play where he didn't get an interception is pretty weak, especially considering how people complain about him not being physical enough.

the problem though is that interceptions are momentum changers and can change the game

Mo played better but from the 6th overall pick you expect game changing plays when the opportunity is there

 

[Oh_Canada]

Yeah, I'm not sure how one play told any story about Claiborne. I thought he played a heck of a game Sunday night given how much time Foles had particularly in the first half.

 

[khiladi]

According to the stats, yards given up dpes not have a correlation to winning anyhere close to what passing rate differential does. By that lattr statisic, Dallas in no way whatsoever has the worst defense in NFL history.

 

[khiladi]

If you talk about continuity and process with JG and make excuses for him with injuries, when all of them were on defense, and in the same manner fire Monte Kiffen for bad coaching when they just switched to a 4-3 and everbody as injured, your a buffoon...

Which explains why buffoons like Calvin Watkins glorifies buffoons like JG and attacks everybody else not affording them the same lenience, though they are a million times moe justified based upon the same rationality that is used to justify the red-headed ninkempoop.

 

[MapleLeaf]

Uuumhh...

That was a terrible mistake by Claiborne and my son and I were jumping up and down at the TV wondering why he didn't do his fundamental job.

This is my gripe about some of the players on this team. For some reason we need to continue to change the culture on the type of players we bring in.

Year after year we went after talent and forgot about the gray matter talent.

Claiborne being case in point. As Belichick would say, "Just do your job!"

When you have a zone view playing back as Claiborne was when you get to move forward on the receiver, LOCATE THE BALL!!!!

This is drilled into kids heads from when they are young. If you focus on the fundamentals of the job good things will happen.

We will never know if Claiborne could have made a pick, but from the eyeball test I think he had a chance. That's what this football team needed. From my view it looked like if Claiborne had made a successful play on the ball it was an easy pick six.

This is what we need form this team. Players who can play good fundamental ball.

Kiffin is a good coach. Henderson is a good coach. Exhibited by the reaction Henderson gave which is the right one from a coaching standpoint. The breakdown is in Claiborne.

This next year is a critical year for some of these players. Claiborne was Ryan pick. Is he smart and focused enough to play fundamental ball? If not he has to go.

We don't need superstars. We need good, focused football players who minimize mistakes.

Be where you are suppose to be, know and understand the situation, then do your job!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

If you talk about continuity and process with JG and make excuses for him with injuries, when all of them were on defense, and in the same manner fire Monte Kiffen for bad coaching when they just switched to a 4-3 and everbody as injured, your a buffoon...

Which explains why buffoons like Calvin Watkins glorifies buffoons like JG and attacks everybody else not affording them the same lenience, though they are a million times moe justified based upon the same rationality that is used to justify the red-headed ninkempoop.

It's sad that Kiffin has become the punch line in this sad affair.

This entire scenario is reminiscent of the scene in the Matrix where he is offered a chance to take the red pill or the blue pill. Kiffin should have told Jerry to take the blue (fake) pill and shove it up his nose. I guess his greed/pride led him to the blue pill even though the reality of it (red pill) was that he was given very questionable talent to work with this past season.

 

[khiladi]

Only Watkins and Garrett homers would point out the defense and Claiborne the day they did their job...

 

[khiladi]

Funny how nobody in the media talks about Orton throwing 46 times or raises claims about him allegedly audibling out of 'run plays'. Where is Garrett talking about those plays... Let me guess, his job wasn't on the line like it was 3 weeks ago and he needed a scapegoat.

These guys were attempting to spin this offensive atrocity of abandoning the run on Romo. Like I said, Garrett homers in the media just make me chuckle. Hell, I'm waiting for Troy Aikman to raise the issue after talking about it last week when he was not able to find an answer of how much Romo checks out of run plays.

 

[jrumann59]

Whoever calls the plays has done a horrible job. But sorry the eagles game should not have been a win or go home game. This defense has snatched defeat fromt he jaws of victory too many times this year. One more stop against denver we win, one more stop against GB we win, one more stop against Det we win, one more stop against KC we win. Those games were all winnable but the defense could not get off the field when it matters. A spirited showing ever 4-5 weeks does not take the blame off of kiffin. Yes he had sub par personnel but many games he stubbornly stayed with his scheme instead of evolving or experimenting to make up for the shortcomings.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Secondary coach Jerome Henderson was standing there pleading with Claiborne to chase the ball.

Henderson's job safe?

 

[Alexander]

Henderson's job safe?

Depends on how much he is paid and how many years are left on his contract as much as anything else.

 

[ElGatoGrande]

Given time to get the right players I think Kiffen can build a very good defense, but for a team with a tiny window this defensive philosophy change was beyond idiotic.

 

[MrPhil]

So they were histori-bad. That should be a new word, like terri-bad.

How about His-terri-bad?

 

[cowboys1981]

We need to build in the trenches and work our way out. We need four new faces on that line on opening day. It is possible.

 

[Gameover]

You wouldn't say.....

An nfl defensive line?

Real players in the secondary?

LB that aren't overrated and can remain healthy?

No it's all Kiffin's fault! These same cowboys fans wanted mike zimmer fired for overachieving with sub standard talent. Now, they want kiffin axed for failing with absolute garbage.

 

[scottsp]

We are about to see the third coordinator in three years. Calvin only pointing out the obvious.

But then, this isn't so much about correcting problems as it is selling the next "fix."