Here's an interestic read I found in ESPN.com. Pretty disconcerting stuff and it increases my appreciation for the expensive Karlos Dansby signing. This also makes me wonder if we'll be drafting an ILB to compete with Channing Crowder after reading this. http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast
Love how a few of our fans got upset that TG posted that. IMO it's true and while it cuts to the core you can't correct a problem if you don't first recognize the problem. Hell if I was Sparano I would blow that article up to poster size and mount it in every single room the defensive players meet.
Yea, good point. It's hard to deny this. Also, I found another blog just below that one that said (amongst other things): and and
People wonder why we are not giving up our 12 pick for a WR. Even when they made tackles they would be dragged another 4 to 5 yards down the field. Organization is aware of this and thats why they will be focusing on a lot of defense in FA and the Draft.... side note: get Shaun Rogers
Is this really news? Anyone who watched the games knew this. Result: Joey Porter, doesnt tackle anyone, GONE. Akin Ayodele, sucks balls, GONE. Gibril Wilson, sucks balls, GONE. Channing Crowder, sucks balls, DEMOTED.
I still can't understand why we gave Channing Crowder a big contract. He can't wrap anyone up. Hopefully he can step it or else we need to ship him off like Porter and Oyedele.
He doesn't have a big contract. The reason he's around is he's affordable. He'll make under 1.8m or so this season from what I remember. It's the same with Bell, his salary is just over 2m.
i was screaming at my tv all season when we missed tackles. they were even worse then our dropped passes.
The way the rules favor the offense, it's not reasonable to expect any defense to stop a good passing team even the majority of the time. What you can expect is that they tackle consistently. That was IMO Miami's major defensive short coming last year. Understanding the effect of those rules, our priorities should be a #1 WR and a FS. This league is all about being able to pass and stop the pass.
I agree with you there. I believe during the camps this season they really need to put an emphasis on proper tackling. I would also add attention to detail. Maybe that is the wrong words there but I am thinking on the lines on anticipating when a potential tackle would be made. It is better to know that when you go for the tackle it is actually going to connect or when a big hit is the better choice to make. Does that make any sense?
I think a big part of our problem was a scheme problem. Our talent wasn't much different in 2009 from 2008 when we were the 15th ranked defense. But we did use Hill as a true FS. Even though I think Wilson has more physical talent than Hill, he wasn't a better FS. If we can find a true FS, then I think we can be at least as good as 2008, probably better. I say better b/c I see Dansby as an impact player. I know Porter played much better in 2008, but our sacks were actually higher in 2009. I know sacks aren't everything, but we were also top 10 in hurries in 2009, so our pass pressure really wasn't much different. The difference was the FS position. I also wouldn't guess that attention to detail is the big issue. I haven't been to a Sparano practice, but my read on him is that he is very detail oriented. IMO if we get a FS that plays as well as the marginally talented Hill, then our defense is immediately top 15 or better. And that's enough to win in this league. What we lack is offensive play makers. Solving that is a different issue.
Rafael, That makes a lot of sense. We really need to somehow get a ball-hawking FS who could cover and tackle. I do agree with you that Sparano is very detail oriented. I am sure we will handle this before the regular season starts. I just believe we are going to be dangerous on defense. Who knows, maybe we could be in the top 10 in defense this year.