Combination of things. Bad DL coach, LB injuries and lack of emotion, safety injuries, bad playcalling, fatigue, etc. I want us to get a real DL coach who can work with the youngsters and keep the vets on their game. This sort of dropoff was across the board, not just in one or two players. That points to the coach. Next, we need to groom our young NT, Soliai, which is tied with the DL coach position. Third, Zach's injured and so is Crowder. Porter started slow but is coming on. So we need a guy to learn under Zach's wings and/or a guy who can work well in run/pass coverage. Someone who has great field vision and decent physical ability. And we need backup LB's and safeties who are energetic.

 

Dont forget the players we lost. We lost Kevin Carter and David Bowens, two players that always contributed.

 

early in the year, Holliday was injured and and the DTs were getting knocked off their lines easily. As the year went on, it became LBs and S's being the wrong places (prime example, Maroney's TD run last week where no one was anywhere near him once he broke through the line.

 

maybe it is because we let go last years d line coach I think his name was dan quinn or something I Thought cam and mueller knew what they were doing by letting this guy go but seeing the way this season has gone I question most of there decisions

 

traylor is out of gas.

if anyone remembers last season, we were bad without him when he was hurt. a NT is really the lynchpin for stopping the run in the 3-4. if he isnt taking up his gaps, the LBs cant make plays

 

I think the scheme's had a lot to do with it early. The Skins went 3 wide forcing an extra Db, taking out a DL,making Porter at 250 play DE. We had to go with extra Db's because of the problems at safety. At this point there's just not enough beef up front, especially with a TE owning Matt Roth, to stop a strong running game. Then the rest of the leauge took note, and Bell went down, and things snowballed.

 

Injuries, schemes, age, players playing out of position, inexperience ... you name it, it's happened to us this year, particularly among the front 7.

 

Very easy to create big holes when running at Taylor, who consistently runs upfield, the guard blocks down on the DT and the fullback clears out the LB. I would run through that hole all day long and gain5+ yards at a pop.

 

its not our run D im worried about as much as our nickel D. we just CANNOT get off the field on 3rd & long.

 

most of the defense is on IR

 

its because of all the injurys in the LBs