Ring 6
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My opinion was that there were 2 primary problems that cost us the SB, one of which also cost us the AFCC Game the year before. That one isnt the OL, and my feeling is that the OL was so good for 18 games, that changes due to the 19th are not necessary. You must distinguish between unacceptable players or a bad day.
The factor that cost us 2 years in a row is playing pass defense when the other team is in a comeback or 2 minute offense. In the SB we were horrendous in these situations with Gay as the nickel, and Rodney at S failing to come close to covering receivers who ran a "run toward him, cut and run away route" and were always open. Additonally, the coverage from the LB position was not strong in those situations, and the pass rush lacked depth, wearing down in both games.
In the draft, we found 2 corners who are substantially quicker and more agile than Gay. We found a mobile ILB who can cover. We found the safety last year. We also drafted a potential pass rusher in Crable who can keep Vrabel and Thomas fresh, plus have added 3 other corners in FA, a safety in FA and another starting caliber LB in FA.
My opinion after 18-1 was that the OL is far better than it played in the SB, yet if we could defend 80 yards once out of 2 chances, we still win, and the Achilles Heel of this team was being able to cover in situations where the offense is throwing every down.
We are replacing the guys like Gay, who is a pretty good cover2 corner, but terrible covering one on one in the slot, (and may have as many as 4 players on the roster beyond the starters that are A LOT better) Harrison will not be playing in the secondary in those situaitons (but may be a nickel LB) and have added Hobson and Mayo as potential nickel cover LBs, plus Crabel who could allow Vrabel or Thomas to play in coverage in those situaitons at times as well.
If the PRIMARY ISSUE to correct this off-season was pass defense in obvious passing situations (2 minute, and come from behind) resulting from poor nickel, safety, and LB coverage in those obvious passing situations, I give BB an A in fixing it.
The factor that cost us 2 years in a row is playing pass defense when the other team is in a comeback or 2 minute offense. In the SB we were horrendous in these situations with Gay as the nickel, and Rodney at S failing to come close to covering receivers who ran a "run toward him, cut and run away route" and were always open. Additonally, the coverage from the LB position was not strong in those situations, and the pass rush lacked depth, wearing down in both games.
In the draft, we found 2 corners who are substantially quicker and more agile than Gay. We found a mobile ILB who can cover. We found the safety last year. We also drafted a potential pass rusher in Crable who can keep Vrabel and Thomas fresh, plus have added 3 other corners in FA, a safety in FA and another starting caliber LB in FA.
My opinion after 18-1 was that the OL is far better than it played in the SB, yet if we could defend 80 yards once out of 2 chances, we still win, and the Achilles Heel of this team was being able to cover in situations where the offense is throwing every down.
We are replacing the guys like Gay, who is a pretty good cover2 corner, but terrible covering one on one in the slot, (and may have as many as 4 players on the roster beyond the starters that are A LOT better) Harrison will not be playing in the secondary in those situaitons (but may be a nickel LB) and have added Hobson and Mayo as potential nickel cover LBs, plus Crabel who could allow Vrabel or Thomas to play in coverage in those situaitons at times as well.
If the PRIMARY ISSUE to correct this off-season was pass defense in obvious passing situations (2 minute, and come from behind) resulting from poor nickel, safety, and LB coverage in those obvious passing situations, I give BB an A in fixing it.