PScottman
In the Starting Line-Up
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2014
- Messages
- 3,449
- Reaction score
- 4,766
The most consistent storyline after the QB position has been the secondary play thus far. Obviously, the second half of last weeks' game highlighted that these DBs (especially Butler and Ryan) are much better at man than zone coverage.
That said, the continuous meme of some posters that Ryan is going to automatically lose his job to Rowe or that Butler can get burned deep or on double moves simply don't take a wider view of the game. In the two games where they played mainly man coverage with zone safety help over the top, they did exactly what should be expected in a league DESIGNED to allow QBs and WRs to excel: they made the throws tough to complete and tackled hard even when the ball was caught.
This pathetic notion that every CB should be holding top flight WRs to 3/8 for 24 yds or some ridiculous number like that each and every game are still living in a bygone era where you could grab receivers after five yards and quarterbacks could actually get hit. That game of football hasn't existed since what - the seventies?
Tonight that secondary clamped down so hard in the second half that the only thing open was check downs. That isn't saying they won't give up yards to guys like Marshall and Decker in a few weeks - or Antonio Brown - they absolutely will, but they'll be tough yards...over drives that have to be sustained.
This is a secondary that's going to get better over the season too.
Anyone that can't see that. That can't appreciate that this is a very solid NFL secondary...simply doesn't know defensive football.
That said, the continuous meme of some posters that Ryan is going to automatically lose his job to Rowe or that Butler can get burned deep or on double moves simply don't take a wider view of the game. In the two games where they played mainly man coverage with zone safety help over the top, they did exactly what should be expected in a league DESIGNED to allow QBs and WRs to excel: they made the throws tough to complete and tackled hard even when the ball was caught.
This pathetic notion that every CB should be holding top flight WRs to 3/8 for 24 yds or some ridiculous number like that each and every game are still living in a bygone era where you could grab receivers after five yards and quarterbacks could actually get hit. That game of football hasn't existed since what - the seventies?
Tonight that secondary clamped down so hard in the second half that the only thing open was check downs. That isn't saying they won't give up yards to guys like Marshall and Decker in a few weeks - or Antonio Brown - they absolutely will, but they'll be tough yards...over drives that have to be sustained.
This is a secondary that's going to get better over the season too.
Anyone that can't see that. That can't appreciate that this is a very solid NFL secondary...simply doesn't know defensive football.
