Perhaps the problem is that McCourty's role has changed a lot. Would changing McCourty's role back to what it was bring him back to pro-bowl quality play? or even to average DB play?
It seems that we had a very good plan for the secondary last year with Butler and Ryan as "starters" and Rowe coming in to play outside, with Ryan moving inside. Harmon was our dime. Sometimes the roles were moved a bit, with Harmon as the nickel. The point is that it worked.
I think that is just too simplistic. Are teams attaching us exactly the same way? How many teams did we face that run an offense like KC, Houston (the one they run now) and Carolina? How would we have defended them last year? Are chungs struggles the tipping point? McCourty seems to be doing more of chungs job this year.
Why can't we have the same strategy toward the use of the safeties as we did last year? We have 3 excellent safeties. Apparently, it is their roles that is the problem.
Our safeties have not been excellent.
Again how many teams did we face last year with this type of offense?
THE CORNERS
Am I being too simplistic in saying that we need to decide who plays inside? If Gilmore can only play outside, so be it. If Butler can only play outside, so be it. Jones is an OK nickel (also,up Harmon can play nickel). Rowe becomes a backup in this scheme, although he could be given much more play outside against tall receivers, requiring us to sit Gilmore or Butler, since apparently neither can play inside.
Yes that is very simplistic.
I COULD BE 100% WRONG
I can accept that. However, if my plan is wrong, then I would expect Patricia to come up with a better on. I would think that Gilmore replying Ryan outside, and Jones replacing Ryan inside should be at least a viable alternative.
We gave no idea what jones can do. He is just a name on the roster at this point so calling him the answer is just saying something else must be better.
It's not whether you are 100% wrong its that you are looking at a complex NFL defense with multiple schemes, fronts, coverages playing against offenses that are trying to match up to those looks with a play that will beat it and saying the answer is move this guy there.
AN ASIDE: PLAYING AGAINST MOBILE QUARTERBACKS
IF AND ONLY IF, the secondary can play man without miscommunication, the answer seems to be playing a spy on the QB, and man against the receivers. As I recall, Ninkovich did this in the past; and others played that role before him.
Taking a player out of coverage might not be best. Again a spy is a piece of the scheme and probably has been in these games but "put a soy in for all 70 plays" just isn't how it works.
Unless this problem can be solved, we will find the playoffs difficult. (perhaps, we'll get lucky and play Denver and PITT). HOU should improve greatly as their rookie QB develops. 57 points against a potential playoff team is impressive; and, he will get better. KC is likely to be as hard to handle in the playoffs as they were when we played them.
Of course it will get fixed. When has a BB team it particularly defense ever looked the same in January as September/October?
Wise, Guy, Butler, Marsh, Hightower, Van Noy, Gilmore, butler, Rowe, McCourty, Harmon, Richards.
These are all new players or players who are playing different roles at least somewhat frequently.
BB and MP have CLEARLY played different schemes and made different calls this year than last whether that be opponent related or due to our own personell changes.
It has been awful. Just terrible.
But the talent, the coaching, the knowledge, and the track record are all there.
Let the best coaching staff in the NFL work out the issues and move it forward. They will. They always do.
