So, The Issue With Steve Wilks And The Defense

[Saca312]

This isn't really a breakdown or really anything long. It's just collecting a few thoughts I have about our poor production lately from our defense.

First things first, our secondary isn't good. It just isn't. Their biggest thing is making so many stupid errors and bad judgement calls on a multitude of plays, leading the opposing offense to big gains. To add on, it seems this whole defense is incapable of defending Seams and misdirection from WRs each game despite the same tactics being used constantly. 

One thing that's certain is that Mike Adams has been our best man in the secondary. He's having a really good year in terms of pass coverage and being an all around starting caliber SS. He was a great pickup, but clearly not ideal considering his age. He's not the fastest nor most agile, so of course he'll get beat a few times in that regard. But nevertheless, compared to everyone else, he's been the best.

Next up is Daryl Worley, who thus far has played like our best corner. I love James Bradberry, but it saddens me to say he's been underperforming this year. Part of that is this coaching staff's thinking towards the idea that James Bradberry is already a number 1 corner, and it's clear he's still got a ways to go and learn. He's struggling in a few facets of his game it likely will take an off-season to correct. 

On the other hand, Daryl Worley has been okay. Despite a few times where indeed he's been beat mainly due to issues with hips, as of late he's been pretty solid when given the opportunity. In fact, he's in the top 6 when it comes to yards per target. However, it's clear he still has deficiencies in certain instances and of course stopping some of his dumb penalties.

Kurt Coleman has also been a disappointment. He keeps getting played by QBs with their eyes and Coleman falling for it. Gets out of position too easily allowing the big play to go through. Needs to be far more disciplined and understanding in his approach, as he's shown he's capable of being a solid safety when need be.

To add on, our pass rush is old. Hate to admit it, but our pass rush started diminishing most likely due to the age of our DEs. Marty Hurney IR'ing promising rookie Daeshon Hall obviously doesn't help, but still will need a fresher rotation in the future to keep us good. That's a big reason why our pass rush isn't hitting home as of late, just because our old guys are gassed.

Steve Wilks is also an interesting character in his aggressive approach. The issue is, he just doesn't know his personnel well. He keeps sending blitz after blitz without realizing our secondary isn't as good as he thinks. He also has this weird obsession with remaining in base defense with Shaq covering shifty WRs, something a LBer shouldn't do tbh. If we had the right personnel, he'd be a top 3 DC because of how aggressive he is. However, his lack of awareness on our personnel, talent level, and situation need to be improved on, which is likely going to be the case if he remains with us for another year.

Either way, it's clear we need to inject youth and talent on this defense if we want to reach the elite category in the future. 

[Saca312]

TL;DR

-Secondary Bad

-Pass Rush Old

-Wilks scheme good, just doesn’t have personnel to run it @ full potential. Needs better secondary & more consistent pass rush & easily top 3 DC. 

-Wilks needs better situational playcalling & understanding of personnel moving forward.

[Saca312]

That being said, if we remain intelligent with our blitzing and ensure we have the Vikings deadly weapons covered up, we should have no problem defending against Case Keenum. In a QB friendly environment masking his deficiencies that are certainly exploitable.

 

[PrimeTimeHeel]

Blitzing can actually help the secondary ie less time to cover. 

The more time a QB and WRs have the harder it is going to be to cover. 

[LinvilleGorge]

You're right that the secondary as a whole hasn't been good and that Bradberry hasn't played as well as last year. But, Bradberry has still been better than Worley. There's a reason why Worley and Seymour have been splitting time. Worley is just awful in coverage but he's also our best CB in run support. Wilks is blitzing so much precisely because our secondary is weak. If you can't cover, you better get after the QB. 

[toldozer]

If you think Worley is our best corner I can't take anything you say seriously. 

[CarolinaSamurai]

Yep the DEs are old or not good. Should of drafted Derek Barnette. I just hope this draft we take a DE, Safety, or CB in the 1st and 2nd round. And sign some people to fix our freaking weaknesses

[ItsPantone278]

Meh.  It's not 2015 anymore.  Everyone else in the league has been building and we've been tearing and wearing down.

[UnluckyCharms]

3 hours ago, Saca312 said:

Daryl Worley, who thus far has played like our best corner.

Stopped reading there.

[CPantherKing]

When you realize the Saints game planned to attack Badberry with the run, you will understand the problem. They were quick releasing OLs to the second level to get Kuechly tied up and ran extra traffic in to Kuechly while allowing the cut back to Badberry.

The Saints were fine with leaving Badberry unblocked on their run side. They gave Badberry releases to the runner all day long and challenged him to identify the play and attack the hole. He failed most of the time to even alter the play.

When the opposing offense is running blockers around a defender to overload the LBs with blockers, that defender must make the play or he is a liability to the defense. Badberry is afraid to stick his nose in on the play and give up his body. Not to mention he is an awful tackler.

[WarHeel]

It seems as though most of your arguments relate back to the players themselves and not so much of Wilks.

[cookinbrak]

You remember that time that Thomas Davis' wife said the offense weren't doing their job....?

[therealmjl]

5 minutes ago, cookinbrak said:

You remember that time that Thomas Davis' wife said the offense weren't doing their job....?

Ha!

[ShutDwn]

HOLY poo.

Bradberry and Coleman can be criticized now??? WHERE AM I??

I need guidance. Who should I be biased for? I thought I was supposed to just stay quiet about Coleman and Bradberry getting beaten over the top for late TDs and lucks out when the WR drops the ball but then freak out when Worley gives up an 8 yard pass. 

You know what's really sad? The best I've ever seen a Rivera secondary play was the end of 2014 when they allowed 13 points on the road vs New Orleans and Atlanta combined. The secondary was Norman, rookie Boston, Bene, Melvin White and Harper. They didn't even have a great pass rush. 

So basically Rivera's scheme doesn't work unless he has shutdown corner and/or ball hawks. Look at his defenses in SD and Chicago. Same thing.