Is Steve Wilks Overrated? I think so.

[OriginalPantherDan]

Just now, panthers34 said:

I just hate how he has Kuechly and TD hugging the line of scrimmage every play. They play so much better from space and in zone coverage which just isn't Wilks style. 

This works great against the run, as we have seen. But it makes the Panthers vulnerable to the short pass, the intermediate pass, the deep pass, the bubble screen, the wheel route, the skinny post, the comeback route, and every other pass route that has ever been devised. 

[Rags]

I think he's a terrible fit for us and the personnel we have.

But he's far from a bad DC.

[Saca312]

Just now, Rags said:

I think he's a terrible fit for us and the personnel we have.

But he's far from a bad DC.

eh the point is to play to your defense's strengths imo, not against it.

Wilks scheme probably would work with a stout secondary which we clearly don't have. But that doesn't excuse trying to do the same old things that never work.

[AggieLean]

@Saca312 you going to answer?

[Rags]

2 minutes ago, Saca312 said:

eh the point is to play to your defense's strengths imo, not against it.

Wilks scheme probably would work with a stout secondary which we clearly don't have. But that doesn't excuse trying to do the same old things that never work.

It's not like we've been trash on defense, but I agree, his reliance on the blitz has been confusing at times, especially games like this week and last week when our front four was hitting home.

The solution can just as easily be bolster the secondary (draft Josh Jackson) instead of running our DC out of town. 

[Mr. Scot]

2 hours ago, Saca312 said:

My worst nightmare is this staff getting Dom Capers if Steve Wilks goes on elsewhere.

Other than that, there should be a really good crop of Defensive Coordinators on the market, and I really hope Wilks goes on to be a head coach somewhere.

Capers runs a 3-4.

That ain't happnin'

[Ace_Aladdin]

So @Saca312

[Untouchable]

3 hours ago, Saca312 said:

I won't be going too much in depth in this for now, but this is something I'll probably look into the offseason.

As you all know, the Panthers blitz the most in the NFL. Wilks leads an aggressive scheme looking to create pressure on every snap. The downside to this is when you go against quarterbacks and offenses that understand there's a blitz coming and how to counter.

While the concept is novel, this does put an immense amount of stress on the secondary to cover tough matchups, especially if the blitz doesn't hit home as often is the case. The point of blitzing is to hopefully hit home on quarterbacks, but when it becomes predictable - as it always is on third down - then offenses will counter and reap the benefits.

This defense has too much talent to be playing this poorly. We should not be calling slot blitzes or blitzing period on 3rd down against matt ryan, drew brees, and all the other good quarterbacks, yet here we are. If I had to pick whose been a worse and less creative coordinator, Wilks would take the cake over Shula.

Call me in the minority, but I HOPE Wilks gets a head coaching job and gets out of here. He's been really bad his first year and it's frustrating to see him waste our defense like this. Calling less blitz' and being more creative would lead this defense to be a juggernaut, but we're watching him tell an average secondary to do the impossible.

Could he learn over time. Probably. But we honestly need to stop overrating him for being a good talker and call out him for what he is -  a really bad defensive coordinator.

I agree and I'll go even further in the minority and say I think Shula is underrated too.

[Ace_Aladdin]

3 hours ago, Saca312 said:

eh the point is to play to your defense's strengths imo, not against it.

Wilks scheme probably would work with a stout secondary which we clearly don't have. But that doesn't excuse trying to do the same old things that never work.

Secondary was good it's offense that let down. 

Anytime you hold ATL below 30 is pretty damn good especially 5 FGs.

[TheCableGuy]

Defense gave up some yards but they force Atlanta into field goals and kept us in the game but the offense could not do poo so it did'n matter

[uncfan888]

38 minutes ago, Untouchable said:

I agree and I'll go even further in the minority and say I think Shula is underrated too.

You went too far

[uncfan888]

37 minutes ago, sanjay_rajput said:

Secondary was good it's offense that let down. 

Anytime you hold ATL below 30 is pretty damn good especially 5 FGs.

 

22 minutes ago, TheCableGuy said:

Defense gave up some yards but they force Atlanta into field goals and kept us in the game but the offense could not do poo so it did'n matter

Did you have to log in to both your accounts to say the same damn thing? 

[LinvilleGorge]

The secondary is just plain bad in coverage, period. If you can't cover, you might as well blitz and try to effect the QB. If we can't effect the QB this secondary is getting diced up anyway.

[DamnItJake!]

secondary is bad!! over-blitzing??or the players.. too much blitzing IMO.. everybody loved him.. now.. but maybe he's learning..McDermontt got crucified in Philly and we picked him up..now look where he's at!