Primary Concerns: Coaching & Defensive Playmakers

[davos]

After another tough outing that should have been a win, I really believe the key to becoming more consistent and improving involves two big things

*note: If we can keep asinine posts to a minimum that would be great :patriot:

So again, here are my two biggest beefs:

-Better Coaching-

I know this will be a sensitive issue because its way too early to fully judge Rivera and many here will just hate me for even questioning him, but I'll be honest and say I'm just not a fan of his style so far as a head coach.

He may be honest in pressers and has a great history as a defensive coach, but he just doesn't seem like a long term HC in all honesty. Even with our injuries on defense, I'm stunned how far our D has dropped this season. I didn't expect us to contend (at all) this year, but our team lacks discipline around the board whether it be keeping our rotations in check, limiting penalties (after we know its been a problem), to tackling in general.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying he needs to go. Rivera is a very sound type who doesn't bullsh*t around and has his head on straight. His character makes him tolerable in the eyes of the fans, but I just don't want to be stuck in another situation where we are at the cusp of something great but just can't make the leap.

-Obtaining a Defensive Play-maker-

This would be my personal target because our lack of turnovers is killing us. Whether it be using the rest of the season getting someone currently on our squad to become a turnover/ball hawking machine or picking someone next year in the draft, getting a defensive playmaker is the top priority.

I don't even care what position. We need a Steve Smith type for the defense; meaning someone who can boost our intensity level at any given moment and keeps everyone in check. Yeah, Beason typically fills this role quite nicely but he's also the head of the defense. I want that slightly off the rails type who can become a turnover machine.

Bottom line is that we need better self-discipline and a defensive playmaker. What are your primary concerns going into the second half of the season you want to see improvement on?

Please don't take a sh8t in this thread.

Regards,

Beach

[Cyberjag]

I'm still not sure if it's Rivera or McDermott and Murphy. But I am sure that the talent level excuse is old and tired. Lack of talent doesn't have to translate to lack of execution.

[Snake]

I know its hard for some of you to grasp but it all starts up front. 3 of the 4 linemen are first time starters and 2 of them are rookies. Rivera cant stop the oline from blowing up the front and letting OL eat up our scrub LBs. There are allot of one on one battles being lost up front and there is no quick fix for that. Next year we look for help but this year its just going to be that way.

[Mvp2014]

I have no gripes with the coaching so far but we do need an impact cornerback, OLB, or DT. Assuming TD is done here we will definitely need someone to fill in the OLB role in the draft.

[Cyberjag]

I know its hard for some of you to grasp but it all starts up front. 3 of the 4 linemen are first time starters and 2 of them are rookies. Rivera cant stop the oline from blowing up the front and letting OL eat up our scrub LBs. There are allot of one on one battles being lost up front and there is no quick fix for that. Next year we look for help but this year its just going to be that way.

So who cut all the vets? The fact that we start two rookies is easy to understand, as is the concept that they'll make mistakes. But this year, starting two rookies is a choice that was made deliberately by the current staff, not by an annoyed owner who was trying to force a coach to quit.

[usmcpanthers]

Things will turn around i have faith. Ill be real the season is lost, but hopefully we pull a detroit. Their turn around started late last year.

[PhillyB]

we get beason back and this defense is instantly upgraded. he IS the steve smith of the defense.

[Udogg]

Hell, all in all I think our D played pretty well. When we started going 3 and out and putting them back on the field is when they really started to bog down. Considering we basically gave 2 less than 30 yard touchdowns, they only scored 10 points. AP was held "mostly" in check the entire game. We actually played the best run defense yet this year. Just the lapses as always killed us.

[Mage]

Of course the defense isn't going to be great. Rivera doesn't have the players on defense to exactly make his scheme (an attacking defense) work. I think he's done fine with what we've got there.

I think we'll have a much better look at it next year when he has a full offseason to get the players to fit his scheme.

[Marguide]

To the OP, I agree we need defensive playmakers. Beason coming back is not enough.

When you have guys like Thomas Williams and Jason Phillips playing significant snaps, you know there is a shortage of talent on the defensive side of the ball.

It is too early to make a judgement on the coaching staff. My biggest complaint from a coaching/front office standpoint is our decision to go into the season relying on 2 rookie DTs. That made no sense to me then and it makes no sense to me now.

[Snake]

So who cut all the vets? The fact that we start two rookies is easy to understand, as is the concept that they'll make mistakes. But this year, starting two rookies is a choice that was made deliberately by the current staff, not by an annoyed owner who was trying to force a coach to quit.

What other choice did they have? Ron Edwards went down in TC and there was not another DT available with his talent. What was left was a DT that was suspended for 3 games and a DT with major shoulder problems. Its not like we ignored the problem its just that there is no good solution to it.

[Delhommey]

The fact that we did not plug all the holes one year after a 2-14 season is absolutely inexcusable.

[Snake]

The fact that we did not plug all the holes one year after a 2-14 season is absolutely inexcusable.

Also the fact the whole team did not learn the system in three weeks is just shameful.

[csx]

Also the fact the whole team did not learn the system in three weeks is just shameful.

It's week 8 of the regular season, that reasoning doesn't work anymore.