I agree for the most part. It certainly does appear that the secondary is responding after the catch but that seems like an assumption. I don't know any scheme or coach that actually tells the defender to respond after the WR catches the ball. The concept is to keep spacing and make a play on the ball or hit the WR as it arrives. It very well could be that our defenders, especially Long jr. and Rapp are not good at playing in space like this. There is no doubt we are taking away the deep shots but I am not sure they are being told to give up the reception and then respond. Except on 3rd or 4th down when the WR is in front of the chains.
Seems to me we still need to cut the secondary some slack. New scheme variant, new DC, young players in altered assignments. And still winning.
Obviously they are intent on stopping downfield passes, with some notable success. But I will be surprised if the coverage and tackling doesn't improve over the next several games.
If they are giving up 400 hundred yards a game at mid season there will still be plenty of time to panic later.
