I
have been the most critical ROD member here on the rookie season performance of our top draft selection LB/Safety
Taylor Rapp.
Against the Cards, TR had his best game of the season. TR was the
most impactful DB on the field in Az. I still can not forget about Rapp's Ravens game performance that was simply bad & one of his worse.
Most of my unfavorable comments on TR this season, are listed below:
* Total lack of any hit or pop in his tackles.
* Most all tacks made with the ball going forward for additional yards.
* Hands that are hard as Plutonic rock.
* Obvious "learning on the fly" coverage skills.
* Hesitant in making quick responses on receivers routes.
Most of the above are very typical of a rookie DB.
I should note that in the Cards game Wade gave TR a
full time role in his defense. Wade for most of the season had been playing safety Marqui Christian/ JJ III with Weddle in the safety posts on first downs & probable run downs.
The Cards game TR was on the field for most all defensive snaps playing either of one of the safety positions with Safety Eric Weddle or the weak side ILB'er post with Cory Littleton @ MLB'er. TR did come off the field when safety Jake Gervase replaced him @ SS in the 4th quarter.
This Wade change up took defensive snaps away from Marqui Christian. Gave many more snaps to ILB'er Travin Howard. This proved to be a great decision at this time of the season. Wade increased the utilization of LB'ers Troy Reader/ Travin Howard. Plus increased greatly the snaps of TR in the deep secondary.
I think that Wade will continue to increase the defensive snaps of 1st season ILB'er Travin Howard in the WSILB'er post as TR's is assigned increased secondary starting safety snaps on early downs instead of being on the sideline.
