This team will only go as far as the defense takes us. Despite an off day for the offense, we still scored 34 points and Stafford threw for 300 yards. The defense, on the other hand, did what they’ve done for the past six weeks or so - let teams drive up and down the field on us. We make every QB look like Tom Brady. Look what happened to the Packers last night when the Bears decided to pressure Love. Why Shula doesn’t bring more pressure is beyond me. The front four alone isn’t getting there enough and our secondary can’t cover anyone. If we go to Seattle, we need to pressure the shit out of Darnold. We saw what happened last time when we sat back and hoped for them to make a mistake. Shula is just a Raheem clone - bend but don’t break. But when you’re giving up 31 points to Carolina team, that’s not a good sign.
The Defense
- Thread starter Ramfan72
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My feeling is Shula is overrated and I hope he gets a head coaching job elsewhere next year, but I doubt it.
I think one important difference is that Morris had 3 first ballot HOF players at all three levels on his defense (AD - line, Miller - LB, Ramsey - CB) while Shula does not. I think Shula's scheme is just fine but the secondary doesn't have the talent to execute. The front four is able to pressure the QB enough, but the secondary can't cover well. It's a tough job for him.
Our front four is top 5 in the league but the secondary is bottom 5. If we had an average front four, the secondary would be exposed even more.
Our front four is top 5 in the league but the secondary is bottom 5. If we had an average front four, the secondary would be exposed even more.
DeaconJones
Rookie
I agree with the general sentiment. I thought we brought more pressure than in some other games, and it was effective in forcing Young to get the ball out faster than he wanted. But our coverage still couldn't make the stops. Durant was beaten a few times (at least he balanced this a bit with his pick deflected off of Q). Witherspoon's injury might have affected things? I don't know.
This.
If our corners weren’t consistently beach on the short to intermediate routes, the sack numbers would be much higher. It’s not like opposing QBs are sitting in a clean pocket for extended periods. They seem to be getting the ball out rather quickly
If we don't go as far as we expect to, you can point to the defense. And the secondary to be specific. It was expected to be a problem from back in the fall. So we shouldn't be surprised its a problem now. In the offseason that is something they have to address.
Whatever happens this season we should be set up for another run at it next season. So fix the problem that could potentially derail that.
Whatever happens this season we should be set up for another run at it next season. So fix the problem that could potentially derail that.
The scheme is pathetically soft. You'll notice it tightened up during the very last drive last night. Why can't we play that tight all game??
We need Corners on this defense..aside from Q (who looked a bit rusty yesterday but that’s to be expected), I do not like ANY DB that we currently have on the roster. Our safeties aren’t half bad but I wouldn’t be upset if every CB on this team was gone next year.
It’s obvious this off-season needs to be completely dedicated to revamping our DB room.
Other than that, I think Shula can go. I’ve seen enough. I’d say at least 3 of our 5 losses this year came from defensive collapses. And beyond that, you cannot allow a dismal Panthers offense to put up 31 points on your defense which has 2 (and probably should be 3 or 4) pro-bowlers. He should be fired imo.
It’s obvious this off-season needs to be completely dedicated to revamping our DB room.
Other than that, I think Shula can go. I’ve seen enough. I’d say at least 3 of our 5 losses this year came from defensive collapses. And beyond that, you cannot allow a dismal Panthers offense to put up 31 points on your defense which has 2 (and probably should be 3 or 4) pro-bowlers. He should be fired imo.
I tend to think some teams just don't match up well. The Rams had more trouble with Carolina than they do with the Seahags and 9ers.
During a game many adjustments are made until you find the right one. What I remember most about the Panther game last night was when the defense had to...THEY SHUT THEM DOWN!!! That was on that last drive. They had great coverage in the secondary, along with excellent pressure on Bryce.
We saw almost the same type game between Chicago and Green Bay. Green Bays defense fell apart, while Chicago's defense buckled down.
The Rams won...THAT'S WHAT MATTERS!!! Next game please!!!
During a game many adjustments are made until you find the right one. What I remember most about the Panther game last night was when the defense had to...THEY SHUT THEM DOWN!!! That was on that last drive. They had great coverage in the secondary, along with excellent pressure on Bryce.
We saw almost the same type game between Chicago and Green Bay. Green Bays defense fell apart, while Chicago's defense buckled down.
The Rams won...THAT'S WHAT MATTERS!!! Next game please!!!
Actually the pressure is what forced the hurried throws. That last guy was wide open. He just didn't know to settle down and make the catch. Tried to keep running while catching it. The pressure on Young is what made the throw behind him a bit.
We have a solid front seven and a serviceable back four.
People talk about using our two firsts to draft corners but we would be lucky to get one elevated starter from those choices.
I don't know what the answer is here but our front seven is getting the job done with a game that is won and lost in the trenches.
We have too many rookie contracts to deal with in this offseason. That is my main concern for the short term future.
People talk about using our two firsts to draft corners but we would be lucky to get one elevated starter from those choices.
I don't know what the answer is here but our front seven is getting the job done with a game that is won and lost in the trenches.
We have too many rookie contracts to deal with in this offseason. That is my main concern for the short term future.
We are here with 2 games to the SB and 3 total left if we keep winning.
It is "run what you brung" time no what if's or should haves, this is who we are and in the words of the man S Mc himself our best is good enough
Every team still playing is flawed, we have as much chance as anyone.
Make less mistakes than your opponenet, recover when you make a mistake, support each other and fight to the final whistle
Lets Go!
It is "run what you brung" time no what if's or should haves, this is who we are and in the words of the man S Mc himself our best is good enough
Every team still playing is flawed, we have as much chance as anyone.
Make less mistakes than your opponenet, recover when you make a mistake, support each other and fight to the final whistle
Lets Go!
We need so put some more $$ into the defense next year.
We have a plus defensive line,.... average lb and below average secondary.
We have a plus defensive line,.... average lb and below average secondary.
I'd also like to add some positives, they stopped the Panthers from converting two 4th downs and had a very timely turnover. They are flawed for sure but we have enough studs to win a Super Bowl with. Hopefully Lake shook the rust off and he gets us looking like the first half of the season again.
But can you afford them? Our #2 cheapest D in the league is going to start costing us a larger piece of our cap.
The way the league is designed is teams will always have players and positions that are "weaknesses".
We have done a great job drafting and in FA to keep those positions as strong as possible but still vulnerabilities.
lets hope we hit on some more picks and keep the performance balance between O & D serviceable.
I have to believe we have no less than a 100% chance of upgrading our boundary CB's
We need OL and WR help too
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Defense played a lot of soft shell coverage to prevent the big plays Carolina beat them with in the first meeting where they used more man coverage. They looked a bit more cohesive at times with the return of Lake. Bottom line the entire secondary could use an infusion of speed and athleticism in the 2026 draft. It’s an area that they have not addressed in the draft or in free agency for some time. That’s not going to help this team now so they are going to have to adjust as much as possible and be more aggressive like they did in that last series. That being said the Rams season going forward rests on a very efficient and effective scoring offense. Carolina stuck around and stayed in the game early when the Rams had an opportunity to put them in a big hole early. Offense is going to have to be dynamic and hitting in all cylinders for 4 quarters going forward.
Next year:
Draft CB in 1st round;
Trade a future 3rd for a vet CB;
Draft a 2nd CB day 3 Snead special to develop.
Keep Forbes and Mccreary (maybe Durant too if price is right)
Draft CB in 1st round;
Trade a future 3rd for a vet CB;
Draft a 2nd CB day 3 Snead special to develop.
Keep Forbes and Mccreary (maybe Durant too if price is right)
We will have to try and hit on the draft. I'd like to bring in another non-back breaking contract veteran presence to replace Williams and/or Witherspoon and if a stud CB is there in the 1st round for us we grab them too. Then another one mid rounds. When we had to replace AD we overloaded on DL picks a couple of years to make sure we hit on a few and had depth. Time to sign some of those guys and do the same in the secondary.