Originally posted by eman:
We all knew this year would be a year full of rocky bumps and some surprising moments,
I for one am not worried about all the yards we gave up, it is a young team, and you knew sooner or later a smart offensive team would take advantage of communication breakdowns. hopefully it can be fixed and we can right the ship.. last week we got saved from the PI call on Bethea (or what should have been) when he was playing shallow. we don't have safeties with 4.3 speed so we may need to play them back a bit. We have not given up this many 40+ yard completion in several games, let alone in one game.. today there were 4 or 5!!!!
What I am really worried about is Eric Reid's ability to play deep centerfield. He is one of the famous 9ers to be drafted last 4 years by baalke (including Armstead, Ward, Aj Jenkins, Reid). When he came out, I read how he takes wrong steps and gets himself out of position. then there was the seattle seahawk game in conference championship where he inexcusably allowed Lynch to Juke him for 40 yard touchdown. Past few years, I watched how he comes up strong in run support and stopping short passes, but gravely misjudges long passes and does not seem to place himself well for success on deep passes. today i almost wanted to vomit to see the play where Antonio Brown almost scored on him... he made Reid look stupid twice.
I just hope we can have him close to LOS and use him as safety/ LB combo defender guarding TEs and RBs than depending on him to help cover speedy WRs on deep passes. Should we look at moving on and using Ward ???
Reid is a good player. Not a star by any means, but solid. We could do A LOT worse than him, and I don't think he is a glaring problem.
Although I do agree he's not really a centerfielder type FS. He also hasn't played as well as his rookie year, when he seemed to play faster and more physical. Not sure if the concussions have altered his style of play.
The glaring problem on defense is the lack of a 4-man rush. I have no problem with Mangini wanting to blitz. It's a big problem when the only way you can get pressure is via blitz. That's where we are right now. Today, the blitz didn't even work, easily snuffed out by max protection scheme.
Heading into the off-season, pass rush is the biggest need on the team. Even bigger than o-line IMO. We can find quality lineman on Day 2 and Day 3. But impact pass rushers need to be taken 1st rd.