What's your plan to fix the Secondary? | Page 6

jacklegniner · 2019-04-16T16:08:31-07:00

We all know our secondary is terrible. In a recent article from ESPN, it noted that "the Niners managed just two interceptions, worst in the league, and gave up 35 passing touchdowns and a 105.4 passer rating, both of which ranked 31st in the league." The Niners have talked a lot about adding closers this offseason. Guys who can finish. We added Dee Ford and Kwon. We will most likely get Bosa (fingers crossed) in the draft. So the front 7 with Bosa, Buck, solly, ford, etc, sound pretty solid on paper. The middle sounds a lot better as well with Kwon and Warner in year 2, etc. The secondary has no probowl type talent beyond Sherman. We added Verrett on a prove it deal and that's a good signing but he also is just another guy like the many we have that can't stay healthy. A good pass rush will help the secondary so we get a boost from that for sure. But pass rush and coverage kind of work together. We need better players to cover the wrs for just a half second longer so we can get to the QB and create sacks which will create INTS and TOs. Bosa seems like a lock in the first round. Most mocks on the webzone have us taking a wr in the 2nd and the experts do as well. So that means for most, we don't even address the secondary until after the 2nd round pick. So what's the plan webzone? How do we address this huge weakness on our team? We have all witnessed the numerous games that the Niners were winning or hanging in there, only to see the opposing team just lite up our secondary in the 4th Qtr. Over the past 2 seasons we have lost 11 games by 5 points or fewer. 6 of those games were last year. We added guys in Free Agency and with D Ford and hopefully Bosa, we will have the pressure we have been looking for. But I'm afraid that if we don't add talent in the draft to our secondary, we will just keep losing games in the 4th QtR. So again, what's your plan to address this or do you not think it's an area of concern? What Pick/Round would you use on what player to help our League Worst Secondary?

Apr 17, 2019 at 1:33 PM

#76

jacklegniner
Veteran
Posts: 2,206

Originally posted by thl408:
In the past two seasons, the combination of a subpar pass rush, unproven talent in the secondary (Spoon, Rashard Robinson, Dontae Johnson, Colbert, Ward, all the other safeties that filled in), and predictable coverage, led to the poor results.

I wanted a vet FS to come in via free agency to reduce all the presnap confusion, but that ship has sailed. The team will be banking on Spoon and Moore to develop, and they should be given time to. I have no problem with that. In some thread there was discussion about drafting players and playing them out of position, this is the case with Moore. With Spoon, he is learning how to play zone since he did little of that in college from what I remember.

If the team drafts a CB on day 2, it will mean they don't like what they are seeing from Spoon/Moore. Otherwise, the team needs to let these guys develop, and in the mean time help them out with an improved pass rush, which they are doing. Throughout 2019, assess Spoon/Moore's development in a vacuum, separating their performance from the pass rush. In other words, if the improved pass defense in 2019 is due to the pass rush with little help from coverage, then address CBs next offseason. Might not be a popular opinion, but I'd punt on drafting CB day 2 to let the current youngsters grow. Day 3 is whatever, if they see value at CB then select the player. I'm fine with a day 2 FS.

I also wanted a FS in FA but yeah I have moved on.

You break down film a bunch. Is there any FS you like on Day 2 that you think fit our team?

I have particular players i like but I like to see what others think as well.

Apr 17, 2019 at 1:44 PM

#77

thl408
Moderator
Posts: 33,299

Originally posted by jacklegniner:
I also wanted a FS in FA but yeah I have moved on.

You break down film a bunch. Is there any FS you like on Day 2 that you think fit our team?

I have particular players i like but I like to see what others think as well.

Sorry I know very little about college ball so I'm the wrong person to ask.

Apr 17, 2019 at 2:24 PM

#78

Hysterikal
Veteran
Posts: 39,657

Originally posted by Heroism:
It's not a chicken or the egg thing. Both ways work. If you've got a great defensive mind who can scheme it up in the secondary and manufacture pressure, draft DBs. But if you're playing a simple, talent-dependent, cut-and-dried scheme, draft pass rush.

Ideally, you have all of it(good coaching, talented DBs and pass rush), but of course, that rarely happens.

I just read Bill Belichick

Apr 17, 2019 at 2:34 PM

#79

RedAu
Veteran
Posts: 131

Originally posted by captainhook:
Then we should just blitz 11 on every play, problem solved. Kidding aside, the average time a QB gets rid of the ball is about 2.5 seconds. The average time to sack for the top tier pass rushers is over 3.5 seconds. Pass rush alone can't get the job done. There's no doubt a good pass rush will help immensely, but when WR's, TE's and RB's are running wide open within a couple of seconds we are in trouble.

This. Exhibit A and B is New England last year. Brady threw in less then 2.5 secs and neutralized the other Bosa in the playoffs. New England D won the playoffs on the strength of its secondary with average pass rush.

Our pass rush is already average sans Ford or Bosa. We need better secondary at both outside CB an Safeties. We should invest 2 high picks here,and keep doing it till fixed.

Apr 19, 2019 at 8:44 AM

#80

LVJay
Veteran
Posts: 27,847

John Lynch >>> Verrett on one leg >>> Ward (will be sidelined with left nut cramp)