With a huge off-season coming, here are my 3 potentially biggest mistakes we could make.
3. If Bowles stays with the team we will need to decide whether he wants to be the highest blitzing defense in the league next year or if he has the self discipline to hold back and blitz more as a change of look.
It was interesting seeing the pressure all 4 contestants in championship weekend were able to get with 4 man rushes and with the Bengals, sometimes 3 man. Offenses are more prepared for blitz packages than ever before, especially when they know it’s coming.
It will be a mistake if we do not take a look at our aggressiveness and figure out how to play better in coverage. The best defenses today can rush with 4 and cover… as we did with last year’s Super Bowl. If we decide we want to double down and bring 5 and 6 man rushed a majority of the time, then we should concentrate on corners that can match up man-to-man. If we fall into line with how most of today’s successful defenses play today, we can concentrate on pass rushing OLB and DTs that are able to penetrate. It does us no good to pay Shaq and JPP huge salaries and blitz 2 more guys along with them. Rely on your players to make plays.
2. Losing AB and possibly not having a healthy Godwin early in the season will be a huge problem for our passing offense. We need to bring in a veteran receiver that can be at the very least a #2. Whether we trade for a Calvin Ridley or pick up a high priced free agent, it will make Brady or our next quarterback’s life much easier. And I’m sure if there is any discussion with Brady on whether he comes back this will have to be addressed.
1. The #1 mistake we could make is relying on Joe Tryon to be our bookend OLB opposite Shaq. The PR staff has high expectations for Tryon, but I feel he hasn’t shown all the potential for such high expectations. He’s got the look and the speed, but hopefully he doesn’t turnout to be a Gaines Adams talent.
Tryon’s speed was impressive early, but once teams recognized it they were able to shut him down. He’s got no impactful rush moves and no power. He’s gives up way too much space when setting the edge against the run. He’s definitely a try hard player with talent but we are being completely negligent if we aren’t keeping JPP if he gets healthy or bringing in a reliable rush end.
Unless of course, we just want to rush 5 or 6 players 60% of our defensive plays… then it’s more of a numbers game than it is adept rushers.
Honorable Mention:
- not firing our Special Teams coach. Our special teams were the worst across the board. If I were an opposing team I would kick short of the goal line every time because we can run it past the 25… or even the 20 yard line for that matter. And if I was an opposing coach I’d have my returners bring it out even if they are a yard or 2 in the end zone. We have the worst coverage units in the league.
- take a look at our pass pro scheme. Teams are figuring it out. We could play the Saints and Rams 10 times and we may win once. Brady barely makes it out alive in those games. Is it a wonder he is contemplating retirement with our murder row of defenses we have to play against next year?
