D'Qwell Jackson: Overrated.

[King of Kings]

Originally Posted by Enigmatic Evil

Who thinks that playing on the outside would suit DQJ's strengths and free us up to maybe try to grab our MLB of the future in the draft and keep Gocong/DQJ on the outside. You guys have better knowledge of the schemes and skills required to run them properly than I, it was just a thought I had after watching that footage of Kuechly. He has the skills you want in a linebacker and looks like the type of guy who would be a blessing for our D against the run.

DQJ should be at WLB and i'd happily draft Kuechly to replace him at MLB.

[DaBrowns41]

I think it's important to take into consideration the transition that the defense has made.

Coming out of Maryland, Jackson was meant to be a weakside backer or MLB in a 4-3 defense. Instead, we forced him to play undersized in a 3-4 defense, hoping he could be the next Donnie Edwards.

So he's had to adjust to different 3-4 schemes and coverages, as well as assignments when lining up.

This is his first season in a true 4-3 defense, and I think he has done a reasonable job.

Now, if you want to add another MAJOR need to this team's NFL draft list, then that's fine. But he's adequate for now, and one of the smaller problems to worry about on this team.

[Greythan]

Originally Posted by DaBrowns41

But he's adequate for now, and one of the smaller problems to worry about on this team.

I'd be tempted to agree with this, except that our run defense is ranked almost dead last. I realize the MLB in a 4-3 isn't supposed to make all the tackes, but he is supposed to make more than anyone else. (And DQJ does lead in tackles.) He just can't be making them 5+ yards down field.

All that said, I wouldn't want to burn a first or second round pick next year on a MLB since we have deeper positions of need as you said. Its just hard to say that when our run defense is so damn awful.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by Greythan

I'd be tempted to agree with this, except that our run defense is ranked almost dead last. I realize the MLB in a 4-3 isn't supposed to make all the tackes, but he is supposed to make more than anyone else. (And DQJ does lead in tackles.) He just can't be making them 5+ yards down field.

All that said, I wouldn't want to burn a first or second round pick next year on a MLB since we have deeper positions of need as you said. Its just hard to say that when our run defense is so damn awful.

Well, one thing to consider is only the Colts have been rushed against more often.

Why? Because once we are down by 7-10 points, teams run, run, run.

Teams have run on us 498 times this year, and we've given up 4.4 yards per carry.

Technically, you could say that our secondary is just as bad as our rush defense, but because they haven't given up nearly as much yardage it doesn't seem that they are that bad.

But we all know that our secondary still needs work (looking at you Sheldon Brown).

If our offense scores more points, opposing offenses will be forced to be more balanced against us.

Unfortunately, there is nobody that is afraid of our offense scoring points, which means they can run the ball down our throats, the defense gets tired after long drives and three and outs by the offense, and then we give up big plays.

If you really look at our rushing defense, we only give up big plays on the ground in the second half of the game.

Take a look at the teams that have been rushed on heavily.

The Colts, Browns, Rams, Buccaneers, Broncos, and Chiefs.

The common denominator? A weak offense that suffers through many three and outs and lacks dominance in TOP.

Just my .02.

[Greythan]

I'm willing to bet that if you went back and looked at rush attempts/yards per half against us you wouldn't see a marked difference. My perception is teams just rush on us all the time, anytime.

[DaBrowns41]

Originally Posted by Greythan

I'm willing to bet that if you went back and looked at rush attempts/yards per half against us you wouldn't see a marked difference. My perception is teams just rush on us all the time, anytime.

I would have to disagree. I think that we are in games until the end of the third quarter, and from the middle of the third through the end of the game, the opposition runs a bit more.

But I digress.

Perfect example is the second Pitt game in 2007. Our defense played fine when our offense was putting up big points. The second half of that game, DA had like 5 three and outs in a row in the second half and the defense gave up the run big time in the second half and we blew a lead.

It's the same concept, only ours has been all season long.

[Solon16]

Originally Posted by Greythan

I'm willing to bet that if you went back and looked at rush attempts/yards per half against us you wouldn't see a marked difference. My perception is teams just rush on us all the time, anytime.

I agree with you...In my Opinion and I have the same one all the time....You build a great defense just like in baseball...Strong up the middle...we need a real MLB and a Another safety and our defense will be fine. D'smell Jackson shouldn't be re-signed for the money he'll want... Papa smurf can go play elsewhere and will struggle to start.