FanPost

Current linebackers = no chance for title


Our problems on defense have been immense and fairly consistent for the last 20+ years. Its no wonder when you consider the draft capital we have put into the offensive line over the years. The recent struggles continue to be misdiagnosed by the media and blogosphere (and apparently coaching staff and ownership as well).

The D-line isn't to blame for the troubles stopping the run. And the coaches and scheme aren't to blame either. Run defense is the responsibility of the linebackers. All the D lineman do is make sure the linebackers have clear lanes to run to the ball carrier. Linebackers have to play down hill and know their gap assignments. From there they need to break down (play with a low center of gravity) and change directions as the back cuts and finally WRAP UP! Jaylon Smith doesn't do any of the things good linebackers do. He makes a lot of tackles - sure. But take a look at where those tackles take place. 85+% of his tackles are 5 yards off the line of scrimmage or more. He isn't great when it comes to knowing his assignment. He isn't great at playing down hill. But beyond those two (I'll call minor weaknesses) his major flaws are he plays way too high. He tackles high. He arrives too high. He makes contact too high. His pad level is too high. This causes him to miss tackles and more importantly over run plays because he can't change direction. He is quite literally the worst player I have ever seen play the position in 30 years in terms of ability to change direction. We will never be a championship defense with him on the field.

I think, like all the rest of the football world, he is a great story. We are all happy he made the comeback he made. We all admire his toughness, intelligence, work ethic, motor, and leadership. I would want him for a neighbor or a son-in-law. I'd even like him for a teammate as long as he wasn't playing. But none of those things make him a good linebacker. (And I don't want to hear about the joke of selection to the pro bowl). We need to sign or draft someone better ASAP or this defense will be destined for mediocrity (assuming we surround him with excellence).

Jerry and Stephen need to start looking at him objectively rather than through the rose colored glasses they see him through because they want to believe their 2nd round pick was worth it. They want to believe that his character and work ethic should be enough. They want him to be rewarded for being a good person and a great teammate. But in the NFL all of those things combined don't make up for being a good tackler and being a good run defender. He is neither. He is big. He is fast. He plays relentlessly. But he plays too high and whether its the injury or the technique or the combination of both .... he simply can not change directions fast enough to play good football at the linebacker position in the NFL .... at least not for a championship defense. And it is high time that the ownership, coaches and fan base realize his shortcomings and start to look for another solution to a very big problem. Stopping the run is the key to the pass rush, which is the key to the secondary, which is the key to turnovers, which is the key to winning. If we want to win we need to stop the run. If you want to stop the run .... we need a linebacker who doesn't run straight up and down and can stop and change directions AND consistently wraps up because he isn't tackling the player around the shoulder pads.

Open your eyes! Admit the shortcomings! Fix the problem!

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