Significant Problem: Alignment of Defensive Ends

[Hubbs]

So after the placement of our DEs was brought to everybody's attention against Seattle, I couldn't help but start wondering why they're lined up that way. It's not just a matter of being vulnerable to outside runs, because, of course, it could easily be countered by arguing that it makes our defense improve that much against inside runs (which it very well might). But our pass rush is absolutely abysmal, and this is making it even worse. Our two best rushers, Carter and Taylor, are speed rushers. They're not gonna bull any tackles back into opposing quarterbacks. And the further outside they line up, the more they can take advantage of their speed.

Instead, inexplicably, both of them are lining up farther inside than is normal for NFL defenses. This negates their biggest advantage, while not really seeming to provide a significant advantage against the run, if the recent dominant success to the outside is any indication. So, why the hell are they set up that way? Why don't we spread them out and counter the greater interior running success by making sure Horton is in the box on any running down?