Failed experiment

[Hauss]

I don't think that Edward's idea of giving the linebackers more freedom to make plays is working. He has left too much decision making in their hands and it has failed much more than it has succeeded. The 4th down pass to Davis is the latest example. Trotter has staed that Davis was his man but he decided to blitz--he thought Davis was staying in to block.

[SkinsNumberOne]

I agree 100%. Edwards was the LB coach last year, so he felt this was a good thing. Personally, maybe I understand giving one LB some free reign on occasional plays, but on a fourth and 1? That's when you really need players to be responsible for their assignments, in particular, of course, the RB who used to play for us. Leaving him wide open is completely inexcusable.

[bulldog]

it's hard to put the genie back in the bottle

guys wanted Lewis gone so they could be freed up to make plays and clearly they aren't making enough plays, but are Edwards and Spurrier after the example set this year now in a position to reign the players back in?

coaches that start off with a relaxed feel to their program are almost never successful in later trying to become disciplinarians and hard-a$$es.

[mrnewbomb]

THEY NEED A COACH WITH A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER. LAVAR NEVER LIKED MARVIN LEWIS BUT UNDER HIS SYSTEM HE HAD 11 SACKS AND A PRO BOWL.:notworthy

[TD_washingtonredskins]

I think this is true...I don't think giving them freedom is such a bad thing all the time (it did win us the Atlanta game). But I think in some situations, he maybe needs to stress that they MUST stick to their assignments....

[Om]

Originally posted by mrnewbomb

THEY NEED A COACH WITH A CHIP ON HIS SHOULDER. LAVAR NEVER LIKED MARVIN LEWIS BUT UNDER HIS SYSTEM HE HAD 11 SACKS AND A PRO BOWL.:notworthy

We can hear you, bro.

*

One thing about last year under Marvin, though ... stats aside, by the last quarter or so of the year, LaVar's hands were so chewed up from taking on big uglies in the trenches all season that he couldn't tackle anyone any more.

I don't happen to think he belongs at DE ... nor do I think he's a particularly natural or threatening pass rusher. Just doesn't seem to have the explosive moves or relentless drive to fight off blocks.

LaVar's problem seems to be LaVar, not the guy calling his signals. So while I don't think Marvin used him "right" last year, I DO think LaVar could benefit from a shorlter leash under a firmer hand.

The man needs to be playing in space and chasing the ball. And he needs to either find it in himself -- OR have it crammed into him by a no-nonsense coach -- to realize that in the NFL, if you're going to be the best, you have to use your brains every bit as much if not more than your brawn.

[Darth Tater]

About Steven Davis' catch for the first down. That would have been a first down no matter what Trotter does. The call was good and the execution perfect. Okay, had Trotter not blitzed, Davis might not have had such a big run but he'd still have gotten the first down. Also, had they run the dive as expected and Trotter does not blitz, they get the first down and we'd all be crying about that. If Delholme overthrows the pass (or forces Davis of balance) or Davis drops the ball (the only way that would not have achieved a first down), we'e all be laughing at the stupid call. Further, whose to say that the free-lancing isn't what's putting us in position to get all these turnovers? I said it before, and will say it again, our Defense is outperforming expectations.