EmotionallyUnstable

Like anything in football, it is never a single factor. I’ve worked through the first half, so I can only comment on the run defense thus far. Considering they gave up 120+ plus on the ground through two quarters, it is a significant piece to the defensive puzzle. You would be right at times putting it on the line backers. Other times they made phenominal plays. It’s a mixed bag. From Ogunjobi getting completely washed by a double, to Poyer missing a tackle in the box, there are countless examples where it was a 1/11th failure. It puts a ton of pressure on everyone to do their job. 1 blemish in the armor is all it takes. That said, I think the biggest issue they had at LB in this game is the misdirection Tampa used. Many times the perception is that we struggle and get bullied in the run game, but actually they held up quite well when the ground game was deliberate and immediate. Rather, there were a handful of times LBs and DEs got caught up with some window dressing, watching the flow of backs, reacting to motions, too aggressive on the mesh point, etc. Bakers running hurt them a bit, as did the long TD run. Below you will see two clips. This is Tampa running counter, the exact concept in two different variations. You’ll notice the first is with Epinessa/Williams handling the pullers and the second with Bosa/Johnson. It is impossible to know what they are trying to do schematically as a defense but my best guess here based on what I’ve seen is they’re trying to spill this play to the force player and boundary, working inside out allowing for guys to run to the football. In this first clip, you will see Epinessa use a wrong arm to try and sit in the hole. As the pullers work to reach Epinessa, Williams is there maintaining outside leverage. It is clear he is the force player here keeping them from getting the edge. He plays it very well stringing this out without giving up ground while the troops rally to the ball. However in this clip, you will see how the window dressing I referenced impacts the result of the play. The motion by the WR strongly influence Taron Johnson here. Between him and Bosa, one of these guys should be the force player on the edge and the other in the C gap. Based on the previous clip, I’d think Johnson is supposed to be the force here but the motion pulls him far to inside. Bosa wrong arms the puller again, bouncing the play to the boundary but with no force player they get the edge and it’s off to the races. It is impossible to know if there was a change in assignment here, and Bosa actually should have been maintaining leverage as the force. All we can do is guess. Based on the first clip and how Bosa plays the TE, I think the motion paired with what appears man coverage lead to a lack in gap integrity for Taron. Without that motion, you’d likely get a different result.

Plus we have the H2H on Balt right now if it were to come down to it for a wild card spot, which we cannot say the same about Pitt yet.

Well if Hardman’s injury is anything long term, the easiest swap would be move to IR and sign Gabe to the active roster. I am guessing they will first try and expire the remaining two PS call ups because I am wondering based on the Sanders/Solomon usage if they’re trying to get Morgan Fox up to speed to contribute on the DL

I am only through the first half, but Walker was very solid vs the run. Check out this goal line play following the Josh int in the first. Text book way to handle a double. He engages both blockers, keeping his LB clean while splitting the double giving up no ground and still working his way into the ball carrier. Just a high level play. Looking forward to see him continue to improve (and stay healthy!)

How is that unsportsmanlike conduct?

Am I blind? I can’t not see nothing

Apparently there is some trouble with the Tight ends in the locker room after the game.

Some people dragging Keon like he ****ed your sister and never called. What he has done is inexcusable, but if you just judge someone based on who they are at 21 then I am willing to bet many of us are ***** people (I know I would be!) He is one step away from the curb, but I see no reason to help kick him there as a fan. Hoping he changes and things improve, though I doubt it. In the meantime, I’ve seen enough of the “this person is a horrible human” take

No man, is more important than the team. The team, the team, the team.

Solid 1 catch for -3 yards today for Shakir. Watch out Reggie Bush

Negative post warning: Doesnt it feel like someone always has a “career best” day vs this team? Who is Sean Tucker, UDFA, it’s like McDermott is Bob Barker yelling into the crowd…come on down!!!

Yeah maybe in coverage: he’s still getting swallowed up in the run game unless it’s uncontested

Agree. The problem is the sustainability. It’s be nice if hero ball was the “break glass incase of energency” move not the bread and butter. Today it waa needed at times, so I give Brady the nod especially second half for getting open guys the ball. Hopefully we can scheme up some success while saving Allen for the moments we truly need a play abs not ride him into the ground all game

Days like today make me so frustrated we’ve lose Hoecht, Oliver and even Jackson. What was up with all the TJ Sanders at DE? Didn’t seem to help against the run. Morgan Fox likely to see some burn in the near further.

Very true. Knowing how awful they were early on offense and the fact they were resilient makes me hopeful for the rest of the season…especially off the heels of last weeks low energy game

Another bonus - did we get out of the game clean on injuries aside from Mecant Hardman? Good news for a quick turnaround on Thursday.

Yeah and they’re still not good on them. Unless it’s scramble mode any deep fade, post or corner seems like a waste

What a wild game for Allen - especially considering his second throw was a chest pass to the other team almost gifting them 7. No doubt he’s gotten better and better as the game has gone on and so has Brady. About time we’ve had wide open completions to guys Defense got worse and worse, but they did step up at moments and got dealt a rough hand (turnovers, field position, injuries obv) Somehoe we scored 44 points. Special teams couldn’t decide if they wanted to gift 6 or take a house call. I can’t wait to rewatch this. I think the Lbs and interior guys will not look good on tape. Secondary was good today. Never heard Max’s name once. Bishop continues to make plays. Dion had a rough day (two weeks including last game). I know I’m spewing random thoughts but that how this game felt. Just completely fire from the hip.

First time in a while it was nice to see guys wide open. Cook in the flat, on the wheel, shavers on the come back, gabe on the digg etc. Whatever the reason the offense just got better and better throughout the game, which was good because the defense got worse and worse.

We have to run out of the gun and throw from under center. Bring back the pistol!

What’s up with TJ Sanders at DE? They must hate Solomon against the run

Sure you will.

Surprised Latu is up today. I thought the elevation was just incase Kincaid or Hawes for some reason got dinged in warm ups….must be for teams. This is a weird week.

Very disappointing. You can live with him just not being good, but also being unmotivated and unreliable is a bad look for everyone.

It’s been a while since we’ve made a sacrifice to the pit. Maybe this is why we are cursed