Front Office/HC/OC/DC who do you want?

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by painekiller

You still Frank Bush Hating? The total defense is up to #20 in YPG, #24 against the rush, #19 against the pass.

I hate when guys do this, but I am going to any way. Take away 4 plays and this defense is in the top half of the NFL. Is this as good as New Orleans, no but they also where smart enough to sign a real Safety Darren Sharper who now has 5 INT and 12 passes defensed. Studly numbers.

We have one of the youngest teams in the NFL, our defense is lead by two 5th year guys. And now a rookie is our biggest playmaker. Bush is doing OK with these guys.

I would say Bush has made some progress these last couple weeks and the D looks much better. Cushing, in particular, has really made a huge impact. Not only is he putting up big numbers, he's making plays that actually impact the game. This is something we've lacked for years. As the Morlon Greenwood experience taught us, just piling up tackle numbers doesn't mean you're doing anything to help us win.

To play Devil's Advocate for a moment, I will point out that the other 2 teams whose defenses were just about as terrible as us last year were NOLA and Denver. Both brought in new coordinators this year and both came out of the gates balling and are now undefeated. It's great that our defense is improving, but the NFL season is too short to give away the first month trying to find your legs. Not being ready to go in September may ultimately cost us a chance at the playoffs.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I would say Bush has made some progress these last couple weeks and the D looks much better. Cushing, in particular, has really made a huge impact. Not only is he putting up big numbers, he's making plays that actually impact the game. This is something we've lacked for years. As the Morlon Greenwood experience taught us, just piling up tackle numbers doesn't mean you're doing anything to help us win.

To play Devil's Advocate for a moment, I will point out that the other 2 teams whose defenses were just about as terrible as us last year were NOLA and Denver. Both brought in new coordinators this year and both came out of the gates balling and are now undefeated. It's great that our defense is improving, but the NFL season is too short to give away the first month trying to find your legs. Not being ready to go in September may ultimately cost us a chance at the playoffs.

I think that had more to do with Rick Smith and Kubiak than Bush. Bush's defense would have looked a lot more ready to play in September with Dawkins or Sharper. Even someone at Bernard Pollard's level has made a difference. It is criminal that Smith and Kubiak thought we were fine at Safety entering the year.

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by barrett

I think that had more to do with Rick Smith and Kubiak than Bush. Bush's defense would have looked a lot more ready to play in September with Dawkins or Sharper. Even someone at Bernard Pollard's level has made a difference. It is criminal that Smith and Kubiak thought we were fine at Safety entering the year.

Fair point. I also think losing Reeves, along with having a rusty Dunta, were also significant problems for the D early on. Having said that, there is no disputing that the D was simply clueless on many occasions to start the year (preseason and regular) and had an unacceptable amount of mental mistakes and missed assignments. This does fall on Bush, IMO.

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I would say Bush has made some progress these last couple weeks and the D looks much better.

We played the Raiders and looked impressive. Then we allowed the Cards to score the most points they had all season, with most of it coming in the 1st half. I believe Bush saw what his players were able to digest and do best. Against the Bengals, we were able to contain Cedric Benson. By the 3rd quarter, the Bengals had given up on the run and were trying to catch up through the air.

I'm taking our progress with a grain of salt. The key in my mind was the addition of Bernard Pollard and playing more man coverage. Bush started having more confidence in blitzing Cushing and Ryans too. Amobi Okoye has been getting better penetration. If Mario were 100% healthy, I think we'd have more sacks and more turnovers. I'm somewhat dissapointed we didn't trade for Dorsey, but I don't know what the asking price was.

[NBT]

I like the blitzing too, but I am dissappointed that Mario hasn't gotten anymore sacks than he has.