Analysis w/Video of Poor Coverage vs. KC

[dalemurphy]

Since week one, there has been a growing wave of scrutiny and criticism concerning the young Texan cornerbacks, especially Kareem Jackson and Brice McCain. After all, we certainly have seen a lot of big plays where one of those guys were desperately chasing the WR from behind. It is my opinion that Jackson’s play has actually regressed since the Redskin game. But, why? Should we blame the secondary coach, David Gibbs? Or, maybe Jackson simply isn’t any good and Rick Smith should shoulder the blame for spending the team’s first round pick on the CB and then releasing Jacques Reeves before the season started. It’s hard to have certainty. However, I am not known for my humility. I’m confident that I know the problem with the secondary and with the lack of development of Kareem Jackson.

It’s not Kareem’s fault. He doesn’t lack talent. He isn’t lazy or uncoachable. Regarding Brice McCain, I think he has played extremely well. The Cowboys, particularly, were able to exploit his lack of size. Otherwise, though, I see a CB that handles his responsibilities well and provides consistently tight coverage. I think their problem has predominately been the sloppy and undisciplined play of the veteran safeties and linebackers, especially (but not limited to)Bernard Pollard and Zac Diles. In Cover 2 zone, the linebackers consistently drop late and miss the throwing lanes on their drops. Furthermore, Bernard Pollard, as he did here (3rd play of the series), simply vacates his zone responsibilities leaving huge holes in the zone. Not only does their play make the CBs look bad simply because the CBs are the closest players to the WRs when the ball arrives, but these players have created a lack of trust resulting in confusion among the CBs. It has to be difficult for a rookie CB to let a WR running a post go at the right time and break down into the flat if he has no idea where the LB and safety on his side of the zone will be. This developing lack of trust drew to a head in the Kansas City game, compounded by the loss of Demeco, to the point where you could see the entire back seven defensive players were working almost entirely independently of one another. It is no wonder the CBs seem to look better in press man coverage. In those instances, they are likely relieved not to have to rely on these veterans that have proven unreliable.

Here are five lowlights from the Kansas City game highlighting some of these issues:

1. Classic Cover 2 zone and Brian Cushing is late in his drop into the underneath zone on McCain’s side, creating an easy passing lane for Cassel (despite good, quick pressure with a 4 man rush). If Cushing sits in the zone, appropriately, Cassel has to manage the ball into a tighter window, increasing the difficulty of the throw a great deal. McCain is playing a little too soft on the WR here but I think that results form a total lack of confidence in the safety play behind him.

2. Notice this zone defense on 3rd and 12. There are three defenders surrounding the TE in the middle of the field, leaving Jackson on the outside all alone with no LB underneath him again. Diles should have slid into the zone but planted in the middle of the field with the other two LBs.

3. Actually, this is almost how a Cover 2 defense should look. If you notice, Demeco has dropped into the passing lane and is in position to possibly make a play on the ball before he crumples to the ground. The CB has the zone outside the seam and Pollard is a little late, but still basically in position on the inside of the WR. Cassel makes a good throw, Demeco falls down, and the WR makes a catch between the two DBs and takes a shot but holds on.

4. Watch Pollard as he simply keys on the wrong receiver (RB) and allows a free inside release to the TE on 3rd and 5, giving the Chiefs a ridiculously easy conversion. KC did nothing to create confusion. Pollard simply wasn’t paying attention and allowed the play. This was simple man coverage with only two eligible receivers on his side. Cushing was responsible for the RB and Pollard for the TE.

5. Avert your eyes if you are weak of heart! On 3rd and 4, Quin is playing soft in the Cover 2 Zone and Nixon was too slow to drop into his zone. Those two things allowed a huge window for Cassel to throw into. As the play continues, you can see the general unreliability and lack of cooperation and coordination as Bowe runs through the middle of the secondary for a 40 yard TD.

VIDEO HERE

[Nconroe]

And to think we thought LB and S were the good part of defense. whoops. so, how fast do the guys correct this or will they? sure hope so, and fast.