DC Frank Bush a Disaster so far

[NBT]

http://blogs.chron.com/jeromesolomon...efense_to.html

Where was the attacking defense Frank Bush is always talking about?

[EndZoneSeats]

So much for the high-risk, high-reward defense.

So far it's been all-risk, no-reward.

[Big Texas]

I do agree that we seem to be a step slow in the blitz department. However we are getting a lot of pressure. Our secondary is just not holding there man long enough. It looks as though they are scared to press with Bennett. He is always lined up 10 yards off the receiver and still gets taken advantage of like a school girl. If we can press the receivers simultaneously with the blitz we could get to the qb. We are getting pressure though.

[NBT]

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. Well.........I don't think these defensive players are stupid. Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties. But we haven't seen any plays out of the safeties, to speak of. So to me it has to be the gameplanning of the DC and his coaches, it just can't be all the fault of the defensive players. remember when they were always having to dumb down the playbook for the players? Well, it's still same chapter, different verse.

[barrett]

Originally Posted by Big Texas

I do agree that we seem to be a step slow in the blitz department. However we are getting a lot of pressure. Our secondary is just not holding there man long enough. It looks as though they are scared to press with Bennett. He is always lined up 10 yards off the receiver and still gets taken advantage of like a school girl. If we can press the receivers simultaneously with the blitz we could get to the qb. We are getting pressure though.

The pass defense has not been the issue because nobody has really even had to pass. Press vs Soft coverage has nothing to do with us giving up 200 yards per game rushing.

[NBT]

Exactly - What we need that we didn't get was plain 'Ol everyday gap integrity. Kubiak also said that the Drew-Jones play that went for 61 yards and a TD, was the same play JAX ran on the very first play of the game. Exception, they only got one yard on that play because we played gap integrity. He said it was driving him nuts because it was the same read on both plays, but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.

[Nconroe]

I got a dumb question - isn't gap integrity a problem of the front 7 in stopping these long runs?

If that is the problem , likely it is a player and not the coaching.

[edo783]

Originally Posted by NBT

Exactly - What we need that we didn't get was plain 'Ol everyday gap integrity. Kubiak also said that the Drew-Jones play that went for 61 yards and a TD, was the same play JAX ran on the very first play of the game. Exception, they only got one yard on that play because we played gap integrity. He said it was driving him nuts because it was the same read on both plays, but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.

This is why it has to be a player issue. Same play by the offense & the same defensive play, but on one the players stay in their lanes and and it's a 1 yard gain, but on the second they jump out of their lanes and the big gain happens. It's been happening time and time again. The right calls are being made, but the players are screwing them up, usually by over committing and then being out of position.

[kRocket]

Originally Posted by NBT

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. . . Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties.

Now safety is one of the weakest positions on the defense, wouldn't that make it pretty DUMB to put emphasis on your weakest players holding up. I am not a coach paid Millions to figure these things out, but come on guys.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by NBT

Kubiak was on channel 13 with Bob Allen today. He said it wasn't Frank Bush's playcalling, it was the players. Well.........I don't think these defensive players are stupid. Bush has had ever since August (and before), to get them to understand his system, which admittedly places more emphasis on the play of the safeties. But we haven't seen any plays out of the safeties, to speak of. So to me it has to be the gameplanning of the DC and his coaches, it just can't be all the fault of the defensive players. remember when they were always having to dumb down the playbook for the players? Well, it's still same chapter, different verse.

Just rewatched the channel 13 post game report from Sunday night at 10:30, and they showed the gap responsibility, and how on the 61? yd run Busing went to wrong hole. How is that Bush?

In most defenses everybody has to cover a gap. If they do not cover the gap then cutback lanes develop, and boy has our back 5, the LBs and Safeties not played their gaps well. The front 4 appear to playing the run the way the system appears to be designed. The front four run with the flow of the OL. WHY you ask? Because a moving target is harder to block.

If we add a two stud safeties and stronger WILL, this defense should be improved.

Lastly how is Bush responsible for all the missed tackles, this teams DBs are some of the worse tacklers I have witnessed.

[Fonz the Boss]

we need Richard

[popanot]

Ok, here's the deal... If it's not the coaching then it's the players, right? Who drafts the players, chooses/signs free agents, chooses who's on the roster and which players play? What kills me is I have not heard any of the pundits who say its the players calling out Kubiak or Smith for their draft day acquisitions. Most people say they've done an admirable job on draft day. If these players are so bad, then we're screwed and in for a another 5+ years of mediocrity.

IMO, there are other teams out there that have the same or less talent on defense than the Texans do but play much better. What gives? I find it hilarious that someone in the organization (*cough* Kubiak) decided to go with a defense that relies so heavily on the weakest link, yet, hasn't invested any serious draft picks or FA money to that area. On the field of play, if they're counting on the Safeties to consistently make plays to stop the run, then something is seriously wrong up front.

Toss aside the player issue for a moment... Isn't it the responsibility of the coaching staff to make adjustments? Forget in-game adjustments because other than replacing a player or two here and there, that's way too complex and asking way too much of this staff (it's been 3 weeks in a row the opposing team has taken the 2nd-half kickoff and rammed it down their throat). We've seen 4 preseason and 3 regular season games of this crap! You'd think by now they'd see something is not working and adjust accordingly. Your new "aggressive" scheme is getting torched??? Then rush 3 or 4 and drop more into coverage. Try some run blitzes... Go back to a less aggressive bend-and-hopefully-not-break scheme... Try Rhodes at DC... I don't know, but do something!

Personally, I think it's a combination of both - the coaching and players. However, I'm still of the opinion that if we had a top DC, you'd see a much better defense. A great defense??? Maybe not, but a much better one. I hope they can turn it around or it's gonna be a looooong season and we'll be talking draft by Thanksgiving - again!!

[nunusguy]

Originally Posted by NBT

but somebody decided to play it differently on the second one.

"earned degree in finance with a minor in entrepreneurship."
http://www.houstontexans.com/team/pl...?player_id=408
***********************************************
That's about as close as Kubiak will come to calling somebody out by name in public, but clearly that's him pointing a sharp finger at Busing on that busted
61-yard play by MJD.
I dunno but maybe we should stay away from these risk-taking entrepreneurial types who might otherwise be taking long-shots with the Enrons of the corporate-world on derivative-type schemes if the Texans don't give them another opportunity in the NFL ?

[popanot]

Originally Posted by nunusguy

That's about as close as Kubiak will come to calling somebody out by name in public, but clearly that's him pointing a sharp finger at Busing on that busted 61-yard play by MJD.

I don't know, Kubiak may have been talking about a player (or players) with that quote. I know Busing left the game at some point and I think he got yanked, not injured. Was it after that play?

[kravix]

I would be interested to see where the Def ranks in TFL and average 3rd down yardage. To me these 2 stats will be the biggest indicator or how Bush's system is working.

I would also be interested to see how they are stacking up on QB hurries. They may not be sacks, but they are pressure and can lead QB's to make mistakes, however if the secondary is 10 yards from the reciever down field it will not matter.

[NBT]

Originally Posted by painekiller

Lastly how is Bush responsible for all the missed tackles, this teams DBs are some of the worse tacklers I have witnessed.

Because in the final analysis, it is his responsibility to mold what he has into a usable (attacking?) defense. He has supposedly been hammering this into their heads since TC. The players have been playing football all their lives. While they may not be mental giants, they are supposed to be football smart, if they are not getting it, it has to be at least partly Bush's fault............And yes, gap defense is everyone's responsibility.

[Fonz the Boss]

Why didnt we hire a big time defensive coordinator?.... Do they not want to pay a top DC alot of money or what? It makes a huge difference to have a top guy. Just look at what Rex Ryan did with the Jets.

[Arky]

Originally Posted by NBT

Because in the final analysis, it is his responsibility to mold what he has into a usable (attacking?) defense. He has supposedly been hammering this into their heads since TC. The players have been playing football all their lives. While they may not be mental giants, they are supposed to be football smart, if they are not getting it, it has to be at least partly Bush's fault............And yes, gap defense is everyone's responsibility.

This might be your best post ever.

Two safeties, two corners and three linebackers and not a single one of them notices Chris Johnson splitting out wide? Inexcusable. I'd say most any Junior High safety would have noticed that...

The coaches are speaking of consistency yet it is tough to be consistent when you are changing one of the starting safeties from week to week. So far we've had Barber, Ferguson and Busing with Wilson being the most "regular". I heard ND Kalu on the radio yesterday recommend going back to Ferguson but I disagree - he looks a step slow to me these days.... So that leaves Barber and Busing. Just pick one of these two and stick with him. Both are inexperienced so let them get the reps. Rotate if one needs a break or if there's ever a big lead (!). It's a little tough on the player when one mistake can get you benched. And now we have the just-acquired Pollard in the mix. Sounds like he is good against the run - not so good against the pass. He might work in a SS role with Wilson in the FS role.... whatever.

My point is, there has to be consistency among the coaches as well as the players. Just take the best candidate and make him the starter. If he's just not getting the job done then put someone in who will. Don't bench him for one boneheaded mistake. Mistakes happen but the good ones don't make many mistakes. If we've got a bunch of guys that keep making mistakes then we don't have very good personnel.

I guess this makes me a "both" person and I'm afraid we won't see the best this defense can do until the 2nd half of the season.... There is still a lot of season yet and the more "W's" we can get now, the better.... I still think this team has the ability to go toe to toe with the best in the league but right now, they've got issues....

[Roy P]

Originally Posted by painekiller

If we add a two stud safeties and stronger WILL, this defense should be improved.

If I didn't see you were the one who posted this, I would have thought that I had said it.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by popanot

Ok, here's the deal... If it's not the coaching then it's the players, right? Who drafts the players, chooses/signs free agents, chooses who's on the roster and which players play? What kills me is I have not heard any of the pundits who say its the players calling out Kubiak or Smith for their draft day acquisitions. Most people say they've done an admirable job on draft day. If these players are so bad, then we're screwed and in for a another 5+ years of mediocrity.

I guess I have been to subtle. I am calling out Smith for not being good at signing FA during the off season. He seems to listen to his coaches to much. I am calling out Kubiak for his style of play definitions. ie, the Gibbs ZBS, smaller OL can not move the pile in the red zone. He has employed a bend but don't break defense for to long. Theses styles has not won together in 10 years.

Lets talk draft, I am still mad we did not take Willis, best LB to be drafted since Ray Lewis. The next season I felt they reached for the OT, he is turning out OK, but I still think he was early.

This last draft, I wish they had played it more like the Pats, trade down trade down trade down. The pats added 3 key players, we added a couple of question marks.