(12-05-2022, 03:05 AM)rpr52121 Wrote: The issue is that this team still doesn't know who it is, mainly because there is nothing this team can hang their hat on.
They are below average are nearly all levels of the defense. Even the run defense is at best average, but even that is on curve as they are less tested given how poor the coverage and pass rush has been. Even then they still cannot stop a 4 min offense or many of the running offenses they have faced.
On offense, they are maybe average with rushing, but they are not good enough to run against good defenses. Nor can they be counted on to get short yardage 3rd/4th down runs when the defense knows what is coming. They are average with intermediate throws, but not consistent to depend on it against average passing defenses. And that doesn't work in the redzone/10 yard line when you no longer have the space/room. They basically have no deep/vertical passing game. I rarely see play action enough to even know if they are good at it. They have too many drops, penalties, or missed throws to consistently run a dink and dunk passing game.
Even special teams, there is basically no punt return game to speak off. The kickoff return game has high YPR, but has produced too few big plays. Kicker is average. I guess they hang their hat on punting and kick coverage?
Basically they don't have something they hang their hat on for offense or defense, and there definitely no "easy" button that can go get them a 1st down or get off the field when they have to have it. Teams don't go on winning streaks or make the playoffs without that. They need have an identity and try to have the game plan emphasize their identity.
Part of this may be young players and injuries that have brought to forth incongruent team building and a lack of depth. But coaching is supposed to mask that to some extent. Good coaching and having an identity is how 2nd and 3rd string back ups on good teams still play well enough when called upon.
Not calling for Pederson's head at all. Caldwell definitely needs to have a discussion though, and maybe he needs some help from a more proven hand. Maybe the organization viewed this as a 2 year project with this year bringing in some potential foundational young guys and some vets to better see what they all do well and prepare for next season, because UM's season gave them no real information and that debacle ended up running off some the known talent that was on the team. But most franchises don't burn a year to do that, especially one when their hopeful franchise QB is on a rookie deal.
But this franchise won't turn it around until they find that identity and key on some things that the offense and defense can do well.
This is well stated. For all the money we spent in FA the past two seasons, we did not acquire anyone who defines the franchise. Outside of Trevor, we really haven't drafted anyone to command that role, either. We've had 3 HC and associated staffs in the past three seasons, 3 different GM/decision makers, and our identify may truly be "undefined".
There is nothing consistent. During the building phase of a team, that's understandable. We've spent ages whiffing on hires, picks, signings, uniforms, everything. I'm happy with the Pederson hire, the Lawrence pick, and to an extent, the FA we signed this past year. There's still a lot of work needed to clean up the debris of past regimes and their gaffes.
More than anything, we need to determine who we are, what we are going to do, and lean all the way into that mindset. If we are going to be ball control offense, don't worry about the home run burner, get those sure-handed route runners that are gonna get chains moving. Get linemen that are going to excel at that short window stuff. If you want to be all bombs all the time, get brick walls of linemen that are going to buy the QB and WR time to find that huge gain. If the D is going to be bend, but don't break, get reliable tacklers that are going to keep plays in front of them. If you want sacks, bring in guys that demonstrate capability in getting past a lineman and onto a QB's heels.
We seem to be mixing and matching all over, and master no skills. I don't know if it's on positional coaching, mediocre players, or just some curse of wearing teal, but it's beyond old that for any step we take forward, we take three in the opposite direction.
