(10-20-2024, 06:15 PM)rfc17 Wrote:

(10-20-2024, 02:50 PM)JagFan81 Wrote: . I think we're stuck in the conundrum 'do the players make the system or does the system make the players'

We do have talent on this roster, a lot of players aren't playing at their standards and we're seeing lots of bad football and mistakes.

And we've got some talented players playing a position or scheme that don't maximize their talents. Goes back to the broader problem that our front office and coaches aren't on the same page of what type a team we are. We have a hodge podge of talent and coaches that don't align. For example why we hired a defensive coordinator that doesn't blitz, constantly rotates, and plays a ton of man yet we went into the season with only two true defensive ends. 3 if you count the 7th round rookie. Sometimes our moves feel reactionary. Immediate patch of a perceived problem when the real issue is there is no idea of what kind of team this is.

I don't usually put much stock in this stuff, but the bolded is real. 

Even if the the rumors of mistrust between HC and GM are all just fan fiction -- the result of the two of them making decisions collectively about personnel each offseason is leaving the schemes on both sides of the ball ambiguous and rudderless.

No identity, no focus, no clear direction. 

You can see that Doug is adept at identifying certain skillsets on his roster and taking advantage of them against opponents with the right kinds of defensive weaknesses. But they began year three of his tenure by making a dramatic shift in the passing attack despite not having an OL prepared to execute the new task of protecting during exponentially more deep passes and play action attempts. 

I like the aggressiveness of the new passing attack, and it has kinda' worked in 3 of the 7 games, but the failure level in the other contests feels pretty unforgivable to me.  And it feels like a staff grasping at straws instead of installing and instilling a clear vision.

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