I've no doubt that the 'D' being on the field too long played a part in some of the 'whiffed' tackles... but it certainly doesn't explain all of them, particularly when those 'whiffs' are happening in the first half. I can see a larger, stronger, running back with momentum being able to 'break tackles'; but for a safety or DB to just completely 'whiff' at the pro level early on in a game? That suggest that they didn't want to make contact or they are just plain not motivated to do their job.

 

It's one thing to be able to say that Gus 'motivates' his players so they don't 'quit' on him... but it also depends on how you define 'quit'. They don't quit in the sense that they show up to play, but I'm not so sure that some players just aren't really 'putting out full effort'. Whiffs at the pro level (unless caused by exhaustion which is a conditioning issue) either mean you're not trying, you're afraid to be hit, or you're incompetent (aka-not very good).

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