The scheme isn't the problem, as has been pointed out here more than once. The problem is that we don't have the talent to run this scheme here. If we were loaded with top tier talent on defense like say maybe the seahawks have had, then yes, this scheme would work; problem is, most of what we have on our defense is 'average' (and I'm being generous) or below average talent. Consequently, the zone scheme we've been trying to run the last several years fails.

 

Someone posted elsewhere that the fundamental flaw in what has happened here is that when the rebuild began several years ago, Dave Caldwell elected to go out and try to get personnel who would 'fit' the zone scheme. He has had very little success at doing this. Compounding the issue, the head coach insists on sticking with this scheme instead of running a scheme that fits the personnel he has. As I already said, for this scheme to work, it requires very talented defensive players. We don't have anyone on our defense whom we can legitimately point at as being a 'top tier' player, and given the scheme, they have not been put in a situation in which they could realize much success. In short, the guys in our defense were put in an almost unwinnable situation. It's a credit to them that we've not been 'blown out of the water' this season the way we have been the past two years.

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