Well, I'm sitting here watching the Los Angeles Rams defense make Sam Darnold look like the old Sam Darnold.   Sending 4...he holds the ball for 7 seconds and gets sacked.   Blitz a CB or safety and Sam gets sacked because he couldn't read the blitz.   Inaccurate on a lot of passes because he looks like he has happy feet.

As much as I dislike Press Taylor's offensive scheme...Ryan Neilson, and Caldwell to a lesser extent, never seemed to make QBs uncomfortable.  Never seemed to turn anything up. Never seemed to actually have a defensive plan as to how to 1. stop a team that was determined to run or 2. Get a team off the field on 3rd down at a high enough percentage.  Sure, there were games where the Jags were recipients of turnovers (under Caldwell) but I never saw them actually fly around on defense like the Rams are doing tonight, or like the Lions have done in a few games this season (they've had a ton of injuries).

Over the past three seasons, without causing turnovers...the defense has been bystander at best.   Yes, Josh and Travon have been good as a duo.   Kinda Batman and Robin on an island of misfit toys.

The next incoming defensive coordinator will have to do something different and what pains me is I don't know what the heck a new guy can do with the pieces..that for 3 seasons...have underperformed against above average competition.

DTs...not one guy on our squad listed in the top 32 in the league.

Linebackers...   meh (including Foye over his 3 seasons) Lots of tackles, but not nearly enough for loss or for little gain.

Secondary... inconsistent...quite often out of position.

...  The defense needs a new identity.  Unfortunately I don't know what it's old identity is.

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The Other Jag Forum: Duval Football Fans.

Brandon Scherff is no longer that dude.   Next season I want him gone.

Scapegoat/Whipping boy. That's the old identity.

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Wet Paper Bag? Sackless Lunch? Turnover allergies?

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Ryan Nielsen: Good job! That’s how you do it! Now have a seat.

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I think the defense takes a big step forward by just moving Armstead to DT instead of an outside rusher. Having him as an outside pressure causing Allen or Walker to be on the bench was just silly. All 3 need to be out there the majority of the time. I'm not as down on Armstead as alot around here are. His poor play I think has alot to do with playing out of position and not having our best guys out there the majority of the time. I'm being optimistic, but man is it getting old being optimistic to just be let down every year lol

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I think the defense takes a big step forward by just moving Armstead to DT instead of an outside rusher. Having him as an outside pressure causing Allen or Walker to be on the bench was just silly. All 3 need to be out there the majority of the time. I'm not as down on Armstead as alot around here are. His poor play I think has alot to do with playing out of position and not having our best guys out there the majority of the time. I'm being optimistic, but man is it getting old being optimistic to just be let down every year lol

I’m willing to withhold judgement on the guy considering the [BLEEP] show our defensive scheme was this season.

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This teams identity is that they do well when there is no pressure on them.

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Respect the game.  Play with a sense of urgency. 


1.)  Take care of the ball.  Win the turnover battle.

2.)  It's all about 3rd down.  Win on 3rd down to win the game.

3.) Playmakers make plays.  The only reason that you put your uniform on is to make plays. In order to EARN your paycheck, you must make plays.  

Learn from the great collapse of 2023.  

Defensive pillow fight

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The defense suffers from Baalke's inability to fit players to the scheme. The Travon Walker pick is the premier case study of this issue, taking a guy #1 who should be playing with his hand down on the end of a 43 line when the scheme calls for him to play linebacker in space. He had two full offseasons to get the right players in here to fit Caldwell's 34 but the guys he brought in just weren't the right guys for that look (ie no true Nose and all lighter linemen like RHH, Foye is a 43 Mike, Lloyd is a bust at ILB, etc.). Then this year we switched to a man-heavy look but we have zone scheme DBs who can't cover on the back end so we've got Johnson and Darby and CIsco getting burned all over the place instead of in position because they aren't man coverage guys. Getting Jarrian helps but clearly not enough, Prince might be a guy in another season but now we don't even know what kind of defense we're going to run next year and we've got all these players who I don't think really fit together in any scheme, some of them signed to long term deals. It's just a mess because the guy bringing in players doesn't understand the concept of "fit", he just goes on his tape measure and hubris to create the previously alluded to Isle of Misfit Toys.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

We don't have an identity right now until we figure out who the defensive coordinator is and how the staff will look. If I had to pick though? I would be looking at a traditional 4 - 3 base front with Hines-Allen at RE, Armstead and Smith inside at DT and Walker at LE. In certain situations where a run is likely to happen or we're playing a run oriented offense you would then start to see Hamilton and Jefferson rotated into the line-up.

LB wise. It's Miller in the middle, Lloyd at weakside and Oluokon at Strongside. I think this maximizes everybody to their fullest on defense. Miller is more of a run defender and thumper. Lloyd is a liability in coverage so I am putting him on the weakside and looking for opportunities to send him after the QB or blow up a running play as a free runner and Oluokon moves to strongside to stack with TE's in coverage if needed.

Secondary wise we need two new safeties in my opinion and another outside CB, prefer a tall, rangy physical type CB to mirror Campbell. Jones stays at nickel. Overall, we need more depth at EDGE and we need more playmakers at safety. If I had to pick and choose which positions to prioritize on defense between March and April? Safety and EDGE take the cake over CB, DT and LB. Especially early.

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

We don't have an identity right now until we figure out who the defensive coordinator is and how the staff will look. If I had to pick though? I would be looking at a traditional 4 - 3 base front with Hines-Allen at RE, Armstead and Smith inside at DT and Walker at LE. In certain situations where a run is likely to happen or we're playing a run oriented offense you would then start to see Hamilton and Jefferson rotated into the line-up.

LB wise. It's Miller in the middle, Lloyd at weakside and Oluokon at Strongside. I think this maximizes everybody to their fullest on defense. Miller is more of a run defender and thumper. Lloyd is a liability in coverage so I am putting him on the weakside and looking for opportunities to send him after the QB or blow up a running play as a free runner and Oluokon moves to strongside to stack with TE's in coverage if needed.

Secondary wise we need two new safeties in my opinion and another outside CB, prefer a tall, rangy physical type CB to mirror Campbell. Jones stays at nickel. Overall, we need more depth at EDGE and we need more playmakers at safety. If I had to pick and choose which positions to prioritize on defense between March and April? Safety and EDGE take the cake over CB, DT and LB. Especially early.

Armstead is a 10 year guy who isn't heavy enough to go every down inside. It would be better if Smith and Jefferson are your early down guys and EA rolls in to spell and pass rush. I still think the DTs are ok in the first 4, but finding a 5th guy who isn't just a stiff is important this offseason.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

Soft and choke on third down.

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A new broom always sweeps clean.

The defense suffers from Baalke's inability to fit players to the scheme. The Travon Walker pick is the premier case study of this issue, taking a guy #1 who should be playing with his hand down on the end of a 43 line when the scheme calls for him to play linebacker in space. He had two full offseasons to get the right players in here to fit Caldwell's 34 but the guys he brought in just weren't the right guys for that look (ie no true Nose and all lighter linemen like RHH, Foye is a 43 Mike, Lloyd is a bust at ILB, etc.). Then this year we switched to a man-heavy look but we have zone scheme DBs who can't cover on the back end so we've got Johnson and Darby and CIsco getting burned all over the place instead of in position because they aren't man coverage guys. Getting Jarrian helps but clearly not enough, Prince might be a guy in another season but now we don't even know what kind of defense we're going to run next year and we've got all these players who I don't think really fit together in any scheme, some of them signed to long term deals. It's just a mess because the guy bringing in players doesn't understand the concept of "fit", he just goes on his tape measure and hubris to create the previously alluded to Isle of Misfit Toys.

What kind of defensive coordinator tries to force players into his scheme when they don't fit, and then refuses to change his scheme when it is obvious they can't execute it?  And what kind of head coach would sign off on all these player acquisitions, then go out and hire a defensive coordinator whose scheme didn't fit those players?  

Don't let the coaches off the hook.  We had a massive failure in the coaching department.

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We don't have an identity right now until we figure out who the defensive coordinator is and how the staff will look. If I had to pick though? I would be looking at a traditional 4 - 3 base front with Hines-Allen at RE, Armstead and Smith inside at DT and Walker at LE. In certain situations where a run is likely to happen or we're playing a run oriented offense you would then start to see Hamilton and Jefferson rotated into the line-up.

LB wise. It's Miller in the middle, Lloyd at weakside and Oluokon at Strongside. I think this maximizes everybody to their fullest on defense. Miller is more of a run defender and thumper. Lloyd is a liability in coverage so I am putting him on the weakside and looking for opportunities to send him after the QB or blow up a running play as a free runner and Oluokon moves to strongside to stack with TE's in coverage if needed.

Secondary wise we need two new safeties in my opinion and another outside CB, prefer a tall, rangy physical type CB to mirror Campbell. Jones stays at nickel. Overall, we need more depth at EDGE and we need more playmakers at safety. If I had to pick and choose which positions to prioritize on defense between March and April? Safety and EDGE take the cake over CB, DT and LB. Especially early.

Armstead is a 10 year guy who isn't heavy enough to go every down inside. It would be better if Smith and Jefferson are your early down guys and EA rolls in to spell and pass rush. I still think the DTs are ok in the first 4, but finding a 5th guy who isn't just a stiff is important this offseason.

Agreed on finding a 5th guy. Have been eyeing Ty Robinson out of Nebraska & Rylie Mills out of Notre Dame as day three picks for this reason.

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"What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie? I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky. The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing; Rush in and die, dogs - I was a man before I was a king."

Defense needs a lot of help, but the identity of the defense should start with Travon and JHA. #1 and #7 overall picks, they need to be the ones causing havoc all game long. Maason Smith #48th overall needs to be a full time starter, needs to be a difference maker, and need another DT next to him. Lot invested here for it to not be the focal point of the defense.

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We haven't had a defensive identity since 2017

All we can do is hope that changes between March and September.

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Armstead is a 10 year guy who isn't heavy enough to go every down inside. It would be better if Smith and Jefferson are your early down guys and EA rolls in to spell and pass rush. I still think the DTs are ok in the first 4, but finding a 5th guy who isn't just a stiff is important this offseason.

Agreed on finding a 5th guy. Have been eyeing Ty Robinson out of Nebraska & Rylie Mills out of Notre Dame as day three picks for this reason.

Better get the memo over to Baalke fast so he can scout them. They might not even be on his radar.

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"I am only an average man, but by George, I work harder at it than the average man." - Teddy Roosevelt

The defense suffers from Baalke's inability to fit players to the scheme. The Travon Walker pick is the premier case study of this issue, taking a guy #1 who should be playing with his hand down on the end of a 43 line when the scheme calls for him to play linebacker in space. He had two full offseasons to get the right players in here to fit Caldwell's 34 but the guys he brought in just weren't the right guys for that look (ie no true Nose and all lighter linemen like RHH, Foye is a 43 Mike, Lloyd is a bust at ILB, etc.). Then this year we switched to a man-heavy look but we have zone scheme DBs who can't cover on the back end so we've got Johnson and Darby and CIsco getting burned all over the place instead of in position because they aren't man coverage guys. Getting Jarrian helps but clearly not enough, Prince might be a guy in another season but now we don't even know what kind of defense we're going to run next year and we've got all these players who I don't think really fit together in any scheme, some of them signed to long term deals. It's just a mess because the guy bringing in players doesn't understand the concept of "fit", he just goes on his tape measure and hubris to create the previously alluded to Isle of Misfit Toys.

What kind of defensive coordinator tries to force players into his scheme when they don't fit, and then refuses to change his scheme when it is obvious they can't execute it?  And what kind of head coach would sign off on all these player acquisitions, then go out and hire a defensive coordinator whose scheme didn't fit those players?  

Don't let the coaches off the hook.  We had a massive failure in the coaching department.

A coach brought in with instructions to implement his scheme, if they wanted a guy with Caldwell's scheme they would've just kept him. They hired Nielsen on his Man/Attacking plan. Now I can't explain his in game management, but if he'd just said "[BLEEP], these guys can't do this, we're going to do what the last guy did" ya'll would lose your minds. And you're assuming that anyone signed off on those acquisitions, we all know that Baalke ain't working with anyone on that stuff, lol.

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Agreed on finding a 5th guy. Have been eyeing Ty Robinson out of Nebraska & Rylie Mills out of Notre Dame as day three picks for this reason.

Better get the memo over to Baalke fast so he can scout them. They might not even be on his radar.

They have short arms, so you're probably right.

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“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.”. - Plato

https://twitter.com/DanDGriffis/status/1...5224090748

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https://twitter.com/DanDGriffis/status/1...5224090748

Nielsen post hire interview:
We're going to be aggressive!! Attack, attack, ATTACK! 

Nielsen week 2-18:

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