The Legacy Of The D.

[MAESTRO]

[center]I don't wish to be another aimless whiner on the forums, but i am so frustrated lately that there is really no other option at this point. None of us, as fans, can dictacte what our coaches do or how they handle things. That requires a degree of trust, for a real fan, to feel comfortable that when things go down hill that said issues will be resolved. I honestly like Harbaugh, i like his philosophy and his ethic. I also highly respect that he doesn't throw his players under the bus, even when they throw themselves under.

What i am failing to understand is why Greg Mattison was hired as out defensive coordinator. He has nothing in common, in style or philosophy, with any of our past coordinators who brought great fear and luster to the mighty Baltimore Defense. I have been a fan from conception, and have watched some promising seasons go to waste, go to fruition, and vis-versa. I feel like Mattison was the wrong man for the job, in every way possible. His schemes are stale and his knowledge of our personell is patheic. He is misusing several of our talents, over all pulling our defense out of the ground by its roots. It is extremely disheartening and i'm getting so very frsutrated with it. For example; yes i believe we should have made a move for Bowe. I wouldn't want Galloway or T.O., i would say Bowe or nothing. But i also agree with the point that we put up 31 points and lost to 'Sota. Our cornerbacks make me feel as uneasy as i felt watching Steve McNair (rest in peace) when he was throwing the deep ball for us. It is unreliable and it is costing us games. If it goes unattented it will cost us our season.

I repeat as i have questioned for a while, why have we not attempted a trade for a bigger, more intelligent, starting CB? Why have we not picked up any in free agency to hold us over to a draft? Why is Ty law and Patrick Surtain sitting in the FA pool when we are in desperate need of INTELLIGENT CORNERS, and we could stand to cut at least 2 of the bums we have playing db?! I just do NOT get it? Or say, ok we're not picking up anyone. Then why is our depth chart untouched? I can tell you right now that a slight alteration of our defensive backs would make a world of difference. In this order; Webb, Washington, Foxworth, Walker, Carr. Carr and Walker are complete garbage, im sorry. They can't cover anybody, but seeing as we're never going to let them go, they would be better suited covering slot or lower end receivers. Foxworth, IMO, CAN BE a great coverage corner. He just is not cut out to be covering number one receivers on any team, and failing to do so every week is killing any confidence he has in himself. Fabian is just as small, but more quick with a higher IQ of the game. He would make a better starter, and could probably be swapped with webb periodically. But Webb, despite his lack of playing time, is going to be a phenom. He's big, he's strong, he hits hard as a bulldozer, and he has a very high IQ for a player of his age. Beyond ALL that, his coverage skill is amazing! Look at his draft tape. He's is, in my opinion, probably the best corner we have. He is going to be around this organization for a while, and i think throwing him into the den and letting him be on field with his Idol, Ed Reed, would do nothing but help his game time education at a speedier rate.

Basically; i suppose im just trying to vent. It is so obvious that when a team is close to being beat, EVERY SINGLE WEEK, all they have to do is throw it deep. What happens? Penalty and penalty after penalty. Why? Because Walker and Carr are garbage and because they have zero coverage ability, they have to hold and cheat. Bengals, Vikings, Pats. Every loss thus far was largely in part to the other team recognizing our coverage players and throwing it deep. Pass interference, holding, or just such terrible coverage they have a man wide open. I could take it with NE's receiving core. I could take it with Chad OchoCinco. But when SIDNEY RICE (as i saw in another gameday review) is looking like JERRY RICE...you have hit a low spot. I don't know what the coaching plans to do about it, but i'm having alot of trouble being able to watch and stomach this defensive gameplay.
[/center]

[Alexir]

The reason Mattison was hired is because Rex Ryan took Pettine with him to New Jersey (Yes, I said it, New Jersey). Mattison was a good college football defensive coach but thats history and I would be disappointed to see him back next year. I think Ray needs to say something because after all it is his team, not Mattison's and if you disagree with that I feel bad for your stupidity. Six weeks in and I doubt any guy on the defensive side of the ball has faith in Mattison or the 4-3 defense.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Alexir' date='20 October 2009 - 08:26 PM' timestamp='1256092012' post='263769']
The reason Mattison was hired is because Rex Ryan took Pettine with him to New Jersey (Yes, I said it, New Jersey). Mattison was a good college football defensive coach but thats history and I would be disappointed to see him back next year. I think Ray needs to say something because after all it is his team, not Mattison's and if you disagree with that I feel bad for your stupidity. Six weeks in and I doubt any guy on the defensive side of the ball has faith in Mattison or the 4-3 defense.
[/quote]
Its Mattison's stubbornness to keep playing man coverage that is hurting our defense. You can only play a 4-3 man if you have lockdown corners, i REPEAT the only way to play 4-3 man base is with 1 lockdown corner and then a competent cover guy with help over the top. GB did this for 3 years with Woodson and Harris and they worked the crap out of receivers at the line. We could do this from 99-02. Mattison plays these weird coverages to hide Ray from covering backs 1 on 1 by bringing down a safety to do it which victimizes our secondary. If we played more base zone it wouldnt be as aweful to watch. However you can also only play the 4-3 if you actually generate a pass rush which we clearly dont do. Thus playing a 4-3 is completely useless unless we're tryin to get Ray 160 tackles again. Personally I think its nice and all, but Ray would be the first person to tell you he'd rather dominate games defensively and record 100 tackles than let offenses walk all over him and record 160. Ernie Simms did that in Detroit, it doesnt mean your good (not bad either). Switch to the 3-4, and if you want to go 4-3 start drafting friggin pass rushing DTs!

[ROH522155]

[quote name='Alexir' date='20 October 2009 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1256092012' post='263769']
The reason Mattison was hired is because Rex Ryan took Pettine with him to New Jersey (Yes, I said it, New Jersey). Mattison was a good college football defensive coach but thats history and I would be disappointed to see him back next year. I think Ray needs to say something because after all it is his team, not Mattison's and if you disagree with that I feel bad for your stupidity. Six weeks in and I doubt any guy on the defensive side of the ball has faith in Mattison or the 4-3 defense.
[/quote]


It may be Ray Lewis' defense but make no mistake about it this is John Harbaugh's team.

[Sizzle]

[quote name='Alexir' date='20 October 2009 - 10:26 PM' timestamp='1256092012' post='263769']
The reason Mattison was hired is because Rex Ryan took Pettine with him to New Jersey (Yes, I said it, New Jersey). Mattison was a good college football defensive coach but thats history and I would be disappointed to see him back next year. I think Ray needs to say something because after all it is his team, not Mattison's and if you disagree with that I feel bad for your stupidity. Six weeks in and I doubt any guy on the defensive side of the ball has faith in Mattison or the 4-3 defense.
[/quote]
Ray said it himself, coaches call plays and players execute them. Its not mattisons fault our corners are too small to stop the slant.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='Bltravens' date='21 October 2009 - 02:39 PM' timestamp='1256092789' post='263778']
Its Mattison's stubbornness to keep playing man coverage that is hurting our defense. You can only play a 4-3 man if you have lockdown corners, i REPEAT the only way to play 4-3 man base is with 1 lockdown corner and then a competent cover guy with help over the top. GB did this for 3 years with Woodson and Harris and they worked the crap out of receivers at the line. We could do this from 99-02. Mattison plays these weird coverages to hide Ray from covering backs 1 on 1 by bringing down a safety to do it which victimizes our secondary. If we played more base zone it wouldnt be as aweful to watch. However you can also only play the 4-3 if you actually generate a pass rush which we clearly dont do. Thus playing a 4-3 is completely useless unless we're tryin to get Ray 160 tackles again. Personally I think its nice and all, but Ray would be the first person to tell you he'd rather dominate games defensively and record 100 tackles than let offenses walk all over him and record 160. Ernie Simms did that in Detroit, it doesnt mean your good (not bad either). Switch to the 3-4, and if you want to go 4-3 start drafting friggin pass rushing DTs!
[/quote]
I hate 4-3 defense to be honest, I've watched so many games where 4-3 defenses get gashed again and again.

[die_hard_raven]

Being unpridictable on D has really hurt us alot. Inside of confusing the opposing team it like we say... 'This is what we're going to do, now you try and stop us!'.

I don't mind losing.. it's the way we've been losing that is killing me. Mattison better take notice and get steppin..