What Free Agent Do We Need To Get Better?

[ravensdfan]

We, as usual, will do nothing while every other contending team makes moves to improve their issues. Of course, IMHO, our main issues are with coordinators. Don't think we can make trades for that.

[Bltravens]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1351816786' post='1207490']
Well we dont use a lot of cover 2 because our run defense isnt good enough. Pollard is often brought into the box as an 8th man because our front 7 cant get the job done. We do play press from time to time, but I really think Pees is hesitant to do it a lot because of the poor run defense once again. Ideally, if you play press, or even regular man coverage, you have two safeties over the top but that really isnt an option when our front 7 cant stop the run. When we do have the CBs press it is often very effective, but not always. That can lead to big plays and if we only have Ed playing deep, those kind of mistakes can lead to TDs.

I really think it all stems from the front 7 not getting it done. We have to blitz to generate pressure and we have to bring Pollard into the box because our run defense is sub-standard. Our LBers arent very good in man coverage either which only further exacerbates the problem. I think that is a part of why you say our Zones are "elementary". Our LBers lack range and are generally poor in space. We can't really do some of the exotic inverts because we lack the athletic LBers needed to drop into deeper zones. We do some occassional zone blitzes and watching McClain or Ellerbe fall back into coverage is laughable.
[/quote]
I agree that our front 7 playing as poor as it has presents issues with coverages. But even on obvious pass plays Pees doesn't play much cov 2. I just don't like how Pees compensates by continually playing a cov 3 or cov 1 soft man with Pollard around the LOS to compensate. You can invert the coverages and still have Pollard around the LOS while in a cov 2 look. There are soft spots in every coverage obviously but you can still play around with the pieces.
Another issue as you've pointed is that our LBs, especially the ILBs arent very athletic. I think Ellerbe is athletic enough to be a 3 down LB, but having him in straight man with TEs is absurd to me. If you're going to do that at least mix up bracket coverages and have a safety help him every now and then so its not blatantly obvious to throw to on Ellerbe everytime you need an easy completion.

[Jon_21]

I can't start a new topic but figured I would post it here seeing it relates to an ex-Raider. Stanford Routt was just cut by the Chiefs earlier today.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/05/chiefs-cut-stanford-routt/"]http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/05/chiefs-cut-stanford-routt/[/url]

I thought he was a pretty solid player for the Raiders and wouldn't mind picking him up to add some CB depth assuming he clears waivers.

[berad]

[quote name='Jon_21' timestamp='1352148752' post='1211523']
I can't start a new topic but figured I would post it here seeing it relates to an ex-Raider. Stanford Routt was just cut by the Chiefs earlier today.

[url="http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/11/05/chiefs-cut-stanford-routt/"]http://profootballta...stanford-routt/[/url]

I thought he was a pretty solid player for the Raiders and wouldn't mind picking him up to add some CB depth assuming he clears waivers.
[/quote]

Moved your post here

If he clears waivers, and signs cheap, he could be good here

[Kwothdaraven]

Sean Payton

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

I just read that the chiefs waved thier starting corner Stanford Routt,should we sign him to replace Webb for the season?He has 7 starts,27 tackles,4 passes defensed and 2 ints on the season.It seams like a no brainer to me.If no other team picks him up off the wire we need to hop on that ASAP!!!!

[Yum Chickens]

[quote name='Kwothdaraven' timestamp='1352149721' post='1211541']
Sean Payton
[/quote]

Even if we could he has ZERO pass coverage ability. Old. Just got over a broken leg. Plus he can't even play this year. I'd go for Jerry Jones, I heard he left the Cowboys last night after being locked out, then slept on the street when he forgot his keys home.

[berad]

[quote name='HomeoftheBRAVENS' timestamp='1352150108' post='1211547']
I just read that the chiefs waved thier starting corner Stanford Routt,should we sign him to replace Webb for the season?He has 7 starts,27 tackles,4 passes defensed and 2 ints on the season.It seams like a no brainer to me.If no other team picks him up off the wire we need to hop on that ASAP!!!!
[/quote]

merged your thread here

[BloodRaven]

Apparently Routt is an awful CB who can't cover himself up at night.

Let's sign him!

[Sunday QB]

He has cleared waivers and is a free agent.

[Halden52]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1351178557' post='1203288']
At this point in the season do you really think there are still Free Agents out there better than the players we already have? Seriously? We're not the only team with injuries. Anyone worth having is on a roster.
[/quote]
There are still a few pretty decent defensive players in left. Aaron Kampman was always a pretty solid d-end and Albert Haynesworth is still up for grabs.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Halden52' timestamp='1352389564' post='1213227']
There are still a few pretty decent defensive players in left. Aaron Kampman was always a pretty solid d-end and Albert Haynesworth is still up for grabs.
[/quote]

Neither of those players will help this team.

[Sunday QB]

Stanford Routt, would be a great pickup. A starting CB over Jimmy Smith.

[Brandon22]

we just brought Nigel Carr back to the Practice Squad sign Him and release one of the four running backs

[jdynamite]

EJ Henderson
[quote name='DocMartin' timestamp='1351179341' post='1203299']
Good question. Let's ask this one - Is ANY of our linebackers, besides Suggs, better than E.J. Henderson?
Would you consider putting E.J. Henderson on the roster instead of Josh Bynes? I have to say OH YEAH !
[/quote]

I don't think EJ Henderson would be an upgrade over McClain or Ellerbe at this point because he doesn't know the defensive schemes here. He isn't an explosive athlete which means he's not going to just make a bunch plays on his own, he hasn't played in a 3-4 hybrid scheme like ours, so that too could be a challenge since he wouldn't have DTs protecting him from O-lineman...