May have found the big play prob on defense

[docfalcon]

NFL network was showing a segment on Playbook about our defense. Suprisingly the big plays given up by our defense this year are a result of bad play by Decoud. On the two long pass plays by the Saints last week, it was not the CB's being beaten, but the fact that the safety was out of position. Also on that 80 yd run by the Cardinals. Decoud took the wrong angle to make the tackle and should have kept that to a 5 yd gain. As much as I like his toughness and willingess to hit, Decoud seems to be the weak link! Instead of benching Coleman, maybe Decoud needs to sit and watch a little. Or do we look at drafting safety in the draft? Not bashing at all, but I was taken aback at how bad and obvious from coaches film, that Decoud has messed up on the biggest plays. Outside of those huge plays, our defense has been really stout!!

[iDash]

I saw it too, but IMO Coleman would have to be at 100%-

TO GET THE POSITION

[docfalcon]

I saw it too, but IMO Coleman would have to be at 100%-

TO GET THE POSITION

I agree that Coleman has to be healthy to play. But when that day comes, I hope that the staff is willing to allow Moore to stay in and boot Decoud back to the bench until he learns some discipline.

[MattM12]

he is still young and shows a lot of potential. not a great play, no, but no reason to drop him

[HouseofEuphoria]

So glad you have nothing to do with coaching. Lets bench a pro bowl caliber safety, for a decent player.

While i dont agree with benching DeCoud, he isnt playing anywhere near pro-bowl level yet this season.

I say 'yet' because i expect it to come. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

But, his play has been pretty disappointing so far.

[docfalcon]

Sure, don't blame Grimes for blowing the tackle on the Arizona run either, or getting swallowed up by basically blocking himself for the offensive lineman against the Steelers. Gimme a break.

Yes, Decoud blew that 80 yard touchdown coverage, but it was because he went on Shockey. Mistake, yep, did it hurt us, nope, we won the game. We need to get that fixed, but Decoud has made so many good plays that I'm not going to kill him for missing that TD pass.

On the big Arizona run, Spoon, Peterson, Lofton, every last one was submarined or pancaked, Grimes had the angle against a slow RB and blew it, didn't even touch the guy. It's not just Decoud's fault. Their offensive line beasted our LBs into Decoud, should he have gotten around it? You'd like to think so, but it's also not like he's been making constant mental mistakes, just really the 1 mistake on the 80 yard TD.

Dude I'm just sharing what they showed on the coaches tape. Frankly, they didn't mention anyone else by name. Therefore since they are the people breaking down film and felt the need not to mention any other name, then maybe he is the problem. I like Decoud and want him to be a beast, but we are trying to get to a SB. If the tape shows him being a liability on the plays that have tarnished an otherwise dominant defensive peformance so far this year, then we need to take a look at him! We need to have accountability and no weak spots. We have played 3 games and 3 of the biggest gash plays have been on him. Sorry if I hurt his or your feelings, but NFL network pointed it out. And as I said in my original post, I was suprised that it was Decoud.

[docfalcon]

So glad you have nothing to do with coaching. Lets bench a pro bowl caliber safety, for a decent player.

I'm glad you have nothing to do with coaching. This "pro bowl caliber" stuff is bunk. You prove that with consistent play on the field. I like Decoud, but if he is making these kind of mental gaffes then sit him until he gets more discipline. Polomalou and Ed Reed, do not make those types of mistakes. That is what we want for this defense. If he plays consistently like them, then this post is never made. The Film don't lie! You can be mad with me all you want, but I'm just sharing what was shown from coaches tape, and not from TV tape. Out of position is out of position. Blown coverage is blown coverage. Bad angle is bad angle. So either we coach this guy up or let someone else try the position. Frankly, it is your thinking that kept guys like Brooking here for years b/c he was "pro bowl caliber" I'm glad you dont coach.

[docfalcon]

So glad you have nothing to do with coaching. Lets bench a pro bowl caliber safety, for a decent player.

Furthermore, my post stated that," he should sit until he learns some discipline"! I never said that I want him off of the team! If your are going to quote my post, then at least have an understanding of the language I'm using. And like people used to say about Vick, Do you want the team to win or do you just have a hard on for Decoud?

[Karst41]

While i dont agree with benching DeCoud, he isnt playing anywhere near pro-bowl level yet this season.

I say 'yet' because i expect it to come. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

But, his play has been pretty disappointing so far.

I am not sold on DeCoud yet, But!

This is his only 3rd year in the NFL, and with that a bit of patience is needed.

IMO, this guy should become more savvy on diagnosing a play by mid season.

If this does not happen then some one else will have to step up.

[joenate]

I did not need to watch the breakdown analysis of our defense on NFL Network to know that Decoud was one of the main culprits in the big plays against our defense this season thus far. I have watched and re-watched all three games this season. While I do not believe in benching Decoud, I do believe he should share reps with Coleman. Afterall, the position Decoud is playing is actually Coleman's strength instead of playing the other side. He is still young and only entering his 3rd season. I believe he has the potential to be a pro-bowler, but right how his play is slightly average.

[nativefalcon]

I agree it was Decouds fault on the Saints, but I saw the cards game and Moore was the one that got blown out where he was. Big plays happen, we just have to limit them to a few or NONE.

[mcsupersport]

Actually the Mendenhall Run has been blamed on DeCoud by the coaches, by someone inside the team meetings. And say what you will, BUT Grimes a CB wouldn't have the slot between the OLB and MLB as his fit, sorry ain't happening.

The Moore TD was actually on either the D-coord, or Spoon. The reason for this is if you check the defense, everyone BUT Spoon is in Man coverage with DeCoud playing over the top. Spoon drops back and releases his man like they are playing zone, and Decoud doesn't get over in time, but Spoon should NEVER have release him in that coverage. Now putting Moore on a Rookie LB isn't a bright idea so you could fault BVG for having that package in, or Smitty for not calling time-out as well.

The Run by the Cards could also be blamed on Spoon, because he got cut blocked and tripped up Anderson which freed up the edge on that play. If Spoon keeps his feet, then Anderson holds the edge and the play is stung out and probably gets stuffed for 5 or less yards. If you rewatch the video then also notice he gets back up and tries to make a play only to be laid out again about 5 yards down the field by ANOTHER blocker. Now DeCoud did take a bad angle and Grimes did a piss poor job tackling but that is all after when that play Should have been stopped.

[docfalcon]

Big plays happen, we just have to limit them to a few or NONE.

Which is the only point I was trying to make. We are in a great position to make something special happen this year. And despite the fact that the NFL wants us to believe that all 32 teams have a shot each year, this is not true. I don't want us to squander an opportunity to hoist the Lombardi trophy over blown coverages, and bad tackling...... From Anyone! This wasnt meant to be a Decoud bash. I want him to be a Pro Bowl player! But pro bowl players make big plays but also make the routine play routinely!

[Da_Truth]

Now I am a big fan of Decoud (see my avatar & sig), but I just said the same thing on one of the AJC's blogs about Decoud looking like a rookie again this year. He has been out of position and not play at the same level as he did last year. Drew Brees suckered Decoud in on purpose with his eyes by looking at Shockey, while knowing all along that Moore was his target if Decoud went for the decoy. I'm sure our coaches will get this corrected. In order for this defense to play soundly against our opponents everyone has to play disciplined defense.

[docfalcon]

In order for this defense to play soundly against our opponents everyone has to play disciplined defense.

That is my argument in a nutshell!

[HouseofEuphoria]

I wonder if the absence of Colemans leadership on the field isnt hurting DeCouds play?

Moore is ballin', but he is basically a rookie.

Coleman was the guy - the QB of the secondary. He was the one getting everyone in position and on the same page.

DeCoud just looks a little lost sometimes being the guy lining everyone up.

I wouldnt mind seeing Moore and Coleman in the backfield for 10-15 plays just to see how it looked. If Colemans presence could raise DeCouds' level of play, imagine what he could do for Moore.

[JRid]

Actually the Mendenhall Run has been blamed on DeCoud by the coaches, by someone inside the team meetings. And say what you will, BUT Grimes a CB wouldn't have the slot between the OLB and MLB as his fit, sorry ain't happening.

The Moore TD was actually on either the D-coord, or Spoon. The reason for this is if you check the defense, everyone BUT Spoon is in Man coverage with DeCoud playing over the top. Spoon drops back and releases his man like they are playing zone, and Decoud doesn't get over in time, but Spoon should NEVER have release him in that coverage. Now putting Moore on a Rookie LB isn't a bright idea so you could fault BVG for having that package in, or Smitty for not calling time-out as well.

The Run by the Cards could also be blamed on Spoon, because he got cut blocked and tripped up Anderson which freed up the edge on that play. If Spoon keeps his feet, then Anderson holds the edge and the play is stung out and probably gets stuffed for 5 or less yards. If you rewatch the video then also notice he gets back up and tries to make a play only to be laid out again about 5 yards down the field by ANOTHER blocker. Now DeCoud did take a bad angle and Grimes did a piss poor job tackling but that is all after when that play Should have been stopped.

This is exactly what I've been thinking since I first saw the replay, and I don't know why this has not been mentioned more. Decoud even mentioned it in the NFL replay on NFL network. I hope and think that Decoud would not blame Weatherspoon if it was actually his own fault.

I also saw NFL playbook and wondered why those guys blamed Decoud. They showed an overhead shot of the play and they even said everyone was in man coverage, but you could blatantly see Weatherspoon release Moore. When he released him he was then nowhere near another Saints player so it really stood out. I do think Decoud should have been in better position to keep it from being such a big play, but Brees did a good job tricking him.

Having said this I will still admit that Decoud is not having as great a season as I hoped he would. I think maybe he is trying to guess more and take more chances and it is not always working out. I am still a big fan of Decoud and I expect him to get better. I don't think Coleman should take over for Decoud unless Decoud gets worse, which I don't think he will.

[madman88]

Sure, don't blame Grimes for blowing the tackle on the Arizona run either, or getting swallowed up by basically blocking himself for the offensive lineman against the Steelers. Gimme a break.

Yes, Decoud blew that 80 yard touchdown coverage, but it was because he went on Shockey. Mistake, yep, did it hurt us, nope, we won the game. We need to get that fixed, but Decoud has made so many good plays that I'm not going to kill him for missing that TD pass.

On the big Arizona run, Spoon, Peterson, Lofton, every last one was submarined or pancaked, Grimes had the angle against a slow RB and blew it, didn't even touch the guy. It's not just Decoud's fault. Their offensive line beasted our LBs into Decoud, should he have gotten around it? You'd like to think so, but it's also not like he's been making constant mental mistakes, just really the 1 mistake on the 80 yard TD.

u realize grimes was on the other side of the field when he nearly caught him right...he took the right angle just missed the tackle by a thread.... and thats not the first time hightower has ran away from a defense...

Edited October 2, 2010 by madman88

[Pacific_Falcon]

I wonder if the absence of Colemans leadership on the field isnt hurting DeCouds play?

Moore is ballin', but he is basically a rookie.

Coleman was the guy - the QB of the secondary. He was the one getting everyone in position and on the same page.

DeCoud just looks a little lost sometimes being the guy lining everyone up.

I wouldnt mind seeing Moore and Coleman in the backfield for 10-15 plays just to see how it looked. If Colemans presence could raise DeCouds' level of play, imagine what he could do for Moore.

I agree about coleman probably being a big help for DeCoud, but you know what? Coleman wont be on the team forever, and DeCoud is going to have to learn somehow...I'd rather that maturation happen sooner than later. And thanks for once again hypnotizing me for 10 minutes with your avatar. dammit.