I think part of the problem is the Defensive Game Plan is not consistent with the Offensive Game Plan.
We get into a track meet with other teams on offense, but then we dont play a defensive scheme that can win a track race.
We try to play a sound defense where the safety is keeping the plays in front of him and we make the opposition beat us all the way down the field. The problem is they beat us all the way down the field or we let them off the hook with a dumb penalty.
If you ask me that is just dumb, we should be playing the opposite style of defense. We need a Feast or Famine defense to go with our offense. We should be gambling for the Out or turnover constantly instead of playing it safe.
So what if they burn us often with big plays? Isnt that essentially what happens with several small plays? Wouldnt the big Outs and big Take Aways out weigh the big plays we give up? I say be sound less often and gamble more often. I say Sell Out to the Run on First Down, Bring both safeties in the box, Stunt, Exotic Blitz, Jump the Routes, Bite on a double move. One or two more stops a game might be all it takes to win us more games.