Brain dump heading into Week 12

Whodat GT said
Thanks for the analysis. Here are questions, observations based on what you wrote.

I´ve been wanting to talk about this before, but I don´t normally post reflect on past mistakes, but... letting Sproles go has to be the biggest mistake Payton has ever made in terms of personnel decisions.

I think the pass rush should be addressed through the draft and in FA. I saw failure to seal the edge at the beginning of the year, not so much now. A sideline to sideline Lber is a must as well.

I still haven´t seen proof that the ST blunders are either because of bad blocking or because Lutz kicks low line drives.

One question: I think a major problem for this defense has been dropping into zone coverage. I´ve seen a lot of missed assignments and miscommunication. Do you think another year in the system fixes that?

-The heavy use of Zone coverage is exactly why I'm more of a fan of signing a vet FA corner. Rookie CB's tend to come in with solid ability in man but they typically all need adjustment to zone concepts. Communication is key and the more these guys play together the better they will get.

- I do think letting Sproles go was a bad decision but at that point Sproles was a luxury. We had two above average Jokers in he and Graham. You only need one of them to be very good. Fleener is Average. An average Joker (Reggie at this point in his career) would be enough due to the fact that our WR corps is stronger than its every been under SP.

-I think the draft would be the spot for a passrusher. I think bringing back Kruger would be ideal at the very least he's your starting base DE which would allow him to give way to a 3rd down rusher. Call me crazy but he's a former Raven...he and Ellerbe just bring intangibles to me and the FA class of DE's isn't anything spectacular next year. Our best FA moves at that position might just be extending Kruger and perhaps resigning Edebali.

- ST's blunders are a little of both. Protection not holding up, Kicker line driving the ball, coaching staff not doing a great job of teaching there.

- Anthony is a sideline to sideline MLB and is the ace in the hole. The LB corps can be upgraded just by teaming he and Ellerbe together. Its a little too early to give up on him and 3rd year is usually the charm. Knowing that Robertson + Ellerbe is at least an average duo I don't think you need to go out and sign anyone other than for depth. I think you put all your resources into developing Anthony. Worst case scenario injuries force Ellerbe to MLB and Stupar to WLB and it's still a competent unit thats better than anything we fielded since 2009.