The "What-If" Game...

But it helps a lot

 

Woodley and Timmons actually saw the field pretty early in their days as well. In their second year they were both starting weren't they? Also we won the Super Bowl and Woodley played like a beast.

 

Those were the days

 

Guys like us, we had it made...

 

If we had him in his prime last weekend, we win

 

Timmons not so much, it was into year 3 that he finally got full time starting chances.

 

And quite honestly he still looked lost at times a couple of years after that.

 

your right. it took a long time for him to get here.

 

That's what concerns me. Is it going to take that long in DL's system for Shazier to become the playmaker he was in college because he's so confused trying to figure out the great LeBeau's complicated formula that it inhibits his natural playmaking ability? IT CAN'T! We need a DC that can put these guys in position to take advantage of their playmaking ability NOW and not one that's determined just to make them another cog in the machine.

 

he's not superman. shazier is a good player and his speed has helped him. he had some lack luster moments at OSU too, so he still needs time to be coached.

 

But you know what guys, I'd like to see some splash out of guys like JJ, Shazier, Shamarko. I realize they're young players and they're going to make mistakes, but even with rookies you ought to be able to see SOMETHING that says this guy has the goods. I don't doubt that Shazier is going to be very good. I'm concerned about JJ and would like to have seen more out of Shark in two year!

I stand by my contention that DL's defense has these guys so uptight and so afraid they'll make a mistake that it inhibits their ability to make plays. I understand that there is a mental aspect of the game, but if the mental overpowers the physical and you're thinking too much, it hinders performance.

It's a lot like golf. When you step up to the ball you've practiced your mechanics and swung the club thousands of times. It's time to step up to the ball and swing the club without thinking about the 24 different mechanical aspects of the golf swing. Same thing with football. When you step onto the field you're playing a game you've played since you were 5 years old. You shouldn't have to be thinking about the 24 schematic elements to this particular zone defense that's been called. You should be put in position to read and react, run to the ball and make a play. Less thinking, more playing!

 

that's fine but you have guys on the other side that are trying to make you have to think. it's pretty complicated anyways in the NFL, if not anyone could do it. one guy just winging it can cause a whole lot of gaps for other players on the field in trying to do their jobs on any given play. they have to be in the right spot for what the offense is doing on any given play and that said offense isn't going to make it simple to help any defense. let's face it, it's not a simple game at this level.

 

No, it's not simple but I think it can be over-complicated. You need to scheme for your opponent but you also don't need to make that scheme so complicated that your players may freeze up at crucial times. I've kind of poked fun at Tomlin saying "I'm a fundamentalist as opposed to scheme" but I really think there needs to be a balance between the two. The scheme simply needs to put players in position to make plays and then it's up to the player to block, tackle, run to the ball, create turnovers, etc. all very fundamental elements to the game of football.

 

I'm crying out for help, Blast!