Cats Defense Vulnerable?

[4thecats]

I have noticed the last 3 games that teams have been finding a lot more success by passing it on our defense deeper into the middle of the field. Have we been exposed and will this continue to be an issue?
Is it a scheme that exposes this or is it poor play?

[Catbacker_1]

That has been the weak spot all season. The DB’s are fast and physical but they have been poor in coverage.

[CodyCat]

Great question. I’d love @BobcatBuiltTexan to explain this.

[technoCat]

Howe definitely needs to address the depth of our shell drops. Cant continue to give 5 yard cushion PAST the yard to gain. Its just too easy for the WR to run to the sticks and turn around and the ball is there. Never gives our pass rush a chance to get home because there always seems to be easy first read throws. Every time they made him wait for an extra beat, we were successfully getting pressure.
I think there was also like 4 cases where we had great coverage and our underneath guy failed to get his head turned around and it was a great throw. Daily made a great play on one of those throws.

[luckyirishguy25]

Howe definitely needs to address the depth of our shell drops. Cant continue to give 5 yard cushion PAST the yard to gain. Its just too easy for the WR to run to the sticks and turn around and the ball is there. Never gives our pass rush a chance to get home because there always seems to be easy first read throws. Every time they made him wait for an extra beat, we were successfully getting pressure.
I think there was also like 4 cases where we had great coverage and our underneath guy failed to get his head turned around and it was a great throw. Daily made a great play on one of those throws.

Yep, well said.

[technoCat]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

[BornBobcat2000]

I also would like some thoughts on how to stop the quick RPO throws outside the hashes. Seemed like they could get that whenever they wanted, and our DB’s missed a few tackles, but overall didn’t get burned for long ones. The reason I’m concerned is because that’s the only consistent thing the Gr*z could do against us, and their WR’s are a lot more dangerous after the catch than SFA.

[TomCat88]

MSU plays its safeties a little deep. That means the LBs have to cover the middle and teams try to get a Wr matched up on one. But msu knows that and has an Eye on it and leans to it at times.

[ghobs95]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Yeah, wouldn't want to let Wortham go off for 1 catch and 3 yards again next week...

[technoCat]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Yeah, wouldn't want to let Wortham go off for 1 catch and 3 yards again next week...

Brown and Harris both had 11 catches for multiple 1st downs. Don't think the Griz won't see that and change how they use Wortham.

[MrGoodKat]

Some credit also goes to Vidlak. He threaded some needles last night.

[wbtfg]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Cats did great against wortham and Harris. Brown got loose a little bit, but overall, MSU defense has done great against the opposing #1 WR.

[technoCat]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Cats did great against wortham and Harris. Brown got loose a little bit, but overall, MSU defense has done great against the opposing #1 WR.

Harris had 11 receptions for almost 100 yards and several first downs. He also had like 4 drops.

[wbtfg]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Cats did great against wortham and Harris. Brown got loose a little bit, but overall, MSU defense has done great against the opposing #1 WR.

Harris had 11 receptions for almost 100 yards and several first downs. He also had like 4 drops.

11 receptions for 85 yards. 7.7/rec.

Many of which happened when MSU was up by 2 scores and keeping everything in front of them.

He’s one of the best WRs we've faced this year.

[technoCat]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Cats did great against wortham and Harris. Brown got loose a little bit, but overall, MSU defense has done great against the opposing #1 WR.

Harris had 11 receptions for almost 100 yards and several first downs. He also had like 4 drops.

11 receptions for 85 yards. 7.7/rec.

Many of which happened when MSU was up by 2 scores and keeping everything in front of them.

He’s one of the best WRs we've faced this year.

I get what you're saying but he probably had like 4-5 first downs on 3rd down catches that extended drives and helped keep our defense on the field much longer. The last, I think, was 3rd and 10 to the 10 yard line before their last score. Defense was shelled up 5 yards off the first down marker and it was a super simple in route for a first.

[wbtfg]

One other note, and I said it last week but it bears repeating, if a team has a clear number 1 receiver like Harris, Brown or Wortham, they need to find a way to stop letting them move around to get covered by a lb or safety.

Cats did great against wortham and Harris. Brown got loose a little bit, but overall, MSU defense has done great against the opposing #1 WR.

Harris had 11 receptions for almost 100 yards and several first downs. He also had like 4 drops.

11 receptions for 85 yards. 7.7/rec.

Many of which happened when MSU was up by 2 scores and keeping everything in front of them.

He’s one of the best WRs we've faced this year.

I get what you're saying but he probably had like 4-5 first downs on 3rd down catches that extended drives and helped keep our defense on the field much longer. The last, I think, was 3rd and 10 to the 10 yard line before their last score. Defense was shelled up 5 yards off the first down marker and it was a super simple in route for a first.

I agree that one was frustrating. There were some other frustrating plays they made over the middle.

[tetoncat]

The 4th down penalties kept 2 drives alive I think. Get up early on a team that feels they can't get a stop and you have to defend 4 downs those 2 penalties not called it is a full on blowout. Or don't get penalties that forced FG it is also.

[VimSince03]

The 4th down penalties kept 2 drives alive I think. Get up early on a team that feels they can't get a stop and you have to defend 4 downs those 2 penalties not called it is a full on blowout. Or don't get penalties that forced FG it is also.

Yeah both 4th down penalties led to touchdown on those drives. We also missed two picks and a fumble that fell right back into the receivers hands. SFA had a lot of grit to keep fighting but some fans don't realize this game was dangerously close to being like 58 to 14.

[4thecats]

I get that it has been an issue and I feel like the coaches obviously have to see it too.
Why would a coach not make adjustments to shore this up?
Are they not confident in our db's and safeties playing closer to the line of scrimmage or are they just stubborn?

[tetoncat]

I get that it has been an issue and I feel like the coaches obviously have to see it too.
Why would a coach not make adjustments to shore this up?
Are they not confident in our db's and safeties playing closer to the line of scrimmage or are they just stubborn?

Watch other games and see how many times they get beat deep. Cats are okay with short plays. Get a drop, penalty or whatever, all of a sudden 3rd and long. Get pick, strip sack or stop. It is frustrating when other team doesn’t make the mistake but they made enough last night to give Cats lead they didn't relinquish