Today's Enquirer Article

[BengalChris]

(07-28-2015, 04:38 PM)Joelist Wrote: The problems are team wide:

Offense:

 - Bad ball security
 - Weird play selection
 - Failure to control line of scrimmage

Defense:

 - Can't stop the run
 - No pass rush

Note that the issues on both sides have a common thread - in all four games we got blown off the ball on both lines. Now the 2014 game was a mess from the start when we were running Burkhead out there as a WR and lost Hill by halftime to boot. But even there we saw the same problem of both lines getting owned by the opposition. 

On defense we need to step it up on the DL big time - if we can't get pressure then at least we have to stone the run. On offense (remember this is talking about the line) at least we need to give enough time for short throws and open holes for the RB. 

The weird play selection (like the deliberate non-use of Green for an entire half in 2012) is coaching. The turnover problems go to players needing to be sharp - QB needs to be careful for defenders trying to jump routes and not sail the ball and receivers have to run their routes properly and be in the correct position. Backs have to hang on to the ball no matter what and so on. 

Ultimately this goes back on the coaches a lot as many of these issues go back to proper game preparation. It also goes back on both lines as if the lines do their jobs the rest falls into place more. 

Oh, I agree. Both sides of the ball has let this team down come playoff time, which is why I call it a bubble playoff team. It needs to improve on both sides.

Dalton's high INTs and low everything else in the playoffs tends to get him singled out, but it's a team wide thing that extends to the coaches.