The steady decline of our defense. Why is this a thing? (If it even is a thing)

Just some thoughts on why our defense seems to be on a steady decline over the last few years from stellar to what I would call below average.

The first thing I thought of saying is that I don’t think it’s a defensive coaching issue, at least not at the DC level. I think Morgan is doing a great job.

Also, I think the increase in offensive production (passing in particular), and more importantly the decrease in special teams play that have made things more difficult on our defense in some ways. I also think our inability to convert on 4th and short tries has been a (rather small) factor here. Quicker scores and more time on the clock mean our defense is on the field more often. Also, Special teams not holding up their end of the bargain puts the defense at a disadvantage, kills momentum, and makes the defense look worse than it really is.

Obviously we are lacking elite talent up front. That is an issue that is finally coming to a head now that we don’t have Devin covering up other people’s mistakes… But really I think the MOST IMPORTANT issue is that this defense is incredibly young still. Am I wrong? Fillinger is making the same mistakes that Orchard/Dimmick/Anae/Tafua all made as under classmen, constantly over persuing the QB, losing containment, jumping like an idiot when the qb pump fakes instead of just tackling the guy. Fillinger has the physical tools to figure it out, he’ll get there. The advantage that those guys had that Fillinger doesn’t is a massive DT in the middle taking up 2-3 blockers. Tafuna and the DTs are still young, and they are leaner than DTs we’ve had in the past. That has advantages and disadvantages, but they, like Fillinger are young. Similarly, we are still very young at the LB/S spots and don’t really have anyone capable of captaining this defense just yet. Bishop will absolutely get there, but he needs time. He has the instinct, but he needs to be able to pass that instinct on to the rest of the defense pre-snap. Once that happens, this defense will be elite again.

One thing I AM really excited about is the length of our future stars at CB. Phillips is awesome, but I am super excited at the potential than Vaughn and Broughton bring to the table. Not sure either one will be Jaylon or Clark, but they will do great together next year (assuming Broughton doesn’t leave for the draft, haven’t heard anything about whether or not that is a possibility).

Anyways, I have complete faith in Scalley and Co. They will get this defense back where it needs to be. Unlike a certain other DC, our DC and HC know exactly what they need in order to make this defense better, and they’ll get it one way or another.