Secondary needs to improve tackling
When the Ravens resume practice this week, the first thing they should do is grab all the defensive backs and some tackling dummies, and teach these players how to tackle. It's one of the most basic things in the game, yet the Ravens missed a lot of tackles in Monday night's loss to the Steelers. I know the Ravens are banged up in the secondary, but if players can't make tackles, they shouldn't be on the field.
We can all debate play-calling and other forms of strategy, but there is no excuse for missed tackles. Absolutely none.
Comments
Ed Reed makes as many plays as he gives up....Not quite sure why everybody thinks he is such a great tackler...He throws his body around yes. Does he wrap up and follow-thru? Heck no......Good thing is that he can improve.
Posted by: BirdDawg | September 30, 2008 11:12 AM
More than the secondary not tackling is an issue of blown coverage in the passing game. As good as Bart may have played he got beat a lot in the passing game (look at the tape). He missed Ben on a sure sack and caused Hines Ward to get behind Mccalister which resulted in a score by Pitts. Bart left a lot of plays out there on the field.
Posted by: kwesi | September 30, 2008 11:13 AM
Absolutely right. In the OT when it was 3rd and 8, I was talking to my dad and said he they wrap up Ben we'll get the ball back. But once again sloppy tackling led to Pittsburgh getting down to our 31 .. Not to mention the 6 yds we gave up on the last play before the field goal. Unacceptable.
Posted by: Adam | September 30, 2008 11:42 AM
Yeah, and it wasn't just the backups. McCalister was trying to tackle people by bumping into them. That's what kickers do. There are no excuses for a highly paid starter like him to not even try to wrap up.
Posted by: Dave | September 30, 2008 11:56 AM
Mike, you seemed to love blasting the Billick-era Ravens for committing dumb and emotional penalties, but we saw similar undisciplined behavior at times last night. While J. Johnson is catching most of the heat, there were other dumb plays (such as the Barnes head slap). Are you giving Harbaugh and the team a pass on this?
The Steelers only gained 237 yards on their own, and we have them nearly 75 additional yards. It would have been worse if not for several offsetting penalties (which were missed opportunities for our team).
Posted by: CWB | September 30, 2008 12:01 PM
Yes, the tackling in our secondary is attrocious. Yes, it is disgusting to think "Ravens Football" and then see missed tackles. Rod Woodson, Corey Harris, McAlister from 5 years ago - they would never stand for this. But guess what?
McAlister - 1 knee
Rolle - 1 shoulder
Reed - 0 shoulder
Washington - 0 neck
Landry - Thank God
These guy will not be hitting any tackling dummies. The situation will not improve. And, I don't know what we can do about it.
Furthermore, I love Ed Reed. But where is the line between "gamebreaker who can jump routes and score TDs" and "liability cuz he cannot/will not initiate collisions"? I am glad I'm not the coach, because that is a difficult decision.
Posted by: AK | September 30, 2008 12:23 PM
I would like to see Harbaugh suspend players a game for every time that they get a un-sportsman like penalty. If you get shoved after the play, away from the ball, don't shove back. Wait for your opportunity and do a "Hines Ward"( hit the player when they are not looking).
Posted by: Rick Haefner | October 1, 2008 6:22 AM