The Offseason Priority Least Talked About

James Anderson should have the athleticism to do it, however, if he’s resigned. I recall one or two times when a tight end beat us deep, and a safety was actually on him. Anderson may, or may not, have gotten burned an inordinate amount of times in that regard, but surely it wouldn’t be an athletic problem. It would probably be a technique problem, which can be fixed. Rivera was a linebacker, so maybe he can help if it’s an issue.

He runs a sub 4.5 40. I believe he was relegated to the practice squad as a rookie this past season. They thought enough of him to resign him for this upcoming offseason, though. He has a ton of potential, if he can take that athleticism and turn it into production on the field.

I hope some of the opposing teams TE success was due to vulnerabilities in the schemes of our defense, such as placing such an emphasis on not getting beat over the top of the of the secondary and the linebackers playing shallow @ the line. If you look at most cover 2 schemes being used they are vulnerable to passes in the intermediate area between the zones. Davis helps mask this deficiancy in the scheme through his athletic ability and coverage ability due to being a safety in college.

The best way to stop a tight end is to force him to block, because the pass rush is strong. If you give a QB time, someone will be open, and often it’s the TE. Winslow crushed us because we let Freeman escape. Sometimes the TE is covered by a LB, other times it’s the safety’s man.
All that said, I am excited to be getting TD back and healthy. I haven’t heard how his rehab’s going, but he’s not one to be lazy about it. I fully expect him to be the force at WILL we say in the 1st half of ’09.

Beason covered TEs quite well this season. I can remember him being step to step with receivers and TEs this year and swatting away balls and TD passes. So, no I don’t think it’s a major priority, especially since our passing D was 11th best in the NFL.

Mike LB almost never has coverage responsibilities for TE in cover 2. He usually has coverage on RB releasing from backfield. Beason is OK at this but his best abilities are in sideline to sideline pursuit of ballcarrier and delivering the knockout shot. Davis(or other Sam LB) has TE responsabilities. That is what the moniker “strong” applies to- the side of the offensive line that the TE is lined up on. Mike LB always has underneath zone behind Dline/ in front of safety in the Cover 2.