Originally posted by Kolohe:
Originally posted by 49erFaithful6:
Originally posted by bassmanr:
Originally posted by Kolohe:
Shanahan like all HC's in the NFL needs a damn good DC to back him up, Nick Sorensen just isn't that guy.
This!!
Shanny had good DC hires, in Saleh and Ryans. I think Wilks was gonna be good, and indeed we were 3rd in ppg, but Kyle handcuffed Wilks and said you can't run your blitz heavy stuff, you have to run our stuff. so kyle set us up for a stale D that doesn't innovate, he's too controlling on that side of the ball and it is costing us right now.
I think Shanahan has a lot of input on the defensive side of the ball because he sees the holes. After all wouldn't you have been pissed off at your DC calling a Cover 0 and they give up a huge TD. Granted that call could've gone either way cause Ward did have good coverage on Addison, but it didn't. So most likely if Wilks took the conservative approach at that time chances are the defense would've held up.
Shanahan did try and get Spags and Belichick to run the defense. I don't think and IMO that shows he wants someone he can leave the defense totally in the DC's hands instead of watching over their shoulders.
You can't blame that on the coach. Ward had the int right in his hands and simply didn't make the play. The coach put the player in position to make the play.