Powers: Maybe Zimmer should dumb down his defensive system

[The Breeze]

I know Zimmer is a rookie head coach….but he's been coordinating Defenses for a long time. I'm sure he's seen just about everything in terms of implementing his system and how best to do it.
Of all the things he could be questioned for in his new job, this one isn't high on my list at all.

[Mothman]

I know Zimmer is a rookie head coach….but he's been coordinating Defenses for a long time. I'm sure he's seen just about everything in terms of implementing his system and how best to do it.
Of all the things he could be questioned for in his new job, this one isn't high on my list at all.

I don't think anybody is questioning whether he knows what he's doing or how to implement a defense, just suggesting that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to try something that might eliminate, say, Jordy Nelson getting WIDE open for an easy TD.

[mansquatch]

I don't think anybody is questioning whether he knows what he's doing or how to implement a defense, just suggesting that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to try something that might eliminate, say, Jordy Nelson getting WIDE open for an easy TD.

That play was the result of a player biting on play action and blowing his assignment. Should a Coach dumb down his scheme because one guy made one mistake or should he coach up that one guy?

Still drinking the Powers Haterade.

[Mothman]

That play was the result of a player biting on play action and blowing his assignment. Should a Coach dumb down his scheme because one guy made one mistake or should he coach up that one guy?

I feel like you're either missing or ignoring the point.

Forget the specific play, the point is that they're making a lot of big mistakes and they don't seem to be fully grasping the system. Is temporarily simplifying it help eliminate critical mistakes really such a crazy notion that the mere suggestion is idiotic and Powers is a fool for proposing it?

[The Breeze]

I don't think anybody is questioning whether he knows what he's doing or how to implement a defense, just suggesting that maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to try something that might eliminate, say, Jordy Nelson getting WIDE open for an easy TD.

I know what you mean…but it seems to me that's exactly what Powers is doing, indirectly and unintentionally perhaps.

The wide open issues happened against Atlanta too. I am in the camp of it being part of the new system growing pains and would suggest that the scheme is probably as basic as it will get and just be getting more complex going forward as they noodle out who has the right stuff on a regular basis.
In spite of those glaring 'wide open' examples, there seems to be ample evidence of this defense having already made some impressive strides from last season…albeit there has been improvement in talent, IMO. This defense has more freedom now and hence more individual discipline, down to down….the line is suffering the same mental setbacks. Hopefully it gels before long.

The dumbing down tone echoes of the previous regimes way of dealing with poor execution and miserable consistency….although they did have a great deal of injuries to deal with and the staff was on the hot seat. Zimmer can afford to suffer these kinds of trials for the short term.

I assume this subject is something coordinators on both sides of the ball wrestle with anytime they take over a team or add new players.

edit to add: I don't think Powers is a fool for proposing it…I just thinks it's moot other than conversation cause I don't believe Zimmer is going to stray from his proven course. If the same guys keeping blowing coverages I'd expect to see Exum and the other Rook before a scheme change. I could totally be wrong, I often am about this stuff, but that's my gut.

[mondry]

I know what you mean…but it seems to me that's exactly what Powers is doing, indirectly and unintentionally perhaps.

The wide open issues happened against Atlanta too. I am in the camp of it being part of the new system growing pains and would suggest that the scheme is probably as basic as it will get and just be getting more complex going forward as they noodle out who has the right stuff on a regular basis.
In spite of those glaring 'wide open' examples, there seems to be ample evidence of this defense having already made some impressive strides from last season…albeit there has been improvement in talent, IMO. This defense has more freedom now and hence more individual discipline, down to down….the line is suffering the same mental setbacks. Hopefully it gels before long.

The dumbing down tone echoes of the previous regimes way of dealing with poor execution and miserable consistency….although they did have a great deal of injuries to deal with and the staff was on the hot seat. Zimmer can afford to suffer these kinds of trials for the short term.

I assume this subject is something coordinators on both sides of the ball wrestle with anytime they take over a team or add new players.

edit to add: I don't think Powers is a fool for proposing it…I just thinks it's moot other than conversation cause I don't believe Zimmer is going to stray from his proven course. If the same guys keeping blowing coverages I'd expect to see Exum and the other Rook before a scheme change. I could totally be wrong, I often am about this stuff, but that's my gut.

Yeah, I agree. The thing is, according to NFL.com stats page we're 20th in points given up, 15th in yards, 11th against the pass, 19th against the run. Maybe I'm crazy but considering we were basically last in what, almost all of those stats last year I think we're doing pretty well. If those are the results we are getting I'm fine with a few growing pains and mistakes happening now and then while the players keep getting experience and better and better within the system. Those stats tell me that when we are clicking and things are working, despite a few lapses like the wide open TD's it's actually fairly effective.

Not to mention we've played Rodgers, Brees, Brady, and Ryan in 4 out of 5 games. These offenses are no joke so I dunno, I guess I just don't see need for change right now and I'd say the offense is much much more concerning without Bridgewater.

[Mothman]

I know what you mean…but it seems to me that's exactly what Powers is doing, indirectly and unintentionally perhaps.

The wide open issues happened against Atlanta too. I am in the camp of it being part of the new system growing pains and would suggest that the scheme is probably as basic as it will get and just be getting more complex going forward as they noodle out who has the right stuff on a regular basis.
In spite of those glaring 'wide open' examples, there seems to be ample evidence of this defense having already made some impressive strides from last season…albeit there has been improvement in talent, IMO. This defense has more freedom now and hence more individual discipline, down to down….the line is suffering the same mental setbacks. Hopefully it gels before long.

The dumbing down tone echoes of the previous regimes way of dealing with poor execution and miserable consistency….although they did have a great deal of injuries to deal with and the staff was on the hot seat. Zimmer can afford to suffer these kinds of trials for the short term.

I assume this subject is something coordinators on both sides of the ball wrestle with anytime they take over a team or add new players.

edit to add: I don't think Powers is a fool for proposing it…I just thinks it's moot other than conversation cause I don't believe Zimmer is going to stray from his proven course. If the same guys keeping blowing coverages I'd expect to see Exum and the other Rook before a scheme change. I could totally be wrong, I often am about this stuff, but that's my gut.

Good post. I don't really disagree with any of it and I agree that it's a moot point because Zimmer clearly intends to stay the course. I'm fine with that because I think he knows what he's doing. I just thought there was some merit to Powers' suggestion and I was surprised at how harshly it was received.