The Slowik Experiment

[telluride]

Okay, I'm still reeling from the Sunday's defensive fiasco, but I'm honestly wondering: can anyone make the case that Slowik is actually up to the job?

He seems to have failed everywhere he's been. And he's certainly failing here. So should we all just resign ourselves to the fact that this is an entertainment-only kinda season, and simply enjoy the offense?

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by telluride

Okay, I'm still reeling from the Sunday's defensive fiasco, but I'm honestly wondering: can anyone make the case that Slowik is actually up to the job?

He seems to have failed everywhere he's been. And he's certainly failing here. So should we all just resign ourselves to the fact that this is an entertainment-only kinda season, and simply enjoy the offense?

I don't know, over the last 3 seasons the defense has completely fallen apart, with 3 different coordinators and 3 different systems. I am thinking the fact that we are so bad has more to do with the players and less to do with the coaching.

I am not saying Slowik is a defensive genious or that he can be absolved from blame, I am just saying that right now it wouldn't matter much if we had the best DC in the league.

[yerner]

Yeah, it looked bad. But's its only three games. Won't do any good to change things now. And it's probably less Slowiks fault than the revolving door of coaches, philosophies and players they've had over the past 3 years.

[chrisp]

It isn't entirely slowik's fault that 1) our safties suck 2) outside of DJ our LBs are pretty poor too and that 3) no-one seems to be able to get to the QB

You can blame 'scheme' all you want but right now our issue is a lack of talent in key areas.

[Kaylore]

It's not Slowik's fault our players aren't any good. Having said that, Slowik has never succeeded anywhere he's been. I've been against him being our defensive coordinator since he got here. Honestly with Coyer's defense and this offense we could make some noise in the playoffs this year.

[2KBack]

Slowik did better than this with worse talent in Chicago. So while the 2nd quarter prevent defense infuriated me, I want to see how this defense looks after a few more games. I honestly think it's improving. I know the numbers say otherwise, but watching the game, the D looks fixable and has shown flashes of being very stout at times.

Of course if Slowik keeps playing so passive in the 1st half with a lead I'll jump on the hate wagon.

[Broncosmang]

Originally Posted by Kaylore

It's not Slowik's fault our players aren't any good. Having said that, Slowik has never succeeded anywhere he's been. I've been against him being our defensive coordinator since he got here. Honestly with Coyer's defense and this offense we could make some noise in the playoffs this year.

I totally agree about Coyer's d, but I'm still not sure about our lack of talent on D. Thomas is good. Dumes is good. Ek and Crowder are decent contributors. Robertson used to be really good, so it can't be just the knee. Boss when healthy is good, DJ is great, Winborn WWIII et all are good rotation players. Champ is still Champ. Dre has been solid. Our safeties suck.

If Coyer or Rhodes had this team, we would be Ok. Slowik has sucked everywhere he's been. Why should we assume he'll get it right here?

[elsid13]

I am not buying the argument that we don't have any talent on this defense. They might not be all pros/HOF but we have guys that would starting for most teams at all levels of the defense.

As Med has been saying we need to pick a defense and stick to that system. It will make easier to draft and find the right guys to go after in Free agency.

[Dagmar]

We don't need an AMAZING defense, just a decent one, our amazing offense will do the rest methinks.

[Smiling Assassin27]

Originally Posted by elsid13

I am not buying the argument that we don't have any talent on this defense. They might not be all pros/HOF but we have guys that would starting for most teams at all levels of the defense.

As Med has been saying we need to pick a defense and stick to that system. It will make easier to draft and find the right guys to go after in Free agency.

7 of the 11 starters are just guys.

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by Smiling Assassin27

7 of the 11 starters are just guys.

I think you overdramatizing big time.

Let look at the starting Defense

Doom - Solid young pro that would start for most teams
Thomas - Solid young young pro that shown flash of talent, fits nicely in rotations. He would see significant playing time for most teams.
Robinson - Starter for the Jets, and most other 4-3 defense
EE/Engleberger - solid rotation ends.

Boss Bailey - starter for most teams in the league
Webster - decent player most likely a back-up.
DJ - starter for most teams in league.

Champ- Starts for anyone
Bly - Starts for anyone
Mcree - Not great but has started for SD
Manual - Not great but has started

There is talent on the defense but there also a lot new starters that might mean they haven't come together yet.

[Br0nc0Buster]

We have 1 legit starter on the Dline in Robertson, and Thomas could be one as well.
DJ is legit, and Boss I think is fine if he can stay healthy
Bly and Bailey are fine thought Bly needs to pick it up a bit.
Our safeties are garbage.

That is 5-6 starters on this defense that are actually legit.
We have a serious talent problem here.

But Slowick isnt making things easier with his 3 man rush soft zone crap....seriously he needs to stop calling those

[gyldenlove]

Originally Posted by elsid13

I am not buying the argument that we don't have any talent on this defense. They might not be all pros/HOF but we have guys that would starting for most teams at all levels of the defense.

As Med has been saying we need to pick a defense and stick to that system. It will make easier to draft and find the right guys to go after in Free agency.

Who would be a starter for an average team like Redskins?

DJ would, Champ would, Bly probably too. Beyond that, I don't see any players who would be sure starters with at least 50% of the other teams in the league (assuming they all played a suitable system).

I do agree we need some continuity on defense, but we really need to add talent as well. Marcus Thomas can hopefully be a very good DT for a long time, at least one of the young DEs should step up and be starter material. Boss Bailey is not entire bad, but he is not the game breaker we would like to have. We need to add talent to the DE, S and MLB positions badly, we just don't have any as it stands.

[DarkHorse30]

I think those that want a shut-em-down defense need to have more patience.

If Denver wasn't stopping teams when it counts, I might agree....but look at that goalline stop....and forcing the Figgie.....against one of the best offenses in the league. We have problems stopping the pass? Well look at Brees' average for the last 3 years and tell me he doesn't have the skill or the weapons to cut any defense to shreds?

You CAN'T make a judgement on a defense only 3 games into the season, when they gave up a bunch of yards to two high-scoring offenses. We've got 6 starters in new positions on the D, 4 incoming starters that weren't even with the team last year......and your judgement is that they should have gelled already? Take a chill pill.

[lex]

Originally Posted by DarkHorse30

I think those that want a shut-em-down defense need to have more patience.

If Denver wasn't stopping teams when it counts, I might agree....but look at that goalline stop....and forcing the Figgie.....against one of the best offenses in the league. We have problems stopping the pass? Well look at Brees' average for the last 3 years and tell me he doesn't have the skill or the weapons to cut any defense to shreds?

You CAN'T make a judgement on a defense only 3 games into the season, when they gave up a bunch of yards to two high-scoring offenses. We've got 6 starters in new positions on the D, 4 incoming starters that weren't even with the team last year......and your judgement is that they should have gelled already? Take a chill pill.

Brees was playing without a lot of his weapons but it didnt matter and one of the reasons is that Slowik turns the defenders into furniture instead of utilizing the athleticism of the back 7. He simply cant scheme any kind of blitz at the LOS and refuses to put the back 7 in a position to make plays by forcing the action...Slowik hasnt even established that he can force the action. He was a DBs coach so you gotta wonder if his knowledge of the interplay with defensive alignments and the offensive blocking is lacking. Whatever the case, the guy has done NOTHING to justify any feeling of optimism.

[ludo21]

Blitz more than 3 times in the game and I think we will be just fine.

Also no more 3-4 soft zone crap, that was terrible!! plz NEVER do that again!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[elsid13]

Originally Posted by gyldenlove

Who would be a starter for an average team like Redskins?

DJ would, Champ would, Bly probably too. Beyond that, I don't see any players who would be sure starters with at least 50% of the other teams in the league (assuming they all played a suitable system).

I do agree we need some continuity on defense, but we really need to add talent as well. Marcus Thomas can hopefully be a very good DT for a long time, at least one of the young DEs should step up and be starter material. Boss Bailey is not entire bad, but he is not the game breaker we would like to have. We need to add talent to the DE, S and MLB positions badly, we just don't have any as it stands.

Ok for the skins - Boss would, and both DTs. And it push at the strong safetly. Reed Doughty isn't a superstar. Doom would get playing time to.

We don't have a great all time defense, but the talent isn't as bad as people are making it out to be. Denver need to pick a defense system and stick to it.

Remember there are a lot of new players on this defense and it takes time to come together.

[watermock]

I believe I could do better myself. I'd get their ****in' attention for sure.

First thing is I would install the Philly defense, then draft for it next year. I'd hire an asst from either NY or Philly to help install it.

We got about 2/3 that could run it, we cant get worse. Maybe we go with the Dallas/sd 3/4 system because of the personel.

[BroncoMan4ever]

Originally Posted by telluride

Okay, I'm still reeling from the Sunday's defensive fiasco, but I'm honestly wondering: can anyone make the case that Slowik is actually up to the job?

He seems to have failed everywhere he's been. And he's certainly failing here. So should we all just resign ourselves to the fact that this is an entertainment-only kinda season, and simply enjoy the offense?

I think it comes down to the players. We have 2 DT(Robertson and Thomas) that are doing their jobs well. 1 injured DE pass rusher(Doom) who is getting constantly doubled because we have absolutely nothing at the opposite DE position who warrants any attention.
Our LB's are composed of a pro bowl calibur Weak side LB(DJ) an injury prone decent strong side LB(Boss) and a MLB who wouldn't be a starter on almost every other team in the league(Nate)
Our CB's are up there in age, but Champ is still the best in the game and Bly is pretty good in comparison to what a lot of teams have for the number 2 Cornerback. behind them we have no one worth a crap. Our Safety position is old and not very good. McCree and Marquand are players that should be used solely for depth.

So all in all, our defense needs more parts before it looks any good. We need another DE who can rush the passer and is not a liability in the running game. We need a MLB who can tackle and lead the Defense. A SAM LB because as often as Boss is injured it would be a good investment to have a capable backup who can also take some snaps from Boss. We need young Safeties, and depth at the CB position.

I think it would be in the teams best interest to trade some of these extra picks we have acquired with our recent trades and try to work out a deal to get a DE before the trade deadline. The LB positions are not getting anything done to them until the draft. CB position is directly linked with the no pass rush, so getting a DE to get pressure on the QB not only helps Doom and makes the DL look better but our CB's stats would get better and we are no longer seeing them giving up 350+ passing yards a game.

At Safety we need young legs who can tackle and have speed to help in covering TE's and providing over the top help to Champ and Bly. So with that, i think it would be in the teams best interest to put Barrett on the roster and give him reps in game. And make Woodyard a Safety. Woodyard has too much talent to be relegated to being only a ST player and since he is a smaller LB he would only get on the field with the Defense if DJ goes down. He has great speed, and is a really good tackler.

This Defense needs to find a way to incorporate its best players in the game plan, and Woodyard and Barrett would not be an immediate upgrade at the Safeties but by the end of the year we would see improvement. And that is when games begin to matter near the end of the year, is when we need to be hitting out peak.

[lex]

http://dack.com/archive/bob-slowik-must-be-fired.html

Bob Slowik Must Be Fired

On January 16, 2004 Green Bay Packers coach Mike Sherman fired defensive coordinator Ed Donatell, making him the official scapegoat for his team's 4th-and-26 meltdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Packers' 20-17 loss of last year's NFC divisional playoff game.

To replace Donatell, Sherman promoted defensive backs coach Bob Slowik.

Slowik, who previously coordinated middling defenses in Chicago and Cleveland, drew up a high-pressure, high-risk, blitz-heavy scheme that was to be the identity of the 2004 Packers defense. After giving up 5 TD passes in the first half vs. Indianapolis in Week 3, his scheme was abandoned. Still, his defense gave up 5 TD passes in the first half in Week 13 against Philadelphia.
But twice giving up 5 TD passes in the first half is not why Bob Slowik must be fired. Nor is it his glaring lack of takeaways, or the insanely high opponents' passer rating. No. Bob Slowik must be fired because he schemed a defense that set many records -- in a bad way -- in the history of the Packer franchise.

Bob Slowik All-Time Records
Bob Slowik's defense is one for the history books. In a really, really bad way.

Record Slowik
Record Broken
Record
Fewest Opponent Turnovers, Season 15 16 (1995)
Fewest Passes Intercepted By, Season 8 13 (1980, 1995, 1998)
Fewest Forced Fumbles, Season 11 12 (1995)
Most First Downs Allowed, Passing, Season 228 188 (1995)
Most Yards Allowed, Net Passing, Season 3,943 3,762 (1983)
Most Yards Allowed, Passing, Game 464 448 (2004)
Most TD Allowed Passing, Season 33 31 (1986)
Highest Opponents' Passer Rating, Season 99.1 86.1 (1958)



Close-But-No-Cigar Bob Slowik All-Time Records
Thanks to Rich Wingo, Ezra Johnson, Estes Hood, and Ken Stills, Slowik finished second all-time in these categories:

Record Slowik
Record All-Time
Record
Most First Downs Allowed, Season 354 366 (1983)
Most First Downs Allowed, Penalty, Season 28 29 (2002)
Highest Completion Percentage Allowed, Season 60.6 63.45 (1989)



Likely Bob Slowik All-Time Records
Here are a few other likely records that I could not verify. Please send me an email if you have source info.

Fewest fumbles recovered, season
7. 2nd-lowest in NFL.
Opponents' 3rd down conversion percentage, season
47.3. 2nd-worst in NFL.
Opponents' passing yards/attempt, season
7.61. 4th-worst in NFL.
Opponents' passing yards/completion, season
12.6. 3rd-worst in NFL.
Most passing TDs allowed, first half
5. But you knew that.
Most passing TDs, first half
5. Indianapolis franchise record.
Most passing TDs, first half
5. Philadelphia franchise record.
Most completions, start a game
14. Philadelphia franchise record. Confirmed.
Most passing yards, game
464. Philadelphia franchise record. Confirmed.