From Riley, Hey G, Several things from Sunday. I think that Sunday's performance is a microcosm of AR's tenure. They have been frustratingly inconsistent, as they were yesterday.
He greatly benefited from Ray Rhodes' defensive draftees in the early years with JJ coaching them. Donovan had playmaking ability with his legs that opened things up for the poor WR play back then. Then in 2004, they acquired TO and he benefited from TO! Unfortunatelty, they jettisoned him within two years, and now over the past three seasons they have really been mediocre. When it is all said and done, I think that the AR tenure will be like last night's game- a let down in the end.
Looking closer, I believe that the team consistently been inconsistent. They have had the same problems over the years, which falls back on the head coach. The same things continue to plague them, like: poor clock management, too many men on the field in critical times in the game, dumb penalties, not running the clock out via running the football, not being consistent with the run game throughout a game, not using the run to set up the pass, overall undisciplined play etc.
A continuing problem has been ARs weakness in selecting playmakers at the skilled position- especially WR, Linebacker and safety. They've selected solid players, but most of them are not difference makers! The main reason, I believe that this is the case, because they don't like to choose these positions high in the draft. A great example has been this last draft. They stood pat and refused to go up ahead of the Patriots to get a player like Brandon Merriweather at safety, thinking that Sean Considine is the future there. He needs to realize that playmakers are not usually drafted low for a reason. They are not normally discovered in the later prounds of drafts. You can get lucky sometime, but overall, they are found in the first and second rounds.
In summation, AR has been poor in this area. He has lacked in obtaining playmakers at WR, linebacker, and safety. Therefore, the team is just solid, but not special.
This team has gone as far as it can go under this current administration. I truly believe that it is a time to move on, and it is now. Reluctantly, I say this b/c he has done a good job in the past. However, I think that much of this was when the division and conference was not that good.
People have caught up to him, and he, stubbornly, has not changed his philosophy. Since he has not changed his philosophy, then there needs to be a change of philosophies. Bring in someone who can coach these players, select playmakers and manage the game more effectively. With all of that being said, it is time to jump on the MartyBall bandwagon. Thanks for letting us vent!
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