Can you guys help me out here. I've played and followed football for years. I know I don't know more about defense than Spags. I'm completely lost here though. Why, in obvious passing situations is Unga on the field. We've seen over the years, plenty of exotic formations on defense in passing situations - big nickel, dime defense. And yet, a first year, undrafted MLB is always on the field in critical passing downs. He has failed or has been targeted by the opposition in almost every situation.
I'm not blaming him. I know how hard it is today for a MLB to play in space. Very few guys can do it well, which is why so many are pulled in these situations on other teams. Are we to believe Cooper Taylor, for example, is so bad in coverage that Unga gives us a better chance for success? That's hard to believe.
What am I missing?
And Casillas and Kennard were inactive. I'm pretty sure we were down to Unga, Thomas, Herzlich, and Brinkley at LB.
Don't think Spags is a 3 safety guy. That was Fewell.
I assume Casillas would normally be in there as the Mike in nickel/dime packages.
He routinely gets torched by RBs and backup TEs make him twirl around like a ballerina.
Sorry guys, I don't buy it.
I'd be thrilled with a better option, but looking at the roster right now I don't see one, and Spags' comment indicate no confidence in one either.
If I was the other teams offensive coordinator I would find out who Unga is covering and throw to that guy. Every time.
And I'm not shitting on Unga here. I like the guy. I think he'll improve. It's just that, at this time, he's a total liability in pass coverage. And I'm at a loss to understand why everyone, including the Giant coaching staff, can't see that.
Certainly the other team's offensive brain trust can.
Unga is a fast lb'r on a defense that needed a serious speed upgrade. This is his first year in actual game play. He is fast enough to cover these tight ends and some of the running backs. His pass defense techniques need work.
Best result is he learns some techniques on the fly while playing. At worst, he's a speed injection into the defense until a more complete lb'r can be found.
And he's a damn sight better than Williams and some of the other lb'rs we have had in here.
I get it, it's frustrating, but you're wasting a lot of energy over it.
Other than that Mrs. Lincoln . . . .
That said, the go ahead TD was about the worst I've seen a MLB get faked out.
Much better. The only difference is that Unga looks like he's trying and he's got Polumalu hair.
Much better. The only difference is that Unga looks like he's trying and he's got Polumalu hair.
Absolutely.
And they had plenty of time to run the ball more if the Giants put a nickel or dime package out there.
I think I would rather see Thomas in the middle before Unga.
If i am remembering correctly then id guess beason and unga would have those so with beason down you wouldnt take unga out for an extra safety.