The 10 Worst pass defenses in the NFL right now (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

It is not always the case but many times when a team gives up a lot of big pass plays it can translate over to FF Gold for the offense of those teams...and for good reasons.

1. When a team gives up a lot thru the air, typically the team they are giving up the yds to scores rather quickly as opposed to plodding down field slowly but surely. This means their offense gets back on the field quickly and you can sometimes get big shootouts that way. Obviously when teams are plodding along and eat up 5-8 minutes on drives that means the offense is just siiting on the bench and doing you no good. Remember, most of the time we don't give a flying turd about who wins the game(cause none of us gamble...), we just want to see a lot of points scored by our starters however it happens.

2. If we can identify the poorest secondaries then we can obviously start plugging in the QBs into a graph and see who has the easiest pass schedule. This is gives us a great tool to identify QBs that will outperform their draft slots. Chase Stuart touches on this in his QBBC articles but we need to maybe tweak it according to what we are seeing. Denver for example with Bly now added opposite Champ Bailey shoul be very hard to light up for QBs this season.

I will get this started with 2 of the most obvious from the preseason. We will tally the lists and we should have a good base to go on. If you ave a secondary in mind that maybe doesn't pop out so far but you are up on the FA moves and think they will stink to high heaven...please tell us why you are listing them.

Cinci and Detroit have to be down around the bottom of the barrell.

Updated:

1. Detroit

2. Cinci

3. Houston

4. Tennessee...are they ever just awful under Fisher?

5. Buffalo...Clements left some major holes

6. Atlanta...big names that never cover anyone

7. Miami...still not sure about this completely

8. Arizona...I still believe in Rolle

9. NYG...they seem awful on paper.

10. San Diego

11. St Louis

12. New Orleans...might need to be pushed up a bit.

GO!

 

[NYCGangGreen]

San Diego Chargers....will get lit up all year.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

San Diego Chargers....will get lit up all year.

This is interesting because I think this is the one part of their defense that is shaky...but their pass rush manages to help cover it up a bit. When Merriman is on the QB in 2-3 seconds, the DBs can usually hang on for that length of time.

 

[MarcO]

Rams

 

[Domination]

Colts & Bills

 

[prymetyme25]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Rams

Repeat offenders

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Colts & Bills

Why the Colts?And folks, don't be afraid to list 10 of them...

 

[Houston turmOiler]

Texans--team looks improved overall but this is one area that is lacking. The pass rush looks a little bit better, but still not very good as well. This makes for a bad combo. Dunta Robinson is solid, but Demarcus Faggins shouldn't be a starter. Jamar Fletcher is the nickel. Fred Bennett shows promise but isn't anything more than the #4 right now. The safeties are bad as any in the NFL. CC Brown and Jason Simmons are the starters, and Von Hutchins is in the mix as well. This is a very limited group. The pass defense will be the Texans' biggest weakness this season, IMO....

 

[GridironMenace]

Ummm, Minnesota should be the first word out of everyones mouth.

 

[RC94]

They have made up for it in the past with a strong pass rush, but the Giants' secondary is not good.

 

[Perry Ice]

Saints

 

[Padraig]

I cant name the 10 worst,but the worst is Miami. God awful secondary. The front 7 hides it some weeks,but they are brutal.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Detroit is the WORST. Period. No debate. There might have been a debate before Daniel Bullocks got hurt, but not now.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I cant name the 10 worst,but the worst is Miami. God awful secondary. The front 7 hides it some weeks,but they are brutal.

Why? Their defense was pretty solid last season, no?

 

[Domination]

In no particular order...

Colts

Texans

Vikings

Bills

Lions

Rams

Giants

Falcons

Dolphins

Chargers

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Ummm, Minnesota should be the first word out of everyones mouth.

Absolutely false. The pass defense was so bad because of the lack of pass rush, not d-back performance.1. Detroit - No question in my mind.2. Miami3. Cincinnati4. Houston5. Tennessee6. Atlanta7. Arizona8. NYG9. Buffalo10. San Diego

 

[Ministry of Pain]

In no particular order...ColtsTexansVikingsBillsLionsRamsGiantsFalconsDolphinsChargers

Thanks Dom.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

I cant name the 10 worst,but the worst is Miami. God awful secondary. The front 7 hides it some weeks,but they are brutal.

Why? Their defense was pretty solid last season, no?

I think their secondary accounted for something like ONE interception last year.

 

[nygiants56]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

NY GIANTS

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Ummm, Minnesota should be the first word out of everyones mouth.

Absolutely false. The pass defense was so bad because of the lack of pass rush, not d-back performance.1. Detroit2. Miami3. Cincinnati4. Houston5. Tennessee6. Atlanta7. Arizona8. NYG9. Buffalo10. San Diego

Solid AD...I also thought the Vikes were giving up the yards due to their stout rush defense which may be as good this season...I think most people don't care why teams give up the yds they do but I agree with you on this issue and its not a given that the Vikes will get torched in their secondary.Why Miami? Why not St Louis?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Solid AD...I also thought the Vikes were giving up the yards due to their stout rush defense which may be as good this season...I think most people don't care why teams give up the yds they do but I agree with you on this issue and its not a given that the Vikes will get torched in their secondary.

Teams are trying to pick on Cedric Griffin because Antoine Winfield is on the other side. He's looked very solid and it's not surprising given that he was probably the best cover-2 DB in the draft last year. Also, Marcus McCauley is looking like a steal and will be a very good nickel back.The safety positions are up in the air, but a combination of Sharper, Doss, Dwight Smith, and Tank Williams will be solid enough.

Why Miami? Why not St Louis?

Well, like I wrote before, the Dolphin secondary was bad this year.And I like Tye Hill.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Some other teams I would want to throw out there for discussion might be...

Kansas City: Jared Allen is gone the 1st 4 games of the season...won't that impact the pass rush and leave a so so secondary open to be torched?

Hou, TN, and Indy come up a lot and they are all in the same division...JAX will get 6 games against these teams...I'm just saying.

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Washington: When did they become a juggernaut?

Green Bay: See Washington

Seattle: Where are we at here?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Because Bodden is great, Sean Jones is underrated.

Washington: When did they become a juggernaut?

When they drafted Landry, got Smoot for a nickle and Shawn Springs healed up.

 

[cobalt_27]

Detroit is the WORST. Period. No debate. There might have been a debate before Daniel Bullocks got hurt, but not now.

 

[Penguin]

Kansas City: Jared Allen is gone the 1st 4 games of the season...won't that impact the pass rush and leave a so so secondary open to be torched?

Allen's suspension was reduced to 2 games

 

[Fanatics]

49ers - Yes they have upgraded their defense but have yet to show they can put pressure on the QB. Everyone has been able to throw against them, hell they made Grossman look all world last week. I know you are looking for a team with an offense to go along with your bad pass defense, so maybe this choice doesn't work. It will be another year of Gore, Gore and more Gore.

 

[MarcO]

Some other teams I would want to throw out there for discussion might be...

Kansas City: Jared Allen is gone the 1st 4 games of the season...won't that impact the pass rush and leave a so so secondary open to be torched?

Hou, TN, and Indy come up a lot and they are all in the same division...JAX will get 6 games against these teams...I'm just saying.

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Washington: When did they become a juggernaut?

Green Bay: See Washington

Seattle: Where are we at here?

Seattle - I think much improved. Trufant has looked great in camp and preseason, Deion Grant is a huge upgrade and Kelly Jennings has a year under his belt - still undersized but I think once he gets comfortable back there his athleticism will take over.

 

[PahtyTom]

I don't know about top ten, but easily the worst IMO are Detroit, New Orleans, and St. Louis.

edited to add: I would have put Houston in this mix as well, but Dunta Robinson has played very well so far this preseason. That said, the rest of their secondary should not be starting in the NFL.

 

[mad sweeney]

Some other teams I would want to throw out there for discussion might be...Kansas City: Jared Allen is gone the 1st 4 games of the season...won't that impact the pass rush and leave a so so secondary open to be torched?Hou, TN, and Indy come up a lot and they are all in the same division...JAX will get 6 games against these teams...I'm just saying.Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?Washington: When did they become a juggernaut?Green Bay: See WashingtonSeattle: Where are we at here?

Seattle should be nowhere near as bad as last year. Liability #1 Boulware has been relegated to dime back, liability #2 Hamlin is in Dallas. Deon Grant and Brian Russell were brought in and have made immediate impact. Near probowler Trufant and 2nd year Jennings are solid corners and rookie Wilson may push Jennings for time. Babineaux is the nickel back and always seems to come up with the big play. Julian Peterson is excellent in coverage and Tatupu isn't too shabby as well. A completely different backfield and quite frankly should do well, even in the WR talented NFCW, as long as there's a decent pass rush. I think our secondary will be a strength and looking forward to great play from the safeties.

 

[Padraig]

I cant name the 10 worst,but the worst is Miami. God awful secondary. The front 7 hides it some weeks,but they are brutal.

Why? Their defense was pretty solid last season, no?

Overall defense was good,sure. But the secondary wasnt even average. Jason Taylor led the team in INT's(2) and Zach was tied for 2nd most with 1. Of the 3 or 4 INTs by DBs,I didnt see 1 that wasnt off a bad throw created by a pass rush. Maybe they didnt give up a ton of yards and that distorts things,but they couldnt cover anyone.

 

[chris1969]

I'm really surprised that NO wasn't mentioned more here.

 

[coolnerd]

Of no real surprise, most of the teams in this thread also lask a dynamic pass rush. Even with medicore at best secendary talent, a team that gets after the passer can cover talent issues in the secondary.

 

[coolnerd]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

Average coverage skills would be a significant improvement.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

Of no real surprise, most of the teams in this thread also lask a dynamic pass rush. Even with medicore at best secendary talent, a team that gets after the passer can cover talent issues in the secondary.

Miami?

 

[Gottabesweet]

Agree with the Bills CB's at least.

McGee is not a number one corner, Webster is very very bad. Youboty can't take advantage and Thomas/Greer are nothing more than nickel corners.

Whitner is good and Simpson over- commits sometimes and the Linebackers are the youngest core in the league.

Bills Secondary will be poor and they will be drafting a Corner at 7-12 range.

 

[ThePittbully]

Saints

 

[Keith Lewis]

49ers - Yes they have upgraded their defense but have yet to show they can put pressure on the QB. Everyone has been able to throw against them, hell they made Grossman look all world last week. I know you are looking for a team with an offense to go along with your bad pass defense, so maybe this choice doesn't work. It will be another year of Gore, Gore and more Gore.

I think the OP was asking about the secondaries, not the influence of a bad Dline on a secondary. As far as the 49ers secondary goes it's a top 5 secondary in the league. Clements is a top corner, Harris is coming off a pro bowl, Michael Lewis is pretty good, and Keith Lewis will be taking over for Mark Roman in the very near future.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

I cant name the 10 worst,but the worst is Miami. God awful secondary. The front 7 hides it some weeks,but they are brutal.

Why? Their defense was pretty solid last season, no?

It's a perception thing. Teams like NE and NYJ don't bother trying to run against the SOLID run D, so the secondary gets picked on. They are not atrocious, just the weakest link. The maddening part is that how they are built is NOT condusive to good fantasy production, and they will go too early in most league drafts.

 

[Buckna]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

Average coverage skills would be a significant improvement.

Indeed. The Texans have never had a starting caliber safety in their existence. They have no #2 corner since the release of Aaron Glenn 2 years ago (and the trade for waste of space Patrick Buchanon) and much like their treatment of the safety position they are trying to rely on converted nickelbacks and/or below average talent to get by.The team has invested 4 1st round picks on D'line to upgrade the pass rush but results have been spotty to inconsistent at best. IMHO, a good defense starts at the front and works its way back so perhaps they improve this year, they looked much better against the Cowboys saturday.

 

[prymetyme25]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

Average coverage skills would be a significant improvement.

Indeed. The Texans have never had a starting caliber safety in their existence. They have no #2 corner since the release of Aaron Glenn 2 years ago (and the trade for waste of space Patrick Buchanon) and much like their treatment of the safety position they are trying to rely on converted nickelbacks and/or below average talent to get by.The team has invested 4 1st round picks on D'line to upgrade the pass rush but results have been spotty to inconsistent at best. IMHO, a good defense starts at the front and works its way back so perhaps they improve this year, they looked much better against the Cowboys saturday.

Wrong. They did have one but Casserly and crew didn't think he was good enough to even be rostered. Glad they couldn't spot talent!!Signed,

Marlon McRee

ETA: I also thought L. Sanders played very well across from Dunta last. Cant understand why we keep cutting guys that have the talent to be players in this league.

Peek

S. Foley

Sanders

McRee

 

[Chaka]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Cleveland will finish the year with a bottom 5 rush D but the pass D may end up average or even a little above. They will be playing from behind a ton and opponents will grind out long sustained drives on the ground when playing with the lead.

 

[chris1969]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Cleveland will finish the year with a bottom 5 rush D but the pass D may end up average or even a little above. They will be playing from behind a ton and opponents will grind out long sustained drives on the ground when playing with the lead.

That's not even close to a good analysis. It may have been true 2 years ago, but if you haven't noticed Bodden has been playing RCB because of the talent of rookie Eric Wright. (Romeo does not normally start rookies, Eric started week 1 and bumped Bodden of all players to the right) Free agent Ken Wright was bumped by second year Daven Holly for the nickel spot. Brandon Mcdonald has looked really good in camp and his hoping to get some playing time on both special teams and in the dime package. Sean Jones is already playing at a Pro-Bowl level and is a stalwart. Brodney Pool played well enough for the Browns to make Brian Russell expendable. Pool is probably the weak link right now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pro-Bowl appearance by him this year. Mel tucker and Todd Grantham have done a lot more with less for years with the db's and they are stacked with talent this year, and Gary Baxter is in the mix to fill in at both corner and safety. Yeah teams will run on them but not on the outside unless someone gets hurt. They will run up the middle like crazy, because we don't have a NT which is death for a 3-4 defense, but the LB's will overcompensate. The Db's will have a great year this year.

 

[PahtyTom]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Cleveland will finish the year with a bottom 5 rush D but the pass D may end up average or even a little above. They will be playing from behind a ton and opponents will grind out long sustained drives on the ground when playing with the lead.

That's not even close to a good analysis. It may have been true 2 years ago, but if you haven't noticed Bodden has been playing RCB because of the talent of rookie Eric Wright. (Romeo does not normally start rookies, Eric started week 1 and bumped Bodden of all players to the right) Free agent Ken Wright was bumped by second year Daven Holly for the nickel spot. Brandon Mcdonald has looked really good in camp and his hoping to get some playing time on both special teams and in the dime package. Sean Jones is already playing at a Pro-Bowl level and is a stalwart. Brodney Pool played well enough for the Browns to make Brian Russell expendable. Pool is probably the weak link right now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pro-Bowl appearance by him this year. Mel tucker and Todd Grantham have done a lot more with less for years with the db's and they are stacked with talent this year, and Gary Baxter is in the mix to fill in at both corner and safety. Yeah teams will run on them but not on the outside unless someone gets hurt. They will run up the middle like crazy, because we don't have a NT which is death for a 3-4 defense, but the LB's will overcompensate. The Db's will have a great year this year.

I have to question you on the safeties, Pool and Jones. IMO they are both average, and have played that way.

 

[Afro Samurai]

I'm really surprised that NO wasn't mentioned more here.

The facts don't support it. You just don't finish in the top 12 in both yardage and scoring if you're one of the worst defenses in the league. The Saints may not have a great defense but the way people talk about them you would think they absolutely suck.

 

[Buckna]

Until the texans get a above average FS you got to put them up there too.

Average coverage skills would be a significant improvement.

Indeed. The Texans have never had a starting caliber safety in their existence. They have no #2 corner since the release of Aaron Glenn 2 years ago (and the trade for waste of space Patrick Buchanon) and much like their treatment of the safety position they are trying to rely on converted nickelbacks and/or below average talent to get by.The team has invested 4 1st round picks on D'line to upgrade the pass rush but results have been spotty to inconsistent at best. IMHO, a good defense starts at the front and works its way back so perhaps they improve this year, they looked much better against the Cowboys saturday.

Wrong. They did have one but Casserly and crew didn't think he was good enough to even be rostered. Glad they couldn't spot talent!!Signed,

Marlon McRee

ETA: I also thought L. Sanders played very well across from Dunta last. Cant understand why we keep cutting guys that have the talent to be players in this league.

Peek

S. Foley

Sanders

McRee

Meh. McRee is nothing special. He had an okay year in Carolina but not good enough to keep them from cutting him the next offseason. He then managed to win a starting spot at free safety with the Chargers which sounds much more auspicious than it is. Did you not notice the previous posts above that talk about the Chargers having one of the worst secondaries in the league? A guy on his 4th different team in 7 years doesn't seem that impressive to me. He's also been injury prone his entire career.Sanders is on his 5th team in 8 years (including such powerhouses as the Texans, Detroit and Cleveland twice!) 7 of his 19 career starts came as a Texan. He's a starter for Atlanta for now, but he only has rookie Chris Houston for competition. I'd also list Atlanta in the running for one of the worse secondaries in the league.

Peek can't even get a starting spot on the Browns right now. These guys may have been starters at times, but it reads like a who's who of journeymen stopgap players.

 

[chris1969]

I'm really surprised that NO wasn't mentioned more here.

The facts don't support it. You just don't finish in the top 12 in both yardage and scoring if you're one of the worst defenses in the league. The Saints may not have a great defense but the way people talk about them you would think they absolutely suck.

I don't think the defense sucks, I just think the DB's are poor, they can make up for it with a decent pass rush though.

 

[Chaka]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Cleveland will finish the year with a bottom 5 rush D but the pass D may end up average or even a little above. They will be playing from behind a ton and opponents will grind out long sustained drives on the ground when playing with the lead.

That's not even close to a good analysis. It may have been true 2 years ago, but if you haven't noticed Bodden has been playing RCB because of the talent of rookie Eric Wright. (Romeo does not normally start rookies, Eric started week 1 and bumped Bodden of all players to the right) Free agent Ken Wright was bumped by second year Daven Holly for the nickel spot. Brandon Mcdonald has looked really good in camp and his hoping to get some playing time on both special teams and in the dime package. Sean Jones is already playing at a Pro-Bowl level and is a stalwart. Brodney Pool played well enough for the Browns to make Brian Russell expendable. Pool is probably the weak link right now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pro-Bowl appearance by him this year. Mel tucker and Todd Grantham have done a lot more with less for years with the db's and they are stacked with talent this year, and Gary Baxter is in the mix to fill in at both corner and safety. Yeah teams will run on them but not on the outside unless someone gets hurt. They will run up the middle like crazy, because we don't have a NT which is death for a 3-4 defense, but the LB's will overcompensate. The Db's will have a great year this year.

From an IDP perspective I think the Browns DBs will rack up a lot of tackles but, I don't think they have much upside for scoring TDs because they will have a very few pass attempts against. Neither of these makes them a good pass defense. Besides I thought we were talking about team pass defense not IDP potential.My post said they will finish middle of the pack on pass D. I think that is a generous assessment. Are you anticipating top 10? Top 5? But you missed the point of my post, I think the Browns will have a bottom 5 rush D because they will be playing from behind most of the season. Their offense isn't exactly poised to put up a lot of points and I think their opponents will have plenty of opportunity to run on them. The pass D will benefit from this.

And let's not get ahead of ourselves on Wright, he is still a rookie. And if Bodden is so good why did he lose his LCB job to a rookie? And if Pool is the weak link and still makes the pro bowl does that mean the entire Browns secondary will be in the pro bowl?

Jones is solid, no question. Everyone else

 

[Afro Samurai]

I just think the DB's are poor

And you would be wrong. The secondary performed very well for most of the year. Just because Fred Thomas fell apart in the last 3 games of the season does not make the entire secondary "poor".

 

[chris1969]

Cleveland: Are we neutral on them now? Why?

Cleveland will finish the year with a bottom 5 rush D but the pass D may end up average or even a little above. They will be playing from behind a ton and opponents will grind out long sustained drives on the ground when playing with the lead.

That's not even close to a good analysis. It may have been true 2 years ago, but if you haven't noticed Bodden has been playing RCB because of the talent of rookie Eric Wright. (Romeo does not normally start rookies, Eric started week 1 and bumped Bodden of all players to the right) Free agent Ken Wright was bumped by second year Daven Holly for the nickel spot. Brandon Mcdonald has looked really good in camp and his hoping to get some playing time on both special teams and in the dime package. Sean Jones is already playing at a Pro-Bowl level and is a stalwart. Brodney Pool played well enough for the Browns to make Brian Russell expendable. Pool is probably the weak link right now and I wouldn't be surprised to see a Pro-Bowl appearance by him this year. Mel tucker and Todd Grantham have done a lot more with less for years with the db's and they are stacked with talent this year, and Gary Baxter is in the mix to fill in at both corner and safety. Yeah teams will run on them but not on the outside unless someone gets hurt. They will run up the middle like crazy, because we don't have a NT which is death for a 3-4 defense, but the LB's will overcompensate. The Db's will have a great year this year.

From an IDP perspective I think the Browns DBs will rack up a lot of tackles but, I don't think they have much upside for scoring TDs because they will have a very few pass attempts against. Neither of these makes them a good pass defense. Besides I thought we were talking about team pass defense not IDP potential.My post said they will finish middle of the pack on pass D. I think that is a generous assessment. Are you anticipating top 10? YESTop 5? But you missed the point of my post, I think the Browns will have a bottom 5 rush D because they will be playing from behind most of the season. Their offense isn't exactly poised to put up a lot of points and I think their opponents will have plenty of opportunity to run on them. The pass D will benefit from this.

I disagree here, I think the offense will run a ton and try to be a ball control offense. I'm not expecting an improvement at QB, but a big improvement in philosophy, which will make the QB job easier. I really belive that Lewis will as good for Cleveland as he was for Baltimore. I also belive that our QB's now are better than their QB's were in his time and our offensive plan is much better than theirs.

And let's not get ahead of ourselves on Wright, he is still a rookie. Saw him in camp, he is GodAnd if Bodden is so good why did he lose his LCB job to a rookie? He's only JesusAnd if Pool is the weak link and still makes the pro bowl does that mean the entire Browns secondary will be in the pro bowl? That's the first smart thing you've said

Jones is solid, no question. Everyone else I'm glad you're sure his the best DB, I've watched the db's in camp and they all look good.