r/Seahawks • u/Sweaty_Desert_Balls • Oct 06 '25
Press Conference Coach Mike Taking Full Responsibility for the Defensive Gameplan Today. Says He Will Be Better Moving Forward.
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u/Goatgamer1016 Fortuitous Bust Oct 06 '25
I'm glad to have a coach who owns up to his mishaps
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u/3elieveIt HawkStar '23-'24 Oct 06 '25
We’ve been lucky with coaches in that regard (and others!)
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u/JayBuhnersBarber Oct 06 '25
Pete took bullets and fell on swords for his subordinates, as any excellent leader should.
The buck always stops with the HC, regardless of their "specialty." Accountability is King.
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u/3elieveIt HawkStar '23-'24 Oct 06 '25
Pete did it better than anyone.
He took credit for the Super Bowl losing pass. As if he has ever called offensive plays in his life!
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u/JayBuhnersBarber Oct 06 '25
I've modeled my leadership abilities almost exclusively around Pete!
Give enough rope to make mistakes and learn while shielding and protecting against any calculated rolls of the dice.
It's trusting you're Aces to make the right call in their respective places, but also understanding that nobody has a 100% hit-rate.
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u/AudioShepard Oct 06 '25
There is a limit to that trust tho. I give people a lot of rope, but sometimes they’ll hang themselves.
It’s a delicate thing. I think it came around to hurt him in the later years. Sometimes people need to be held accountable.
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u/MysticalMango21 Oct 06 '25
Pete was loyal to a fault. Despite that I still see it as a very admirable quality
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u/JayBuhnersBarber Oct 06 '25
The rope always cuts both ways.
That's the beauty of the rope. It can be your best friend or your worst enemy.
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u/Aggravating_Neck3931 Oct 06 '25
You delusional? Pete never took responsibility for that play. Every time he deflected or gave a vague answer. He never said, "I made that call, I'm sorry everyone." Never apologized nothing. Just kept saying, "it was the worst result from a play" yada yada yada. I would have more respect from Pete if he actually said, "WE made the call and WE failed. I'm sorry everyone." To this day we don't know if it was the OC, Pete, or Russell that made that call. The literal reason why the LOB broke up.
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u/3elieveIt HawkStar '23-'24 Oct 06 '25
I just… this is so googleable…. He took credit so many times…. I don’t even know what to say when someone is so wrong and there’s so much evidence against them
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u/Aggravating_Neck3931 Oct 06 '25
Here you go buddy, Pete is saying he liked the philosophy. Not saying who did it when asked about the play direct. A very political answer. https://youtube.com/shorts/TsRxd5tPL6U?si=8pD591-x1ZpZyOHo
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u/JayBuhnersBarber Oct 06 '25
Exactly.
Regardless of every individuals personal feelings regarding that play, they don't change the sheer fact that that play "just happened."
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u/Aggravating_Neck3931 Oct 06 '25
From the most recent podcast with Richard Sherman. Pete never stated he made that call, Sherm directly asked him. And he gave the most political answer you could give. Didn't say who made the call just a vague answer.
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u/Aggravating_Neck3931 Oct 06 '25
And at this point, when the team is broken up and people want a definitive answer to give his response in that interview was slightly disrespectful.
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u/LowEffortChampion Oct 06 '25
I have a hard time believing Pete wasn't heavily involved with what the OC was going with in SB 49 with under 2 minutes to go and at the goal line to win the game. He might not have designed the play or called it, but I'm sure there was some level of blessing off by the HC to what the OC was going with. If not, that would be pretty damnening of Pete to just defer all his responsibility of HC to an assistant in such a high leverage situation.
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u/AlmosTryin Oct 06 '25
Ummm he has and does call offensive plays during certain situations. He called Ryans TD pass on special teams. The HC no matter their specialty has influence on gane plan and certain packages and "trick" plays and when they want them done they can call it. Dan Campbell is another one who does it
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u/Squatch11 Oct 06 '25
Same. Sign of a good leader.
Even though it isn't his fault the D-line couldn't generate any pressure all game and his secondary was full of fringe NFL guys.
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u/ItsMeYourNeighbors Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
If it wasn't obvious already, Love is clearly crucial to our team. Our defense looked entirely different today. But it's hard to blame Macdonald for all the sloppy tackling in the first half. Also if he could tell Kubiak to knock it off with the Milroe packages that would be great.
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u/furmat60 Oct 06 '25
I hope he finally learned his lesson on the milroe plays.
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u/OkNefariousness284 Oct 06 '25
As many have said, if we want to give milroe reps, do it in games like with the saints. The way we implement him is just so strange
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u/exoriparian Oct 06 '25
First of all, putting him in only when they intend to run with him is so dumb. Might as well just call up the defense and tell them the plan. I don't know if it would make sense to play him alongside Darnold (at the same time) but if not they need to give him either more reps as a passer or stop using him entirely.
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u/modernmann Oct 06 '25
He is for sure. The other key guy is Lawrence, he’s the motor
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u/1620081392477 Oct 06 '25
Lawrence, Hall, Spoon, Love, and Woolen are all key starting pieces on our defense. It was a rough day, and with so many second and third stringers even our fringe starters would be struggling having to pick up more slack than they could probably manage (e.g. Jobe, Bryant, Knight)
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u/REDTrouttt Oct 06 '25
The tackling was the most infuriating part. The amount of times I'd see their players just brush off those arm tackles made me want to burn my house down. Definitely no 'Boom' to this legion.
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u/ItsMeYourNeighbors Oct 06 '25
They were doing better in the second half, but leaving Egbuka open was too much to overcome regardless of the tackling.
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u/CharmingWheel328 "I'm just here so I won't get fined" Oct 06 '25
I cannot believe they're putting a rookie in on tight scoring games. I don't care how good he's supposed to be, he's green and getting used to the NFL. He needs time to sit. We have a good QB, let's let him do what he is being paid to do.
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u/bluespider21 Oct 06 '25
There is not a lot of game planning to get around Pritchett or Okada being on the field to be honest. Hope Love and others can get healthy.
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u/Uncivil_Bar_9778 Oct 06 '25
Is this the same sub that what’s to get rid of Riq Woolin?
He’s not a lock down but it’s clear he’s the best option we have right now.
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u/1620081392477 Oct 06 '25
Exactly. He does some things well and some things ok-ish and our coach can work with that. But when he has half his defense being mid because they are second or third stringers there is no one left to pick up the slack of the others and things can fall apart fast
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u/-Vertical Oct 06 '25
I’m ready to forget this game happened and go on a 10 game win streak
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u/OkNefariousness284 Oct 06 '25
I feel it’s very possible in the good news for us be 5-2 going into the bye week
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u/Searching-man Oct 06 '25
It's like someone put a curse on us this week
Hopefully we get our safeties back. This should get back on course when Love and Spoon return
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u/ND7020 Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
Why can’t we have real football discussion on this sub…it’s always toxic optimism. You aren’t a witch, and posting something unrealistic about our solid but far from perfect team that just had a rough loss isn’t going to create some magic luck for them.
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u/Annual-Sympathy-4934 Oct 06 '25
yeah man the real football discussion is always better when were overtly negative... no one is stopping you from critiquing the substance of mcdonalds schemes man, why dont you do some research and make a post. people are ALSO allowed to feel optimistic about so much of our team.
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u/ND7020 Oct 06 '25
Is there a balance between being "overtly negative" and saying "hey guys don't say anything about the game, we're going to win 10 straight"?
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u/ItsMeYourNeighbors Oct 06 '25
You are allowed to say whatever you want about the game. But it's also fair to say that this game seemed completely out of character compared to the way the team has been performing all season. If we look like this next week then it's time to start worrying.
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u/Annual-Sympathy-4934 Oct 06 '25
Is there something about this persons comment that is preventing you from posting about that balance? or are you the arbiter of being a fan of the seahawks???
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u/Timothahh Oct 06 '25
The comment was hyperbolic, they’re not saying we’re going on a 10 game winning streak just that he’s ready for them to do great after this
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u/GarconMeansBoyGeorge Oct 06 '25
Because what the fuck else can we control as fans other than our attitudes?
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u/chizzipsandsizalsa Oct 06 '25
Ahh yes I should just be fucking miserable and gloomy about it all week instead.
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u/-Vertical Oct 06 '25
You want me to suit up? Send a letter to Mike saying to run more cover 3? Lmao
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Oct 06 '25
Toxic optimism? 😂😂😂
Every fucking game thread are calls to fire Kubiak and trade Woolen. It’s 80% fucking doomers in here.
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u/UniversalHarvester Oct 06 '25
Watched this game in person. Felt like too much zone coverage. The zone stuff works well if the pass rush is clicking but without it bucs we’re basically a hot knife through butter
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u/ilickedysharks Oct 06 '25
Sadly cant really play aggressive man coverage without Spoon Riq and Love
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u/1620081392477 Oct 06 '25
Exactly. Like watching Pritchett get torched on that one TD pass. The safety should have stayed over the top maybe but even then I don't think it would have mattered he got beat so bad
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u/NigerianPrince76 Oct 06 '25
On a positive note though…..
Our offense is LEGIT and it’s clicking at the right time.
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u/feelingoodwednesday Oct 06 '25
I actually will take this silver living. Darnold is really fkn good. 4 tds, fluke pick at the end there. Im much less concerned that our D will regain elite form under MM than I was certain our offense was going to be a viable threat. We're 3-2 with a not that hard schedule this season. I see no reason why we aren't at minimum a wildcard playoff team that can be dangerous.
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Oct 06 '25
Im bummed as hell, but I'm even more stoked for Seahawks football than I was yesterday. This squad has the stuff. Once our D is healthy we're gonna run over most of our schedule.
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u/gfregh Oct 06 '25
Honest question. Any news that we get some key defensive players back for the Jags game?
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u/AKboi69 Oct 06 '25
mike mac is good at improving the team after games but he needs to become better at in game adjustments
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u/JokerDeSilva10 Oct 06 '25
To be fair, I've heard from actual players that in-game adjustments are kind of a myth. I'm not sure how realistic that is for any team in the league.
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u/Neuraxis Oct 06 '25
Play calls and staregies evolve over the course of a game. Half time is just a longer break to adjust to what you're seeing. For example the up tick in the blitz rate over time tonight after the lack of 4 man pressure success.
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u/xodus52 Oct 06 '25
It'd be awesome if there were some sort of play coordinator position that could handle this exact function throughout the game. 🤔
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u/NoSweatWarchief Oct 06 '25
Poor tackling and turnovers will kill any defense, but can we all just agree that Egbuka is that mfer and give him and Baker credit?
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u/breaststroker42 Oct 06 '25
Egbuka is so good. And so is Baker. They played a great game. But we also made mistakes. It was a winnable game despite them and that’s why I’m so bummed.
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u/chewbaccalaureate Oct 06 '25
I'm sure Egbuka had his family from Steilacoom in attendance and had that extra fire in him to show out. Super happy for the local kid, I just wish he would have toned it down a little bit.
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u/neongem Oct 06 '25
Get Pritchett off the team!
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u/2JZGTEAristo Oct 06 '25
For real, why the hell wasn't Shaq Griffin playing?!
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u/neongem Oct 06 '25
Seriously, why is he even on the roster if he’s not getting those snaps?? Pritchett is not an NFL player, he’s never passed the eye test for me even in preseason. He should not even be on the roster, let alone see significant snaps like that in a big game.
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u/Lamar_ScrOdom_ Oct 06 '25
Baker is fucking great at attacking weaknesses. They had a great game plan. On to next week. Live & learn.
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u/UpstairsOk6744 Oct 06 '25
The silver lining in all of this is knowing that Darnold can hang in a QB shootout. With the offense being able to carry the load the way it did, imagine the Hawks when the defense is clicking the way it should. We have a Super Bowl in our future.
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u/ChuckNorrisUSAF Oct 06 '25
A leader owns his mistakes and doesn’t look to blame others. We landed a good one.
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Oct 06 '25
We were hurt. If healthy we can compete with anybody but second string secondary is going to get torched by any competent qb and baker did just that. Hope we’re fully healthy and see them in the playoffs.
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u/modernmann Oct 06 '25
Counterpoint SF was gutted on all sides on Thursday.
We definitely had our issues today, personal and effort is part, coaching and game plan is the other.
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u/Drummallumin Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
Much more injured offensively than defensively and when you have Shanahan that almost doesn’t matter (and we can see their red zone issues still). Defensively they still have good talent… not like they generated much pressure without bosa.
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u/modernmann Oct 06 '25
Agreed they have Selah and Wright navigating the D too!
We are early in our fresh tenure, but we are heading the right direction, I’m reasonably confident we will get it cleaned up
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u/1620081392477 Oct 06 '25
I'm happy that I also think we are heading in the right direction, and as far as good or bad losses go ours have been close games against good opponents, so I can't be too sad.
If we manage to weather/manage the injuries and take care of business we could still be comfortably in the playoffs with 10 or more wins thanks to an easy schedule, and if we are healthy at the right time we can beat these teams too. I don't think anyone looks unbeatable this year compared to other years
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u/modernmann Oct 06 '25
Agreed they have Selah and Wright navigating the D too!
We are early in our fresh tenure, but we are heading the right direction, I’m reasonably confident we will get it cleaned up
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u/KzzyJay Oct 06 '25
Great point these injury excuses are getting old, Sf is heavily injured but guess what… they still find ways to win even against a good division rival.
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u/PrestonfromLibira Oct 06 '25
How come we have no pass rush against a buccaneers o line that is banged up like hell?
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u/Riversmooth Oct 06 '25
This is what really hurt the most. Mayfield had too much time in the pocket.
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u/Agitated-Musician267 Oct 06 '25
The cardinals snatching defeat from the jaws of victory saved today for me.
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u/werewolf2112 Oct 06 '25
As a fan of this franchise for almost 35 years, not surprised we lost this game, not disappointed. But regardless at least we have a coach that doesn't candy coat mishaps like Pete did
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u/mackattack3381 Oct 06 '25
Lmao this coach is so overrated but hey good guy so it’s ok we keep losing at home
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u/Prestigious_Neat_738 Oct 06 '25
I didn’t hear the whole presser did he also take responsibility for the unexplainable Milroe package?
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u/Sweaty_Desert_Balls Oct 06 '25
Nobody asked about it. Was a pretty short presser at a little over 6 minutes.
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u/Soft-Government-8315 Oct 06 '25
Defense really misses Demarcus Lawrence. His pressure rate is the highest on the team
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u/Ikolkyo Oct 06 '25
Hard to game plan when you have practice squad players all over the secondary
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u/TheQuaestagator Oct 06 '25
But when it’s this bad… like why? Did the Bucs come out with new things that they weren’t prepared for? Did he ask players to do things they couldn’t?
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u/OkNefariousness284 Oct 06 '25
Simple: we came in with a very injured secondary which only got more banged up as it went on. Now due to the fact Baker is a really good QB, and Egbuka is currently pushing for OROY, they were able to take advantage of our c list guys out there like they should’ve
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u/ItsMeYourNeighbors Oct 06 '25
I think Egbuka is just a really GD good receiver. And without, Love, Spoon, or Woolen we didn't have anyone to keep up with him one on one. I was hoping after a while they would've just double covered him all game.
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Oct 06 '25
What was the mishap? What was the lack of preparedness? They went out their and played their brand of football? How were we not schemed to challenge that? They threw no surprises.
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u/1620081392477 Oct 06 '25
I think injuries killed us today. Pass rush and coverage work together and if one is too weak the other will also struggle, and we were thin on both ends. Really hoping Hall will be ok
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u/MathematicianBig1322 Oct 06 '25
I fuckin love this dude
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u/mackattack3381 Oct 06 '25
I don’t like him at all. lol just a matter of time before the fans wake up. Glad for sports gambling 🤑
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u/loki1337 Oct 06 '25
I'm really grateful for that Boeing advertisement, that reminds me I need to put in an order for 20 777-9s
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u/xaviertillmanenjoyer Oct 06 '25
Atleast he understands he fucked up. But words aren’t enough i want the Jaguars on a fucking spit next game or his words mean nothing.
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u/ND7020 Oct 06 '25 edited Oct 06 '25
That's good.
Unfortunately while he has made undeniable, tangible improvements to our defense, and we have sometimes looked excellent, we have yet to look like a great (or even particularly good) defense against a good opposing offense in his tenure. We have rocked bad offenses, for sure. We don't have a lot of great tests on our schedule this season, but that remains a major proving ground for this regime.
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u/RomanBangs Oct 06 '25
It’s tough because we seem to be injured a lot of the time when we do have these tests, see this game and last years Lions game
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u/ND7020 Oct 06 '25
Weren’t we pretty healthy for the Packers last year?
But also the Bucs had Mike Evans out who is better than any player on our D, TBF.
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u/Squatch11 Oct 06 '25
The next step this defense needs to take to get to that great/excellent level is to find a true game wrecking edge rusher and get more depth everywhere but D-line.
Today's game would've been a lot different if we had anyone that could generate consistent pressure on the edge.
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Oct 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Altruistic-Pipe-2134 Oct 06 '25
we can blame him and pritchett for blown coverages or missed assignments all we want, would it really kill us to admit that this game is like the lions game last year? Egbuka is just that mufuckin guy and Baker played out of his damn mind today.
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Oct 06 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Altruistic-Pipe-2134 Oct 06 '25
Oh i never wrote him off, I knew this game was honestly going to be a bit of a coinflip, unfortunately that coin flip didnt go our way
(damn you perna curse wheel)
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u/BruceIrvin13 Oct 06 '25
Missing their RG and RT, two stud WRs, and a good RB and still put up 38 on us. Terrible performance.
But glad to see Mike own it. It's a long season and we can still go on a huge run.
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u/serpentear Oct 06 '25
Dude is falling on the sword for his guys which you love to see, but that was a bad performance by our backups and in some cases the backup to the backup.
Hardly on Mac.
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u/_redacteduser Oct 06 '25
You gotta rush the QB, you can't expect mid DBs to cover for 4+ seconds on every single play. Saying this as a Hawks and Broncos fan :)
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u/BigBallsMalone Oct 06 '25
Yeah we need more pass rush. Our interior is stacked but the edge is a bunch of mid ass mutha fuckas if we are being honest
At this point we definitely need to add somebody unless hall is good to go next week. Tank being out hurts
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u/Ballhawker65 Oct 06 '25
So many injuries on defense. It goes to show that there's a big difference between starters and backups in this league. The Bucs saw where our injuries were and exploited it.
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u/BradMoe Oct 06 '25
Yes. When a team can put over 30 points on the board, you should win unless your defense sucks like they did yesterday.
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u/Maugrin Oct 07 '25
I mean, the defense was down basically their entire starting secondary. Like, sure, he's supposed to say this, but it's not the gameplan's fault that a bunch of backups can't cover one of the best WR groups in the league.
Other teams are allowed to play well even against good teams. The Bucs had a great game offensively and we didn't have our difference makers in the secondary to catch up. That's it from my perspective. Move on to the next game.
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u/QuasiContract Oct 06 '25
Good. That was some dog shit coaching, straight up.
Any more of that and you have to wonder why he is even here. Totally unacceptable for a supposed defensive coach who retains play calling responsibility to have a defense perform like that.
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u/TheRage469 Oct 06 '25
To be fair, its hard to be worse. But also, good on him for taking responsibility
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u/BayAreaKrakHead Oct 06 '25
Respect to McDonald for taking the blame vs saying pass rush wasn’t good enough etc and putting the blame on the players. This will galvanize the team.
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u/Livid_Tadpole7040 Oct 06 '25
Don't just take responsibility do something about it should have beaten niners and the bucks
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u/HawkingRegime Oct 06 '25
I honestly felt lack of pass rush just killed us today. Baker with that time will beat virtually any defense in the league