Breelands regression

[Prowl33]

Breeland more and more lately has looked terrible. Today was embarrassing for him really. 2 years ago he looked like he could be a future breakout star...

I'm wondering how much of this is Joe Barry, because Breeland and others often just look lost... I think after this year, Barry has to go...

[DEHog]

Yea, on the TD to Spores he had one job...he looked like one of my HS DB's...

[oj]

I'm loosing faith in both Breeland & Dunbar, something wrong there.

[riggofan]

I'm wondering how much of this is Joe Barry, because Breeland and others often just look lost... I think after this year, Barry has to go...

I'm not quick to jump on the "blame the coach" stuff, but I'd agree that question has to be asked. We've seen that Breeland has the ability to play at a high level and has the athletic ability. So watching his performance yesterday, lots of mental errors - I don't think its crazy to at least ask if the coaching is an issue.

My issue with the defense right now is that we definitely have a personnel issue. But I don't think we have a 31st in the league talent issue in so many key areas.

To his credit, as god awful as the defense was in the first half, at least Barry was able to right the ship in the second half a little bit. Enough to squeak out the win.

[PAPDOG67]

Breeland has been horrendous all season. I don't even want to see him on the field anymore. Play Fuller.

[fredp45]

IMO, the problem is more about pressure than DBs.

[riggofan]

IMO, the problem is more about pressure than DBs.

I'm sure that's an issue, but listening to the broadcast on the radio yesterday, C00ley and Doc were constantly commenting about both Dunbar and Breeland positioning themselves badly, taking bad angles, making bad decisions. Ihenacho too. Pre-snap they were repeatedly saying that the secondary looked "confused".

[langleyparkjoe]

Bum... i'm calling it what it is, he's a bum.

I have no more patience with anyone on that defense, we need talent.

[Prowl33]

Bum... i'm calling it what it is, he's a bum.

I have no more patience with anyone on that defense, we need talent.

When players get worse over time, it may not be talent... he's shown in the past he has the physical tools, he just isn't using it anymore, he is getting destroyed mentally. I don't think he's dumb, I don't think he lacks preparation, I think he isn't being coached correctly and it's making a good player terrible.

[Countertrey]

Bum... i'm calling it what it is, he's a bum.

I have no more patience with anyone on that defense, we need talent.

When players get worse over time, it may not be talent... he's shown in the past he has the physical tools, he just isn't using it anymore, he is getting destroyed mentally. I don't think he's dumb, I don't think he lacks preparation, I think he isn't being coached correctly and it's making a good player terrible.

Agree. Good corners don't regress, unless they loosing their physical edge, aren't being properly coached, or are just uncoachable... I can't imagine it being the latter...

[HEROHAMO]

I think Breeland has regressed for a couple reasons. He was never a lock down corner Imho. However Breeland can succeed if put in a position to succeed.

The lack of a solid safety hurts his play as well. For example asking Breeland to cover a player like Antonio Brown one on one is just stupid. That falls on coaching. Richard Sherman was carved up this weekend a week after Earl Thomas gets injured.

Breeland is the type of corner who can be good on under 15 yard routes and stay close to Wrs. He can get beat over the top by bigger Wrs. That's were a safety is needed.

The combination of not having good safeties. Joe Barry's defensive calls, not being able to stop the run and our offensive game plan are all factors.

I think if we controlled the clock on offense win the time of possession our defense as a whole would at the very least be less exposed.

[riggofan]

Some good points, HEROHAMO. My questions would be:

1. Maybe Breeland is not a lock down corner but isn't it true if we had not lucked into Josh Norman this offseason, the team was banking on him to basically be our top corner?

2. We've seen Breeland completely shut down Dez Bryant before, so hasn't he shown that he has the potential to be that type of corner?

3. And lastly, since we've added Josh Norman, shouldn't we expect that Breeland would be better for it? Sort of like being the #2 WR on a team with Antonio Bryant or whatever?

[Burgundy&GoldForever]

We won't have to worry about Breeland's "regression" next season, when he's playing free safety.

[DarthMonk]

We won't have to worry about Breeland's "regression" next season, when he's playing free safety.

[Deadskins]

since we've added Josh Norman, shouldn't we expect that Breeland would be better for it? Sort of like being the #2 WR on a team with Antonio Bryant or whatever?

Exactly the opposite. Teams go away from a top defender like Norman, making Breeland's job that much tougher. On Offense it helps, because the defense has to double the better guy, freeing up the lesser player.

[HEROHAMO]

Some good points, HEROHAMO. My questions would be:

1. Maybe Breeland is not a lock down corner but isn't it true if we had not lucked into Josh Norman this offseason, the team was banking on him to basically be our top corner?

2. We've seen Breeland completely shut down Dez Bryant before, so hasn't he shown that he has the potential to be that type of corner?

3. And lastly, since we've added Josh Norman, shouldn't we expect that Breeland would be better for it? Sort of like being the #2 WR on a team with Antonio Bryant or whatever?

In response to no.1. We signed Josh Norman. If Scott thought Breeland was a no.1 we would never have payed for Normans services.

2. Breeland played great against Dez. So that's proof that Breeland is capable. Dez Bryant is a physical but not the fastest receiver. Antonio Brown is agile,quick and amongst the fastest in the league. On a go route most any dB needs help over the top. Breeland still stayed step for step .

3. Breelands play has suffered. I expected more like all of us. I still think he could be an asset if put in the right scheme and add more talent on the defensive side. Going into the draft I would take a safety over corner. Let's put it this way if Sean Taylor was back there we wouldn't be struggling in coverage on the basis of collective strength.

[riggofan]

3. Breelands play has suffered. I expected more like all of us. I still think he could be an asset if put in the right scheme and add more talent on the defensive side. Going into the draft I would take a safety over corner. Let's put it this way if Sean Taylor was back there we wouldn't be struggling in coverage on the basis of collective strength.

Heck, man. I'd even be happy to see Laron Landry back there!

I've always liked Breeland since we drafted him, and he stepped up to some big challenges early like covering Dez Bryant. I hope he's hearing the criticism out there this week and responds with a strong game.