Which starter deserves the most "heat" from fans?

[AvengerRam]

Which guy in the starting lineup needs to step it up?

[HUbison]

Just my opinion and everyone is free to theirs, but this is a no brainer..........T Fish has got to become a better cover man. His coverage skills are just too light. Why? I have no idea, but he could lead this team in tackles if opposing QBs keep throwing at him.

[RAMMAN68]

Just my opinion and everyone is free to theirs, but this is a no brainer..........T Fish has got to become a better cover man. His coverage skills are just too light. Why? I have no idea, but he could lead this team in tackles if opposing QBs keep throwing at him.

Definitely T. Fish; IMO he is a good nickel and dime back, but not a starter. With 11 tackles, he is in the top 6 on the team. Maybe if he didn't play 5+ yards off the WR, he would have a few picks and or passes defensed.

The DT's need a mention here as well. I know Kennedy has an injury, but the interior line needs to get better penetration, especially against the run.

[ramsbruce]

If T Fish wasn't on this list I would say none of them, but since he is it's T Fish.

[maineram]

Of the players mentioned I'd have to go with Fisher. He seems to be playing catchup to a receiver when the ball is in the air most of the time. At least he's making the tackle, albeit 18 yards down field. I say put Hill in his spot to see what he can do, and put Fisher in as the nickel back.

Where is Butler ????? Inactive for the first three games ??? Maybe he should be featured in the, "Where are they now" !!

Maineram -

[RAMFANRAIDERHATER]

Just my opinion and everyone is free to theirs, but this is a no brainer..........T Fish has got to become a better cover man. His coverage skills are just too light. Why? I have no idea, but he could lead this team in tackles if opposing QBs keep throwing at him.

Totally agree. I can't agree with Klop because, if you ain't gettin' the rock, you can't do anything with the rock. But I think we need to get him the rock, so the heat is on Linehan and Bulger to throw it his way. We can't keep relying on Holt in every clutch situation.

T. Fisher does play way too far off the line, IMO. Afraid to give up the big play? And you're right, he has the tackles because teams are going after him. ...and they're going after him because they know he's a weak link. Heck, if I'm the QB, and I look over and see him playing 10 yards off the ball, I'd dink and dunk his butt to death. Too easy to get underneath him. He needs to press the receiver a little more and take him out of his pattern early.

[RealRam]

RFRH, you beat me to it! I was the first to vote for 'Other' in the poll because I wanted to add that twist to the question. That is, most of the "heat" coming from us fans should be directed to the coaching staff in general, with the exception, IMO, of Coach Haslett.

You rightly pointed out a perfect example in TE Klopfenstein. Others in the offense are in the very same situation. Not only because they're not being given the 'rock' as you mentioned, but because the game plans, play book, style, etc., have been a little flaky, really, to start the season.

Good news? Seems we are about to see all that change for the better! :r

[Barry Waller]

Not thrilled about putting too much "heat" on a starter, especially a defensive player, three weeks into the season. Stuff like injuries have a lot to do with how guys perform, so it often isn't fair. It's hard to judge linemen because you often don't know the assignments, and who messed up or got beat.

Can you judge a RB or QB where they get no blocking protection? I don't think so. Football is a team game, so pointing fingers, especially now, seems like a waste and a real concerted effort to keep looking for the negative.

Besides why start ripping a player when there is no one better for sure they can play. That kind of stuff seems better fit into post season talk, when replacements can be had.

Now, as far as who might be pushed for his job on the roster the most, which is more a positive commentary, where it is the result of the strength of the backup corps, I would say that it's only amatter of time before Travis Fisher is supplanted by 1st rounder Tye Hill.

That's not unexpected at all, with Fisher a free agent after this season. Hill alreday comes in at CB in the nickel, with Fisher moving inside to nickel back. That will make it an easy transition when Hill is ready to be the #1 guy all the time, with Fisher still in on the nickel in the same spot he is in now.

[Fortuninerhater]

Well, I guess that ends this thread. Well said Barry.

[RamsFan16]

I agree. Fisher has been the worst, he starts and he shoud prove he starts for a reason.

I so badly want to see Tye Hill starting!

[RealRam]

Football is a team game, so pointing fingers, especially now, seems like a waste and a real concerted effort to keep looking for the negative. -- B. Waller

Very nice and opportune admonition. :r Thanks.

[Nick]

Maybe if he didn't play 5+ yards off the WR, he would have a few picks and or passes defensed.

T. Fisher does play way too far off the line, IMO.

Okay, question. Do either of you think that a player's pre-snap position and alignment on the field is at all determined by the defensive scheme or coaching? Or is it completely up to the player where and how he lines up on the field?

You seem to be blaming Fisher for something that I think is more of a coaching and scheme issue. I would assume that if Fisher isn't supposed to be lining up with a few yards of cushion between him and the receiver, then he'd be pulled pretty quickly for not being where he's supposed to be.

[tanus]

Okay, question. Do either of you think that a player's pre-snap position and alignment on the field is at all determined by the defensive scheme or coaching? Or is it completely up to the player where and how he lines up on the field?

You seem to be blaming Fisher for something that I think is more of a coaching and scheme issue. I would assume that if Fisher isn't supposed to be lining up with a few yards of cushion between him and the receiver, then he'd be pulled pretty quickly for not being where he's supposed to be.

I was going to write something similar to that but I figured it was pretty basic common sense. Could just be me though.

[RamOfDenmark]

This dubious honor has to go to Travis Fisher. I hate seeing the QB's first beat him on a pass, and then see the receiver dragging him 10 yards downfield (take a look at the Arizona game for some textbook examples) before he finally makes the tackle. I guess it's still better than last year, where he didn't make the tackle at all though. I've never thought Fisher was a good enough player to start, but I've recognised that we didn't necessarily have anyone better. But this year I would say, why not give Tye Hill, Jerametrius Butler (if he's still alive?) or perhaps even Ron Bartell a chance to start and make Fisher the nickel- or even dime-back, if it doesn't work out revert back to Fisher, but let's give it a shot.

[laram0]

Okay, question. Do either of you think that a player's pre-snap position and alignment on the field is at all determined by the defensive scheme or coaching? Or is it completely up to the player where and how he lines up on the field?

You seem to be blaming Fisher for something that I think is more of a coaching and scheme issue. I would assume that if Fisher isn't supposed to be lining up with a few yards of cushion between him and the receiver, then he'd be pulled pretty quickly for not being where he's supposed to be.

I have to agree with Nick. I actually voted for Chillar.

Witherspoon- 22 tkles-2 forced fumbles- 1 fumble recovery
Pisa - 9 tkles- 1 fumble recovery
Chillar- 8 tkles and 1 pass defensed

Chillar is averaging less than 3 tackles a game.
Pisa needs to step it up a bit also. :r