Yeah I don’t doubt that we could improve on Thomas but the defence is solid regardless, and it is designed as to prioritize coverage over backfield pressure.
Last year’s Grey Cup was a turnover fest, can’t blame the defence on that one. The offence has to give the defence a chance to succeed, and that was simply a dreadful performance. The stats throughout the year suggest that the coverage defence strategy works, and again, early on this year, the defence looks promising.
More pressure up the middle typically means more defenders at the line and less coverage downfield. That’s not how Jordan Younger operates. Last year too, they ranked last in sacks but still managed to finish first in offensive points given up, net offensive yards given up, first downs given up and passing yards given up. If the Bombers can replicate that this year I think we should be thrilled!
I do think that is by design. Paul Lapolice touched on it in his Bombers season preview. Since last year, they have adopted a coverage defence rather than a pressure defence. Last year, it resulted in the defence ranking first in offensive points given up, net offensive yards given up, first downs given up and passing yards given up despite ranking last in sacks and second-last in interceptions. If they can reproduce that this year I won’t complain!
Unfortunately, I think more sports teams fall under that category than we would like to think. See Artemi Panarin's recent sexual assault case for example. Superstars seem to be able to get away with that kind of behaviour consistently.
I always said over the course of the regular season that the only thing Lucky brings to the table is ball security. His speed appears to be gone, he doesn’t see the field well… and in the Grey Cup you can’t even count on his ball security. I really hope it is the last we see of him in a Bombers jersey.
I appreciate his analysis too, generally speaking, but the constant whining in GDTs completely ruins these threads. Expertise and bias are not mutually exclusive.