Paul Tople / Akron Beacon Journal

By Brandon Matthews

A dominating performance in Akron, an embarrassing blowout in Washington.  The Syracuse defense has already been lauded and exposed in this short season.  Two cupcake games coming up in the Carrier Dome should provide more of the former.  Just don’t let it mask one glaring issue.  These cornerbacks can’t tackle.

Jamaal Kearse’s 57-yard TD catch that opened the second half in Seattle perfectly illustrated that point.  Merkerson is soft in run coverage – he was knocked around numerous times even in Akron.  Max Suter has seemed slow – slow enough that he lost his starting spot.  Jake Locker was able to expose the poor play time and time again with short, quick passes that put DBs out on an island.  

The defense as a whole must also improve in two major categories: sacks and turnovers.  Zero sacks on Jake Locker.  Zero.  The team can create tons of pressure, but you need to bring down the signal caller.  In turns of turnovers, the defense needs to step up because the offense is fumbling at an alarming rate.  The Orange offense has fumbled the ball seven times in two games!  Luckily, the opposing defense has only recovered three of them.  The Orange defense has forced and recovered one fumble – but has no interceptions.  One turnover in two games is simply a poor start.  

If Nassib plays within himself and Bailey can get some touches, the defense is the unit that could put this team over the top.  Mike Holmes and Jeremi Wilkes have played well in the defensive secondary thus far, but if the rest of the defensive backs continue to miss tackles, expect to see a lot of bubble screens and three step drops.