"JD Bertrand looks like he doesn't belong out there, and given that the committee Jeff Ulbrich discussed hasn't materialized, that's been a major problem for the defense. The Falcons have talked up Bertrand's ability and effort in the past and clearly like the young linebacker, but if they're going to rely on him, they need better. What's causing this performance, and can he be salvaged?"
"The speed of the game is overwhelming the young linebacker, whose strength is supposed to be his brain. If you're going to be a sub-par athlete, you have to be able to make up for your lack of physical gifts by having a mental edge, but Bertrand is one of the last players on the field to move every snap."
"The former 5th-round pick struggles to diagnose his keys and react with the limited time he's given. This has led to Bertrand getting washed out on runs and picked on in the passing game. The defense was susceptible to the run before he was placed into the starting lineup, but now teams are ripping off big runs with the second-level defender constantly behind and out of position."
JD Bertrand is struggling as a starting linebacker due to slow processing and poor reaction speed. The player fails to diagnose keys quickly and is routinely late to react, leading to washouts on running plays and frequent targeting in the passing game. Opposing linemen gain an extra step and create easier blocking angles. Zone coverage responsibilities are mishandled, creating windows for quarterbacks that did not exist with Divine Deablo. The planned linebacker committee never materialized, increasing reliance on Bertrand. Coaching simplifications cannot make him faster, leaving his ability to improve as the pivotal question.
Read at The Falcoholic
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