Paul Posluszny: 4 questions for 2015

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Oct 13, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars middle linebacker Paul Posluszny (51) returns a interception for fifty nine yards and a touchdown in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

4) Can Paul Posluszny’s coverage ability increase?

If there is one problem with Paul Posluszny’s game, it’s his coverage ability. He has struggled his entire career to stick with receivers limit them in his coverage.

Allowing a ridiculous 122 QB rating in his coverage, Posluszny was the 15th worst interior linebacker by QB rating during his seven weeks on the field, according to PFF. He allowed 83.3% of passes thrown into his coverage to be caught (seventh most at his position for the year) for an average of 12.8 yards gained (fourth worst). These numbers from last year are pretty consistent for Posluszny’s career.

At this point in Posluszny’s career, I think it is safe to say that you can’t teach this old dog new tricks. As good as Posluszny is at putting up huge tackling numbers, directing a defense, and leading a team, he just isn’t going to become a great coverage linebacker.

This obviously hurts his value for the team and they sacrifice a little by keeping Posluszny on the field, especially during passing downs. His overall value as the quarterback of the defense outweighs that, however, with Posluszny staying on the field for almost every snap whenever healthy. As the young linebackers beneath him develop and demonstrate sound tackling and better coverage abilities, it is worth wondering if he will cede some of passing down snaps to those players in coming years.

I’m not certain 2015 is the year that happens, however.

Next: 3 questions for Denard Robinson

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