You know skimming through all these posts is not just here but throughout the first page on the defense and certain players and calling them the X-Key- factor and what not,
I think what's happening here is because how bad the defense was last year nobody has any idea how these players are going to step up this year in a new defense a better situation.
It wasn’t just a bad defensive scheme or coordinator, though that played a role, injuries were a huge factor.
These guys were surrounded by rookies who should have been starting, but instead were alongside practice squad players, some from other teams, many who wouldn’t normally make a roster.
There were also some very disappointing free-agent signings, especially at linebacker, making it a total loss.
You can’t fairly judge anyone from last year’s defense who’s still on the team, but I believe they’ll surprise people this year, feeling more comfortable and playing naturally in better situations. Linebackers, corners, and safeties have all improved, and even the returning players will benefit from the changes. People are underestimating these groups because of last year, but I think they’ll perform much better as a unit.
This defense needs to play as one, team defense, like in basketball when there are no lockdown defenders, but the group works together to win.
That means swarming, staying in lanes, sticking to assignments, avoiding hero ball, holding blocks, trusting teammates, and swarming to tackle instead of assuming someone else will make the stop.