What if the defence is getting good?

[RustyBourneHorse]

So, there's a thread out about how the defence beat the offense today in the first full padded practice. Rather than trashing the offense, which was one of the best last year and was good the day before, I think we need to ask a different question. What if the defence is getting good?

Think about it. If our offense can get back to being as good or better than last year. If Aubrey is still automatic. Then, we just needed the defence to be average/middle of the road......but......what if Parker is making them to where they are good?

I'm not trying to put too much stock into one practice. However, the defence actually beat the offense today. And a top offense at that. They're making them have to rethink their approach and adjust the strategy to go against them. To me, that's a something. Not a nothing.

I think that Christian Parker has this defence developing into something exciting. If the offense and ST (particularly Aubrey) are truly among the top again, I think this defence could make us a legit contender IF they're able to follow up today with more impressive activities. Especially when they ultimately go into the joint practices. Our first preseason game is against the defending SB champs. Today has me excited to see how they do against a really good team. If they can outplay Seattle's offense, my goodness....

So yeah, I'm not taking today as a concern about the offense. I'm taking it as maybe we have something on defence. If we do, we might have something in 2026 with the Dallas Cowboys. I hope so anyway.

 

[MonsterD]

Da-fence.

 

[Tabascocat]

Way too early. We won’t know if it is competent defense until a few weeks into the season.

 

[GMO415]

The defense was historically the worst in NFL history in 2025. So technically, a bad defense would be better than worse.

I just don't see a substantial increase in talent thus far to raise this defense to good.

 

[DeaconMoss]

I am busy doing chores and painting defence. What happened at training camp?

 

[Majic]

Believe folks!

This will be a Top 5 DEF

 

[plymkr]

So, there's a thread out about how the defence beat the offense today in the first full padded practice. Rather than trashing the offense, which was one of the best last year and was good the day before, I think we need to ask a different question. What if the defence is getting good?

Think about it. If our offense can get back to being as good or better than last year. If Aubrey is still automatic. Then, we just needed the defence to be average/middle of the road......but......what if Parker is making them to where they are good?

I'm not trying to put too much stock into one practice. However, the defence actually beat the offense today. And a top offense at that. They're making them have to rethink their approach and adjust the strategy to go against them. To me, that's a something. Not a nothing.

I think that Christian Parker has this defence developing into something exciting. If the offense and ST (particularly Aubrey) are truly among the top again, I think this defence could make us a legit contender IF they're able to follow up today with more impressive activities. Especially when they ultimately go into the joint practices. Our first preseason game is against the defending SB champs. Today has me excited to see how they do against a really good team. If they can outplay Seattle's offense, my goodness....

So yeah, I'm not taking today as a concern about the offense. I'm taking it as maybe we have something on defence. If we do, we might have something in 2026 with the Dallas Cowboys. I hope so anyway.

I think our defense is going to be good and possibly one of the biggest surprises of the NFL. I know it's early in TC to so everyone and everything is looking "good" but we got rid of a bad DC, get a full year from Q and Revel. Bland is healthy, hopefully he stays healthy and it looks like we hit on our top 3 defensive draft picks. Again I know it's early but I'm not buying the defense outplaying the offense is because the offense is playing bad.

I think there's a lot to be excited about on the defensive side of the ball. We're going to surprise people. And when I say "we" I'm specifically talking about the players cuz I'll be on my couch.

 

[DogFace]

The defense was historically the worst in NFL history in 2025. So technically, a bad defense would be better than worse.

I just don't see a substantial increase in talent thus far to raise this defense to good.

IMO coaching in football is more important than in other sports. Coaching in football seems to be a game changer.

Now we will see if Parker lives up to his rep.

 

[noshame]

In my opinion, the single greatest jump for any coach is going from position coach to a coordinator, even bigger than coordinator to head coach.
The easiest part is the scheme. It's not difficult to teach defensive players in a position level, what particular scheme you want to run and what their responsibilities are.
The most difficult part is knowing the tendencies of the offense you're facing, while disguising your own tendencies. In the event the wheels start to come off early in the season, you've also gotta make adjustments on the fly.
Of course. He's using all his weapons against these vanilla offenses, because the guys have to learn what to do in every situation.
The questions will be, are they prepared on opening day? And can they adjust throughout the season as needed? Most importantly, is discipline there.
Then, there's loyalty, both in his assistant coaches and his players.
These questions will only be answered once the real bullets start flying.
I am HOPEFUL.
At this point I'm more concerned about the offense. Believe it or not.

 

[The Natural]

It's what you expect when you bring in a new staff who are really teaching, and the best players on that side of the ball are leading from the front, not the trainer's table.

 

[Blackrain]

We could definitely reach middle of the pack at some point this season maybe better.

The defensive coordinator last year was just bad and none of the players were playing for him they didn't buy in to his system.

I think the new coach has them playing 100% for him along with the fact people have gotten healthy.
The defense could be a real surprise for us this year we have put some effort into improving it so I think it will pay off

 

[CyberB0b]

The defense was historically the worst in NFL history in 2025. So technically, a bad defense would be better than worse.

I just don't see a substantial increase in talent thus far to raise this defense to good.

Classic hype like always around here. Yeah, they added some pieces and hired a guy who doesn’t have one foot in the grave. That’s the bare minimum from a front office.

 

[visionary]

In my opinion, the single greatest jump for any coach is going from position coach to a coordinator, even bigger than coordinator to head coach.
The easiest part is the scheme. It's not difficult to teach defensive players in a position level, what particular scheme you want to run and what their responsibilities are.
The most difficult part is knowing the tendencies of the offense you're facing, while disguising your own tendencies. In the event the wheels start to come off early in the season, you've also gotta make adjustments on the fly.
Of course. He's using all his weapons against these vanilla offenses, because the guys have to learn what to do in every situation.
The questions will be, are they prepared on opening day? And can they adjust throughout the season as needed? Most importantly, is discipline there.
Then, there's loyalty, both in his assistant coaches and his players.
These questions will only be answered once the real bullets start flying.
I am HOPEFUL.
At this point I'm more concerned about the offense. Believe it or not.

Exactly
We wont know if they are good until mid season

 

[Point-of-the-Star]

It is getting crowded on the Hype Train. Cowboys will not have a top 5 defense. Possibly the D will be good by the end of the season which would be great if we can somehow slip into the playoffs.

WARNING:
Cowboy fans . . . it is early August . . . we do this every year . . . yes things seem different with the new DC but tap the brakes until we can actually SEE the product they field. I remember my grandpa always having a cautionary warning about not counting your chickens before they hatch.

 

[DCwarrior]

Need a proven pass rusher or 2 and a vet MLB. Until then this unit will be meh. Oth sides of th ball are “practicing”.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

Believe folks!

This will be a Top 5 DEF

If this is the case, and if the rest of the team is close to the top and stays healthy, we might.........well, it'll be exciting. I love what Parker is doing.

 

[RustyBourneHorse]

I think our defense is going to be good and possibly one of the biggest surprises of the NFL. I know it's early in TC to so everyone and everything is looking "good" but we got rid of a bad DC, get a full year from Q and Revel. Bland is healthy, hopefully he stays healthy and it looks like we hit on our top 3 defensive draft picks. Again I know it's early but I'm not buying the defense outplaying the offense is because the offense is playing bad.

I think there's a lot to be excited about on the defensive side of the ball. We're going to surprise people. And when I say "we" I'm specifically talking about the players cuz I'll be on my couch.

And it sounds like Parker is going to let Bland play more freely like Quinn did. Hopefully he goes.back to being a pick 6 magnet.

 

[ghst187]

IMO coaching in football is more important than in other sports. Coaching in football seems to be a game changer.

Now we will see if Parker lives up to his rep.

100% said biggest game changer was getting rid of flus and getting Parker. Personnel wouldn’t have mattered if you keep flus. You could’ve had the 2000 Ravens defense and flus would’ve had them confused and giving up 30 points per game.

 

[kskboys]

So, there's a thread out about how the defence beat the offense today in the first full padded practice. Rather than trashing the offense, which was one of the best last year and was good the day before, I think we need to ask a different question. What if the defence is getting good?

Think about it. If our offense can get back to being as good or better than last year. If Aubrey is still automatic. Then, we just needed the defence to be average/middle of the road......but......what if Parker is making them to where they are good?

I'm not trying to put too much stock into one practice. However, the defence actually beat the offense today. And a top offense at that. They're making them have to rethink their approach and adjust the strategy to go against them. To me, that's a something. Not a nothing.

I think that Christian Parker has this defence developing into something exciting. If the offense and ST (particularly Aubrey) are truly among the top again, I think this defence could make us a legit contender IF they're able to follow up today with more impressive activities. Especially when they ultimately go into the joint practices. Our first preseason game is against the defending SB champs. Today has me excited to see how they do against a really good team. If they can outplay Seattle's offense, my goodness....

So yeah, I'm not taking today as a concern about the offense. I'm taking it as maybe we have something on defence. If we do, we might have something in 2026 with the Dallas Cowboys. I hope so anyway.

There is no if about it. A simple analysis of the talent added says we will be a viable D. Best guess is somewhere in the 15-20 range.

The NFL is all about talent. Yes, coaching matters a ton, but only if you have the talent. We do.

 

[kskboys]

The defense was historically the worst in NFL history in 2025. So technically, a bad defense would be better than worse.

I just don't see a substantial increase in talent thus far to raise this defense to good.

No they weren't. They were 30th last year, w/ WASH and CINCY being even worse.

Quit making stuff up.