Most Improved Player - Defense

[Runwildboys]

Which player on the defense do you think will make the most improvement this season?

What I like about this is, for a change, we have multiple choices with a standout DE, another one that could be emerging, two stout LBs and a PB CB. Not to mention Awuzie, Collins and Woods as possible's.

My candidate is Byron Jones. Second year under Richard, second year as the CB and I do not think we've seen how aggressive Richard wants to be and I think Lord Byron will enable him to do that more.

One thing I do not get about how he's regarded here. He had an outstanding year and got a lot more respect form opposing coaches than he seemed to get here. These cover corners are not easy to find and I think he's the best CB we've had since Sanders and believe he's going to get even better.

I am predicting that this is one time the "Freak of the Combine" comes through as a great player and I think we've just scratched the surface of his understanding of that position.

OK, who's your guy? And please just one guy, not everyone but poor Jeff Heath.

I'm with you, especially if we end up picking up ET, or someone comparable.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Which player on the defense do you think will make the most improvement this season?

My candidate is Byron Jones. Second year under Richard, second year as the CB and I do not think we've seen how aggressive Richard wants to be and I think Lord Byron will enable him to do that more.

Byron seemed to take a step back in the last month of the season. He made the Pro Bowl. There isn't that much room for him to improve unless he becomes Deion.

I have more confidence for Jaylon having a better year, but again, there isn't that much room for him to improve.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Sean Lee-hands down

You beat me to it!

He had a crappy season, and has already demonstrated he can be much much better than that.

 

[buybuydandavis]

Another one I thought just thought of: Maliek Collins.

Dude's issues early on were A. Lacking power and B. Chronic foot injures keeping him off the field. From what I saw over last year, he was doing much better in the strength department and holding his own at the point of attack, to go along with the quickness and fluidity that he's always had.

I think this guy might be another late bloomer on defense. 3 different foot injuries in 3 years is really, really bad, but if he can stay healthy, I think he might emerge as a real player at the 3 tech.

The stars are aligned for Collins. Besides him being better physically, he's going to get the chance at 3T, and will be surrounded by the best talent of his career attracting offensive attention away from him.

Collins is a guy they should think about extending if they similarly think all the pieces are in place for him. We need a 3T. Sign guys who you project going up. I like the upside, don't see a lot of downside.

 

[buybuydandavis]

DE Dorance Armstrong.

Only if we don't sign Lawrence. Otherwise Armstrong won't get enough snaps to make a splash.

Well, unless Stoner goes back to Stoning.

 

[cowboyec]

Only if we don't sign Lawrence. Otherwise Armstrong won't get enough snaps to make a splash.

Well, unless Stoner goes back to Stoning.

or Taco continues to regress and they cut him.
even as a rotational guy...I think Armstrong could be a contributor...which is the next step for him.

 

[kskboys]

Taco.

He agonna' shock all o' you!!!!!

 

[LatinMind]

Which player on the defense do you think will make the most improvement this season?

What I like about this is, for a change, we have multiple choices with a standout DE, another one that could be emerging, two stout LBs and a PB CB. Not to mention Awuzie, Collins and Woods as possible's.

My candidate is Byron Jones. Second year under Richard, second year as the CB and I do not think we've seen how aggressive Richard wants to be and I think Lord Byron will enable him to do that more.

One thing I do not get about how he's regarded here. He had an outstanding year and got a lot more respect form opposing coaches than he seemed to get here. These cover corners are not easy to find and I think he's the best CB we've had since Sanders and believe he's going to get even better.

I am predicting that this is one time the "Freak of the Combine" comes through as a great player and I think we've just scratched the surface of his understanding of that position.

OK, who's your guy? And please just one guy, not everyone but poor Jeff Heath.

Byron Jones? NO, he played conservative early which helped him. But when teams pressed him late in the yr he folded big time. IMO he should be playing slot. Not the outside. He doesnt play good with his back to the QB. QBs know his technique is robotic and he just cant cover the comeback.

awuzie and Lewis should be playing the outside.

For me the most improved by far on defense is Jaylon Smith. The guy turned into a monster this yr. In every part of his game.

 

[cowboyec]

Taco.

He agonna' shock all o' you!!!!!

hope so.
Im pullin' for him.

 

[SportsGuru80]

I hope it is Randy Gregory, D-Law needs that consistent wing man.

 

[buybuydandavis]

or Taco continues to regress and they cut him.
even as a rotational guy...I think Armstrong could be a contributor...which is the next step for him.

The best you can say for Armstrong making a big jump is that he has done next to nothing so far, so everything he does would go toward that big jump.

He has to take snaps away from Taco, Crawford, Gregory, and Lawrence. Cutting Taco is much less likely than letting Lawrence move on. Best bet I see for him is Lawrence leaves, and he takes pass rush snaps from Taco.

But he actually did get a quarter of the snaps, and only got half a sack. The play has got to jump too.

 

[texbumthelife]

If he keeps his nose clean and stays healthy, it's Gregory no doubt.

 

[MCMetal69]

Gregory

Sure he's a bit of a mental patient , but he plays the game as an angry mental patient ; I like that and think this defense hasn't had someone like that.........

 

[Oh_Canada]

For me it was Gregory with Woods and Jones very close second.

Given what he went through, how close he was to being out of the league and than how impactful he was down the stretch I think it’s hard not to go with him.

 

[CouchCoach]

Gregory is my close 2nd pick and with a healthy Lawrence on the other side, we could see something we haven't seen since Haley-Tolbert with Gregory actually playing the Haley role.

I gotta say, I was all on board with the Gregory pick, but never thought it would take that long or just how emotionally dependent he was on pot, because he was a handful at NE because of his quickness and speed and the best first step I saw all year at the collegiate level. The only thing I thought he lacked was the motivation for consistency but then realized why, wouldn't be surprised if he was stoned playing and would have preferred to be on the sofa with the OT across from him, munching on Cheetos and Oreos instead of beating him.

If Gregory can stay motivated and focused on his game, I think he will be the best pass rusher on the DL. And I gotta give credit to Booger not cutting him loose and keeping the faith in him. He's got faults but turning his back on his players when they're in need is not one of them. And it's not just about the player. There's a reason why the Salvation Army is his #1 charity.

 

[BigCatMonaco]

Byron Jones? NO, he played conservative early which helped him. But when teams pressed him late in the yr he folded big time. IMO he should be playing slot. Not the outside. He doesnt play good with his back to the QB. QBs know his technique is robotic and he just cant cover the comeback.

awuzie and Lewis should be playing the outside.

For me the most improved by far on defense is Jaylon Smith. The guy turned into a monster this yr. In every part of his game.

If folding big time down the stretch still results in only 34 catches for zero TDS against you all season, is that really bad?

 

[BigCatMonaco]

If folding big time down the stretch still results in only 34 catches for zero TDS against you all season, is that really bad?

Let me amend this.
I swear I read the catch number somewhere, can’t find it ATm.

However, he did allow zero TDS.
His completion percentage against was barely over 50%

 

[CouchCoach]

If folding big time down the stretch still results in only 34 catches for zero TDS against you all season, is that really bad?

And on some of those catches, no CB could have covered the receiver better. I saw some jaw dropping accuracy last season and Russell Wilson has developed the indefensible deep ball, the trajectory on his deep ball is nuts, Manute Bol couldn't get a hand on that. There was more QB sharp shooting last season than any I can recall.

 

[glimmerman]

Me..

 

[Ranched]

MEANWHILE IN FLORIDA....