Galian Beast
Well-Known Member
- Messages
- 14,735
- Reaction score
- 7,457
Offense: I think the most improved player on offense will be Miles Austin. I just see a lot of things opening up for him next year in what I expect will be a much more open offense. I don't think we'll see numbers like 2009, especially with the ball being spread out more (as are my expectations), but I think if he can stay healthy he is in for a pretty big year.
Runner up: Tyron Smith. I think he improved a great deal last year, and will be a real force this year. If you look at the second half of his season, he was much improved. I think another off season, and a full year at left tackle will settle him in that level of play. More consistent guard play shouldn't hurt him either.
Defense: I see a huge role for Tyrone Crawford this year. I think he will be one of our most featured players on defense. Closer to the end of the year we were using him in about 50 percent of our defensive snaps. I think the move to the 4-3 will see him split time with both Spencer and Ratliff. I'd expect him to be on the field at least 75-80% of the time. I think a lot of people ignore Tyrone Crawford and the fact that we just drafted him in the 3rd round in 2011. Similarly to Hatcher, this guy was going to be a bit of a developmental guy at first. I think a lot of people sleep on Hatcher as well, but he is a very solid option for us at defensive tackle.
Runner up: Tie between Bruce Carter and Jay Ratliff. When Jay Ratliff was healthy last year, he played really well. If he can come into this season healthy, I think the move to defensive tackle, away from nose tackle is going to do wonders in extending his career and production. Look at what happened when we put La'Roi Glover at nose tackle, and then when he went to St. Louis and returned to defensive tackle. He was able to get after the quarterback again.
Bruce Carter though, I think is going to be really special. He was a part time player, splitting time with Dan Connor, after he won out he barely missed a snap. I think having his caliber on the field 60 snaps per game, combined with Sean Lee is going to be a treat.
Runner up: Tyron Smith. I think he improved a great deal last year, and will be a real force this year. If you look at the second half of his season, he was much improved. I think another off season, and a full year at left tackle will settle him in that level of play. More consistent guard play shouldn't hurt him either.
Defense: I see a huge role for Tyrone Crawford this year. I think he will be one of our most featured players on defense. Closer to the end of the year we were using him in about 50 percent of our defensive snaps. I think the move to the 4-3 will see him split time with both Spencer and Ratliff. I'd expect him to be on the field at least 75-80% of the time. I think a lot of people ignore Tyrone Crawford and the fact that we just drafted him in the 3rd round in 2011. Similarly to Hatcher, this guy was going to be a bit of a developmental guy at first. I think a lot of people sleep on Hatcher as well, but he is a very solid option for us at defensive tackle.
Runner up: Tie between Bruce Carter and Jay Ratliff. When Jay Ratliff was healthy last year, he played really well. If he can come into this season healthy, I think the move to defensive tackle, away from nose tackle is going to do wonders in extending his career and production. Look at what happened when we put La'Roi Glover at nose tackle, and then when he went to St. Louis and returned to defensive tackle. He was able to get after the quarterback again.
Bruce Carter though, I think is going to be really special. He was a part time player, splitting time with Dan Connor, after he won out he barely missed a snap. I think having his caliber on the field 60 snaps per game, combined with Sean Lee is going to be a treat.
