2017 defense vs 2016 defense

[TheHerd]

Looking at the defense this year vs. last year, it's interesting to see how it's changed. I looked at each position group, listed in order by snaps from last year, and compared to what we have this year. I tried to list all the players at a position until the drop off in snap count was huge.

DL:
Maliek Collins
Tyron Crawford
Jack Crawford
David Irving
Terrell McCalin
Benson Mayowa
Demarcus Lawrence
Cedric Thornton

So for 2017 we've lost Jack Crawford, Terrell McClain, and Cedric Thornton. We've added Taco, Paea, Price, and Tapper. Suspensions play a part here. Younger guys will likely improve, the new guys are adequate replacements. Probably slightly better this year, but close.

LB:
Sean Lee
Anthony Hichens
Justin Durant
Damien Wilson

All back for 2017, and we've added Jaylon Smith. Injuries are playing a part early on at the very least. If Smith gets anywhere near his pre-injury self this is a huge upgrade.

CB:
Brandon Carr
Anothony Brown
Orlando Scandrick
Mo Claiborne

Carr and Mo gone. Added Caroll, Bene, and the rookies. Carr was a show up guy, never showed me much though I know most call him "solid". Not sure exactly what that means except never made a play. Our CB plan seems to be to play off, back up and give huge cushions, then tackle after the catch. Seems like Rod's design as much as anything. As such, I really think this group is no worse day 1, and will be better by the middle of the season as Awuzie and Lewis could be better than any of the rest.

S:
Barry Church
Byron Jones
JJ Wilcox

Only Jones is back, Heath replaces Church. X or Frazier replaces Wilcox. Anyone is better than Wilcox, but not sure about Heath. Church was another "solid" player according to most, I never saw as much in him as some but Heath isn't an all-Pro either. This group scares me the most.

 

[LocimusPrime]

The defense is about the same. We have a young secondary that will take some time to develop. The Dline is about the same, maybe a smidgen better. The linebackers are about the same, when you factor in hitchens injury and wilsons eventual suspension.

 

[xwalker]

Looking at the defense this year vs. last year, it's interesting to see how it's changed. I looked at each position group, listed in order by snaps from last year, and compared to what we have this year. I tried to list all the players at a position until the drop off in snap count was huge.

DL:
Maliek Collins
Tyron Crawford
Jack Crawford
David Irving
Terrell McCalin
Benson Mayowa
Demarcus Lawrence
Cedric Thornton

So for 2017 we've lost Jack Crawford, Terrell McClain, and Cedric Thornton. We've added Taco, Paea, Price, and Tapper. Suspensions play a part here. Younger guys will likely improve, the new guys are adequate replacements. Probably slightly better this year, but close.

LB:
Sean Lee
Anthony Hichens
Justin Durant
Damien Wilson

All back for 2017, and we've added Jaylon Smith. Injuries are playing a part early on at the very least. If Smith gets anywhere near his pre-injury self this is a huge upgrade.

CB:
Brandon Carr
Anothony Brown
Orlando Scandrick
Mo Claiborne

Carr and Mo gone. Added Caroll, Bene, and the rookies. Carr was a show up guy, never showed me much though I know most call him "solid". Not sure exactly what that means except never made a play. Our CB plan seems to be to play off, back up and give huge cushions, then tackle after the catch. Seems like Rod's design as much as anything. As such, I really think this group is no worse day 1, and will be better by the middle of the season as Awuzie and Lewis could be better than any of the rest.

S:
Barry Church
Byron Jones
JJ Wilcox

Only Jones is back, Heath replaces Church. X or Frazier replaces Wilcox. Anyone is better than Wilcox, but not sure about Heath. Church was another "solid" player according to most, I never saw as much in him as some but Heath isn't an all-Pro either. This group scares me the most.

Seems better at all position groups.

 

[Risen Star]

I don't see any difference this year, however I do see a few pieces that could lead to improvement in 2018.

 

[BigD5]

We got younger on defense and probably kept the same talent level for 2017. But more upside and hopefully more turnover ability with these new guys

 

[armadillooutlaw]

DL has a chance to really improve if Maliek Collins takes the next step to bring the pressure and Lawrence performs closer to how he did in 2015. Don't be surprised if our best 4 DL are Taco-Collins-Crawford-D-Law.
LB group is at least average with a healthy lee. If jaylon plays well then the group will be at least a little better than last year, possibly exceptional.
CB I'm not sure a healthy Scandrick and Brown
Is any worse than Carr and Brown were last year. Is Carroll better than a gimpy 2016 Scandrick?
The rookies will take time to come along.
This group may take a big jump between week one and week eight as the young guns get more experience.
S I just don't know here. Jones is solid but heath is a big question mark. This group might suffer against the run but coverage is a big unknown. Church was limited in coverage and wilcox was basically burnt toast.
Defense as a whole will come down to how well the DL plays and how much they improve compared to last year.

 

[Aven8]

The secondary is not better yet. I'm sorry for all the flack Carr took around hear the dude is not awful. He also has always done a number on OBJ.

 

[StarBoyz83]

Dl should be better. Lb core could be better depending on jaylon but losing Hitchens hurt. i feel there is a downgrade at ss but heath could end up being better than church who knows. I feel carr is better than carroll and the secondary is young. Gonna take time.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The DL is better. I think LB is a smidge better even with Hitchens being hurt.

The secondary?


Who knows?

I expect some breakdowns.

But I also expect more turnovers and more big plays like sacks from the secondary.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

Our secondary was better last year but we have young potential.

 

[Doomsay]

Sorry, Jeff Heath.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

We should be a much better tackling team. I'm still concerned about the coverage at the MIKE with Hitchens out and Jaylon essentially being a rookie.

I think if you break things down in a very simple manner, this game is about blocking, tackling and being able to switch coverages and looks up.

I think the tackling will be better, but we'll still have to see if we can effectively change our coverages instead of going man or Cover 1 or Cover 3 all of the time.



YR

 

[waving monkey]

The DT group scare me the most. Paea is a big add with a sore knee.Brian Price sounds great
but never test driven. MCollins is a revelation. But 3 DT's only! I know we have position flex but I want more.

 

[OldCoach]

I think our secondary will probably blow a couple more coverages than last year, but there's also the chance of creating more turnovers. I'm not real confident in Heath or Frazier. Hopefully Heath can continue what he showed flashes of, but I'm not too sure.

 

[DCthrashin]

I think Heath will be an upgrade, at least on passing downs. But I was wondering, has Wilson escaped punishment from the league? If so, that's a relief

 

[stilltheguru88]

Our secondary is about to be nice! I don't get the reservations. As long as Byron steps it up as a SAFETY, and not his hybrid role covering tight ends we'll be good

 

[Verdict]

This is an interesting topic. It's really hard to tell what we will be. Jack Crawford was not a loss in my humble opinion. He was the epitome of JAG. Terrell McClain was a loss, but I am intrigued by Price at the 1 tech. Bigger can be better. I think we will be better at end than we have been in several years.

Our DL could be very good if other teams allow us to substitute. If not we could be exposed as these guys are not good at everything. T. Crawford might be a Swiss Army knife who can do a little bit of everything but isn't that good at anything.

Our LB corps are pretty thin, but we won't play 3 lb on every down so we might be ok, to very good if Smith is close to healthy.

I have no idea what to expect from our DBs. My best guess is that we will be hit and miss early on and tougher to pass against as the season progresses.

 

[jday]

Looking at the defense this year vs. last year, it's interesting to see how it's changed. I looked at each position group, listed in order by snaps from last year, and compared to what we have this year. I tried to list all the players at a position until the drop off in snap count was huge.

DL:
Maliek Collins
Tyron Crawford
Jack Crawford
David Irving
Terrell McCalin
Benson Mayowa
Demarcus Lawrence
Cedric Thornton

So for 2017 we've lost Jack Crawford, Terrell McClain, and Cedric Thornton. We've added Taco, Paea, Price, and Tapper. Suspensions play a part here. Younger guys will likely improve, the new guys are adequate replacements. Probably slightly better this year, but close.

LB:
Sean Lee
Anthony Hichens
Justin Durant
Damien Wilson

All back for 2017, and we've added Jaylon Smith. Injuries are playing a part early on at the very least. If Smith gets anywhere near his pre-injury self this is a huge upgrade.

CB:
Brandon Carr
Anothony Brown
Orlando Scandrick
Mo Claiborne

Carr and Mo gone. Added Caroll, Bene, and the rookies. Carr was a show up guy, never showed me much though I know most call him "solid". Not sure exactly what that means except never made a play. Our CB plan seems to be to play off, back up and give huge cushions, then tackle after the catch. Seems like Rod's design as much as anything. As such, I really think this group is no worse day 1, and will be better by the middle of the season as Awuzie and Lewis could be better than any of the rest.

S:
Barry Church
Byron Jones
JJ Wilcox

Only Jones is back, Heath replaces Church. X or Frazier replaces Wilcox. Anyone is better than Wilcox, but not sure about Heath. Church was another "solid" player according to most, I never saw as much in him as some but Heath isn't an all-Pro either. This group scares me the most.

I think you forgot Demontre Moore as a player added.

 

[cowboys1981]

One thing that still gets me is the lack of a pass rush. We've been lacking for years now. I'm hoping Tapper, Taco, Irving and Lawrence can generate something.

 

[T-RO]

I don't see any difference this year, however I do see a few pieces that could lead to improvement in 2018.

I agree with Risen Star on this one.

Time to get some hard soap and had to the shower.