Anyone else really excited about our defense?

[WoodysGirl]

I am giving all of them the benefit of doubt until I see what Wade can do with them ......

Yeah me too.

Folks like KD, I don't think he can do much else with. But those who *seem* to underachieve, I'd like to see how his scheme would work.

 

[zrinkill]

Folks like KD, I don't think he can do much else with.

Maybe buy him a bulletproof vest.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Who do you think should start ahead of him?

I'll let Wade decide that.

But no, really, he's always had ILBs who can actually move faster than a glacier and do more than just take on huge guards. I think Ayodele will probably still be there, but Carpenter, Burnett, or even a draft pick could take Bradie's place.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Maybe buy him a bulletproof vest.

More like a bulletproof car...

I'll let Wade decide that.

But no, really, he's always had ILBs who can actually move faster than a glacier and do more than just take on huge guards. I think Ayodele will probably still be there, but Carpenter, Burnett, or even a draft pick could take Bradie's place.

I hesitate to move Carp inside since he was doing somewhat ok at the end of the year.

I like Ayodele. He really came on towards the end of the year too. Seems like I saw him everywhere, even tho the D as a whole was collapsing.

Burnett, I just don't know. This will be his first offseason without some major surgery. He should be completely healthy for a change. I think his first season was a wash. So I looked at last year like his rookie.

Right now I think Bradie is the guy to beat.

 

[tomson75]

More like a bulletproof car...


I hesitate to move Carp inside since he was doing somewhat ok at the end of the year.

I like Ayodele. He really came on towards the end of the year too. Seems like I saw him everywhere, even tho the D as a whole was collapsing.

Burnett, I just don't know. This will be his first offseason without some major surgery. He should be completely healthy for a change. I think his first season was a wash. So I looked at last year like his rookie.

Right now I think Bradie is the guy to beat.

I agree with all of this...unfortunately.

Carp should stay on the outside IMO, this talk of him not being able to rush the passer is bunk.

I'd like to see us get someone in the draft to pressure James for his spot (rounds 1-3), but I am not holding my breath.

If we could get more size and depth at NT...like in the 330-340 lb range, I think Wade could possibly make something out of Burnett. We need the NT first to keep the OL away from him, but with his speed, he'd be an asset to the LB corps.

 

[T-NMan-41]

I am pretty pumped up too , and keeping my fingers crossed we get Hamlin. I think with a little tweaking here and there and if everybody gels well. we will be unstoppable on offence and defense...........

 

[Silverstar]

Who do you think should start ahead of him?

How about the fastest LB at the combine....Quincy Black?

HT: 6015
WT:240
40: 4.42
20: 2.58
10: 1.53
VJ: 41 1/2
BJ: 10'4"
SH: 4.34
CO: 6.86
Reps: 24

He was taller, faster and stronger than ILB Patrick Willis (6011, 4.51, 22 reps) at the combine. Moving him inside a 3-4 defense shouldn't be a problem for him IMO. He had good production his senior year with 114 tackles, 4 PBU's, 3 INT's and even returned one for a TD.

 

[theogt]

I agree with all of this...unfortunately.

Carp should stay on the outside IMO, this talk of him not being able to rush the passer is bunk.

I'd like to see us get someone in the draft to pressure James for his spot (rounds 1-3), but I am not holding my breath.

If we could get more size and depth at NT...like in the 330-340 lb range, I think Wade could possibly make something out of Burnett. We need the NT first to keep the OL away from him, but with his speed, he'd be an asset to the LB corps.

Why? He wasn't a passrusher in college and he didn't passrush very well last season. I agree that he can be a great linebacker, but is he a passrusher? Not really.

 

[tomson75]

Why? He wasn't a passrusher in college and he didn't passrush very well last season. I agree that he can be a great linebacker, but is he a passrusher? Not really.

Watch him when he's asked to ruch the passer. He's ruthless and fast to the QB. His first ten yards are very quick. He finished his senior year with eight sacks in 11 games...I hardly consider that not rushing the passer.

Last year, when he finally got some snaps, he was often putting pressure on the QB. If he has faults here, its overcommiting and being inconsistent shedding blocks. We've seen that with all of our front seven when they're asked to wait on the play to develop before reacting. They looked awful. Ironically, several times last year he missed a sack becasue he went in too hard and couldn't react to a move by the QB. He CAN rush the QB...not on Ware's level, but he can do it. IMO.

 

[theogt]

Watch him when he's asked to ruch the passer. He's ruthless and fast to the QB. His first ten yards are very quick. He finished his senior year with eight sacks in 11 games...I hardly consider that not rushing the passer.

Last year, when he finally got some snaps, he was often putting pressure on the QB. If he has faults here, its overcommiting and being inconsistent shedding blocks. We've seen that with all of our front seven when they're asked to wait on the play to develop before reacting. They looked awful. Ironically, several times last year he missed a sack becasue he went in too hard and couldn't react to a move by the QB. He CAN rush the QB...not on Ware's level, but he can do it. IMO.

I like his passrush moves. He has several (more than Ware in fact), but I think he lacks the strength (or knowhow) to get off his blockers or to simply bullrush then into the QB, or the combination of strength and speed to beat them outside. He may develop into a decent passrusher, but I'll definitely have to see it to believe it. I'd like someone that is more of a natural passrusher that can step right in and do the job immediately like Anthony Spencer.

 

[DC Cowboy]

More like a bulletproof car...


I hesitate to move Carp inside since he was doing somewhat ok at the end of the year.

I like Ayodele. He really came on towards the end of the year too. Seems like I saw him everywhere, even tho the D as a whole was collapsing.

Burnett, I just don't know. This will be his first offseason without some major surgery. He should be completely healthy for a change. I think his first season was a wash. So I looked at last year like his rookie.

Right now I think Bradie is the guy to beat.

Fearing the backlash coming, I would like to see Burnett opposite DW, more speed than Carp IMO!

 

[tomson75]

I like his passrush moves. He has several (more than Ware in fact), but I think he lacks the strength (or knowhow) to get off his blockers or to simply bullrush then into the QB, or the combination of strength and speed to beat them outside. He may develop into a decent passrusher, but I'll definitely have to see it to believe it. I'd like someone that is more of a natural passrusher that can step right in and do the job immediately like Anthony Spencer.

Oh, I'm not against getting a good passrusher...at OLB, ILB, DE, or even NT for that matter. You're right, he did lack some ability to shed blocks last year, he was inconsistent at best. I'd even go as far as saying he cost us around 1-1.5 yards per rush to that side after Ellis went down because of his inabillity to shed blocks. However, he showed enough improvement by the end of the season last year that he deserves the starting job next year as the roster stands now, IMO. I'd bet that an off season with Juraszek (sp?) will have even done more to add to his rush skills and his ability to stand up to the run. I have seen him rush though, and he looked good doing it. He needs to stop whiffing on open field sacks though.

Given that, I'd love to see us get someone in there that could be an immediate threat to the QB. First, I'd fix the inside though. If that means moving Carp, then so be it, but until we find someone better on the outside...I think he stays.

 

[Skip]

Personally I think our defense will be better without any other players (ever though there will be new ones) because of the different attitude of the coach. For the first time in a very long time I think the other QB will be under stress all the time!

Looking forward to it too!

 

[windward]

We shouldn't be excited or worried. You prefer wishful thinking. I don't. I ain't from Missouri, but I want them to "show me" something first.

I'm cautiously optimistic at what Wade MAY be able to bring to the D, but some consistent evidence in the regular season is required to really get my juices flowing.

 

[bbgun]

I'm cautiously optimistic at what Wade MAY be able to bring to the D, but some consistent evidence in the regular season is required to really get my juices flowing.

Some in the media rushed to declare last year's unit "Doomsday III" after two pre-season games. That's why I'm so wary.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

I will be when we get another passrusher.

Yeah...THAT... and I just liked what I saw last year from Carp, Watkins and Ware....

Wade knows D.... I am banking on that.... at the very least I dont expect our defenders looking confused out there on the field.... that will help IMMENSELY

 

[WoodysGirl]

Some in the media rushed to declare last year's unit "Doomsday III" after two pre-season games. That's why I'm so wary.

Not just the media, but this board too. I'm sure we could pull up all the threads where folks were debating giving them a nickname.

I don't see anything wrong with waiting until they actually hit the field, before deciding to truly ride the homer wave. And then after last season's final four game collapse, it might be worth it to hold onto some skepticism until they make it through the whole season.

 

[superpunk]

I'm not fully convinced yet that we have anything but garbage at 4 VERY important positions on defense. They didn't have the makeup (physical or mental) to be remotely successful last year. I realize Wade is gonna simplify, but I'm still really skeptical.

I don't think we'll be much worse, and we'll definitely be more exciting, but I think I might be more excited about it in year two.

 

[windward]

Some in the media rushed to declare last year's unit "Doomsday III" after two pre-season games. That's why I'm so wary.

Ouch. I remember John Madden saying that our defense "was the most impressive thing he had seen during preseason."

 

[the kid 05]

Fearing the backlash coming, I would like to see Burnett opposite DW, more speed than Carp IMO!

and power, i remember the cheifs game from two seasons ago and Burnett just demolished Willy Roaf