Defense and 2016 expectations, and the future.

[DC Cowboy]

I, like most of you, are probably homers. Even if we won't admit. So having said that, our defense was ranked 16th or 17th last year depending on what site you look at. Every time I turn on the radio or TV I keep hearing how horrible it was last year. This was with a depleted offense. With a fully stock and hopefully healthy offense, a Scandrick retrun, we may not be that bad.

I don't want to say SB but we could make a serious run in the playoffs. We have a decent schedule. We have to be considered one of the favorites to win the East. We really need to finish as the 2nd seed in the NFC at the least.

The future:
Offense: young O line, and rookie RB, finally drafted a QB (not sure of how good he can be), WR corps is not old but may be missing a piece. TE (really hope Gathers develops).
Defense: young D line, youth at LB (if Smith fully recovers), CB 3 "capable" starters, DB need a safety. So we need help in the defensive backfield.

Overall we are in good/great shape going forward.

 

[waldoputty]

I, like most of you, are probably homers. Even if we won't admit. So having said that, our defense was ranked 16th or 17th last year depending on what site you look at. Every time I turn on the radio or TV I keep hearing how horrible it was last year. This was with a depleted offense. With a fully stock and hopefully healthy offense, a Scandrick retrun, we may not be that bad.

I don't want to say SB but we could make a serious run in the playoffs. We have a decent schedule. We have to be considered one of the favorites to win the East. We really need to finish as the 2nd seed in the NFC at the least.

The future:
Offense: young O line, and rookie RB, finally drafted a QB (not sure of how good he can be), WR corps is not old but may be missing a piece. TE (really hope Gathers develops).
Defense: young D line, youth at LB (if Smith fully recovers), CB 3 "capable" starters, DB need a safety. So we need help in the defensive backfield.

Overall we are in good/great shape going forward.

Losing Hardy is going to hurt, but our D is not bad.
Definitely better than 2014.
We went pretty far in 2014 with a top O and a crap D.
Perhaps we can do it again with an even better O and an improved D over 2014.
Or perhaps Carolina has changed the game in the NFC.
They lost their top CB and a starting DE, but that their DTs/LBs are still really good.

 

[HomeBiscuit]

But get their WR1 and Cam Newton's favorite target back.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Our qb is old. Our backup qb is nonexistent

Dbs/safeties- carr and oscan arent exactly young but still serviceable for 2-3 more yeara. Oscan is coming off surgery.

Linebackers- Ro is uniterested but when focused and in shape hes probowl caliber. Lee is good when not injured. We need to see Jalen recovered before any comment. Hitchen can develop if he can stay at one position.

Defensive Line- young and inexpereinced and filled w "potential" but no probowlers on the line. We need some probowlers or an all pro

Receivers- Dez is 27 coming off of foot surgery. Street needs to be cut. Beasley is a niche player- good w romo. Twill is ok but we shouldnt extend his contract. Butler- well hes a guy that we need to see healthy and we got him from the raiders practice squad for cheap.

Tight Ends - witten is older cant run and cant break tackles but still has some good box out moves on his 4-5 yard routes. Still a smart player.

Running backs and O line - we are set. Good situation.


I'm a homer and with a little luck we can win the east. But remember as we have gotten better, so have other teams. People get carried away w 2014 and forget that we had some luck w the detroit game and then we couldnt beat a 1 legged cant run for 1 yd aaron rodgers. It could have easily been 1 and done for us in 2014. We didnt win decisively. People didnt say dallas massacred the lions and decimated the packers. Nope. So have the additons that we have made propelled us pass other playoff teams including their new additons. I hope so, because i want the boys to win it all. Now im not betting the house on it, that wpuld be stupid.

 

[Risen Star]

The only thing I'll say about next season is this just feels different.

 

[JBS]

The only thing I'll say about next season is this just feels different.

Different like 7 wins? When's the last time we won 7?

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Unless Jaylon Smith plays or the 6th round S comes out of nowhere, I see coverage in the middle of the field still being problematic.

Velcro being gone means less middle runs and better middle push in general. Collins and Thornton will help quite a bit I expect. We will control the los more often on defense which can be huge in dismantling what an offense is trying to do.

If Romo is healthy I figure similar offensive production to 2014. I'm not expecting it but I am hoping on an expansion of the short and intermediate passing games using Zeke and Lucky.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think the offense will be fine and even if Romo misses a few games I think we will be in better position to win with an even better OL, a better RB and having a healthy Dez back.

This has to be the year the defense makes some strides if we are going to aspire to a Super Bowl run....I don't expect one this year but I want to see signs of improvement from the DL and the secondary. I really think next year we will have the ability to go all defense early with the only "need" on offense being WR #2 and of course the QB situation. Praying that Smith is healthy and ready to play next year I see 2017-18 season as our next legitimate contender. I would love to see at least a playoff win this year.