Defense Questions?

[The Curly One]

OK, We have only seen pre season games but in them we have seen something not seen since Charles Haley left. A pass rush. We all know everything changes when the real games start but tell me how is it that Demarcus Ware is getting sacks and pressure? Is it because of the 3-4 or is it that we finally got a real player? Marcus Spears even looks promising what little we have seen from him.
Or did Shante Carver, Ekuban, and even Greg Ellis stink that bad?
Sure people talk that crap about how our defense was number one a few years ago but you tell me how it can be number one with no sacks, pressure or interceptions? Still do not understand that bull. Our defense may not be "Number One" this year but our defense will help us win games for a change. I can tell you right now I would take the defense we have now 10 to 1 over the "Number One" defense we had a few years ago.
Regardless this defense looks totally different than any defense we have had since Haley left and I think it will be the best since then. I think it all starts on the offensive and defensive lines. If your defense is pressuring the QB you will get sacks, interceptions and turnovers. That is more important than just stopping the run.
One other thing is look for Newman to have a breakout year since Demarcus Ware will be getting in there shaking up the QB's. I predict he will have more interceptions this year than both of his first two years combined.
Just a funny note, late in the game when Jacksonville went for it on 4th down we got an interception. They just threw it deep and hoped his guy would catch it. We got the interception and if he would have dropped or batted the ball away we would have got the ball back at the line of scrimmage due to downs. That interception cost us about 35 yards! And the announcers were talking what a great play it was for us? Hello?
Back to the questions.
So this defense is different than any we have had for many years.
1. Is it because the old defensive scheme stunk so bad or the players stunk?

2. Would you rather have this years defense or the "Number One" defense of 2 years ago? Curly

 

[lane]

demarcus is a football player with god given talent who was raised properly and plays because he loves the game.

deadly combination for the mc nabb's of the world.

 

[Smith22]

Or did Shante Carver, Ekuban, and even Greg Ellis stink that bad?

Ellis can't ever seem to catch a break with some of you guys.:bang2:

How do you put his name next to those 2 scrubs?

 

[big dog cowboy]

1. Players stunk
2. This years defense

 

[lane]

demarcus is a football player with god given talent who was raised properly and plays because he loves the game.

deadly combination for the mc nabb's of the world.

ditto that for greg!

 

[LeonDixson]

Ellis can't ever seem to catch a break with some of you guys.:bang2:

How do you put his name next to those 2 scrubs?

You are so right!. Ellis has been an 7 to 9 sack man for us consistently. He's no superstar but he's a very solid player.

 

[The Curly One]

Greg Ellis is not bad but he certainly has not become the dominant player we had hoped for. He is nothing like a Charles Haley or Reggie White where the offense has to always know where he is at.
Greg Ellis is just a good solid player and does not appear to be much more. Greg Ellis would definatly make the team as a starter on my team. He is a player who can get in the trenches and dig in. He is not a player who you can count on to change the outlook of the game like Deion Sanders, Reggie White, Charles Haleys etc. Quarterbacks do not loose sleep worrying about when they play Greg Ellis. It is very early but it appears that Demarcus Ware might be that type of player. Could Greg Ellis become that type of player under the new system?
Now that goes back to my question, is it because of the defensive scheme we were using or is it the players? Curly

 

[ghettogandhi]

This defense will be dominate by the end of the year- the deepest dline rotation in the league-

de- coleman/ellis/canty/ware
dt-glover/ferguson/ratliff/spears

that is a very talented bunch

it is going to be fun watching this defense grow and become dominant

 

[percyhoward]

Sure people talk that crap about how our defense was number one a few years ago but you tell me how it can be number one with no sacks, pressure or interceptions? Still do not understand that bull. Our defense may not be "Number One" this year but our defense will help us win games for a change. I can tell you right now I would take the defense we have now 10 to 1 over the "Number One" defense we had a few years ago.

In 2003, we took advantage of any easy schedule and won the "number one" defense title (based on yards per game) even though we were one of the worst teams in the league at forcing turnovers. We had 25 takeaways.

New England had the "number seven" defense based on yards per game, but forced 41 turnovers, and gave up fewer points. Which was the better defense?

Back then, there were theories that coaching was to blame for our defense not forcing turnovers. I like our chances this year with these players (and the same head coach and DC).

I agree with you. I don't think anybody would want to trade this defense for the 2003 version.

 

[Sarge]

Ellis can't ever seem to catch a break with some of you guys.:bang2:

How do you put his name next to those 2 scrubs?

Ellis for someone never gets any respect around here. He's always been a very reliable, solid performer.

 

[KobeEgan]

This defense will be dominate by the end of the year- the deepest dline rotation in the league-

de- coleman/ellis/canty/ware
dt-glover/ferguson/ratliff/spears

that is a very talented bunch

it is going to be fun watching this defense grow and become dominant

Ware is OLB...Spears is DE...that still gives us gr8 depth though

 

[The Curly One]

I do not think the defense will dominate but I do think they will be the best thay have been in many years and that is exciting. Curly