Compared to last year, how much did we improve?
If we have Christian Parker last year, we win at least two more games. Just on coaching alone.
We also got Gary, Lawrence, Ezeiruaku more experienced, Quinnen, Kenny Clark, Caleb Downs? Who even does that? We also got Overton, Barham, Jalen Thompson, Dee Winters, Overshown is coming back, we picked up Cobie Durant. And we have guys like Bell and Reddy.
Pinch me. I was ready to give up last year. This is looking like a new team.
And that's a good thing.
Maybe it's not yet complete, but that is indeed one heck of a rebuild.
Anyone sense one more trade coming before the season starts?
I do.
I give the off-season rebuild a solid A.
obviously, when you are the 6th worst all time defense, there is nowhere to go but up. but you don't go from that to top 10 in one off season no matter what you have done (unless you signed 6 all pros and drafted in the top 10 twice).
there are some question marks and some anxiety around a few things.
CP has the makings of being a great defensive coach, but he has never been a defensive coordinator, so there is a learning curve playing chess against some of the OC guru's in the league. he bring a fresh mindset, aggressive and new defense and its just him learning. unlike when we made Moore an OC after one year of coaching in NFL, I think his learning curve is much shorter because he has been in the league for a while and was a key part of one of the best NFL defenses when Philly won the superbowl. I think he alone will improve the defense.
The safety room is definitely improved. no denying that. more atheltic and better younger players. I am concerned about CB room. still some question marks remain. yes, signing durant fills the gap we had with Lewis, but will Revel be able to step up in year 2. he underwhelmed in first year, but perhaps due to his injury and recovery. same with bland. is he going to fizzle and be an average CB, now that he got his big contract. I think they will be somewhat helped with the new scheme, and better safeties and better DL play (further down).
The DL is definitely improved. they did a decent job last year being thrown together, but the LBing and Safeties were so bad behind them, all their work for not. I expect to see a lot more from this group this year, specially with improved play of LBs and Safeties. we will miss Osa, people may deny that. but we have a good rotation of players, and I expect the team to keep 7 DL and rotate frequently. we can show different fronts with the DL versatility. I expect Q to step up a lot this year.
LBing is improved. I mean, they sucked so bad last year, there is nowhere but up, and I think they maybe still yet the weakest group on defense with the biggest question marks. with the 3-4 change, couple of players get thrown in there as LBs, like Eze and Gary, so that may ease some of the concerns, but I look at those guys as DEs and the question is how is our pass rush going to be. but is Dee Winters better than Murray? heck yes. I hope so. is he earth mover and probowler? I don't think so, but just being in the right place at the right time most of the time will be great to see. Overshown is a question mark. he didn't do much last year and has been injured every year in the league. this is his final chance, so staying healthy is key for him. with those guys we do have some versatility and side line to sideline coverage. Braham is a rookie, so I think he maybe OK, playing in spots, learning, but I also don't expect him to be rookie of the year.
with all of that said, there is a lot of changes that have to come together. I expect them to start slow, better than last year but slow. new play book. new scheme. new players thrown together, it will take time. they will make mistakes. miss assignments. be in wrong place. etc. so first 4 games, just their athleticism and new scheme will help but they probably won't be the dominant defense we want to see.
I expect the defense to improve over the course of the year, make more splash plays, as opposed to more mistakes. and if 3/4 of the changes made work out (that's pretty high expectations, but somewhat realistic) then this should easily be a top 15 defense.
