Galian Beast
Well-Known Member
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Defensive Line
Julius Peppers - Anthony Spencer
Israel Idonije/Corey Wootton - DeMarcus Ware
Henry Melton - Jay Ratliff
Stephen Paea - Jason Hatcher
Linebackers
Lance Briggs - Bruce Carter
Brian Urlacher - Sean Lee
Nick Roach - Ernie Sims/Justin Durant
Secondary
Charles Tillman - Morris Claiborne
Tim Jennings - Brandon Carr
Major Wright - Matt Johnson/Barry Church
Chris Conte - Will Allen/JJ Wilcox
My analysis:
Defensive Line
I would say we have better defensive ends than they do. I would say that Hatcher is better than Paea. I think the biggest question mark is Jay Ratliff. One can he stay healthy. And other than last year, though he has played a bit banged up, he hasn't had injury concerns. I am from the train of thought, and would contend that in a rotation, and playing defensive tackle rather than nose tackle, that Jay Ratliff can be just as good as Henry Melton. I also think that Crawford will have a chance to contribute a lot this year. They've said time and time again that they want two 3 techniques in there. Yet everyone continues to clamor for 1 technique guys, who can't get after the QB.
Linebackers
I would say that our linebackers are better than theirs. They are younger and just entering their prime. At this point in their careers, who would take Briggs over Bruce Carter? Would anyone take Urlacher over Sean Lee. Mind you they didn't resign Urlacher (the last I checked). They didn't resign Nick Roach. They drafted a linebacker to replace Urlacher, but I don't perceive any advantage over us comparatively.
Secondary
Now this is the real issue. I would say that our corners have as much potential as theirs. We really haven't seen what they can do, and how they will do in a Tampa 2. They should have more opportunities for turnovers, but they are man coverage corners.
More importantly I think you have to look at their safeties. They drafted a couple guys in the 4th round two years in a row, and developed them that way. Neither was especially productive from the get go. I think people have written Johnson off because of his injuries, but he has a real chance to help us out this year. I wouldn't count much on JJ Wilcox, but Barry Church probably shouldn't be counted out completely either. We also don't know what free agent options may arise in the future.
Maybe we get someone like Malcolm Jenkins. The reality is that of course we're not going to be stacked at every position. I would have liked a more nfl ready safety, but I think we could go with what we have today, and be successful on defense. I couldn't say that about our offense. Not to the point that they could score points as they should. Our defense just needs to stay healthy.
Julius Peppers - Anthony Spencer
Israel Idonije/Corey Wootton - DeMarcus Ware
Henry Melton - Jay Ratliff
Stephen Paea - Jason Hatcher
Linebackers
Lance Briggs - Bruce Carter
Brian Urlacher - Sean Lee
Nick Roach - Ernie Sims/Justin Durant
Secondary
Charles Tillman - Morris Claiborne
Tim Jennings - Brandon Carr
Major Wright - Matt Johnson/Barry Church
Chris Conte - Will Allen/JJ Wilcox
My analysis:
Defensive Line
I would say we have better defensive ends than they do. I would say that Hatcher is better than Paea. I think the biggest question mark is Jay Ratliff. One can he stay healthy. And other than last year, though he has played a bit banged up, he hasn't had injury concerns. I am from the train of thought, and would contend that in a rotation, and playing defensive tackle rather than nose tackle, that Jay Ratliff can be just as good as Henry Melton. I also think that Crawford will have a chance to contribute a lot this year. They've said time and time again that they want two 3 techniques in there. Yet everyone continues to clamor for 1 technique guys, who can't get after the QB.
Linebackers
I would say that our linebackers are better than theirs. They are younger and just entering their prime. At this point in their careers, who would take Briggs over Bruce Carter? Would anyone take Urlacher over Sean Lee. Mind you they didn't resign Urlacher (the last I checked). They didn't resign Nick Roach. They drafted a linebacker to replace Urlacher, but I don't perceive any advantage over us comparatively.
Secondary
Now this is the real issue. I would say that our corners have as much potential as theirs. We really haven't seen what they can do, and how they will do in a Tampa 2. They should have more opportunities for turnovers, but they are man coverage corners.
More importantly I think you have to look at their safeties. They drafted a couple guys in the 4th round two years in a row, and developed them that way. Neither was especially productive from the get go. I think people have written Johnson off because of his injuries, but he has a real chance to help us out this year. I wouldn't count much on JJ Wilcox, but Barry Church probably shouldn't be counted out completely either. We also don't know what free agent options may arise in the future.
Maybe we get someone like Malcolm Jenkins. The reality is that of course we're not going to be stacked at every position. I would have liked a more nfl ready safety, but I think we could go with what we have today, and be successful on defense. I couldn't say that about our offense. Not to the point that they could score points as they should. Our defense just needs to stay healthy.
