Is our defense better this year?

[Awakened]

It seems our defense is better this year than last. Is that true? If so, why? Other than a few role players, it’s the same personnel minus Gregory and Kearse, right?

 

[Mr_437]

Absolutely. 2nd year in the system and depth all over this defense. DQ has rebuilt this defense in only 2 years...remember they were historically bad.

 

[ShortRound]

For real?

 

[pete026]

For real?

Give him a break; he just awakened.

 

[starfan1]

I’m not sure they seem to be but keep in mind we’ve played 4 teams with flawed lines and the run d is still questionable

fournette had his way and really early on so did Washington RBs but they had drive killing penalties

I think both Diggs and parsons are better and Wilson is balling out. DLaw is reliable and maybe Armstrong everyone else is meh

the next 2 weeks may tell us more

imo

 

[75boyz]

Yes. Chasing the QB and coverage is the strength of the team at the moment.

The run dee still has issues.
BUT the QB pressure and coverage are so dominant as to lessen the impact of run dee deficiencies.

Now when a team just runs over and around them all day never needing to pass then that could possibly change my mind.

Hopefully Coach McVay doesn't do that this week as he did in the playoff game a few years back.

 

[Loso86]

It seems our defense is better this year than last. Is that true? If so, why? Other than a few role players, it’s the same personnel minus Gregory and Kearse, right?

Yes sir they are, without Kearse too

 

[Praxit]

Yes. Chasing the QB and coverage is the strength of the team at the moment.

The run dee still has issues.
BUT the QB pressure and coverage are so dominant as to lessen the impact of run dee deficiencies.

Now when a team just runs over and around them all day never needing to pass then that could possibly change my mind.

Hopefully Coach McVay doesn't do that this week as he did in the playoff game a few years back.

..that was fixed by DQ after 2nd half. He had them playing out of place in 1st half.

 

[Awakened]

I’m not sure they seem to be but keep in mind we’ve played 4 teams with flawed lines and the run d is still questionable

fournette had his way and really early on so did Washington RBs but they had drive killing penalties

I think both Diggs and parsons are better and Wilson is balling out. DLaw is reliable and maybe Armstrong everyone else is meh

the next 2 weeks may tell us more

imo

I thought run D adjusted really well in second half, but I agree run D is our weakness, probably because we have barely average LBers, plus we probably miss Kearse in run D.

Come to think of it, DLaw was injured most of last season. That’s probably the biggest difference. I just answered my own question.

 

[GRCowboy]

DeMarcus missed most of last year.

 

[Whirlwin]

It seems our defense is better this year than last. Is that true? If so, why? Other than a few role players, it’s the same personnel minus Gregory and Kearse, right?

Bland, the two safeties, absolutely

 

[jazzcat22]

They are better at getting pressure and sacks so far compared to this time last year.
Not as many turnovers but picks are starting to happen. No forced fumble or recoveries like last year either, not yet.

S play is better, and Wilson is all over the field making plays. Run defense is still suspect, but they shown they can make adjustments. Not sure how much if it has improved all that much overall. Need to look at averages compared to last year at this point. But the opponents offense has to do with that also.

I don’t really care or get into the overall rankings much. But as long as they improve and play like a top 5 defense going into the playoffs, if they get there is what really counts.

I said last year if they improved from middle of the pack / lower 20’s, at the start. And ended up in the top 12 but played like a top 8 it would be a great jump.
Now they need to improve upon that. I think they can.

 

[xwalker]

It seems our defense is better this year than last. Is that true? If so, why? Other than a few role players, it’s the same personnel minus Gregory and Kearse, right?

It's the 2nd year in Quinn's scheme, key players are healthy and some young players got good experience in 2021.

DLaw missed multiple games last season.

 

[GRCowboy]

Bland, the two safeties, absolutely

When Lewis comes back, IMO Bland should play over Mr. DPI Anthony Brown