More worried about line than corners

[gimmesix]

Am I wrong even with the loss of Scandrick to still be concerned about the defensive line than our cornerbacks?

I think Claiborne and Carr starting has a much better chance of being solid options than most of the players we're counting on at tackle and at end. Moore might be closer to that level, but at least he's a third corner and not the starter like Mincey is expected to be or like Hayden or McClain is expected to be.

Obviously, we're better on the back end if we have Scandrick, too, but not sure it's really going matter who's back there if we get little pressure from the front end.

 

[Idgit]

Much. Our secondary options are actually fairly deep. We've got a lot of young guys who still make mistakes at S, but our CB depth is good. The top four can all play at an NFL level, and the 5-6 guys have shown some potential.

Marinelli's indicating in his press conferences that he's got a lot of faith in the back end of his defense. That doesn't just extend to Scandrick.

The DL, however, was sketch to start with. And now we're going through camp with our best players nicked up. The best hope we have for an average defense is getting everybody on the same page. As it is, we're handing out reps to guys who are going to be on the practice squad while our likely starters are rehabilitating. It's so frustrating.

 

[StarBoyz83]

More concerned about dl, lb and safety rather than cb.

 

[Teague31]

With a healthy Lawrence, Melton and spencer the line has a chance to be average. And with our offense that may be good enough. Take them away and it becomes a dumpster fire

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

This might be a true dilemma: Do we hinge hopes on our sorry secondary or on our sorry DL?

I will take our sorry secondary over our sorry DL. You mens might think differently.

 

[Idgit]

This might be a true dilemma: Do we hinge hopes on our sorry secondary or on our sorry DL?

I will take our sorry secondary over our sorry DL. You mens might think differently.

Secondary isn't sorry, though. I think that's the difference.

 

[RS12]

More worried about line than corners

As you should be. No pass rush or stop the run, no wins.

 

[davey999]

Our line is not very good and our LB's are terrible. Issues not addressed.

I mean, we are likely to be starting Wilber and Durant this year, and Carter was absolutely abysmal last year.

 

[jazzcat22]

If they can get a decent pass rush, then the secondary will be better, even if they are short for the first 4 games. Doesn't have to be a grreat pass rush, but decent enough as not to rely on blitzes to generate pressure.
Just enough to make the QB hold onto the ball just a bit longer. so I'm looking at QB pressures more than sacks at this point.

But first, be strong against the run, to create those passing only plays, so they know what must be done on those plays.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Secondary isn't sorry, though. I think that's the difference.

Wait till the opposing QBs, even the poor ones, start lighting it up agin us.
Still, i put our secondary ahead of our DL.

 

[TimHortons]

Everything is relative. Sure, our Db's will be better then our DL, but is that saying much? Our defense is still trash

 

[TimHortons]

Our only shot at being average is if we have all of our DL healthy

 

[Idgit]

Everything is relative. Sure, our Db's will be better then our DL, but is that saying much? Our defense is still trash

You're only as good as your worst player(s) on defense because offenses attack those weaknesses mercilessly. Other than the recognition problems we had last year at Safety, our weaknesses are along the front 7, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[TimHortons]

You're only as good as your worst player(s) on defense because offenses attack those weaknesses mercilessly. Other than the recognition problems we had last year at Safety, our weaknesses are along the front 7, as far as I'm concerned.

Offenses are going to rush for 6 yards per carry then PA all season long

 

[xwalker]

Am I wrong even with the loss of Scandrick to still be concerned about the defensive line than our cornerbacks?

I think Claiborne and Carr starting has a much better chance of being solid options than most of the players we're counting on at tackle and at end. Moore might be closer to that level, but at least he's a third corner and not the starter like Mincey is expected to be or like Hayden or McClain is expected to be.

Obviously, we're better on the back end if we have Scandrick, too, but not sure it's really going matter who's back there if we get little pressure from the front end.

It's time to quit being worried. Just focus on watching some young players develop and enjoy the offense. The defense just has too many issues to spend time being worried about. It's not as if Scandrick or some other player is keeping them out of the Super Bowl.

 

[gimmesix]

Wait till the opposing QBs, even the poor ones, start lighting it up agin us.
Still, i put our secondary ahead of our DL.

They will light us up ... because the lack of pressure will make it too tough for the secondary to keep up. Then some will place the blame where it doesn't belong.

In this defense particularly, the rushmen have to disrupt the timing of the quarterback. I don't see us being able to do that on any kind of consistent basis.

 

[Idgit]

They will light us up ... because the lack of pressure will make it too tough for the secondary to keep up. Then some will place the blame where it doesn't belong.

In this defense particularly, the rushmen have to disrupt the timing of the quarterback. I don't see us being able to do that on any kind of consistent basis.

To be fair, I can see us getting pressure to move a guy off his spot, or make him throw it earlier. We'll give up a ton of yards as a result, and probably not stop a lot of teams on downs, but hopefully the pressure will lead to us getting some stops in the form of turnovers and toughening up in the red zone once things are compressed. Then we'll have to win by scoring a lot of points on offense, which we can legitimately do.

If we can get teams out of their running game relatively early in games, that'll help somewhat, too.

 

[gimmesix]

It's time to quit being worried. Just focus on watching some young players develop and enjoy the offense. The defense just has too many issues to spend time being worried about. It's not as if Scandrick or some other player is keeping them out of the Super Bowl.

I just hate to see this offense being wasted, even though I long accepted the reality of this defensive line.

It is a mirror image of the offensive line a few years ago when we tried to BandAid it by picking up Nate Livings and Bernadeau while starting Phil Costa at center. We've "slowly" fixed that line with Leary, Frederick and Martin.

With the defensive line, maybe Lawrence is our first slow fix for it (to pair with Melton) so we can either remove the BandAids of Mincey, McClain/Hayden and Crawford/Selvie and make them what they likely should be: backups to higher-quality linemen. Hopefully, Spencer is able to come all the way back to add another higher-quality lineman to the current line, but it will surprise me if we get much production out of him this year.

My concern is that by the time we get the defense slowly fixed, players like Romo and Witten will be gone, so I will enjoy the offense but long for what could have been with these guys.

 

[gimmesix]

To be fair, I can see us getting pressure to move a guy off his spot, or make him throw it earlier. We'll give up a ton of yards as a result, and probably not stop a lot of teams on downs, but hopefully the pressure will lead to us getting some stops in the form of turnovers and toughening up in the red zone once things are compressed. Then we'll have to win by scoring a lot of points on offense, which we can legitimately do.

If we can get teams out of their running game relatively early in games, that'll help somewhat, too.

Not sure where that pressure is going to come from unless we blitz like mad. Not even sure Melton will be up to getting near the QB on a regular basis.

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Our only shot at being average is if we have all of our DL healthy

Can't say it any better. Every d-lineman not named Hayden must stay healthy -- they can contribute! Hayden is just a speed bump and should not make the team.