Time to give up on this defense

[Fla Cowpoke]

Yeah, I am not sure where you think we haven't blown it up on defense. Without Lee, the only big contracts are Carr and Lee and potentially Melton.

Claiborne's contract is hardly a hindrance. You are grasping for straws there.

As far as contracts,unless Carr has a phenomenal year, he is probably a June 1st cut next year. If a June 1st cut it frees up 8m in 2015 and 9.1m in 2016. Yes, there is dead money, but our cap space goes up significantly. Melton, if has a good year, his contract will get redone and will save cap space. If not, he gets cut and we save $9m, 7.5m and 7.5 m. So we are completely protected there. The only other signing of concern will be Free...but if we cut him it saves 8m each year the next two years from his projected hit. Likelihood is we adjust his deal.

So, we really are looking on offense at the possibility of losing Murray and maybe an OL. Everyone else that starts is pretty much locked up.

On defense, we will have Crawford, McClain, Mincey and Lawrence almost guaranteed, along with Melton if he proves to be worth locking up(remember he has a big hit right now, chances are that if anything it goes down even if he has a good year). Brent could be back and we likely will have a few of this year's rookies and cheap free agents on the DL. Spencer could be back if he has a good year and can be signed for the right money.

LB will be an area of great interest....as we may only end up with Lee back. McClain is going to have to earn a paycheck. We could see free agency money spent here...could resign Durant and/or Carter.

In the secondary we will still have Scandrick, Claiborne, Church and Wilcox, all of whom can be quality defenders.

I think next year we have one pick in every round....could end up with two 7ths and no 6th if McClain does well. Maybe get a compensatory pick also...but just assume 7 picks. If we go 3 out of top 4 on defense at the very least, and look to add a starter or two in free agency, then we could have a defense that is both young and good.

Your chicken little prediction really isn't based on much in the way of facts.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

Forgot Selvie as a keeper, if he has a year similar to last year he will be due a pay raise.

 

[xwalker]

The way I see it is if you can find someone who can play, play them. I don't need some sense of continuity on the defensive line with a bunch of JAGs.

That good if it's an obvious upgrade, but last season they swapped out Everette Dawkins for Drake Nevis and those types of moves. I don't see the point.

 

[Galian Beast]

That good if it's an obvious upgrade, but last season they swapped out Everette Dawkins for Drake Nevis and those types of moves. I don't see the point.

All of those were day late dollar short moves at the end of the offseason or during the season. I'm not advocating for that, I'm advocating for focused drafts and free agent signings to help rebuild this defense with a new foundation.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I AM ELECTRO!

Possibly. But the word rejecto just keep popping up.
I am a poet and do not no it. heh

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

As of right now.....I think Scandrick and Carr are players who could start for other teams in this league. Henry Melton if healthy. Maybe Church. After that, its a bit rough.

And while we should in no way expect for this defense to be even a mediocre defense, before Jason Hatcher made the Pro Bowl who was he? He was Brandon Carr? Who was Henry Melton? We have a lot of no names. But if those guys are hungry? That's how teams become better. When players play to their potential and have hunger. Who would've thought the Aint's would've been one of the better defenses in the league last year? How many of those guys do you believe could start for any other team?

I have no argument for why this defense won't suck next year but I do think we should take a wait and see approach even if it is ugly during the preseason. The NFL rarely goes according to plans.

Scandrick half a chance to start for other teams? How bout we agree he could make another team? And i, as always, am bean positive on his chances.
I will give you carr. But starting is another thing.

You wrote something very true, truer than my analystic aim on things: We have a lot of no names.
If you add hungry/hunger to these names they is no-names who be hungry.
Not much of a endorsement. But rest assured, Garrett and Jerra will coddle these no-names, these many malingerers and some wif no heart and talent.
I half to go now and open the window and shout my frustration as this horrific defense that will make 2014's defense look good like Joely Richardson's legs.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

Scandrick half a chance to start for other teams? How bout we agree he could make another team? And i, as always, am bean positive on his chances.
I will give you carr. But starting is another thing.

You wrote something very true, truer than my analystic aim on things: We have a lot of no names.
If you add hungry/hunger to these names they is no-names who be hungry.
Not much of a endorsement. But rest assured, Garrett and Jerra will coddle these no-names, these many malingerers and some wif no heart and talent.
I half to go now and open the window and shout my frustration as this horrific defense that will make 2014's defense look good like Joely Richardson's legs.

Alright lol. I'm telling you right now this defense will not be as bad as last year. They may not generate as many turnovers as last year but I don't think they'll be as bad. Personnel is better and they have a much better DC now. How far that gets them in "rankings" and "stats"? Not sure.

 

[wileedog]

So, we really are looking on offense at the possibility of losing Murray and maybe an OL. Everyone else that starts is pretty much locked up.

I think Dez is going to cost a penny or two

On defense, we will have Crawford, McClain, Mincey and Lawrence almost guaranteed,

There is nothing guaranteed about any of those players, considering two of them have either not played or barely played in an NFL game and the other two are at best mediocre journeymen (and I think I am being kind to McClain saying that).

LB will be an area of great interest....as we may only end up with Lee back. McClain is going to have to earn a paycheck. We could see free agency money spent here...could resign Durant and/or Carter.

Or in other words, the only sure thing we know about the LBers is that we pretty much have two with above average NFL talent. One can't stay on the field and the other keeps walking away from it.

In the secondary we will still have Scandrick, Claiborne, Church and Wilcox, all of whom can be quality defenders.

3 out of 4 of those guys were starters on the 3rd worst defense in NFL history. The 4th is playing his third year at his position ever. I'm not sure the term "quality defenders" applies here.

Your chicken little prediction really isn't based on much in the way of facts.

And your facts seem to completely ignore the singular fact that this defense stunk out loud last year before the injuries and hasn't been upgraded in the slightest. And yet if we just add a player or two everything will be a-ok.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Alright lol. I'm telling you right now this defense will not be as bad as last year. They may not generate as many turnovers as last year but I don't think they'll be as bad. Personnel is better and they have a much better DC now. How far that gets them in "rankings" and "stats"? Not sure.

OK if you are correct i will tell you this: you can eat any time FREE in farmers branch and bring one guest.
But i cannot see how you can write: Personnel is better. No, it is NOT better. They is a downgrade. I feel going up to you and telling you "Man, come to your sinces!" but the terms of mein probation prohibit me from crossing county lines or getting within 100 feet of you know who, so you are safe.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

I think Dez is going to cost a penny or two Yep, and we have 11m in cap space right now to do it.

There is nothing guaranteed about any of those players, considering two of them have either not played or barely played in an NFL game and the other two are at best mediocre journeymen (and I think I am being kind to McClain saying that). Ok Champ. They may be journeymen but they are cheap and they are signed through next year. At the least, I expect them to be the depth unless some of the cheaper, younger guys like Minter, Bishop, Gardner, Bush, etc knock them off.

Or in other words, the only sure thing we know about the LBers is that we pretty much have two with above average NFL talent. One can't stay on the field and the other keeps walking away from it. LB's are one of the easier things to find...much easier than pass rushers.

3 out of 4 of those guys were starters on the 3rd worst defense in NFL history. The 4th is playing his third year at his position ever. I'm not sure the term "quality defenders" applies here. They are at least average. And there was a reason that defense was so bad. We were without a lot of starters and several of the starters were injured but still playing. The secondary isn't the big issue.

And your facts seem to completely ignore the singular fact that this defense stunk out loud last year before the injuries and hasn't been upgraded in the slightest. And yet if we just add a player or two everything will be a-ok. Yeah, injuries had no effect. I see this team as missing a starting DT, a starting/nickle pass rusher and 1-2 LB. CB could be a need if Carr is let go in a cap move. We WILL have free agency money next year. So you can get two starters right there. We can add a couple starters in the draft. We will have DeMarcus Lawrence back. We might have Josh Brent back. So yes, you can add a few players and have a pretty defense. Not one or two like you are suggesting and completely ignoring what I posted. The offense next year should be in good hands with minimal additions. So a top 10 offense at worst and probably better than that, and a defense in the average range....yeah, I think that would be a significant upgrade in one offseason.

Of course, you can sit back and say woe is me, we have to blow up everything, without actually seeing the projected starters in action this year and see how they do. In reality, worst case we are going to be looking to replace 4-5 starters on D.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

OK if you are correct i will tell you this: you can eat any time FREE in farmers branch and bring one guest.
But i cannot see how you can write: Personnel is better. No, it is NOT better. They is a downgrade. I feel going up to you and telling you "Man, come to your sinces!" but the terms of mein probation prohibit me from crossing county lines or getting within 100 feet of you know who, so you are safe.

I say the personnel is better because yes while we're missing Sean Lee, I think Henry Melton if healthy is a better DT than Jason Hatcher. Hatcher racked up a lot of sacks last year but was MIA in November and December as was Ware and Sean Lee was hurt towards the end of the year.

I'm not hyping up this defense at all. Honestly, my main reason for thinking this defense will be better than last is simply because its the NFL and every time we think something is going to go one way it goes a completely different way. I think that's going to be the defense.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

I say the personnel is better because yes while we're missing Sean Lee, I think Henry Melton if healthy is a better DT than Jason Hatcher. Hatcher racked up a lot of sacks last year but was MIA in November and December as was Ware and Sean Lee was hurt towards the end of the year.

I'm not hyping up this defense at all. Honestly, my main reason for thinking this defense will be better than last is simply because its the NFL and every time we think something is going to go one way it goes a completely different way. I think that's going to be the defense.

I totally respect your view. May the football defense gods half mercy on us all.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I'm telling you right now this defense will not be as bad as last year. They may not generate as many turnovers as last year but I don't think they'll be as bad. Personnel is better and they have a much better DC now. How far that gets them in "rankings" and "stats"? Not sure.

AMEN! You look at last December and how we ended the season and there isn't any question I believe we are better.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

AMEN! You look at last December and how we ended the season and there isn't any question I believe we are better.

Another forum member whistling passed the paved yard.