Top 10 D with Sean Lee

[Aven8]

I love the way the defense is playing but they still don't have my confidence even with Lee out there.

The best thing we have going for us is no Aaron Rodgers. That guy annihilates our defense.

I'm still worried about the run defense and this week will be a great test.

Even with the struggling play calling from Sarkisian this week will be the best offense we've played and best QB we've faced all season since Rogers.

If we can pass this test we got this!

 

[The_Boyz_Rock]

Makes me think we need to be looking seriously at linebackers in April.

Yeah. Without Sean Lee we are suddenly pedestrian. Does this make him our MVP? Reminds me of Draymon Green on the Golden State Warriors. On a team of stars, when he is out- the team becomes very normal. Draymon is the key like Sean Lee is our key?

 

[CATCH17]

Even with the struggling play calling from Sarkisian this week will be the best offense we've played and best QB we've faced all season since Rogers.

If we can pass this test we got this!

Yep..

Matt Ryan doesn't scare me much though because he's not mobile and mobile QB's are the guys who eat us up but they do have an incredible run game so it will be tough to stop everything they are going to throw at us.

This week will be tougher then the Philly game I think.

 

[WeaponX]

I’m cautiously optimistic on the upside of this defense assuming by years end our young secondary takes over and starts playing like guys with basically a year under their belt and that JS continues to improve and we use him more to bring extra heat to the pass rush from the LB spot when he’s in.

If we had more depth (particularly LB) I’d go from guarded optimism to being outright bullish.

I think we’re close, fellas

 

[elcowboi]

Last year the defense was giving up less than 17 points per game during the winning streak. In the playoffs they couldn't keep it up. It seems like this year they may be able to keep this aggressive style throughout the playoffs. Plus with Rogers being out it really evened the playing field. I knew the defense would have growing pains with all the young players but they are getting better each week.

 

[ShiningStar]

posters scream "its a team sport" yet we all agree it takes 1 player to make this defense play good and the team to win. thats the terrible state of affairs, yet, this is what we have risen to. Think about it, it used to be worse.

 

[ShiningStar]

I’m cautiously optimistic on the upside of this defense assuming by years end our young secondary takes over and starts playing like guys with basically a year under their belt and that JS continues to improve and we use him more to bring extra heat to the pass rush from the LB spot when he’s in.

If we had more depth (particularly LB) I’d go from guarded optimism to being outright bullish.

I think we’re close, fellas

if we are hinging on the health of one player, we are not close.

 

[Kolemmitt]

I think Lee is a key part, but its not just Lee. Irving came back week 4 and now the 1-2 punch of Irving/Tank has been come to full effect. Hitchens has been solid, and now we can use Smith the way he should be getting used during his first year back. The young DB's such as Woods and Lewis are getting better each week.

 

[DogFace]

It's amazing what a difference it makes with Lee and Hitchens back in action.

Jaylon Smith is even playing significantly better with far less reps to manage.

He will have a big game sometime soon. Giving us a preview of what’s to come.

I standing by my original statement. This kid is special.

 

[Bullflop]

He will have a big game sometime soon. Giving us a preview of what’s to come.

I standing by my original statement. This kid is special.

I have no problem with that statement. He just wasn't ready for the heavy workload he had when Hitchens and Lee was out.

 

[DogFace]

if we are hinging on the health of one player, we are not close.

The Ravens D May have suffered a lot with out Lewis in his prime. Some players can make a big difference and Lee is an all pro.

 

[ShiningStar]

The Ravens D May have suffered a lot with out Lewis in his prime. Some players can make a big difference and Lee is an all pro.

That he is, but its getting to the point where Dallas can have a few superstars but still cant get its act together. Its not always the talent on the field. It has gotten better and some players are finally blossoming. I was hoping Dallas would take this year and try to get things together instead of worrying about wins and losses. Heath didnt work, sit him for woods, move Jones around, get the offense going if Dez isnt there. A lot of mix and matching the team can still be doing. this is the year to prep, get it together, and next year, take off. Sadly i dont know if thats going to happen.

 

[WeaponX]

if we are hinging on the health of one player, we are not close.

In context of the thread title I understand your reply but I based my comments and optimism off of the reasonable assumptions that I qualified (growth in the secondary, LB depth) so I would say yes we are close. We have a potentially very solid secondary and burgeoning dominant pass rush unit - what would you qualify as close?

 

[GhostOfPelluer]

if we are hinging on the health of one player, we are not close.

Tell that to the Patriots. Without Brady they'd have no chance. We see what happened to the Packers when A-a-ron went down. Lee is that valuable to our defense because 1. he's an all-pro level player and 2. When he's out the drop off at LB is steep. Jaylon may or may not fill that gap eventually but he definitely wasn't ready early this season.

 

[ShiningStar]

Tell that to the Patriots. Without Brady they'd have no chance. We see what happened to the Packers when A-a-ron went down. Lee is that valuable to our defense because 1. he's an all-pro level player and 2. When he's out the drop off at LB is steep. Jaylon may or may not fill that gap eventually but he definitely wasn't ready early this season.

I agree with this because Patriots uses a "system"

 

[Section446]

It's amazing what a difference an off-season makes.

 

[CF74]

We need to draft 2 LB’s, Lee is getting long in the tooth.. Rinse, gargle, rewind, repeat....

 

[ShiningStar]

In context of the thread title I understand your reply but I based my comments and optimism off of the reasonable assumptions that I qualified (growth in the secondary, LB depth) so I would say yes we are close. We have a potentially very solid secondary and burgeoning dominant pass rush unit - what would you qualify as close?

when we dont hinge on one player and we arent afraid to put in the back ups

 

[haleyrules]

Lee has led the defensive for a number of years. How much longer will he last. LB is a position that needs a hard look in the next draft.

 

[WeaponX]

when we dont hinge on one player and we arent afraid to put in the back ups

Agreed - but I’d argue that when that happens we won’t be close, we’ll be there.

But no I do agree with you on the premise; feeling optimistic today!