As a fellow fan, I'm flabbergasted that you can't see the huge improvement in the defense. By the time the season started last year we lost Sean Lee (the uncontested heart & soul of our Defense), Lawrence (the only "premier" edge rusher on the roster), & after a few games we lost Claiborne (although he hasn't been what most had hoped, he still is a solid CB when healthy) and an overachieving Justin Durant. Nobody knew for sure what we had in both McClain's, Wilcox, Hitchens, Crawford, Mincey, and Melton. We was forced to depended on overpaid Brandon Carr, Lack luster Hayden, grumpy Scandrick, undrafted Church, inconsistent Carter, fingers crossed Selvie, and praying for anything out of Anthony Spencer. With all the naysayers predicting our defense to be the worst "ever", Nobody could have guessed what miracles Rod Marinelli would pull out of this defense that ranked dead last the year before.
Fast forward a year later. Another year under Marinelli's watch can only make everybody involved.. better.
The Secondary is as solid as it ever has been with Carr coming on strong toward the end of the year, scandrick is solid as always, and anything from Claiborne will be a plus. Add arguably the best CB in the draft, veteran Corey white, & promising Patmon. The Safety position emerged admirably last year and will be protected will a couple players with position flex like Byron Jones & White.
The Linebackers has the potential to be a strength of our defense. Sean Lee greatly improves the defense with his intelligence alone, McClain can intimidate opponents, & Hitchens is a Lee clone (my opinion). Throw in veterans Wilber, Brinkley, Rivers, and Gachkar. Then add promising rookies Damien Wilson and Mark Nzeocha, this will be exciting to see who elevates their game just to stay on the roster.
The Defense Line is easily the most improved. We added the best pass rusher available in Hardy. And although he's been out, All the players have raved ab how he sets the tone of practices. That dosent sound like a player with rust. Lawrence proved he could be a difference maker, Mincey is solid, and Crawford is expected to breakout after settling into his newfound DT position. Coaches liked what they saw out of Jack Crawford, Ben Gardner,& Terrell McClain before their injuries. The Draft brought us projected top five pick Gregory and under rated Ryan Russell. And I truly believe one of these young DT from last year will emerge: Whaley, Bishop,& Coleman.. Hayden is officially on notice.
These Defense is healthier, younger, more talented, and best of all.. Hungry to prove it. And you better believe Marinelli will get the best out of each one of them. so "not much" improved is severely under valuing your own team.
As far as knowing if this team is for real?... I believe by week two we will know (thanks to the NFL's schedule makers). If Dallas beats the Giants at home on national television, then goes to Philthy and beats the over hyped Eagles, that would be two division foes that I think will challenge us for the division crown. Do this w/o Hardy, then we can expect the defense to only improve as the season goes on. GO COWBOYS!!
