What are the pieces still needed on Defense?

Cowboyny

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First of all, odds are Dan Quinn's era with the team have concluded. He is going to become a HC again in this league. Did a great job turning around this group. Who does the team hire to replace him? Do they go in house with a Edward, Whitt or the DL Coach? Do they hire someone outside the organization like Fangio, Zimmer? Hard to say this early in the process. Whitt doesn't appear to be the guy, Zimmer/Edwards combo would make sense, but let's see.

The goal last offseason was to fix the poor run defense. They performed much better in that area was ultimately was exposed against the 49ers in the playoffs. The loss of Urban hurt, Watkins played better then many thought, but this team truly needs a true NT. One who can have the linebackers plays more clean. Ends struggled at times with containment, but less of a problem on the outside then with the interior.

Defensive End is more about keeping their own. Restructuring/extending DLaw, resigning Gregory, who yes had a bad playoff game, but is still needed. I am expecting Armstrong to leave where Golston replaces his reps along with Basham. What happens if either DLaw or Gregory departs? Becomes the #1 need.

A lot of uncertainty at the linebacker position with both Neal/Lve scheduled to become fa's. Neal is more of a coverage linebacker, where ultimately many feel Cox can assume, but they need run linebacker, especially if they want to flex Parsons as a rusher depending on the matchups. Lve played far better once Gallimore returned, they could try to resign him to a short-term contract or bring in another veteran such as a Hightower. Think this is the area which they look to fill via the draft to go along with a veteran stop gap starter.

Corner looks to be more of a 2023 concern. Brown will be playing on the last yr of his contract, there is an out in Lewis contract after the season. Joseph appears ready to become the starter opposite Diggs, where Wright is still developing.

The team would love to bring back Kearse, but he might become out of their price range. They do have some options if he leaves for the strong safety position in Wilson and Muku. Free Safety is another animal, appears they will move on from a disappointing Kazee, will they look to bring back Hooker? This is another area they need to find a long-term replacement via the draft.
 
Take away the windfall of turnovers which will not likely happen that plentifully again, and our defense still was pretty bad. I can live with the secondary because we created depth and need to see what Joseph and Wright can bring, but we need to keep Kearse and someone for FS.

I can live with the pass rush even if it’s sporadic. What I cannot live with is the inability to stop the run and make teams one dimensional…..you have to be able to stop the run at times. We don’t have the LBs or DL pieces to stop the run game. We need 1-2 LBs, one needs to be a thumper even if he leaves the field for the nickel. We still need a run stuffer on the DL who can also push the pocket back at the QB.

Quinn did the best he could with the same old garbage, but I’m sick of playing defense with nothing but 3-tech DTs, no MLB, and DBs galore.
 
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Are away the windfall of turnovers which will not likely happen that plentifully again, and our defense still was pretty bad. I can live with the secondary because we created depth and need to see what Joseph and Wright can bring, but we need to keep Kearse and someone for FS.

I can live with the pass rush even if it’s sporadic. What I cannot live with is the inability to stop the run and make teams one dimensional…..you have to be able to stop the run at times. We don’t have the LBs or DL pieces to stop the run game. We need 1-2 LBs, one needs to be a thumper even if he leaves the field for the nickel. We still need a run stuffer on the DL who can also push the pocket back at the QB.

Quinn did the best he could with the same old garbage, but I’m sick of playing defense with nothing but 3-tech DTs, no MLB, and DBs galore.

Agree with all of this. The defense was completely overhyped. The turnovers won't keep coming, these things typically return to the norm. They can't stop the run when it matters, don't tackle very well, allow the most big plays in the league, screens and RB swing passes often go for 15+ yards unless Micah blows them up. The D is a one man wrecking crew and once Quinn put him in coverage most of the time the pressure on the QBs disappeared.

Quinn did a great job keeping the games within reach, and let's remember that's what we were all hoping for before the year began. We all said even if the D were just average we'd be in great shape.
 
I think you need to 1st address how you will handle a 30 million dollar DE who is basically a strong side run stopper more than someone who is able to get to the QB. Then figure out if you want to spend enough to keep randy. Any other DL free agents can walk. Look for help in the draft not only at DL but at LB or 2 so Micah can rush the passer without exposing the LB team.
 
Well considering Quinn wanted all these guys with length this past offseason and personally scouted them, now your stuck with these type guys. Now we have to bring in a new DC and he might like different guys. So many uncertainties right now we Quinn and FA’s. Too early to say
 
1. Hire a real DC in Fangio
2. Difference maker at 1T DT
3. Have to resign Kearse and Hooker
4. Draft 2 LB in rds 3-5. One should be your MLB starter so Parsons can move around
5. DE is up on the air but I’m not paying Gregory big money

That’s what is needed
 
Well considering Quinn wanted all these guys with length this past offseason and personally scouted them, now your stuck with these type guys. Now we have to bring in a new DC and he might like different guys. So many uncertainties right now we Quinn and FA’s. Too early to say
I was thinking that the other day. Someone like Zimmer plays a different style of defense.
 
Keep churning the roster
Focus on DT, LB and FS
See if Kearse can be signed
No other starter worth what they will be paid as a FA
 
I was thinking that the other day. Someone like Zimmer plays a different style of defense.

Yep, but I think he would love Diggs and Joseph a lot. He would toughen Diggs up IMO. But what do you do with the 6’4” corner and safety we just drafted that look promising?
 
Yep, but I think he would love Diggs and Joseph a lot. He would toughen Diggs up IMO. But what do you do with the 6’4” corner and safety we just drafted that look promising?
Good point, I'm not sure about the DTs either. I just looked up Woods stats at safety and he had a pretty good year under Zimmer w/ 3 INTs, 2FF, and 10PDEFs.
 
Just think the Zimmer/Edwards combo makes an easier transition. In Edwards, you have a guy with detailed knowledge of a D player's strengths and weaknesses alone their fit in the Quinn system. Zimmer's resume as a DC speaks for itself but to me, his intangibles are exactly what this team needs. If you know Mike, no way in hell he sits back and his D commits unforced errors and/or penalties w/o accountability.

Didn't know this but guess who originally drafted Kearse? Also, he's a guy that LOVES his safeties .......
 
Yep, but I think he would love Diggs and Joseph a lot. He would toughen Diggs up IMO. But what do you do with the 6’4” corner and safety we just drafted that look promising?

No question......he'd clean up a lot of Diggs sloppiness. Remember he drafted/coached Stefon
 
Take away the windfall of turnovers which will not likely happen that plentifully again, and our defense still was pretty bad. I can live with the secondary because we created depth and need to see what Joseph and Wright can bring, but we need to keep Kearse and someone for FS.

I can live with the pass rush even if it’s sporadic. What I cannot live with is the inability to stop the run and make teams one dimensional…..you have to be able to stop the run at times. We don’t have the LBs or DL pieces to stop the run game. We need 1-2 LBs, one needs to be a thumper even if he leaves the field for the nickel. We still need a run stuffer on the DL who can also push the pocket back at the QB.

Quinn did the best he could with the same old garbage, but I’m sick of playing defense with nothing but 3-tech DTs, no MLB, and DBs galore.

Post of the day!
 
At the end of day, this was a defense that created a boatload of pressure and turnovers but the 49ers exposed the same weakness we've had year after year, inability to stop the run. IF we can get that cleaned up......we're a top 5 D, easily.
 
A big wide bodied 1T far superior in talent to Bohanna. Plug and play starter not a project. So, a reasonably priced FA contract or the highest graded draftee available. Either-OR.

Either as close to a Parsons QB chaser as you can get at linebacker or a true "with get off and ability to bend" 4-3 rush DE.
Do not like Lawrence or Gregory as long term options if staying 4-3.

I would stick with Kearse(re-sign that is) and Wilson as my safeties.

True offseason competition for CB2 btwn Brown and Joseph. Diggs at CB1 and Lewis in the slot I'm okay with along with remaining depth.
 

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