Who are you confident in on defense?

[Aven8]

I'm glad you noticed that too. The secondary actually did an outstanding job in the playoffs, guarding both Tate (his touchdown notwithstanding), Megatron, Nelson and Cobb.
I was looking forward to them matching up well with the Seahawks' nondescript, average receivers. Alas, it wasn't to be.

But the secondary was not the weak link on this defense. The pass rush was. That must be the No. 1 priority in the off-season, aside from signing Dez to an extended contract or franchising him.

IMO, the lack of a pass rush is what kept us from the NFC Championship.

Yep. And as much as I like the mantra build through the draft, we can at least get one stud DE in FA. JPP please. I mentioned this in another thread but look what it did for GB who never goes after the high priced FA route. Peppers was a one man wrecking crew out there yesterday!

 

[Zimmy Lives]

Lee, Crawford, Mincey, Lawrence, Scandrick, Carr (yes, he is salvageable), Hitchens, and Carter all inspire a degree of confidence. I can take or leave the rest.

 

[Oh_Canada]

Sterling Moore needs to swap duties with Carr for starters. Carr has lost a step since his quad or hamstring injury earlier in the season not to mention the passing of his mom. We need a true #1 shutdown corner and a premier pass rusher. We are set at LB's with Lee, Ro Mc, Durant, Carter, and Hitchens. Wilbur is good depth. We also need a DT to go with Crawford, not sure if Brent is that guy but he has potential. DLaw has upside.

Dez was robbed!!!

Uggggghh no. Carr is a far better corner and I like Moore.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

There seem to be some real good players, but I do see a few of them that would be much better served as a depth option rather than a starter. They need a dynamic player on that D-line and healthy players at linebacker. I think DLaw has some real potential and Crawford looks like he can be a solution, but the other two spots could use an upgrade. No shortage of what they can do in the first few rounds of the draft this year. All three levels could use an upgrade.

 

[CF74]

Uggggghh no. Carr is a far better corner and I like Moore.

He was at one time...

 

[StarBoyz83]

Mincey
oscan
crawford
moore
hitchens

romac if we can get him on a decent contract

thats pretty much it.

 

[Oh_Canada]

He was at one time...

No he is now. Do you think he did a pretty good job on two of the best Wr's in the game in back to back weeks? I do, Moore got torched by a rook and often is matched up against three's. Moore is a solid nickel/dime guy but he's not as good as Carr if you toss out the $$ that are clouding people's judgement.

 

[tyke1doe]

I don't know why posters have included Lee. He is unreliable due to his health, and I have my doubts that he'll play a full season next year.

 

[Machete]

I am surprised at the number of D players you all have listed. For me, it is only one player. Oscan.

 

[Yakuza Rich]

I like Crawford, Spencer (really came on in the 2nd half of the season), McClain, Carter, Durant, Hitchens, O-Scan and Wilcox.

We will need to figure out what LB's we want to keep. I like Lee, but he can't stay healthy. And if we keep McClain (which I am for), we'll need to figure out what to do with Lee. Not so sure either McClain or Lee would be effective in the WILL position. I don't think McClain's heart is into not playing the MIKE. Lee could play the SAM, but that's a pricey SAM backer. Since this is a passing game, I wouldn't mind seeing us retain Carter.

Crawford was excellent, but we don't have another DT. If Marinelli leaves that could spell the end up Hayden who hustles, but isn't really a factor against the run or the pass. I'd rather see us look for a fair price in the FA market for a DT than spend a high draft pick.

We'll really need to start looking at corners. I figure Carr will get released. Would be nice if Patmon steps up his game, but we also need to factor in that Scandrick will probably be gone after next season as well.

I don't hate Church, but he limits what we can do since he's poor in single coverage. I like Wilcox, but he still has to learn how to tackle better and stop taking poor angles. I really like his single coverage skills though.

I'd like to see us try and acquire more picks and develop more talent. We'll see.






YR

 

[Tejano15]

Crawford, Hitchens, Mincey, Scandrick is above average still not sold on him great talker tho. McClain is hurt way too much for me, everyone wants to put him and Lee together that is too risky, neither has proven to stay healthy. Lee is under contract, let McClain come back only for the right numbers or else let him walk.

Carr played better at the end of the year but if he does not restructure I believe he is gone, Moore is a battler but he was beat over and over yesterday. I think CB just needs to be upgraded period. MC will be back next year and he has yet to prove his worth. Wilcox became better as the year progressed but his angles are horrific and Church is not a ball hawk. We need a safety that can make a play on the ball and cover more ground.

I was big on Jerrigan last year in the second round he could have been had, he played well for the Ravens and I still believe he would have been the better pick than Lawrence but I hope Lawrence proves me wrong. He is a worker, I just hope he can develop some strength and better pass rush ability. A stud one tech this team needs, I know they don't like that in the first round but if one is there, they need to take the OL approach on DL.

3 tech Crawford
Mike Hitchens
Will Lee
CB Scandrick
DE Mincey

All other positions if there is opportunity to upgrade, I would be ok with any other guy on this team being replaced. I know financials won't allow that but my feelings will not be hurt by replacing any other player on D.

 

[EST_1986]

OScan, RoMac and Lee but I have no confidence he will stay on the field ever in his lifetime

 

[Frozen700]

OScan only. Maybe JJ, and Hitch. That is it.

 

[CATCH17]

In this scheme I actually feel good about all of them being able to do their job.

We just need to upgrade and I would start right in the middle at defensive tackle. We need a force in there that can collapse the pocket.

Linebackers are set...

We need a safety that can cover more ground and you can never have enough good corners.


But first and foremost the quality of the DL needs a big upgrade.

 

[Doomsday101]

FA defensive players: Carter, Durant, Spencer, Cam Lawrence, Hayden, Selvie, Moore, Spillman, Anderson and Ro McClain. I would make decent offers to Carter, Durant and Ro McClain outside of them the rest would be minimal offer at best

 

[CF74]

No he is now. Do you think he did a pretty good job on two of the best Wr's in the game in back to back weeks? I do, Moore got torched by a rook and often is matched up against three's. Moore is a solid nickel/dime guy but he's not as good as Carr if you toss out the $$ that are clouding people's judgement.

I will say Carr has had an injury he was playing thru and you make a very excellent point on Moore. I have seen him make some nice plays on a few starters though so he has plenty of upside. Good thoughts bud...

 

[Risen Star]

Crawford, Lawrence and Scandrick. That's it.

 

[Plankton]

Nick Hayden

 

[dwreck27]

Crawford, Lawrence and Scandrick. That's it.

This. With these players you know your going to get production...

everyone else its hit or miss....

but truly we need to dive fully into rebuilding our Dline this offseason like we did the Oline.... it will take us over the hump quicker than people will realize

 

[Risen Star]

This. With these players you know your going to get production...

everyone else its hit or miss....

but truly we need to dive fully into rebuilding our Dline this offseason like we did the Oline.... it will take us over the hump quicker than people will realize

I don't even know we'll get production from Lawrence but I'm confident we will. I think his playoff performance will carry over to next year. Health willing.

Everybody else is either a JAG or not consistent enough. Carter can be a beast at times. So can Rolando McClain. Neither can be trusted on a weekly basis. Sean Lee's the best overall player but can't stay on the field.