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Ok, let me start off by saying there are some things I like about this D. TKO, if he stays healthy, is a beast. Crowell is up and coming. The depth and athleticism of the DB's (excluding Coy Wire) is good. And Kyle Williams may be the steal of the draft.
But that being said, I think this D is in trouble.
First, this is a new system, and while it seems to fit most of the personnel well, it's going to take time for the players to get used to it. In preseason, the starters looked confused and there were several blown coverages. There were numerous holes in the zone. I fully expect this to improve as the season goes on, but in the meantime, I also expect this D to get lit up on multiple occasions.
Second, TKO. His injury is perhaps the toughest one to recover from. Sam Cowart, who had the same injury a few years back, was cut this past week. If this guy is 100% or even 80%, no problem. But there's no guarantee that he will be.
Third: Kelsay, Tim Anderson and Coy Wire could be STARTERS- wtf? These guys are a bunch of career underacheivers. Wire is on the team for ST and is not a good fit for this D. Anderson got pushed around by Detroit's scrubs in the last preseason game.
Fourth, and this is somewhat redundant- the DL. Tripplett is solid and Schobel's definitely above average, but Anderson and Kelsay suck. I'm not sure on McCargo yet and I like Williams, but this is a sub-par unit. They tend to go backwards on running plays, and the athleticism of our DB's will be a non-factor if the front 4 can't generate pressure. In preseason, the first teamers weren't exactly getting stood up on passing plays, but they always seemed to be a step too slow.
Fifth, Linebackers. TKO (if healthy), Fletcher, and Crowell may be one of the best starting LB corps in the league. But behind them is guys like Hunter and Digiorgio. There is no depth here. If the starters stay healthy, no problem. But one injury and this unit is screwed.
Taken together, this D is still a stud DT, a decent DE and depth at LB away from being good. I expect this D to tighten up a little over the course of the season, but it ain't gonna be pretty. Don't expect them to be able to get off the field and definitely don't expect them to win games for us like they did in 03 and 04.
But that being said, I think this D is in trouble.
First, this is a new system, and while it seems to fit most of the personnel well, it's going to take time for the players to get used to it. In preseason, the starters looked confused and there were several blown coverages. There were numerous holes in the zone. I fully expect this to improve as the season goes on, but in the meantime, I also expect this D to get lit up on multiple occasions.
Second, TKO. His injury is perhaps the toughest one to recover from. Sam Cowart, who had the same injury a few years back, was cut this past week. If this guy is 100% or even 80%, no problem. But there's no guarantee that he will be.
Third: Kelsay, Tim Anderson and Coy Wire could be STARTERS- wtf? These guys are a bunch of career underacheivers. Wire is on the team for ST and is not a good fit for this D. Anderson got pushed around by Detroit's scrubs in the last preseason game.
Fourth, and this is somewhat redundant- the DL. Tripplett is solid and Schobel's definitely above average, but Anderson and Kelsay suck. I'm not sure on McCargo yet and I like Williams, but this is a sub-par unit. They tend to go backwards on running plays, and the athleticism of our DB's will be a non-factor if the front 4 can't generate pressure. In preseason, the first teamers weren't exactly getting stood up on passing plays, but they always seemed to be a step too slow.
Fifth, Linebackers. TKO (if healthy), Fletcher, and Crowell may be one of the best starting LB corps in the league. But behind them is guys like Hunter and Digiorgio. There is no depth here. If the starters stay healthy, no problem. But one injury and this unit is screwed.
Taken together, this D is still a stud DT, a decent DE and depth at LB away from being good. I expect this D to tighten up a little over the course of the season, but it ain't gonna be pretty. Don't expect them to be able to get off the field and definitely don't expect them to win games for us like they did in 03 and 04.
& 
too!!
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