How is it possible for the best shutdown cb in the history of the league to have a "break out" year? If he continues where he is at (and maybe gets a few more interceptions), I'll be ecstatic.
Cromartie or the refs absolutely killed us in that game. I think it was 5PI's for big daddy. You're right about ceiling the edge. Last season, was our worst run defense of RR era. On defense, I am confident we are going to fix the problems of last year and maintain top tier in the league, probably best.
I understand the defense was simplified last year because of the shortened camp. It also seems like the blitzing was down due to a philisophical change to be more coverage based. It also seems Rex is more in favor of the blitz and Petine is more in favor of coverage. Should be interesting to see what the defense does this year. A 2nd year for Mo Wilks and perhaps he can increase his pass rush. Coples will replace Devito in pass rush situations which is automatically an upgrade over Devito's 0 pass rush. Maybin has bulked up, so we'll see if that does anything. And I think they will try to find some coverage and blitz roles for Demario Davis. Otherwise, I'm not sure how much has changed on defense even with all the new safeties added to the mix.
I think the defense is drastically better than last year. We no longer have to rely on Bart Scott in passing situations. Maybin should provide improved consistent disruption which is exactly what we need. Of course Coples changes the DL into one of the strongest ones in the league. Besides that we inject some young blood at Safety and make a big upgrade on Eric Smith in Landry. By next year this defense should be one good FS away from being one of the most fearsome units in the history of football. It's really going to be fun to watch this team eat QB's alive week after week.
I appreciate but don't neccesarily share your optimism. Next year we may still need a FS, yes. Our SS in Landry and Bell are both on one years deals, so we will be looking to see what we have in Allen, otherwise we will need a SS. Pace will be cut and Bryan Thomas will be a free agent again, so we will need two OLBs when we seem to be having a hard time even finding even one new one. And Revis will be looking for a new deal. On top of that, the cap is still tight next year. So, its not the end of the world but there are a lot of challenges ahead.
You're just missing the point. We're dying to get rid of Pace and Thomas and Scott. They do nothing for us. We're going to get rid of all three of them and the big money they're tying up. We're going to add one OLB in the first 2 rounds, and we're going to be set. DeMario takes over for Scott. Maybin plays OLB every down (or nearly every down with a vet min. complement like Thomas again.) Harris is the other ILB. Rookie is the starting OLB. Other high round draft pick will be the starting safety. Hopefully someone pans out between Allen, Bush, Landry. If not...fuck. Not that it would matter one iota, since we'll easily be able to add one safety next year just as we added Landry this year, (hopefully even better). If Vlad pans out...the only major addition we'll need on offense is a starting guard to replace Moore which we should be able to add in round 3. Wake up...it's a bright new day.
Not sure if serious... But yeah, I know we will cut those LBs. But I have also been asking for a new OLB and FS for two or three years now and Tanny has not complied with my wishes. On offense, we'll have both guards, both TEs and Greene as free agents. Oh, and we will still need a RT.:grin:
We'll resign Slauson and Keller because we're not retarded...and evaluate Greene based on our other needs for the draft in addition to McKnight/Powell. There is no reason to label Vlad as a long term bust yet. He showed some promise late last year and was never expected to produce before this year anyway. We did address OLB this year. His name is Quinton Coples. Also his name is DeMario Davis. Either player can and will line up outside. Both players indirectly help OLB by aiding the pass rush when they line up in their normal spots. We also tried to get a FS this year in Reggie Nelson. We got outbid. Rome wasn't built in a day.
Not trying to be a dick, but what makes you think the D will look like it did two years ago? 3 of your 4 linebackers are old, slow, and cant rush the passer. You have to use numbers to bring pressure. You no longer have a force clogging the middle of the field. And that problem is flanked by two young, raw guys, one of which we dont even know if he cares about football. Your safeties are probably the weakest tandem in the league. Again, not trying to bash the Jets, but I'm just not seeing how all that equals a defense from 2-3 years ago when you had way better, younger players.
yeap, that was the first hint that last season was gonna be a bad one. Raiders shoved the football down our throats, made us look soft and not tough on both lines.
The bottom line is that this team was out of control last season and that is 100% on Rex Ryan. He needs to LEAD and RUN this team. If he has coaches who tolerate, allow, contribute to, encourage - divisive behaviors and divisive comments, then that is Rex's fault for having coaches who allow that to be on his staff. Every single change that occurs this off season has to be about ONE THING: Improving the Team. If Rex taking a more active role in the defense will improve this team GREAT.
Yup. I can't blame him for his hands off approach. There's more than one way to skin a cat in regards to managing a team (and I take this from personal work experience). You can be hands on, hands off, or try to strike a balance in between. Hands off is generally the way to go IF (and this is a big if) you have a mature locker room that can handle themselves, and a coaching staff that is put in place to properly motivate the players. Unfortunately, this backfired for Rex because our locker room was full of malcontents. I can't blame him for trying this approach, but respect that he saw how bad things got and is willing to properly fix the problem by being more hands on this season.
I only half agree with you. As head coach everything falls on him, particularly internal issues. However, Schotty was a Tannenbaum/Woody holdover and not a Rex choice. Their styles mixed like oil and water. Its hard to control a subordinate who has protection above you.
I think he shit canned the season in order to get Schotty fired. Take one step back to make a giant leap forward.
