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Thread: Off -season grade
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05-19-2019, 05:55 PM #73Legendary RSR Poster
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05-21-2019, 12:55 PM #75Legendary RSR Poster
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05-21-2019, 03:24 PM #76
Re: Off -season grade
I think the worries about our defense are overblown, and that's for a couple reasons:
1) The defense is and always has been greater than the sum of its parts. If you think Za'Darius Smith is going to go out in Green Bay and have a monster season, I think you're wrong. If you think Suggs is going to be nearly as effective in Arizona, even early in the season, like he was here, I think you're wrong. This defense is and always has been greater than the sum of its parts. We've seen time and time again guys leave here and fall off a cliff because we have great defensive minds that use players to their strengths, and great defensive depth to rotate. Guys like Chuck Clark, guys like Maurice Canaday, can flash and shine in their moments, not because they're special players, but because the overall depth and creativity of the unit raises all ships. Our WLB platoon consisted of 2 UDFAs and a 4th round pick. If you had told Dallas fans that Brandon Carr would be a fan favorite in Baltimore, they would have laughed at you. This is a defense that is built to recover after losing pieces. The next man up will do just fine.
2) Having the #1 Defense is increasingly irrelevant. Here's the top 5 Defenses for total yard leaders:
1) Baltimore (Playoffs out 1st round)
2) Buffalo
3) Chicago (Playoffs out 1st round)
4) Minnesota
5) Jacksonville
Now top 5 in points per game:
1) Chicago (Playoffs out first round)
2) Baltimore (Playoffs out first round)
3) Tennessee
4) Jacksonville
5) Houston (Playoffs out first round)
Now let's look at offenses. Total Yards:
1) Kansas City (Lost AFCC)
2) LA Rams (Won NFCC)
3) Tampa Bay
4) Pittsburgh
5) New England (Won Superbowl)
And Points per Game:
1) Kansas City (Lost AFCC)
2) LA Rams (Won NFCC)
3) New Orleans (Lost AFCC)
4) New England (Won Superbowl)
5) Indianapolis (Playoffs Lost in 2nd round)
Having a strong offense is much more indicative of success. Even if on paper we've taken a step back on Defense, our gains on Offense cannot be understated. If Marquise Brown is as advertised I'm happy. Mark Ingram is a really really good player. Boykin has the ability to contribute. Simply put, we're not playing to have the #1 Defense, we're playing to win the Superbowl.
3) We aren't bare on D. The biggest way a Defense can help its offense is turnovers. Enter Earl Thomas. Add in the FBS Sack leader in Jaylon Ferguson in the 3rd round. Not to mention we still have standout proven players returning like Matt Judon, Marlon Humphrey, Michael Pierce, and Brandon Carr. This defense has the tools to be one of the best in the NFL, led by maybe the best Defensive coordinator the franchise has seen in Martindale.Last edited by Shrubbs; 05-21-2019 at 03:45 PM.
"That's not Donovan McNabb."
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