Bigger Problem: Interior Pass Rush Or Run Defense

[Ivan The Awesome]

Cox will fix everything.

[The Special One]

Cox will help our run defense and our inside pass rush, brockers will only help the run D.

Good point. Cox has emerged as a true "complete" DT. That's very valuable, so much so that the Rams might take him at 6 or another team (Eagles) could trade up and take him before we have the chance.

[Kuech the Sneak]

Good point. Cox has emerged as a true "complete" DT. That's very valuable, so much so that the Rams might take him at 6 or another team (Eagles) could trade up and take him before we have the chance.

I hope he's there when we pick, I don't know who else I want at that spot. I know there's all the talk about the eagles moving up to get him, but I think it would be a waste, they already have Jenkins, Patterson, and Antonio Dixon is a good young player. They'd be better off getting LB and S help

[JawnyBlaze]

Brockers. Even though he's not much of a pass rusher (though he does directly impact the passing game with his condor-like wingspan) I think he'll provide a significant indirect impact by moving the pocket back and not letting QBs step up to make throws. I can't even count the number of times Hardy in particular (but CJ too) ALMOST had a sack but the QB just stepped up to avoid it. Watching all the youtube on the top 4 or 5 DTs in this draft, no one commands the LoS like Brockers. Not even close. A "pass rusher" DT like Cox or Still would (eventually) be good enough at getting sacks themselves, but I just believe their total impact on the defense would be less than Brockers.

If we do take Brockers (or if we end up with another DT that has the same effect I described above), I'd be willing to bet money Hardy gets 8+ sacks this year. CJ could also take that step from consensus "very good" to consensus "elite" (I say consensus since we all already know he's elite, but the rest of the football world is a little behind). If we take Cox or some other "pass rusher" DT, I'd be surprised to see much improvement from Hardy. Obviously taking Coples or some other DE that would cut into Hardy's playing time would also have an effect.

[cultclassiccat]

Brockers' tapes jump out at me more than the other dts. ingrams' tapes as well for de.

[MadHatter]

Edwards should help compensate for Hardy's lack of run defense. But I also think going into his 3rd season, 2nd in the same defensive scheme with a whole offseason we should see Hardy make a leap from last year.

Big NT in the middle will not compensate for Hardy's poor run defense on the edge.

[jarhead]

Cox will help our run defense and our inside pass rush, brockers will only help the run D.

I am not sure that any of the DTs will help anything this year.We have alot of good DTs to choose from but not one that will be great without a year or two in the league,I dont see any of these guys beating out Edwards and Nesbitt next year.There may be some future great DTs ie. Brockers Cox and Poe but no real help for next year.

I am thinking given the lack of elite talent he may go with a situation pass rush guy like Bruce Irving later in the draft.Couple may be a slight upgrade to Hardy in run defense but I think Rivera wants to coach some of these young guys up and would prefer to have a paymaker on offense or defense.ie J Blackmon or Floyd..

[jtm]

With the QBs we have in our division, we need a pass rush. Revis can't even guard a WR all day.

I don't care who we get or the position, but they better rush the QB. Cox or Couples for me. If not, go WR and let's out score everyone.

[jarhead]

With the QBs we have in our division, we need a pass rush. Revis can't even guard a WR all day.

I don't care who we get or the position, but they better rush the QB. Cox or Couples for me. If not, go WR and let's out score everyone.

This guy is not an every down player but Bruce Irvin can get after a qb with his 4.5 speed..

http://www.nfldrafts...=2012&genpos=DE

[jtm]

I'll let our scouts decide who is the best pass rusher. If they aren't sold on one at #9, grab Floyd.

[OchoNueve]

Our run defense was horrible last year. At least we have a Pro Bowl caliber DE in Charles Johnson that got a little pressure on the QB. We need to plug the middle and hope Ron Edwards is what we thought he was before injury last season.

[jarhead]

I'll let our scouts decide who is the best pass rusher. If they aren't sold on one at #9, grab Floyd.

Did I say he is the best option ? I just said he is an option off the beaten path.as message board allows for people sharing ideas and opinions.

[Doughboy88]

It looks like the 11th pick was a home run over the past 10 years

[jtm]

Did I say he is the best option ? I just said he is an option off the beaten path.as message board allows for people sharing ideas and opinions.

I wasn't taking a shot at you. Sorry if it came out that way.