the state of the DL

[rayzor]

I'll give my Predictions on the Sack Total for the Line

Peppers - 15 sacks

Brown - 8.5 sacks

Johsnon - 10 sacks

Brayton - 3.5 sacks

Lewis - 3.5 sacks

Kemo - 2.0 sacks

Irvin - 3.0 sacks

Total DL - 45.5 sacks

Total Team - 50 sacks

if peppers stays...i have very little problem believing we could get 50+ sacks.

[Snake]

I think alot of things go into a good Pass rush. We had the speed on the outside and inside to get to the QB last year but our failure point was our CBs were so far off the ball that the QB could just step up and never have to be worried about the CB being there to pick it off. I think if we can get more physical at the CB pos then our sacks will go up.

[Ashor]

That's why we drafted Irvin. Whether or not you think he's the answer is up to you, but we did grab a DT to do that in the draft.

You're right, I forgot about Irvin my bad, and he's from the SEC which is a major plus. The guy is huge as well.

[jramsey4]

I think alot of things go into a good Pass rush. We had the speed on the outside and inside to get to the QB last year but our failure point was our CBs were so far off the ball that the QB could just step up and never have to be worried about the CB being there to pick it off. I think if we can get more physical at the CB pos then our sacks will go up.

I think it was more of the lack of pass rush that exposed our secondary (and I also think having a converted CB playing S is first year also contributed). You can have one of the most average secondaries in the league but one of the best DL and still have the best D in the league. IMO it all starts up front.

[rippadonn]

The jury is still out on Brown. He has a lot to prove...

He is confident.

[nagai]

The jury is still out on Brown. He has a lot to prove...

He is confident.

Yeah he is. I just hope this self confidence doesn't edge on to cockiness. He has a lot of work to do.

[Fenrir]

I've seen Corvey Irvin, being a Tennessee student/fan and I must say that I was quite happy with us picking him up. They guy is athletic and will be a starting DT for us in 3 years or less IMO. However, back to the original topic, I think the DL situation will be much improved from last year IF Peppers plays his hardest. It should be a better defensive year for us, but the stats may not show it because of the brutal schedule this year.

[nagai]

Just the addition of Brown imo was huge for us. Look worse case scenario he's a pass rush specialist that doesn't evolve into a 3 down DE. Even that is a huge plus for us. What I saw last season was an underwhelming 4 man rush late in the 4th quarter when the opponent needed to score. Not getting pressure in those situations is an absolute killer. I only need to point you to the giants - pats superbowl 2 years ago to show the importance of a good pass rush.

[AKPantherFan]

No matter WHAT-- With Meeks, our NEW defense can not be any worse than the sh it hole that TurgoCRAP was running.

I expect us to get more from our players this season.

[goodlay]

Well with the addition of Meeks instead of Trgo, and the drafting of Brown and Irvin, our line can't be worse.

[AKPantherFan]

Well with the addition of Meeks instead of Trgo, and the drafting of Brown and Irvin, our line can't be worse.

great minds think a like !

[MadHatter]

Personally, I've felt like our starting DT's were fine all along, but just needed more depth behind them. Hopefully they have found that depth with Irvin and/ or one of these UDFA's. I'm still not counting out Gary Gibson and Nick Hayden either.

You are exactly correct. Kemo and Lewis are fine starting DT's. When Walker was injured in the car accident, we had absolutely no depth behind them.

With the additino of Brown, a DE rotation of Peppers, Johnson, Brayton, and Brown should more than get the job done. We still need to add another veteran DT (Robertson, anyone?) and the DT's should be more than servicable.

Slide Brayton into the DT spot with Lewis on passing downs....flanked by Peppers and Brown....no reason we can't get alot of pressure on the oppposing QB with that line. Their size and speed are exactly what Meeks made a huge pass rushing success in Indy.

DL will be fine this season.

[Plewis]

Well with the addition of Meeks instead of Trgo, and the drafting of Brown and Irvin, our line can't be worse.

I'm pretty sure losing Sal Sunseri (D-line Coach) was not a good thing... dude knows football. Im not sure who the new D-line coach is, but it'll be pretty hard to be as good as Sal. While losing Trgo is a good thing (so we think), not so sure bout Sal.

Overall though, we definitely added some depth. Is our D-line going to be premier now? No. I just hope its better than last year.

[mantal]

Yeah he is. I just hope this self confidence doesn't edge on to cockiness. He has a lot of work to do.

I like cocky in a defensive player. As long as he doesn't let up because of it...