Why our Defense is bad and why it (hopefully) shouldn't be a problem - A baseless theory by Rags

[JawnyBlaze]

And the draft 2 safeties back to back round 1-2 next year, if they're arguably BPA at the time I'm onboard. I would honestly probably prefer a DT in the 1st if we can snag a stud. Could possibly use a 1 or 2 on an OT (future Gross or immediate Bell replacement, depending on how Campbell's development goes). Might also need another early pick on a WR if no one outside of Lafell starts showing any growth.

If our young WRs are looking good (and I expect them to be...at the very least Murphy looks like a competent starter that could play Smitty's role), and there's not good value at DT or OT, I could definitely get behind Safeties in the 1st and 2nd. Especially since we'll hopefully be picking in the back half (or end) of the rounds, and Safeties are better value down there. Should still be able to pick up a top 3 Safety in the draft in the back third of the 1st. This year, the second Safety off the board went #29. Of course, this was a kind of weak Safety class, so I probably wouldn't expect to get the second best safety next year with the 29th pick.

[carolina-chuck]

And the draft 2 safeties back to back round 1-2 next year, if they're arguably BPA at the time I'm onboard. I would honestly probably prefer a DT in the 1st if we can snag a stud. Could possibly use a 1 or 2 on an OT (future Gross or immediate Bell replacement, depending on how Campbell's development goes). Might also need another early pick on a WR if no one outside of Lafell starts showing any growth.

If our young WRs are looking good (and I expect them to be...at the very least Murphy looks like a competent starter that could play Smitty's role), and there's not good value at DT or OT, I could definitely get behind Safeties in the 1st and 2nd. Especially since we'll hopefully be picking in the back half (or end) of the rounds, and Safeties are better value down there. Should still be able to pick up a top 3 Safety in the draft in the back third of the 1st. This year, the second Safety off the board went #29. Of course, this was a kind of weak Safety class, so I probably wouldn't expect to get the second best safety next year with the 29th pick.

If by the end of the season, Godfrey and Martin reflects who they have been for us all these years, I promise I'll be the first one to make a mock draft with us taking Safeties in back to back round!!!

I can pass on the OLINE next year.

Next year class of safeties should be pretty damn good if everyone projected to come out, comes out.

Imagine a Eric Reid/TJ McDonald in the first and a Tony Jefferson/Matt Elam in the 2nd. Big time upgrade in the backfield.

[Tarheelbenny]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if we take a safety next year.Several sources came out after this past draft and said that we were targeting mark barron before tampa jumped up and took him so it's definitely on rivera and hurney's radar.And i think unless johnson and hardy both step up big time time this year that defensive end will be in the mix too.Especially after all the off the field crap hardy's been pulling.i still think if we make any moves for a defensive tackle it'll be a vet.They take too long to develop.Having said all that,i think people need to chill about our defense.We had no camp last year.3 starters out for the year,2 rookies starting,and no solid time to practice with a new set of coaches.And alot of guys are still being held out as a precaution right now.Once these guys have time to gel and grow together on the field i think alot of people will start eating their words by about the 5th or 6th game this year.And yes the offense will have to step up until then.But were gonna be good!

[Achilles]

Building out this defense slowly one position at a time might be a good long term goal. Unfortunately it's not going to do the trick in the short term. Some needs were addressed in FA and draft. But we are far from being one of those "missing one playmaker" defenses. We need about 3 or 4 (DL, S, CB) true grades. Bringing in depth (Nakamura, Alexander, Butler/Norman/Hogan) is good but barely stop-gap already. I'm all for a RR effort to maximize talent through the draft on defense. Still, that will take another 3 years.

Will Rivera even be around to finish the job in 3-4 years. You gotta win NOW in this league. With that in mind, can this coach and GM keep their jobs long enough to see this long term plan through? Where will the offense be in 3 years? Where will the fans be?

[Marguide]

Building out this defense slowly one position at a time might be a good long term goal. Unfortunately it's not going to do the trick in the short term. Some needs were addressed in FA and draft. But we are far from being one of those "missing one playmaker" defenses. We need about 3 or 4 (DL, S, CB) true grades. Bringing in depth (Nakamura, Alexander, Butler/Norman/Hogan) is good but barely stop-gap already. I'm all for a RR effort to maximize talent through the draft on defense. Still, that will take another 3 years.

Will Rivera even be around to finish the job in 3-4 years. You gotta win NOW in this league. With that in mind, can this coach and GM keep their jobs long enough to see this long term plan through? Where will the offense be in 3 years? Where will the fans be?

So what is your plan? What would you do differently? Who should we target and how should we get them?

It's easy to say we need to be good now. It's not as easy to come up with a plan to do it.

[Snake]

Safety and DE are not great but people still ignore we have zero push up the middle. No DE will ever be good enough if the QB can simply step up for more time. We don't need a Suh type player just a couple that don't get turned and can make a push.

That's what annoys me about Hurney. We spend a ton of money on luxury players when we could have got a good FA player that could have filled a need.

[rayzor]

i hope that they are trying to have the best defense in the league. i don't want them to accept anything less than that. take what they have and make it work.

i don't want them to be complacent in any phase. hearing and reading what i have from rivera and his coaching staff and team, i have no reason to believe that they aren't trying to be the best. they may not have the most ideal personnel choices and last year most certainly wasn't the most ideal of situations (which is more the reason why they struggled...injuries, new system, inconsistent lineup, HC focusing his attention on the phase that leading up to last year needed the most work).

this year it should be better than last and within a couple year we'll see the defense being where typical rivera defenses are...among the best in the league.

[Icege]

Will Rivera even be around to finish the job in 3-4 years. You gotta win NOW in this league. With that in mind, can this coach and GM keep their jobs long enough to see this long term plan through? Where will the offense be in 3 years? Where will the fans be?

I could be wrong, but i believe that while reading some pieces during the hiring that the pressure was not on the coach to win now but to educate and develop the young players to become champions. Coach is personally raising what is expected above that, and he isn't posturing like say Morris. El Pantera constantly referring to the "process" only emphasizes this more (to me). I think the expectations were playoffs by the third year with improving seasons (ideally back to back winning seasons).

Safety and DE are not great but people still ignore we have zero push up the middle. No DE will ever be good enough if the QB can simply step up for more time. We don't need a Suh type player just a couple that don't get turned and can make a push.

That's what annoys me about Hurney. We spend a ton of money on luxury players when we could have got a good FA player that could have filled a need.

We did that last season when we signed Ron Edwards.

[iamhubby1]

So what is your plan? What would you do differently? Who should we target and how should we get them?

It's easy to say we need to be good now. It's not as easy to come up with a plan to do it.

I had a mentor that taught me, a complaint without a solution is just a bitch. It is just to easy to complain.

I see growth and progress. I see a chance at a vastly revamped starting D. I see Depth and Talent added to ST and the D. I see three rookies Flashing, with one at that critical CB position. So I see no reason not to be optimistic about where we are this year. The start of year two.

Competition all over the place, three shiny new rookies, return from injury for at least two key starters, and a year of growth. Why Not?

And lest we forget, practicing anything other than FG for ST is extemely difficult. You do not want your guys hitting each other like that. So bcause you only go 3/4 speed in practice, it takes a couple of games for it all to come together. With the talent out there. We should see improvement by the end of preseason.

[Rubi]

I had a mentor that taught me, a complaint without a solution is just a bitch. It is just to easy to complain.

I see growth and progress. I see a chance at a vastly revamped starting D. I see Depth and Talent added to ST and the D. I see three rookies Flashing, with one at that critical CB position. So I see no reason not to be optimistic about where we are this year. The start of year two.

Competition all over the place, three shiny new rookies, return from injury for at least two key starters, and a year of growth. Why Not?

And lest we forget, practicing anything other than FG for ST is extemely difficult. You do not want your guys hitting each other like that. So bcause you only go 3/4 speed in practice, it takes a couple of games for it all to come together. With the talent out there. We should see improvement by the end of preseason.

Hopefully it plays out well for us. If Norman can beat out the captain my positive level will increase a few points. (defense is a question mark for me because of guys off injury..dline/secondary play)We will have to upgrade the trenches next offseason. Can't do anything about it now.

[iamhubby1]

They way I look at it is. Two years ago we were pitiful. Last year we we iffy. This year we should improve to not bad. So that next year we will be knocking on the door of elite.

Norman... Scares the beegees outta me. Can he play? Or is this a camp wonder story? I would obviously prefer the former as it would benefit us most. If he puts Munny to nickle, I will be happy.

Edwards should improve the line. Keek should improve the LBs. Norman should help the CBs. And maybe Nakamari can win the FS spot and make it a clean sweep.

Limit the mistakes. Win the turnover battle. With our O, this may be enough to put the NFL on notice.

My giddy does not care that I am a homer. And GOOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rubi]

They way I look at it is. Two years ago we were pitiful. Last year we we iffy. This year we should improve to not bad. So that next year we will be knocking on the door of elite.

Norman... Scares the beegees outta me. Can he play? Or is this a camp wonder story? I would obviously prefer the former as it would benefit us most. If he puts Munny to nickle, I will be happy.

Edwards should improve the line. Keek should improve the LBs. Norman should help the CBs. And maybe Nakamari can win the FS spot and make it a clean sweep.

Limit the mistakes. Win the turnover battle. With our O, this may be enough to put the NFL on notice.

My giddy does not care that I am a homer. And GOOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You crack me up with the goooo cats. (not saying this is you) I imagine some 12 year old nerd with pants that are too short and stupid glasses saying it

[iamhubby1]

You crack me up with the goooo cats. (not saying this is you) I imagine some 12 year old nerd with pants that are too short and stupid glasses saying it

Actually, I don't wear glasses. But it did make me almost chorkle. (I'll be dammed if I will say giggle.) So I guess that just reinforces your image. Fug.

I think it sarted as a smart azz response on some message board, and has lived a rather long and, until now, realitively quite existence. I guess it has morphed into a statement of the excitement level I am experiencing at the moment.

I waited a long time for the Lions to finally have an elite QB. It only took 16 years for the Pantherz to snag theirs. Went from never having one. To now both my teams have one. It is fuging giddy heaven.

Hence. The GOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1