Defensive Rankings Predictions and look at last years rankings.

[panther4life]

Since so many here are already forecasting guaranteed gloom and doom after 1 preseason they should have no problem throwing out their projections on where we will rank this season.

I want to see more before I get too bold but to be fair since I started the thread I am going to say this.

If we can stay relatively healthy and Norman steps up the way he I think he will we should be

able to crack the top 18 in pass D vs 24th last year.

-This is justified by Kuechly lessening the bleeding against Tight ends and Norman not being the worst # 2 corner in the league like Munnerlyn was.

I say we make it inside the top half in Run D this year vs being 25th overall last year.

-Having Edwards,an improved DT next to him(not sure which one yet),Beason, and Kuechly out there makes that easy to justify. We really need to stop those big runs to the outside and having 2 sideline to sideline backers in Beason and Kuechly its gonna to help a ton. Nakumara seems like he's more of a sure tackler than Martin too, so if beats him out that will help as well.

We were god awful in TD'S allowed last year, allowing 28 receiving and 18 rushing. We also had 3 returns for a td and 1 pick 6.

Special teams would not surprise me at this point if they gave up 3 again

-Passing wise I think we can chop about 5 of those off which would have made us tied for 15th last year.

-Rushing TD's I think we can shave at 5 of those off as well which would have had us tied for 19th last year

Since we were close in every game we lost aside from the Titan debacle saving 10 td's over the season this year and if our offense keeps it up, I think that gets us in the playoffs.

btw, last year our offense scored 47 TD'S, we got 1 return for a TD and 0 defensive.

on defense once again the tally was 46 allowed on D, 3 for returns, and 1 pick 6

We were closer than many think last year and this year I really believe we have what it takes to close that gap and earn a playoff birth.

*and for a bonus prediction I think Kuechly gets the D on the board this year with a pick 6!

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Practical reason suggests that the D will be somewhat improved this year if the guys are relatively healthy. All that said, i do think some of the glaring weaknesses from last year will plague the team again this year. Specifically, CB and Dline. If Norman can step up it will be refreshing.

[Jackofalltrades]

I'd like to wait and see what happens over the next couple of week with the progress of Norman, Nakamura, DT and Hardy. We may bring someone else in after the cuts begin.

As of right now I see us around 20-25 and I'm hoping to get as high as 15.

[redbuddha]

I think if we can get this defense into the top 20, we will have seen significant progress till the next draft.

[iamhubby1]

Rivera stated last night that the team responded well to his Monday morning chat. The players have stepped up the intensity at practice. So I am hoping for a much improved showing this week.

Also, let us not forget that Miami is no Houston. Tannyhill played rather well, but they are no juggernaut. So, let us all wait until we have a larger sample set before we write this year off defensively.

There is a strong possiblitiy the D could have as many as 5 new starters. This is not last years D.

[panther4life]

Wheres all the resident pessimist? Place your predictions!

[jarhead]

I am not a pessimist and feel there will be some improvement but I still see a mediocre pass rush and pass defense.I would expect to see us in the middle of the pack.The offense will need to carry the load on there shoulders which is entirely possible

[CRA]

I think with a healthy healthier LB corp and the addition of Luke we will be improved. DT play also will likely be improved.

So that said, I expect us to be better against the run.....about the same against the pass

[iamhubby1]

Hellz, I'll bump this mother once again. Sorta.

There are more than a few of us folks who happen to see the very unique possibility that this is a vastly different D than last year. Just from a personell standpoint. Add in a year of growth. And I see no reason whatsoever that we cannot be more than solid on D.

Quick take one. McClain has flashed growth. Luke is flashing personified. Nakimura and Norman are pushing for starter minutes. Davis seems to be back, and Beast is ONLY nursing a hammy. CJ stated he is healthy and ready to show out. And just for the fun of it, let's throw in a healthy Edwards. As I have said. I see no reason to worry. Rankings will work themselves out.

Quick take two. I do not wish to beleaguer this point as it has been stated and ignored many times. Two things to take to heart with regards to Rivera. He is determined to build HIS Defense, and is close to having his perfect personell. McDermott and Rivera are of one mind. These two have a vision and now the personell to run their D. That should give you goosebumps.

Quick take three. ST play will be vastly improved... well unless we keep Mare. That aspect alone is worth the price of admission.

It is not out of the realm of possibility for us to be a very good D. Sorry if that does conflict with some folks view. I just happen to believe my version over yours. Faith in Rivera, and the playerz, has me giddy.

And Fuging GOOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SuperMan]

I say....

#12 overall defense....

#10 in points allowed

10th vs the run (teams will need to throw on us to keep up)

17th vs the pass (I think our blitz package will surprise this season)

What can I say I am an optimist.

[RevJ]

19th in Overall & in Points allowed

17th vs Pass

22nd vs Run

33rd in special teams stops

(UFL & CFL team ahead of us, Browns still behind us)

[jarhead]

Hellz, I'll bump this mother once again. Sorta.

There are more than a few of us folks who happen to see the very unique possibility that this is a vastly different D than last year. Just from a personell standpoint. Add in a year of growth. And I see no reason whatsoever that we cannot be more than solid on D.

Quick take one. McClain has flashed growth. Luke is flashing personified. Nakimura and Norman are pushing for starter minutes. Davis seems to be back, and Beast is ONLY nursing a hammy. CJ stated he is healthy and ready to show out. And just for the fun of it, let's throw in a healthy Edwards. As I have said. I see no reason to worry. Rankings will work themselves out.

Quick take two. I do not wish to beleaguer this point as it has been stated and ignored many times. Two things to take to heart with regards to Rivera. He is determined to build HIS Defense, and is close to having his perfect personell. McDermott and Rivera are of one mind. These two have a vision and now the personell to run their D. That should give you goosebumps.

Quick take three. ST play will be vastly improved... well unless we keep Mare. That aspect alone is worth the price of admission.

It is not out of the realm of possibility for us to be a very good D. Sorry if that does conflict with some folks view. I just happen to believe my version over yours. Faith in Rivera, and the playerz, has me giddy.

And Fuging GOOOOOOO CATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well I hope you are right but think you are wrong.

I do not see where a consistent pass rush will come from.CJ cannot do it all.

Our safeties are bad.I think we may have our 2nd cb but he will get torched early

[Achilles]

For me its not about where our defense ranks in every category. This is what matters:

We took a lead into the 4th quarter in 10+ games last year. Then, 2 things happened 1) the defense gave up many, many touchdowns and 2) the offense stopped scoring. We lost 6 or more of games where we led going into the 4th Q.

Basically, what this defense needs to do is be WAAAAYYYY better on 3rd down, esp in the 2nd half. giving up 3rd down conversions is our biggest weakness (not so much yards allowed, etc.) I was impressed in the Miami game that our 1st team defense got off the field on 3rd down with a lead 3 out of 4 drives. Our 3rd string defense almost gave the game away in the 4th Q (shades of 2011), but Stanford stepped up at the last minute.

If we can get make some consistent stops on third down this season, esp when it counts in the 4th q, I don't really care how our defense ranks in yards allowed (which is where people usually look for a ranking).

This defense will need to cause a lot of turnovers because that's the only way they can stop drives in many cases.

Both of these things are caused by putting pressure on the QB.

So, statistics that matter most:

1. QB pressures, hurries, hits, and sacks

2. Third down conversion %

3. Forced turnovers

[iamhubby1]

Well I hope you are right but think you are wrong.

I do not see where a consistent pass rush will come from.CJ cannot do it all.

Our safeties are bad.I think we may have our 2nd cb but he will get torched early

I harbor no ill will just because you want to live in the past. Last year was, and still is, history. And though our D was bad, it was not historically bad.

There is a strong possibility that we will have 5 new starters. 2 of which are in the DB corp. Edwards has made a major impact on our D-line. Beast is the Beast and will be back in the middle. That is damm near a complete overhaul. Or as close as it gets in the NFL.

McClain has shown a major improvement, and even Fua has had flashes. Alexander and Applewhite provide good depth.

We are a better D by additon. Add in a year of growth and learning. Throw in a much more communicative D. And the improvement will be there.

Can I prove it? Of course not. But if you can honestly look at the D as it is now. And still see a poor team. Then I cannot help you.

It is called faith and observance. I see upgrades, I see growth. I hear the communication. And best of all, I see Rivera and McDermott evolving into diabolical schemerz.

I and plenty of others are giddy over the direction our D is headed. Join us if you want. Lots of room left.