Best Nucleus - Defense

[mbarbour21]

When I think nucleus, I think of about three players, not the whole D. Like Cam would be the nucleus on O, cuz u build around him. Then maybe Keek, Star, & TD.....throw Johnson in there too maybe, but not the whole D. I'm okay with ranking. We r in really good company IMO.

[Woodie]

By nucleus, they mean players that are likely to be around longer than this year; the number of players is irrelevant. 

 

With that said, they are spot on with us.  Our defensive backfield is a big hole.  We really need a top shelf CB, and until we get one, this unit will always be the Achilles heel of our defense.

[Cyberjag]

It's already been stated, but the reason they don't like our secondary as a part of a nucleus is because they're all on one-year deals.  Not one of them is guaranteed back next year.

 

It's not a slam on our talent, it's our stability that's in question.

[MHS831]

This is stupid. If the secondary is comprised of one-year free agents, then my guess is they are not part of the nucleus.  In addition, who the hell is this ass hat to decide that Hardy will be franchise tagged?  Does he justify that statement with any facts? 

[SevyDamus]

I hope we can resign Captain if he's cheap. Has starting experience & is really good in the slot that's where I want to see him. Then I say draft Boston from UNC or Loston from LSU in the 3rd or 4th round. Bring in Sam Shields or Vontae Davis if their a good price & possibly draft a CB in the 1st or 2nd depending how BPA falls.

[LinvilleGorge]

The only two must keeps in our secondary IMO are Mitchell and Captain, but only at the right price.  Neither are elite.  Captain is worth decent #3 CB money and Mitchell is worth average starter money.  The rest... well, they're just guys.  They can be upgraded.

[Jackofalltrades]

White and Lester look to have a ton of potential.

[firstdayfan]

We bitch about our secondary all the time but get defensive when someone else brings it up.

 

I agree 100%.

 

We as fans should know our team a little better than national media but sometimes I think success clouds the memories of a lot of guys around here because we aren't used to it.  Despite what Munnerlyn says the secondary IS the achilles heel right now.  Undrafted Rookie Melvin White has been average at best throughout the year and Drayton Florence has been starting for the last month.  That should tell you all you need to know about the corner situation.  While Munnerlyn is probably one of the better slot corners in the league he doesn't make up for the lack of talent outside.  The safety position is ok, not great though.  Mitchell has been a surprise but still has shortcomings and its hard to get too excited about Mikel or Lester.

 

And we don't necessarily need a "shutdown" corner, just someone who can cover his guy without having to give up a 18 yard cushion.  I honestly feel like (as all of you should) that TD's ability to cover tightends and running backs has helped make our secondary look better than it is as, well as our great front four.  But when they don't get pressure teams can have a field day against them as Colston, Wallace, and a few others have done.  I would seriously hate to see the Eagles, Packers (w/ Rodgers), or Chicago in the playoffs.  The best case we can hope for right now is San Fran in Charlotte, I think we matchup up well with them.

 

And if you think otherwise you are letting the wins take place of your wisdom.  Bottom line this team knows how to win now, which is why they have made the turn around, but its the same team that we complained about in training camp as being thin in the secondary, offensive line, and wide receiver.  We as fans have known since then that the front 7 was gonna be special and that Cam could get the offense going but we also should be well aware of the weaknesses too and keep some perspective.  I still think we are still a year or two away from being an elite team despite what our record says, and thats a pretty good feeling.