Question for the Huddle

[gtanaka]

All this training camp excitement and seeing who's doing well so far got me thinking. Would you rather have Oher play great but not have someone step and take hardys place. Ealy and Frank don't really improve much. Or have Oher play at the level of bell last season, but have Ealy match hardys production (I know not likely at all). Keep in mind that Ealy is locked up for a few more years for cheap.

[FattyFatFat]

If I can have oher be average and Ealy play 3/4 of what hardy did, I'd be happy.

[O-Ther]

Oher play great.

In Voth's 10 part interview with Gettleman, part 8 about the D-Line, Gettleman mentions the D-Line in 2013 with the Kraken got 37 sacks, while last year without him the D-Line got 34 sacks.

Not much drop off production-wise, so that's why I'll take the Oher option over the Ealy/Alexander option.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Yes

[pantherking15]

Easy decision - Oher plays great. We have a ball control offense, and when we are dominating time of possession the defense's job becomes much easier. And if Oher plays great we are consistently moving the chains with a balanced offense and scoring at least 24 points/game.

This defense is different from the 2013 defense. The back 7 is way better and Star/KK are about to become the best DT tandem in the NFL. Also, Frank Alexander already improved (being the TC MVP from last year). The problem with Frank is he hasn't been on the field. He was in Rivera's doghouse in 2013 and missed 14 games in 2014 because of suspensions. If Kony and Frank can combine for 75% of Hardy's production in 2013, that would be good enough for a top 5 defense in ppg.

[gtanaka]

That's true, and I'm actually not sure which one I'd rather have. But one thing I know is that if ealy broke out and played like hardy, got 13 sacks. With all the other improvements on our defense, our d would be redicoulous. Undoubtedly number 1.

[top dawg]

I'd rather everyone play well, than one play great, but if I had to choose for one to be great, it would have to be Oher. Seeing Cam get pummeled last season, the low being against Philly, was enough for me as a fan to never desire to take part in that experience again.  It was saddening, but also maddening.  I know that he was taking the real beating, but I was taking an emotional beating, cringing with damned near every snap.  I never want to go through that again.

[t96]

Oher play great.

In Voth's 10 part interview with Gettleman, part 8 about the D-Line, Gettleman mentions the D-Line in 2013 with the Kraken got 37 sacks, while last year without him the D-Line got 34 sacks.

Not much drop off production-wise, so that's why I'll take the Oher option over the Ealy/Alexander option.

The overall run defense last year by the line without Hardy was downright unacceptable. Sacks are nice and all, but Hardy was one of the best linemen against the run in the entire league, in addition to being able to rush the passer AND drop into coverage. So it was a pretty big drop off production-wise. The d-line isn't only there to get sacks.