This defense has what the offense is still searching for: leaders, identity, and experience

[Icege]

Shaq Thompson and Donte Jackson are clearly the leaders of this defense, with Stephon Gilmore being a possible addition to that group.

This defense is nasty. They swarm to the ball, the harass the QB, they punish whomever has the ball, and they force turnovers. Not only that, you're seeing where they experience of guys like DaQuan Jones, Morgan Fox, Haason Reddick, Stephon Gilmore, Shaq Thompson, and others trickle down to affect these young guys like Derrick Brown, Yetur Gross-Matos, Jeremy Chinn, Keith Taylor Jr, Sean Chandler, Sam Franklin, and Bravvion Roy.

Who on this offense has the potential to be the leader? To be a part of the identity? To have the experience to help develop young guys?

Edited October 31, 2021 by Icege

[PhillyB]

what an incredible difference in tone with shaq and gilmore

[Kraybrothers]

Gilmore followed Pitts the entire game, man in man, press. So refreshing to see. By far the best DB we’ve ever heard. I don’t want to hear any Norman, Gamble or Ricky Manning talk

[t96]

Yeah the D is built and fully ready to contend for a championship. Not quite at the point where it can carry a team to a championship like the '85 Bears, 2000 Ravens, etc. but we don't have much work to do on that side of the ball.

Just need to build the offense up to do their part and need to figure out some consistency with ST. We may have found a kicker so that's a start. QB and OL are the huge gaping holes, and some pretty damn important ones at that...

[Soul Rebel]

Shaq truly changed the feel of this defense today. Not that Jackson, Gilmore and Reddick don't deserve the love....but man, Shaq really has stepped into his own this year. 

[panthers55]

Shaq was the biggest difference today. The interception, the tackles for loss, the tackle on Davis when he was on his way. The way he moved the defense around and did his best Luke imitation was great. There weren't the gaps and blown coverages over the middle. Gilmore is a quick study and Jackson was tough 1 on 1 but Shaq was the man today. The defense has its swagger back.

[HotelSoapy!]

I just hope we can retain everybody on defense while we get ten new faces for our oline this offseason. Run it back next year. Maybe Sam Darnold in year 2 of the system and a vastly improved oline would make us contender status. Tom Brady may retire too.