Expectations for this Defense

[Aussie Tank]

It will come down to how fresh the O can keep them. And with leads it would play into the strengths of Burns and Horn 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Going to depend on two things

1. How well will we stop the run compared to last year. I don't see us being worse but how much will it be improved by?

2. Our CB depth. Right now we see a lot of Chinn covering the slot as the 3rd CB. How well will he do in this role? He wasn't the best when asked to cover in space the last couple years but maybe the coaching and scheme change will help him flourish. I could see us getting picked apart (like most NFL secondaries) if our rush doesn't get home or at least cause some disruption in the backfield. Henderson and the other CBs not named Jaycee Horn seem very shaky to me. Even Donte Jackson has question marks coming back from a very significant Achillies injury. How well can we expect him to play? Lots of questions still need to be answered we'll see what happens.

[Reebis21]

40 minutes ago, Mr Mojo Risin said:

Going to depend on two things

1. How well will we stop the run compared to last

This is what I’ve been concerned with the most all offseason

[mickeye76]

Elite. If the injuries don't hit. 

Horn and Donte staying healthy is of paramount importance.  Usually scheme changes scare me. Transition takes time and often scheme specific players are lost in the process.  I actually think most of our guys will thrive in the new system and the new additions are experienced in the 3-4.  

Chinn and Matos could be scheme change casualties. I hope not. Burns is going to blow up. Brown and Luvu are also going to evolve further and continue their ascension. Donte and Shaq will need younger eventual heirs to their spots but not in the immediate future. But they are good veterans much like Tuttle, Dion, and DeShawn. Eventually it would be great to find a young ILB, DE, and CB.   Another draft from now and keeping Envero in the fold we will be that much closer to a top 3 defense. 

 

[panthers55]

11 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

No clue.

The two biggest things I'm wanting to see this season are 1) Bryce Young and 2) this defense. I'm not sure we'll learn much about either through the preseason. Especially the D. I expect us to keep the scheming largely under wraps in the games that don't count. I just wanna see poise and accuracy from Bryce.

Agree. The defense will be vanilla to see how we do without blitzing, exotic looks, or game planning. But we will get to see some good 1 on 1 matches, see how well the secondary does and what our depth will be given injuries bite us there in a passing division.  I want to see the offensive scheme even if it is vanilla. And hopefully if Reich simplified things the learning curve won't be too difficult.

 

[Basbear]

[CRA]

new scheme.  new coaches.  I think it might be a little boom or bust early on.  Maybe inconsistent being the right word.  I expect a solid unit by the end of the year. 

[thefuzz]

Top 12 or so unit by week 8ish.

[joemac]

15 hours ago, ladypanther said:

Burns said they have no weak spots.

Just from a starters perspective he might be right.  We've got studs at all levels.  Burns and Brown and even Houston up front.  Shaq, Luvu and Jones at LB, Horn, Bell, Chinn, DJ in the secondary.  Not many holes that I can find.  However, like with every other year, there will be injuries so depth is uber important. 

[joemac]

My Expectation?

[Gerry Green]

Not sure why so many folks are misrepresenting our run D from last year. We were tied for 8th at 4.1 yards per carry. Sure, we can still improve on that number, but we were far from atrocious at stopping the run. 

 

NFL Team Defense Stats 2021-2022 - Points Against, Sacks & More (covers.com)

 

Just another one of those things that once it gets put out there, folks just parrot it with no care whether it's right or not.

[shaqattaq]

16 hours ago, ladypanther said:

Burns said they have no weak spots.

I saw that too, but Burns is full of poo. We've patched LB and Edge with aging vets, but our CB depth still scares me to death.

[shaqattaq]

13 hours ago, stratocatter said:

preventitis

I love this! The perfect 1 word for Ron's game plan anytime we got 8 points ahead.

[CRA]

11 minutes ago, Gerry Green said:

Not sure why so many folks are misrepresenting our run D from last year. We were tied for 8th at 4.1 yards per carry. Sure, we can still improve on that number, but we were far from atrocious at stopping the run. 

 

NFL Team Defense Stats 2021-2022 - Points Against, Sacks & More (covers.com)

 

Just another one of those things that once it gets put out there, folks just parrot it with no care whether it's right or not.

We also allowed the 11th most first downs on the ground. 

Allowed the 11th most TDs on the ground. 

and had one of the top 10 worst units in terms of allowing 3rd down conversations. 

we weren't atrocious.  We weren't good.  I'd safely call it below average.