The defense

[KSpan]

One preseason game is a small sample and the other teams will adjust as they get film on Rivera/McDermott, but I felt like watching this defense was night and day from the last few years. Same talent and players, but the execution was very different.

- Crossing/timed blitzes that actually worked.

- Way fewer missed tackles.

- Everyone moving forward and attacking and filling instead of reacting.

- Lineman shooting gaps and slanting.

- Better awareness and backside pursuit.

- Emphasis on pressure to help improve the pass coverage - this will be HUGE.

All of the new players have some serious attitude. Considine, Thomas Williams, Greco, the rookie DTs... I think I'm going to like this staff.

[Fox007]

...Held the opposition to just 3 points.

[liljah8303]

Imagine when we have our whole line backing core, defensive ends and corners.

Definitely a different ball team out there

[rico6]

Defense minus 29382830 starters looked great. Once the crew is back together again, I expect another solid season out of them.

Fua and Irvin were monsters tonight.

[frash.exe]

butz butz we needzzz fairleyzzzzzz and dareuszzsssz izzz notttzzgoodenuff

[mwright350]

They had their less than stellar moments but overall it was a really good showing for having backup LBs in and someone's grandma we signed before the game starting at CB.

They certainly looked like a much more active defense than in years past.

[cavic7585]

Loved the D. ya we had some bad moments but we had some starters missing and we cant always pitch a 3 and out. maye you could see it all on TV but at the game I could see the whole D running some zone blitzes instead of the boring prevent d crap.

[blackcatgrowl]

The defense tonight was firing me up big time. They looked vicious. Attacking. I loved every minute of it. GOD its good to see people tackling hard.

Rivera... you are tha man if you can keep this up.

[ncbobcat]

butz butz we needzzz fairleyzzzzzz and dareuszzsssz izzz notttzzgoodenuff

I'll hold judgment until regular season. They looked good versus a Giants team that didn't game plan and played 2nd and 3rd stringers most of the game.

[Davidson Deac II]

I'll hold judgment until regular season. They looked good versus a Giants team that didn't game plan and played 2nd and 3rd stringers most of the game.

Agreed. They looked like worldbeaters in the preseason last year. But during the season, they looked at best, slight above average. Will need to see them in the regular season before making any judgement.

[mwright350]

Agreed. They looked like worldbeaters in the preseason last year. But during the season, they looked at best, slight above average. Will need to see them in the regular season before making any judgement.

They looked pretty good during the first part of last season too. I suppose you can only stay playing at a high level for so long when your offense never gives you more than 5 minutes to rest.

[rayzor]

I'll hold judgment until regular season. They looked good versus a Giants team that didn't game plan and played 2nd and 3rd stringers most of the game.

you mean the Panthers defense that didn't game plan and was without half its starters to begin with looked good versus a Giants team that didn't game plan and played 2nd and 3rd stringers most of the game.

[JawnyBlaze]

I'll hold judgment until regular season. They looked good versus a Giants team that didn't game plan and played 2nd and 3rd stringers most of the game.

it was mostly 2nd and 3rd stringers playing from the very beginning of the game for the Panthers defense. More than half of the starters didn't play a snap.

[Catalyst]

How about Corvey Irvin? I though this guy was a bust and long gone. Now he's starting and playing extremely well. I never saw this coming, but it's awesome.