A Big Reason Behind Defense Issues

[panthers55]

oh btw i'm pretty much sold on the idea of picking a top NT in the next draft

the way this season is going we'll probably be picking 8-12 and that's around where Ngata was drafted. i don't know who is out there because i don't watch much college football but hopefully there's a DT that dynamic who is coming down the pike.

Next year we will have Edwards back and Fua won't be a rookie getting abused.

Next year it won't be a position of need. Edwards was healthy for 5 years before he got hurt this season. Until then we will just have to suffer along.

[panthers55]

We also rank 3rd in total offense but 17th in scoring. Our Redzone play calling and execution has cost us wins as much as anything.

If execution means penalties and dropped balls, then I agree with you.

[frash.exe]

The OP has a point. We invested a lot draft-wise in the offense, and it shows. We didn't in the defense, and it shows.

since 2005 our first rounders have been a linebacker, running back, linebacker, running back, offensive lineman, and QB. But since we traded two firsts between the last two we've been behind the 8 ball as far as drafting first round talent. To explain, there's a reason why Everette Brown, Jimmy Clausen, and Dwayne Jarrett fell way below the area in which they were projected. If you're a center prospect like Kalil was it's different because there isn't a whole lot of emphasis on C as a talent position as much as others, since center is one of the more cerebral positions. But if you're a WR, a QB, or a DE, positions any team is consistently willing to invest high picks in, and you fall into the middle of the 2nd round it means you aren't really that good.

[X-Clown]

RB, I can't see your point about WR and DE in particular when we have gotten 2 pro bowlers (89 and CJ) and two adequate starters with the potential to be even better (hardy and gettis) in the 6th.

[frash.exe]

RB, I can't see your point about WR and DE in particular when we have gotten 2 pro bowlers (89 and CJ) and two adequate starters with the potential to be even better (hardy and gettis) in the 6th.

because you're not looking at it correctly

[The_Mango55]

Charles Johnson and Greg Hardy are pretty good for third and sixth round picks.

I get what you mean. Missing Beason, Davis and Gamble all at once hurts, but I don't think the round a player was drafted in is always the best indicator of how good they are.

Besides actually judging how good they are by on-field performace, it actually is pretty much the best indicator.

http://www.cleveland.com/datacentral/index.ssf/2009/04/mike_levypd_filejames_harrison.html

All-Pros by round selected: First round (27); second round (7), third round (5); fourth round (5), fifth round (3), sixth round (1); seventh round (3); undrafted (8).

Hall-of-Famers by round selected

Draft Round :Hall-of-famers

1 80

2 25

3 19

4 7

5 5

6 1

7 6

[Razzy]

This offseason was about more improving the offense. It has worked.

Next offseason I expect to see the defense addressed in the draft and FA in a big way.

[DRubi15]

Another big name WR thats a free agent next offseason will want to come play with 89 and Cam. Sign whoever it may be and im pretty sure Rivera and Hurney will build the defense in a big way through the draft.

[Double34Trouble28]

This offseason is going to be really interesting. Players want to come and play with Cam I think.

I think if we just have a good draft, not great, things could get serious.

For some reason, I feel like the bulk of the defensive help may come through FA. I still think we take a WR with our first round pick(if we are top 10). But the rest of the draft should be defensive and trench heavy.

[DRubi15]

This offseason is going to be really interesting. Players want to come and play with Cam I think.

I think if we just have a good draft, not great, things could get serious.

For some reason, I feel like the bulk of the defensive help may come through FA. I still think we take a WR with our first round pick(if we are top 10). But the rest of the draft should be defensive and trench heavy.

If we can land a guy like Vince Jackson or DeSean Jackson then i say the draft is all defense. If we dont get a big time WR in free agency and

if we have a chance to get Blackmon...get him then go Defense heavy.

[DRubi15]

This offseason is going to be really interesting. Players want to come and play with Cam I think.

I think if we just have a good draft, not great, things could get serious.

For some reason, I feel like the bulk of the defensive help may come through FA. I still think we take a WR with our first round pick(if we are top 10). But the rest of the draft should be defensive and trench heavy.

If we can land a guy like Vince Jackson..or even DeSean Jackson...then draft the best CB or DT available.

If we dont sign a top WR in FA...and if that guy Blackmon is still on the board take him for sure. I just think Rivera will want to get some defensive play makers this time around in the draft.

[rodeo]

Let me build on what you're saying

Forte had six runs between the tackles, for a whopping 16 yards. That leaves 189 yards to outside runs. Now could that be to the Bears seeing a strength in the middle that we're all missing or does it show that our defensive tackles are not demanding more attention from their line? Without having guys on the defensive line, who eat up more than one blocker, it is allowing their blockers to make it to the second and third tier of our defense.

I've watched the NFL replay of the game twice tonight, and I really see what you're saying. On most of their rushes, literally every single defender has a blocker on him. It's nuts. We've got to get some guys who can eat up multiple blockers.

[frash.exe]

i feel like our linebackers are going to suffer more injuries if our DTs can't prevent linemen from getting to the 2nd level and engaging them more

[Herb]

Defense needs work, but injuries have hurt and we are very young too. What I'm extremely concerned about though is special teams... I mean wow.