Offense or Defense? Which will be ranked higher after the season?

[top dawg]

People are throwing around a lot of opinions in reference to Shula, Cam, Chico, Derm and Keek (Clark Kent in a near 100 percent angelic terms).  Depending on who you listen to, from extreme perspectives, you'd think that there are holes on both sides of the ball that should make all of us think like this:

[PhillyB]

i think we end up a top 5 defense by the time it's said and done. a top ten offense would complement this nicely.

[Rules&Regulations]

Offense. With the subtraction of chud should be much better.

[mbarbour21]

Tie in top 10

[Cary Kollins]

Both will be number 1 obviously.

[PantherFeez]

Defense for me. The secondary, even though it wasn't a strength, we've added competition to it and hopefully from that we can shake out a manageable back 4. The front 4 did nothing but gain talent.. same goes for the linebackers (that pantry is well stocked). 

 

Offensively we gained unknowns. Kug by all means isn't a sure thing (I am hoping for the best), the o-line might struggle again, rb's I feel better about, and Cam seems to be a bit more mature, but a big hole that I think is going unnoticed is the TE depth. Between Williams and Rosario we might find our answer.. but overall there are more unknowns surrounding the offense for me

[FootballMaestro]

The Offense. 

 

If the defense is as good as some of us want to believe, then this team will be a playoff team. 

 

Remember, the offense was top, upper ranked two years in a row. However, the defense was horrible one year, and better/top 10 the next year. So the offense has shown more consistency, less fluctuation.

 

Many of us are basing the defense off the last half of the season , and conveniently forgetting the season before. I hope they will both be top 10, with the offense being top 5. 

 

We'll see?

[carpanfan96]

I think the offense makes the move into the top 5. Defense will be top 10 again, but more consistent and able to hold leads. 

[TheRumGone]

Top 10 in both, hopefully.

[The Huddler]

The Offense.

If the defense is as good as some of us want to believe, then this team will be a playoff team.

Remember, the offense was top, upper ranked two years in a row. However, the defense was horrible one year, and better/top 10 the next year. So the offense has shown more consistency, less fluctuation.

Many of us are basing the defense off the last half of the season , and conveniently forgetting the season before. I hope they will both be top 10, with the offense being top 5.

We'll see?

I wouldnt call it fluctuation. I feel like we need at least three seasons to say flucuation.

I would say the Defense improved, especially with how they are anticipated this year. I do agree that the offense will be on top due to an Improved QB.

[Salvo]

Based on yardage, I think both will be just outside the top 10. But I think we'll be more efficient on both sides of the ball by committing less mistakes, causing more turnovers, and scoring more TDs...which will get us into the playoffs with a decent number of wins. Considering the schedule we have with the number of high quality defensive opponents and the offensive powerhouses in our division, it's going to be hard to break the top 10 rankings.

 

[FootballMaestro]

Ironically, lowly Special Teams, could determine this teams fate more than the Offense or Defense. 

 

They've been bottom ranked the past two years. 

 

When will we see some improvement?

[DaveThePanther2008]

DEFENSE

 

I love the potential of our offense and we are going to put some points on the board.  I think the running game is going to open up some big plays for Smitty and crew.

 

We have a defensive minded head coach and a DC that has learned from one of the greatest DC in NFL History (God rest his soul) McDermott finally has all the piece to really do some interesting.  I see blitzes coming from everywhere.   I am excited an believe this defense with Kuechly and Beason running the show is going to be down right Nasty.

 

Defense top 3

Offense top 5

[Kakarot]

Well, it better be the defense with most of the resources going towards that side of the ball.  Defense should be in the 5-10 range easy, with the way most in here talk and salivate over Star and KK.  

 

A lot of unknowns with that offense.  The o-line was trash last year, even when we had Kalil.  With the addition of Kug, you don't know what he's going to give, so it's still some uncertainty regarding the oline.  You have had Cam Newton leading the team in rushing the past two seasons.  With Lafell as the #2, he's only given us one 100+ yard receiving game in his career, plus Smith is a year older...so you don't know about that WR group.  Olsen plays soft a good portion of the time.  It would be a good idea to add a second pass catching TE to the group.  A lot of uncertainty with the offense.