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

[Gucci Mane]

Good Interior Linemen => Disrupt QB sooner => Shortens WR routes => eases pressure on DB's => Success [bad throw/pick/less time for WR to find open space]

 

so defense.

[CRA]

well, I don't know who will rank best in terms of yards....that is deceptive often.

 

I think the O > D. 

 

 

 

I think people may be setting unrealistic expectations for rookie DTs improving our pass rush right away into something freakshow-ish.

[OneBadCat]

We got the perfect DT in Star for this defense. I think the sky is the limit for that defense now. I would not be surprised to see them upstage the offense.

 

 

I think our offense can be great but they will only be as good at the offensive line allows them to  be and Smith and Olsen have to stay healthy.

[mcdougal]

The defense better be ranked in the top 6. We have spent the better part of 3 season trying to improve that Unit while hiring a defensive minded head coach.

 

The offense...not so much. I would be happy with a top 20 offensive ranking.

[Frizzy350]

I think our defense is going to be absurd this season.  Especially our run defense.  Thinking we are going to have something ridiculous letting up something like 50 rushing yards a game and a boatload of sacks and picks.

[Jakob]

How can anyone think Offense will rank higher? what are you smoking...

[CRA]

How can anyone think Offense will rank higher? what are you smoking...

 

Offense has been better overall than the D since Rivera has been here....

 

two rookie DTs I don't think suddenly flips poo updside down.  Plus, the Cam factor, he should continue to get better....

 

Like I said, I don't know where they will stand in the rankings as that is often deceptive.  Carolina ranked higher than they actually where good last year.  O IMO should remain better than the D.

[TheRed]

Defense. With all the investments made into it recently and the potential, it needs to be top 10.

Our offense should be right there in the mix as well with balanced playcalling this season.

[ThatNiggaManny]

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

Id cum in buckets if that ends up being true.

[L-TownCat]

I'm not real keen on putting so much pressure on Star and KK. If they happen to struggle this year I don't want to hear the lot of you screaming bust. This is the "needs a couple years" position. I think both will show flashes and hopefully be a consistent "non-negative".

With that said I think we could lead the league in rushing this year if we are really intent on running the ball. Couple that with splash plays in the passing game and Cams creativity we may be looking at 2008 with a happier ending. Offense is my choice.

[jtm]

People here forgot the firepower we have in our division. Based on that alone, our D's stats will likely never be in the top 5.

[pantherclaw]

top 4 defense.

why top 4? cause 5 doesn't divide 32 evenly. ;)

top 8 offense, which could end up being even better if execution is consistent.

id be alright with a middle of the pack special teams, but i really want it to be a top 4 unit. so difficult to sustain cause this is the first side of the game that gets affected by injuries.

[pantherclaw]

People here forgot the firepower we have in our division. Based on that alone, our D's stats will likely never be in the top 5.

im glad our defense doesn't think/feel that way.

[pantherclaw]

we don't have to depend on our rookie defensive tackles to play elite, for our defense to be elite.

it's called a rotation. expect it. these rookie tackles won't see more than 35% of the snaps, unless we suffer injuries to our vets.