This is the question which this season revolves around. I recall most, last year, thinking our O was gonna carry our D. Could we have been any more wrong? Now, with Nolan in his second year, young guys stepping up, and vets fitting in nicely, how good can we be? If the young guys take another step, and if someone in our secondary learns how to catch the football, can we be a DOMINANT D? Right now, I know that this D will keep us in every game but, do not know if they will be kicking *** on a very regular basis. Opinions?
I honestly believe the defense can dominate now and into the future. There is much potential in this defense and I like what Nolan is doing with this unit. Its only going to get better.
Preferably Aldon Smith......Youre just a Clemson homer Regardless this team needs (NEEDS!) a secondary pass rusher besides Wake who gets consistent pressure. Thats how great defenses are built. Misi is very good but his stack and shed ability vs the run and play vs the run in general has me wanting to push him to MLB for the last few months and have him along side the slightly less physical Dansby. Misi also had a reputation coming out that he was good at pressuring the QB but not a great sack guy. The stats back that up.
I'm thinking of Bowers's versatility if you keep him at 270. He can play SOLB on run downs to give Wake a needed break (with Misi on the weakside, no?). In nickel and dime, you can move him to dline to get pressure from inside (4 man front of Wake-Bowers-Odrick/Starks-Misi). He could play 3-4 end (for extra pressure) against teams utilizing spread formations. On 3rd & short and goal line he can play end. IMO Nnamdi and DaQuan would take our D to #1 in the league.
A #1 defense? That sounds pretty incredible. How about Devin Joseph and Aldon Smith and we go with that? RB in FA, one in the third, and Ronnie returns. A speed WR in the 4th and go with that. Win at the line of scrimmage every single game.
Eh, in my opinion when you talk about building a dominant 3-4 defense you have to look at the teams that have done so successfully recently, the Pats (early in their SB years), Pitt and Baltimore. The common theme was they had incredible linebackers and at least two big time pass rushers. Their linebackers hit the snot out of people and Aldon Smith brings that attitude that frankly we lack. That kid is hard-nosed, incredibly gifted and reminds me of a Kevin Greene or a bigger James Harrison in his ability to rush the passer and intimidate. He is a guy defenses have to seek out or be embarrassed by. Your idea isnt the worst consolation prize Ive read but if its not Mallett, Im gonna be in a foul mood if we passed on Smith for anyone else other then a QB. I have him Aldon Smith as the best pass rusher in this draft...yes even better then Von Miller.
that would be a fair "consolation prize" to use Boik's words. lol. I like Harvey Dahl, too, but I definitely wouldn't be uspset with Davin. How about Jonathan Joseph and Aldon Smith?
I'd be happy with Smith...... especially since Bowers will be long gone by then. lol. Pouncey and Aldon might be my top 2 choices. Although you liked Michael Johnson so I'm not sure what to think now. nee ner nee ner.
I still think Johnson is miscast as a 4-3 DE. Kid could be another cam wake coming off the edge as a 3-4 Olb
I'm looking back at last year, when we finished #6 on D, and am still amazed. To start the season we had a new DC and system, we were starting two rookies in Odrick and Misi, moving Starks to NT, had 4 "second year players" in Davis, Smith (who was benched), Wake, and Clemons, a new guy in Dansby, injuries at ILB in Crowder & Edds, and then a NT we suspended twice the year before in Soliai. Damn, that was one hell of a lot to overcome. Now, everyone's been together, and is staying together. SCARY!!!
not sure that without as most point out ... another force off the edge - that we can push the 'dominant' term. i like most believe that this will be another top 10 defense with just the returning folks. I'll give Edds and the kid Rivera a chance to steal some time from Crowder at ILB .... but OLB is still lacking beyond Wake and Misi -- IKE is still an unknown, but will be nice to see at about 270 instead of 290; Moses is a FA. Get Wake some help, have a back-up plan for Soliai, and this team could reach the dominant plateau -- even without a dominant S ....
