I think that was a pretty good synopsis. Although I do think that Gibril did get better as the season progressed. One thing is clear though is that he's better in run support than the pass, and I'd say that warrants a look at whether he'd be a significant downgrade from Bell at SS. If he's not, trade Bell with his newly found Pro Bowl status, and bring the Gerbil up, and look another direction for FS. God knows we're not going to get any compensation for Gibril, and he's got a huge contract if I recall. Might as well see if we can move him back to where he's accustomed to playing, and try to solve the FS problem with someone else
1. Ryan Picket or Aburayo Franklin 2. Karlos Dansby, Barrett Ruud, Demeco Ryans. Rolando Mcclain, Sean Weatherspoon or Brandon Spikes. 3. Nick Collins, O.J Otogwe. Earl Thomas 4. More PT for Wake. Jerry Hughes 5. See number 2.
I'll be honest, self promoting statements like these - .."...., I consider myself an expert when it comes to Sparano-speak. As your linguistics expert I'll reveal.........." - are really annoying. Get real Omar. People recognize that you know what you're talking about because you, well, know what you're talking about. Not because you constantly try to convince people of it by telling them how much you know. This is not to say that I necessarily think that Omar knows what he's talking about. I'm just saying people are known for their deeds not what they say their deeds are. He really should have also mentioned one thing that DID NOT contribute to the defense's regression was Crowder not blowing out his knee.
In a word ... "injuries". In more words ... "lack of quality depth". In even more words ... "lack of quality coaching to help minimize exposure of our weaknesses".
Keeping Jason Taylor and Joey Porter at OLB. Sorry I thought from the beginning it was a bad idea. The last time they tried it in 2007 JT's numbers dropped dramatically. Then he goes to KC and Joey has monstrous numbers. JT comes back and Joey's numbers drop again. That hurt us this year as they don't compliment each other. Akin Ayodele and Channing Crowder are good solid players but they're never going to be stars never much more than mediocre. When we had better LB on the outside it helped but this year the entire LB was sad. Yeremiah Bell and Gibril Wilson are the same problem as JP and JT. They are not complimentary. We have 2 safeties with the same skillset. The FO this past season tried to make do and keep the offense producing without getting it much in the way in new talent. The big offseason move in getting Cameron Wake looked good except they didn't play him enough. This year we need Talent! Not makeshift pieces like Ayodele. They need to actually pull the trigger and get us some defensive starters.
Compliment each other? Porter's role didn't change as the ROLB. He was still rushing the passer almost all the time. If anything not having the run stopping Roth would make teams want to run at Taylor more leaving Porter in better position (Taylor did quite well though at stopping the run). Porter's failures had nothing to do with Taylor. I can't think of a single reason why it would hurt them. Heck it probably helped them by allowing the team to move a viable pass rushing threat to ROLB in Taylor at times with Porter at LOLB giving the team more versatility. In no part of Porter's game should Taylor have hurt his play run stopping, coverage, or pass rushing.
