Can this D-Line be good enough to mask any other shortcomings on Defense?

[The Goat]

Wake
Suh
Mitchell
OV
Shelby
Mosley
Phillips
Fede
McCain


The first four are going to wreck things.

The second four are fantastic to rotate in and out, along with McCain potentially playing a Joker role, and there's a boatload of potential with Fede, Phillips, and McCain all showing flashes already this camp.

So how is it going to feel to be a Tackle late in the year, wearing road darks in the hot Florida sun, when Vernon takes a breather in the fourth quarter, and there's a fresh Fede or McCain lining up across from them?

What I love about this line isn't just the talent...it's the depth of talent.

And if Jordan Phillips steps up and recognizes his potential to start next to Suh? Playoffs, here we come.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Certainly.

I also think that though our LB corp, despite star name recognition, has just as almost just as much depth and is a very competitive group. And without a doubt, a stout DL and a formidable front 7 overall allows the 2ndary more leeway.

 

[Dr. Phin]

Of course not! Any one single aspect of a team is never good enough to cover up flaws in other areas. Good teams will attack the weaknesses and make you pay for them.

Seriously. How many "great D-lines" have we had, even recently? And how did the defense really perform?

 

[Sons Of Shula]

Of course not! Any one single aspect of a team is never good enough to cover up flaws in other areas. Good teams will attack the weaknesses and make you pay for them.

Seriously. How many "great D-lines" have we had, even recently? And how did the defense really perform?

The game is won and lost in the trenches. You can't dispute that, it's undeniable. A very good to great offensive or defensive line can mask MANY deficiencies that lie behind them. They are the only two units in football that can overcome such inadequacies that are present in other areas of a team.

So, yes, with out a doubt, our DL (which can and should be great) can overcome our other shortcomings.

 

[The Goat]

Of course not! Any one single aspect of a team is never good enough to cover up flaws in other areas. Good teams will attack the weaknesses and make you pay for them.

Seriously. How many "great D-lines" have we had, even recently? And how did the defense really perform?

To be fair, one of the main reasons that the Giants were able to beat the Pats in the SuperBowl (the first time) was that they had an awesome front four on D, and disrupted Brady all game.

 

[randomname]

Certainly.

I also think that though our LB corp, despite star name recognition, has just as almost just as much depth and is a very competitive group. And without a doubt, a stout DL and a formidable front 7 overall allows the 2ndary more leeway.

We have sheppard competing for a starting spot at LB... :tumbleweed:

 

[z926538]

I suspect we're going to see opposing offensive coordinator attacking us with quick passes, screens, and a lot of draw plays. I just hope our LBs and CBs can cover the short stuff.

 

[Sons Of Shula]

I suspect we're going to see opposing offensive coordinator attacking us with quick passes, screens, and a lot of draw plays. I just hope our LBs and CBs can cover the short stuff.

Constraint plays are not apart of an offense's game plans. Constraints only work against a defense in an opportunity when they cheat. Offenses will have to rely on their core plays verse us and the gimmicks will not succeed if we maintain our base formations and play disciplined regardless of the personnel that we have out there.

 

[Brazzi]

Looks like the idea is to repeat offensive output from last and improve in redzone through more practice.

But the team will rely heavily on D to choke teams down. The season is basically in Ds hands.

 

[Phinfan407]

No doubt! Defensive lines can single handedly ruin offensive game plans. It's a passing league, but you have to have time to pass the ball. Suh being the three tech (most important position on the defense) will be a problem for opposing offenses because he's just too hard to gameplan. We have to do a great job communicating in the secondary and not blowing assignments. I think the LB's will be fine. The secondary will also be solid as long as we can stay healthy. I'm liking the way guys are competing.

 

[Tannchise]

Our DL will have to stop the run and shorten the seconds a qb has to throw the ball. I agree that the less time the LB's and Corners have to cover, with the uncertainty, the better

However, a healthy WillyD and Delmas and another year in the system for our LB's, does seem exciting