A bit of musing......

....about our D and my hopes for it. I tend to place way too much hope in our rookies every year. THis year is no exception. I look to Harrell to be a real force in the line. No one will run past him. I look to Rouse to de-capitate a few RBs and WRs. But my biggest hope is in the promotion of Winston Moss to a new post of Asst. HC/defense with perhaps the power to over-ride Sanders/Schott if the need arises. THAT and the fact that MM will, I believe, continue to closely monitor the D. No way will the D give up so many long plays because the DBs/LBs can't figure out how to play it. Sanders/Schott will be on a very short leash this year if I judge MM rightly. And they should be. Now if Poppinga and Collins can continue their improvement, this D will be a thing of beauty to watch. I know that none of this is news to you fellas, but I've got to fill in a bit of time until our gladiators get to town. This will be one exciting season.

Good post.

Our D was good last year, and seemed to get better. By the end of the year, as the new coaching staff knew what they had (they sat KGB a lot on running downs,etc), things were very promising.

I don't know what to expect from Harrell. I just hope he contributes to a d-line that is already pretty good.

There are alot of unknowns. Thats why they play the games! And just because a guy was good last year is no guarentee that he will be good this year. But thats what makes it fun too, you never know for certain what will happen. I have a good feeling about our D this year. But time alone will tell.

If Manuel is not starting due to Underwood's injury the defense would have been without its major liability.

Poppinga being a DE in college got picked on in pass coverage early in the season but worked hard to improve his pass coverage.

The Jenkins/KGB rotation worked.

If Harrell can be a disruptive force in the pass rush, KGB and Aaron will have high sack totals again.

I don't want to long for the good ol' days of having Mark Roman at Safety. A drastic upgrade is needed there. Is signing a guy who could not beat out Roman on a previous team Thompson's worst mistake?? Manuel is certainly in the top 3.