BangTheDrum
Cheesehead
With the lack of offensive help this offseason for us to talk about I figured I'd start a little topic on our D.
I'm gonna start up front. I really think we've got a solid D-Line, we had a great rush defense last year and I can only see it improving this year. You've got to love a guy like Kampman who's motor never stops and he works so hard to make the plays he does, he's been a pleasant (somewhat) suprise. On the other side I really hope that Jenkins sees more time. KGB is still a great pass rusher but doesn't play the run really well whereas Jenkins can get to the passer and stop the run as well. Also, I kinda like this Birdine kid and he may get some decent time. I really like our DT situation, we were already pretty deep and the addition of Harrell will only help. I think he'll get into the rotation if not be a starter, seems like a good kid with some serious talent too. Plus we should be able to rotate in and out and keep some fresh legs in the game to clog things up.
You've got to happy with our linebacking corps... in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett you've got one of the better M and O backer tandems in the league. Through one more year of experience from Poppinga and even Hawk they should be even better... Can you imagine what it would have been like to pick up the likes of Adalius Thomas in free agency? :kickcan:
As far as depth goes at LB, it's not bad either, I think sooner or later Hodge will come into his own and make an impact at OLB, I can't see Poppinga or Taylor keeping a starting job for too much longer.
On to the secondary, ohhhh the secondary. I say that but really it's not ALL bad. In Harris and Woodson we've got two should-be Pro Bowlers and lock down corners. For some reason I see Woodson going down this year, no way he can last for this long without an injury. The good part of that is I see Dendy stepping in and doing well! I've attributed alot of our troubles from the past, not necessarily to lack of talent but to a lack of communication. Too often our CB's would let a man go and there would be no safety help! We've got some talent back there in Collins, I love Collins and if Rouse, who I'm pretty high on, can come in and get some good minutes I think we'll be fine.
Overall I see an improved defense from an already good one last year and am very excited.
I'm gonna start up front. I really think we've got a solid D-Line, we had a great rush defense last year and I can only see it improving this year. You've got to love a guy like Kampman who's motor never stops and he works so hard to make the plays he does, he's been a pleasant (somewhat) suprise. On the other side I really hope that Jenkins sees more time. KGB is still a great pass rusher but doesn't play the run really well whereas Jenkins can get to the passer and stop the run as well. Also, I kinda like this Birdine kid and he may get some decent time. I really like our DT situation, we were already pretty deep and the addition of Harrell will only help. I think he'll get into the rotation if not be a starter, seems like a good kid with some serious talent too. Plus we should be able to rotate in and out and keep some fresh legs in the game to clog things up.
You've got to happy with our linebacking corps... in AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett you've got one of the better M and O backer tandems in the league. Through one more year of experience from Poppinga and even Hawk they should be even better... Can you imagine what it would have been like to pick up the likes of Adalius Thomas in free agency? :kickcan:
As far as depth goes at LB, it's not bad either, I think sooner or later Hodge will come into his own and make an impact at OLB, I can't see Poppinga or Taylor keeping a starting job for too much longer.
On to the secondary, ohhhh the secondary. I say that but really it's not ALL bad. In Harris and Woodson we've got two should-be Pro Bowlers and lock down corners. For some reason I see Woodson going down this year, no way he can last for this long without an injury. The good part of that is I see Dendy stepping in and doing well! I've attributed alot of our troubles from the past, not necessarily to lack of talent but to a lack of communication. Too often our CB's would let a man go and there would be no safety help! We've got some talent back there in Collins, I love Collins and if Rouse, who I'm pretty high on, can come in and get some good minutes I think we'll be fine.
Overall I see an improved defense from an already good one last year and am very excited.