How bad is the defense?

[THE PISTONS]

(11-26-2023, 11:01 PM)casear2727 Wrote: No reason to make excuses.  Safeties dont cause RBs to gain 4 yards before contact. 

This revisionist memory that Bates was some Ed Reed ballhawk is comical.  He was not a good tackler and gave up both TDs in the AFCCG.  He is a good player but had one really good season for us, laid down the next, and then was ok.  He did have a grasp of the defense.

Bell was unathletic and limited the defense's flexibility.  He had one interception in his first 2 seasons here.  Again, he knew the defense.

Players come and go in the NFL.  It would had been stupid to have paid Bates.  Bell wanted more guaranteed money that would cause issues next season.

Lou was given a 1st Round safety with excellent athleticism.
A Super Bowl starting vet, who has played like shit.
A 2nd round safety from a national power.

He needs to work with what he has if he is to live up to his reputation.  If he needs a bunch of stellar players then he isnt a great DC.

Bates was thoroughly average many games, then he'd crank it up and just have a great came or string of games. He's paid as an elite safety.

Guys like Ed Reed had great games often.