MJ injury opens door for Hardison

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(08-10-2015, 01:36 PM)Benton Wrote: To the bold, that's my point. Geno is the only one proven who can provide consistent pressure. If he goes down we're left with Peko (who I think can provide some help, but needs to be in their sparingly now), Thompson (who is good, but not really proven he can play a majority of downs at a high level) and Still (who — through nothing anyone faults him for — hasn't done anything yet).

So, to me, if Geno goes down we're expecting Thompson to provide that kind of production and I don't see it happening. To get any kind of consistent pressure when he's in, I think he'll have to rotate with someone... which is why I hope Hardison is free to use as a DT. Because as much as I like Peko and Still, I don't expect either of them to make much of an impact for us this year.

With the DEs, I feel better about it heading into this season than last. MJ, Dunlap and Gilberry makes me happy. I'm hopeful Clarke develops. Hunt is taking up a spot, but somebody somewhere is trying really hard to make that one work, so we're stuck with a wasted roster spot for another season. But even with them, I dunno if Gilberry and Clarke are enough to step up for a majority of the season if there's an injury. And Hunt I guess could try out at TE. Or something.

I hear ya.  Sims and Thompson aren't known for their pass rush, but they can help collapse the pocket and won't be easily moved.  Especially if Dunlap is double-teamed.  I think we will see more of Hunt and Clarke getting snaps at DT to create some pass rush (and knock down/tip some passes) on passing downs. 

I guess a lot of it will boil down to a few things:

1.) Geno being the pre-injury Geno
2.) Hunt and Clarke becoming consistent contributors
3.) Dunlap and MJ's ability to get to the QB
4.) Overall health which contributes to the rotational ability

I think Brandon Thompson is a guy to watch out for this season.  If he and even just one of Clarke/Hunt step it up this year, the defense is going to be very, very good.