06-05-2023, 03:34 PM
(06-05-2023, 02:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Bates was a good rangy Safety over his career here but I wouldn't say he is CRIMINALLY underrated. The last few years he
wasn't playing his best with the extension on his mind. He played fantastic in the Playoffs on our way to the Super Bowl but
last year early in the season he was playing not to get hurt, soft and he played pretty bad in the Playoffs, especially against
the Chiefs.
There will be some growing pains with Dax Hill and Nick Scott learning to play together but we are faster in the Secondary
this year. I could see us being better by mid season and Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson are great insurance policies in
case Scott isn't the answer.
We will see, but Dax Hill could be the next great Safety in the NFL, he is just as fast as Bates, actually faster and is a better
tackler. Scott is WAY faster than Bell. With Lou coaching our Secondary I think we will be fine after some initial struggles early
in the season with Hill and Scott getting on the same page.
Lots of Rams fans hated losing Nick Scott to us.
I could not agree more with this. On multiple levels.
First off, to the OPs post, with Chido back, CTB in year two, and Turner here, I think we are better at CB, despite losing Apple & Flowers. Better CBs means we hold up better in man. Less cover 2 needed.
Secondly, with regard to safety, I don't regard Bates as a massive loss. He was a good player, but inconsistent. At his best, a great CF/FS type. But not a great tackler. And I loved Bell's instincts, leadership, toughness, & nose for the ball. But he was not the fleetest of foot. And that PF in the SB was brutal.
Thirdly, with Hill & Scott, we are faster and more flexible. Either guy could play CF/FS like Bates, or move closer to the line and play SS like Bell. And Hill has experience at slot corner. Both guys may hit some bumps positionally, but I think Battle is a good replacement for Bell/Bates in terms of understanding & positioning. He is not the athlete that Hill, Scott, Anderson, or Bates are, but his understanding is great & his straight line speed is pretty good. Good enough. A nice insurance policy if things get bumpy at S.
Fourth, with regard to Scott, he was good enough for the Rams to win the SB with him starting, against us. I did not notice a bunch of our guys running around wide open because Scott messed up. He picked Brady in the POs. The question of if he is good enough to win a SB with has already been asked & answered. Plus, I think some of the Rams' issues were with Ramsey going rogue at times. In Lou I trust.
Chido back healthy. CTB in year 2. Turner. The CBs are upgraded. So too the pass rush with Ossai healthy to start & he and Murphy both spelling Trey & Sam. Carter was way better towards the end of last season, he should be better. LB is the same top 5. Even if we take a slight step back at S early on, I think the steps forward elsewhere still spell a defensive improvement. And I am pretty bullish on Hill & Battle. By the end of the year, we could be better at S.
