01-19-2024, 11:41 PM
And, just to put a pin on why I think improving the run defense is more important than pass rush, here are the rushing stats in our division losses:
Week 1: 3-24 at Cle. Browns: 40 rushes for 206 yards. Over 5 per.
Week 2: 24-27 L to Baltimore at home. Ravens: 37 for 178. Almost 5 per.
Week 11: 20-34 L at Balt. Ravens: 31 for 157. Over 5 per.
Week 12: 10-16 loss vs Pitt. Steelers: 33 for 153. Just short of 5 per.
Week 16: 11-34 L at Pitt. Steelers: 30 for 113. Finally a decent run game. But it was over so quick.
807 yards in 5 games is brutal, though. (if my math is correct).
If we cannot stop the run, we cannot win division games. If we cannot win division games, we cannot make the POs. We were 8-3 outside the division this year.
Even if we bring Reader back, we need another quality DT (Wilkins is one) and another quality NT/run stopper (I'd take Sweat in Rd2 even with Wilkins & Reader in the bag, or Jackson Rd 3). If no Wilkins in FA, then Jenkins or Murphy Rd 2 looks real good.
I'd move WR3, TE, and CB depth back a round.
Week 1: 3-24 at Cle. Browns: 40 rushes for 206 yards. Over 5 per.
Week 2: 24-27 L to Baltimore at home. Ravens: 37 for 178. Almost 5 per.
Week 11: 20-34 L at Balt. Ravens: 31 for 157. Over 5 per.
Week 12: 10-16 loss vs Pitt. Steelers: 33 for 153. Just short of 5 per.
Week 16: 11-34 L at Pitt. Steelers: 30 for 113. Finally a decent run game. But it was over so quick.
807 yards in 5 games is brutal, though. (if my math is correct).
If we cannot stop the run, we cannot win division games. If we cannot win division games, we cannot make the POs. We were 8-3 outside the division this year.
Even if we bring Reader back, we need another quality DT (Wilkins is one) and another quality NT/run stopper (I'd take Sweat in Rd2 even with Wilkins & Reader in the bag, or Jackson Rd 3). If no Wilkins in FA, then Jenkins or Murphy Rd 2 looks real good.
I'd move WR3, TE, and CB depth back a round.
