01-10-2025, 10:15 PM
(01-10-2025, 09:45 PM)Bilbo Saggins Wrote: Awuzie played at an all-pro level for a bit, Reader was pro bowl tier, Hilton has been ranked near the top for nickel CBs, Hendrickson has had superb seasons...the Bengals had players who could play on defense. It looks to my eyes like they squandered their draft capital and had a DC who could only be good if he stuck to his formula. I'm sure there's more that can be learned and said about Saleh, but you can't take away what his defenses have done. Both the 9ers and Jets have had some eye popping performances under his tutelage. The Jets had great stats with their front 4. Doesn't being able to perform well with good players count for anything?
Awuzie is not and has never been Pro Bowl caliber. Reader while being a great run stopping DT is not great at getting to the QB and is not Pro Bowl level. Neither is Hilton. Lou took the defense to the Super Bowl with two Pro Bowl caliber players, 2 or 3 good players and the rest JAGs. He also had the #6 scoring defense in the NFL with this talent. Lou hasnt had a bunch of talent to work with. You start losing some of the better players you do have in Bates, Reader, Awuzie -since you listed him, what do you think is going to happen to the defense?
Like I said before, if the issue with the defense was Lou being stuck to his formula or not being able to "coach up" all these draft picks, bring in Saleh or some other DC and keep these same guys we currently have and see how great the defense is next year. I think we all better however that isnt going to happen. You will see some guys cut, free agents signed and high draft picks being spent on defense because the current talent isnt there on defense.
