05-30-2020, 06:28 PM
The article is superficial. Bell and Bynes are not even mentioned. And Waynes & Alexander are not reclaimation projects. That's absurd.
Now, are they huge upgrades over Dre & Dennard? Probably not in pass coverage. But in terms of run defense, yes. Alexander did not miss a tackle ALL YEAR. Not bad for a reclaimation project!
Our run D was abyssmal last year. And that (and the LBs) was the focal point. Alexander, Waynes, Bell, Bynes, and Reader are all significant upgrades in terms of run D. All started on PO teams (though Bynes for only half the year). Run D should be better.
The other thing the article misses is the effect bad run D has on sacks. Hard to get there on 2nd & 3 or 3rd & 1. Dunlap rated out at over 89 on PFF. Hubbard was top 10 in the league in pass rush win rate/pressures (I forget the name of the stat). And Lawson has been good in that regard as well, when healthy. Pass rush should be fine if the run D improves.
The other problems were the DBs all regressed horribly under Lou. Well, WJ3, Bates, & Williams did. Dre & Dennard were fine & Phillips excellent before he got hurt.
WJ3 was a top 10 guy in man last year. But we only played man 33 percent of the time. Partially because the run D was so bad we had more guys committed forward (5 lineman). Partially because the LBs couldn't cover. But that SHOULD improve.
Hopefully we see more 2nd and long. More man coverage (Waynes is better in man as well). More 3rd and long. Better scheming from Lou. More sacks.
Now, are they huge upgrades over Dre & Dennard? Probably not in pass coverage. But in terms of run defense, yes. Alexander did not miss a tackle ALL YEAR. Not bad for a reclaimation project!
Our run D was abyssmal last year. And that (and the LBs) was the focal point. Alexander, Waynes, Bell, Bynes, and Reader are all significant upgrades in terms of run D. All started on PO teams (though Bynes for only half the year). Run D should be better.
The other thing the article misses is the effect bad run D has on sacks. Hard to get there on 2nd & 3 or 3rd & 1. Dunlap rated out at over 89 on PFF. Hubbard was top 10 in the league in pass rush win rate/pressures (I forget the name of the stat). And Lawson has been good in that regard as well, when healthy. Pass rush should be fine if the run D improves.
The other problems were the DBs all regressed horribly under Lou. Well, WJ3, Bates, & Williams did. Dre & Dennard were fine & Phillips excellent before he got hurt.
WJ3 was a top 10 guy in man last year. But we only played man 33 percent of the time. Partially because the run D was so bad we had more guys committed forward (5 lineman). Partially because the LBs couldn't cover. But that SHOULD improve.
Hopefully we see more 2nd and long. More man coverage (Waynes is better in man as well). More 3rd and long. Better scheming from Lou. More sacks.
