Talk to me about this defense

[thompson19osu]

With training camp here and the season just around the corner, I feel like i hear nothing and know nothing about this defense. Is their any reason to be optimistic for these guys? If there has been any hype around the D I have missed it. I don’t post on here much anymore but I will often peak in. Between the boards and the articles everything is focused on coaching staff, the o-line, and of course now with resigning of Boyd and Green’s injury, focus has shifted to WR core. Can someone shed some light on our LB core and will the rookie we drafted fight for a starting spot? How about our safety situation? For how many points the D gave up last year I feel like there has been no focus on them, which in that case makes me believe we should expect more of the same this year. Your knowledge is appreciated here! Thanks!

[NKURyan]

(07-29-2019, 05:17 PM)thompson19osu Wrote: With training camp here and the season just around the corner, I feel like i hear nothing and know nothing about this defense. Is their any reason to be optimistic for these guys? If there has been any hype around the D I have missed it. I don’t post on here much anymore but I will often peak in. Between the boards and the articles everything is focused on coaching staff, the o-line, and of course now with resigning of Boyd and Green’s injury, focus has shifted to WR core. Can someone shed some light on our LB core and will the rookie we drafted fight for a starting spot? How about our safety situation? For how many points the D gave up last year I feel like there has been no focus on them, which in that case makes me believe we should expect more of the same this year. Your knowledge is appreciated here! Thanks!

I think the thought is that yes, the rookie LB has every chance to start this year. Some people are really down on re-signing Preston Brown, others are hopeful he'll bounce back this year now that he's healthy.

I think we feel pretty good about our safeties (Williams, Bates, and Fejedulum). You might even extend this to the secondary as a whole, and Lou Anarumo has had success in coaching up secondary players in his time in Miami and New York.

As for a reason to be optimistic, many of us are hopeful that last year was the exception and not the rule - these guys have never been that bad before, so a lot of us think they may bounce back to at least be more in the middle of the pack. Granted that's a lot of wishful thinking as they haven't exactly added a bunch of experienced veterans to help bolster the unit, but there seems to be some optimism about the rookies.

I don't think we've seen anywhere near enough to really have any idea what the new DC's approach will be, though early reports are that he's going DB-heavy on the field.

[thompson19osu]

(07-29-2019, 05:31 PM)NKURyan Wrote: I think the thought is that yes, the rookie LB has every chance to start this year. Some people are really down on re-signing Preston Brown, others are hopeful he'll bounce back this year now that he's healthy.

I think we feel pretty good about our safeties (Williams, Bates, and Fejedulum). You might even extend this to the secondary as a whole, and Lou Anarumo has had success in coaching up secondary players in his time in Miami and New York.

As for a reason to be optimistic, many of us are hopeful that last year was the exception and not the rule - these guys have never been that bad before, so a lot of us think they may bounce back to at least be more in the middle of the pack. Granted that's a lot of wishful thinking as they haven't exactly added a bunch of experienced veterans to help bolster the unit, but there seems to be some optimism about the rookies.

I don't think we've seen anywhere near enough to really have any idea what the new DC's approach will be, though early reports are that he's going DB-heavy on the field.

I like that he will go DB heavy because while I dont think we have world breaking talent at the DB position, most of them are fairly reliable and solid. The LB group in coverage as always terrifies the hell out of me.

[XenoMorph]

(07-29-2019, 05:31 PM)NKURyan Wrote: I think the thought is that yes, the rookie LB has every chance to start this year. Some people are really down on re-signing Preston Brown, others are hopeful he'll bounce back this year now that he's healthy.

I think we feel pretty good about our safeties (Williams, Bates, and Fejedulum). You might even extend this to the secondary as a whole, and Lou Anarumo has had success in coaching up secondary players in his time in Miami and New York.

As for a reason to be optimistic, many of us are hopeful that last year was the exception and not the rule - these guys have never been that bad before, so a lot of us think they may bounce back to at least be more in the middle of the pack. Granted that's a lot of wishful thinking as they haven't exactly added a bunch of experienced veterans to help bolster the unit, but there seems to be some optimism about the rookies.

I don't think we've seen anywhere near enough to really have any idea what the new DC's approach will be, though early reports are that he's going DB-heavy on the field.

Fej  Could possibly play a S/LB hybrid role for us...

[*Nately120*]

I'm one of the more pessimistic folks around here, but I'll say we have an offensive-minded rookie HC, a DC with a Zampese-caliber resume, and a defense that was bottom of the barrel bad in 2018. Oh, and the Steelers jumped ahead of us and took the LB we were talking about shoring up our weakest corps.

Spooky stuff.

[impactplaya]

this defense has talent. the secondary players have high ceilings.
the front 4 needs to stay healthy and gel together.
we need a absolute beast to show up on Sundays.from the front 4.
one that can cause havoc on the pocket and his name is not named Geno.
we need a pass rusher that can put QBs on the ground in the last 6 mins of a game.
just finish him off.
the LBers overall lacks a tone setter and game changer.
it could be Pratt.
but Vigil and Brown are average at best they are liabilities,vs the pass.
the CBers have a great mix of youth and seasoned guys.
problem is their isnt a CB that stole the ball from the offense last year.
ZERO INTS.
the last INT by a CB was Kevirae Russell 2 years ago off Joe Flacco.
hopefully guys,like Phillips can step up and create TOs.
having a,offense that can control the TOP will help the defense immensly

[*ochocincos*]

I think the reason we haven't heard much on the defense yet is because defense doesn't really start getting talked about until the pads come on. But it sounds like it's going to have a good amount of 2 LBs with 5 DBs.

I'll be paying attention to the LBs and DL this preseason. I'm curious to see who claims the starting DE spot opposite of Dunlap (will it be Lawson or will he just be used as a pass rush specialist?) and also who plays the most nickel DT snaps.
I've always liked the way Preston Brown played when healthy and am optimistic he will return to form if he can stay healthy. He isn't the best in coverage but he's well-rounded. I think we'll see a nice competition for that second LB spot between Vigil, Pratt, and perhaps even Jefferson.
I'm most confident in the DBs, as this was Anarumo's specialty. I'm hoping we'll see Williams closer to the LOS with Dennard or Webb as the 5th DB but I can also see situations (mostly short yardage) where they opt to go with Fejedelem instead of Webb or Dennard.

[J24]

They played a lot better in the last quarter of the season last year. Would also argue that the D played well to start the season except for third down defense( Colts and 1st Ravens game)

I am excited a about the Defense this season especially with Lawson coming back feel like this unit could be special.

[J24]

(07-29-2019, 05:56 PM)Nately120 Wrote: I'm one of the more pessimistic folks around here, but I'll say we have an offensive-minded rookie HC, a DC with a Zampese-caliber resume, and a defense that was bottom of the barrel bad in 2018.  Oh, and the Steelers jumped ahead of us and took the LB we were talking about shoring up our weakest corps.

Spooky stuff.

We were never going to draft a LB with the best Tackle prospect was there. 

[Brownshoe]

(07-29-2019, 06:07 PM)Jakeypoo Wrote: We were never going to draft a LB with the best Tackle prospect was there. 

I think we would have, but theres 0 point in arguing since theres no way to prove either way.

[Catmandude123]

Because of the team not addressing the linebackers with a free agent to go along with Pratt the only real hope for the defense is that one or two of the young lineman(Wren, Billings, Lawson, Hubbard ) will step up in a big way. If they can make other teams not double Atkins and Dunlap they would turn this defense around immediately.

[*bengalfan74*]

I believe to a degree you can throw out last season. First 7 games or whatever Austin's scheme just sucked ! Whole D had the deer in the headlights look just way to unsure of what to do.

2nd half of season the injuries set in and although they played a bit better the damage was already done.

I look for them to rebound a good bit this season and at least be middle of the pack.

[J24]

Keep an eye out for Nick Vigil too before he got hurt he was on pace for 131 solo tackles and 13 TFLs..

[NKURyan]

I think Carl Lawson is the key to how good this defense can be. If he comes back at the level he was at 2 years ago, watch out.

[thompson19osu]

As some have said I am hopeful to see someone on the line step up and dominate. I feel like they can go dormant as a unit for extended periods.

Very interesting that stat on Vigil TFL. That’s a little reassuring.

[*jason*]

(07-29-2019, 06:24 PM)Catmandude123 Wrote: Because of the team not addressing the linebackers with a free agent to go along with Pratt the only real hope for the defense is that one or two of the young lineman(Wren, Billings, Lawson, Hubbard ) will step up in a big way. If they can make other teams not double Atkins and Dunlap they would turn this defense around immediately.

My money is on Hubbard taking a leap forward this year.

[Joelist]

If they are going 2 LB with Williams being a safety playing closer in this could be fun to watch.

[bengaloo]

I think with Lawson, Vigil, Brown and Glasgow coming back, we will see a difference. Bates will be another year good, Hubbard will be another year good. Hopefully Pratt and Jefferson give us some good play. The players also talk like they are more motivated and love the new coaches and scheme, and that could also be a big difference. Vigil said they dont even talk about effort anymore because its just a given now. Thats a pretty good thing to hear the players saying.

[*Nately120*]

McVay got Wade Phillips, ZT gets Lou Anarumo. I'm not super confident we are following the template quite enough.

[BengalChris]

(07-29-2019, 05:17 PM)thompson19osu Wrote: With training camp here and the season just around the corner, I feel like i hear nothing and know nothing about this defense. Is their any reason to be optimistic for these guys? If there has been any hype around the D I have missed it. I don’t post on here much anymore but I will often peak in. Between the boards and the articles everything is focused on coaching staff, the o-line, and of course now with resigning of Boyd and Green’s injury, focus has shifted to WR core. Can someone shed some light on our LB core and will the rookie we drafted fight for a starting spot? How about our safety situation? For how many points the D gave up last year I feel like there has been no focus on them, which in that case makes me believe we should expect more of the same this year. Your knowledge is appreciated here! Thanks!

Figure that the Pratt is likely to replace Burfict and someone will replace MJ at the right DE spot and the remaining starters stay the same as last season.

The biggest place, IMHO, that you will see improvement is along the DL where injured guys will be returning to provide much improved depth.

The secondary is solid all the way around, corner and safety, whether 4 DBs on the field or 6, they can all play. Marvin left this team with quality talent on the back end and on the DL. LB, not so much.