How will you judge the defense?

[KJ3]

i think amobi was there mentally and gone physically the farther along the season got. no way was he ready for it but he gutted it out anyway on a team that wasn't going to the playoffs. that's heart right there... and next to mario we've ourselves got a tandem of stud d'lineman.

here is an easy way for everybody to judge the defense on the same scale:

OVER/UNDERS
mario 13.5 sacks (over)
amobi 7.5 sacks (over)
defense 40 sacks (under)
demeco 324 solo tackles (way over)
fred bennett 7.5 int's (over)
any other DB 2.5 int's (under)
defense 20 int's (under)
dunta's return to the field 6th week (over)
number of weeks before molden replaces reeves 4 weeks (under)
number of safeties that start for us this year 3.5 (over)
total yards given up average 344.2 ypg (under)

if anybody else can think of some good over/unders then post 'em!!

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by KJ3

i think amobi was there mentally and gone physically the farther along the season got.

I agree with this but would only add that the two probably go hand-in-hand. As a rook, you're overwelmed by the playbook, the intricate technique you're supposed to be mastering, by the speed of the game, etc. Thus, you spend a lot of time thinking rather than playing (and, for things like technique, thinking while you're playing). I suspect that a fair amount of physical exhaustion partly stems from always wondering and worrying that you're in the right place, running the right play, applying the proper technique, etc. Once this becomes second nature, I suspect the physical requirements of it will diminish as well.

[KJ3]

i don't know because it's not like his play totally went to crap. he just wasn't able to do things he was doing earlier in the season. i'm not saying he was perfect technically but he went from eye popping good to average in about a week. not like it matters though...

[Mike]

I am not a fan of individual stats if INT's, sacks etc.

What will make this defense good is what they do on third down. Over the years we have had way too many instances of getting an offense in a hole, and allowing them to convert on third down.

Some of that has been lack of pressure up front allowing QB's time to pick on a weak secondary and lack of team speed.

I think if we can get off the field on third down, and not allow the opposition to drive and flip field position then we will be fine. The team has more speed and its best roster yet. I am hopeful this combination allows us to win on third downs, because our offense should be potent and able to score, especially with a short field.

raise your hand if you know what team was #2 in the NFL last year in explosive plays (plays over 25 yards? The Texans... Without a running game and without AJ was #2 behind the Patriots.