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Originally Posted by daredevil25
Even w/ our CB situation this defense is not a downgrade from last season. Toast Williams and Ray Buchanan was the same as having nobody in the secondary. Webster and Mathis aren't great by any means, but they're a lot better than the pathetic effort those two put up last season. Not to mention last season we were playing in the 3-4 and didn't blitz at all. Wont help us out much this week though w/ our CB depth, but our defense isn't worse than Wade Phillips crud last season.
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Let's start with your LB. This is the bright spot of your defense. Stewart, Draft & Brooking are underrated. They will be solid in run defense, but I'm not impressed with their pass coverage, which they will have to do against the Rams. If a guy like me can see that, you know that Martz will see it, especially with one less LB to deal with. And as far as blitzing, I hope they do. If I were Martz I would be wishing they deplete their pass coverage a little more by bringing an LB. This is something they wouldn't have done last year. Don't get me wrong...against teams that are going to grind it out, the Falcons D will be much improved, however the Rams do not fall into that category.
As for the D-line, Kerney is good, Smith is fair. They may see a little more freedom with an additional lineman, but whichever one is on the right side will be exposed by Pace. On the interior, Coleman is an upgrade. He's good, I'll give you that. Jasper however is not. And the 4th quarter may be telling as the depth on the D-line is non-existent. This is a problem that did not exist last season due to the 3-man front. Again don't get me wrong, I've never been a fan of the 3 man front, it's just too soft (unless you're Bill Cowher, but he's a defensive freak of nature). But it didn't expose your lack of depth as the 4-3 will.
In the secondary, losing Hall was a bad deal. He was my pick for defensive rookie of the year. Webster may have been a decent pick up but he is no saviour. I do like Scott, he will continue to improve. You've got a keeper at safety with him.
Overall, I just don't think they have improved that much. Getting rid of Phillips may have been your best offseason move, we'll just have to wait and see. However, no disrespect, but this defense just doesn't put the fear in me. Now, your offense (if the O-line can get out of the medical ward) is a different story.