Which defenses have improved the most? (1 Viewer)

Each year I survey the board on which defenses have made the greatest strides since last season (and why).

So please chime in.

I will start with Green Bay, with addition of Kendrick Allen (DT), Charles Woodson (CB), and TJ Hawke (LB) they will surely improve. Although perhaps still not fantasy worthy (depending on scoring system).

Each year I survey the board on which defenses have made the greatest strides since last season (and why).

So please chime in.

I will start with Green Bay, with addition of Kendrick Allen (DT), Charles Woodson (CB), and TJ Hawke (LB) they will surely improve. Although perhaps still not fantasy worthy (depending on scoring system).

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The Green Bay defense will have better personnel, but the loss of Jim Bates effectively marginalizes any improvements they made talent-wise this offseason.I'd probably give the nod to Houston right now.

Falcons D will be much improved from last year.

Adding veterans DE Abraham, Safties Milloy & Crocker via FA.

Getting Hartwell & Mathis back from injury.

Drafting CB Jimmy Williams.

Each year I survey the board on which defenses have made the greatest strides since last season (and why).

So please chime in.

I will start with Green Bay, with addition of Kendrick Allen (DT), Charles Woodson (CB), and TJ Hawke (LB) they will surely improve. Although perhaps still not fantasy worthy (depending on scoring system).

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Titans are right up there.David Thornton -- OLB. One of the top, speedy LBs in the game.

Chris Hope -- Safety.

Jesse Mahelona -- DT. No, not as a starter, but it makes the 2nd line much more stout.

CBs -- still have to sign someone for depth, but they aren't rookies anymore, either.

Safety -- Vincent Fuller is back, baby.

RB -- Yes, RB. LenDale will eat up the clock and keep the Def off the field, plus, now we won't have McNair fumbling every other play.

I don't know that I'd say they made the most improvement but Cleveland should definitely be better than they were a year ago.

Buffalo Bills

Even though they reached in the draft they still got Mccargo, Whittner, Youboty and Ko Simpson wich I think are all great talent. I think adding Mccargo and Tripplet will fit good for the tamba cover 2 defense they are putting in. Whittner filling in for Malloy and getting depth at the CB position is going to solidify the DBs. Oh and dont forget, they are getting back some guy named Takeo Spikes. Top 5 defense.

Seahawks.

They added a LB in Julian Peterson who has all of the talent in the world. They drafted CB Kelly Jennings and hard hitting safety Ken Hamlin is back with the team after missing most of last year. But most importantly, 2nd year LB's Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill are only going to get better.

I'd add the Redskins to this list.

I'd add the Redskins to this list.

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Why? Let's hear details.

I'd add the Redskins to this list.

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The Skins will have a very good D just like last year, but I'm not sure if they'll be most improved. I do think that having a better offense will be very beneficial to them, so maybe thats what you're getting at- if so, I agree there.

Andre Carter should help the pass rush. Archeleta (when healthy) is a heck of a player, and along with Sean Taylor being that much better in his 3rd season (with his legal problems behind him) should be a force. 2nd year starting RB Carlos Rogers has also shown great improvements as the year went on. Most importantly, the core group is still together. I see no reasons why they wouldn't improve from last year, and last year they were pretty darn good.

Oh, and i also really like their schedule.

Atlanta and the New York Giants have added personnel through free agency and the draft that upgrade already good defenses.

Since I'm on the losing end of a migraine right now, I am too wiped to provide all of the names.

I am warming up to BAL now that McNair is the QB.

The Chargers, while not vasting improved personal wise, are on the verge of being a top 5 defense. The front seven were great last year and are still healthy. 2005 1st rd Draft picks (chargers had 2) Merriman and Castillo more than surpassed expectations. They been talking about trading DonnieEdwards (all pro) all offseason, one of thier best tacklers (2005) at LB. Hmmmm what does that say what they think of their depth at LB.

The key to COMPLETE the Defense package is 2006 1st Pick Cromartie (DB). Chargers 2005 numbers against the pass were horrible but FABULOUS against the run. While no guarantee he is good enough. All the hype says Chargers had a STEAL if he is fully healthy from College injury. Chargers have drafted a CB in the first RD 2003 and 2002 .. Both were failures but Jammer (2002) there still is hope.

Another thing... Chargers had a BRUTAL schedule last year. This year is very reasonable. If Cromarie is the real deal, I say IF, then I say Chargers DT will be of Super Bowl quality.

FantaMan

cscmtp said:

Andre Carter should help the pass rush. Archeleta (when healthy) is a heck of a player, and along with Sean Taylor being that much better in his 3rd season (with his legal problems behind him) should be a force. 2nd year starting RB Carlos Rogers has also shown great improvements as the year went on. Most importantly, the core group is still together. I see no reasons why they wouldn't improve from last year, and last year they were pretty darn good.

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Agreed on all counts. They were 9th last year, so an improvement up five spots to to 4th might not be seen as significant, but I thought they slipped last year from how dominant they were in 2004, even though that didn't necessarily show up statistically and even though their atricious offense in 2004 hid much of that defensive dominance. I'm thinking that we could see a 2004-esque defense with an offense that is improved from last year's better 2005 offense. That could be potent, and it will do nothing but help the defense play with better game situations.

Falcons

Packers

Ravens

Skins

the rams should be better...

glover & wroten could fix the interior DL problems they have had for years...

this could help little have a big year... he was one of the absolute best DEs in the business in 2001-2003, and has had a few off years with major off-field distractions... the light may have started to go on for hargrove, who had like 4.5 sacks in last three games of the season... he was just second year player but very raw (prep QB who missed a year at georgia tech for academic reasons than declared a year early, so just two years of Div I ball at a new position)...

will witherspoon was one of the top free agent additions at any position this off-season... after years of being hamstrung by bad contracts & injuries, they were able to be players in free agency again, and made a huge splash with spoon... he instantly fills the void that has been there since london fletcher departed to become a star for BUFF... bad MLB play has been a constant since the rams were in their super bowl prime (first round bust robert thomas, along with free agent washouts jamie duncan & chris claiborne)... tinoisamoa could be ascendant player and be in position to make more big plays in haslett's more aggressive scheme... that could be a very underrated one-two punch...

secondary will have 3-4 new starters... chavous not one of the top safeties in the league but he is one of the smartest & should be steadying, stabilizing influence in an otherwise relatively young secondary to make sure everybody gets lined up right... while not as athletic or explosive as new redskin archuleta, he should be a more reliable open field tackler & last line of defense... arch was a sack machine for a DB when his back wasn't hurting, but whiffed on way too many tackles & was responsible for the defense getting gashed repeatedly by big plays in recent seasons... ex-saint fakhir brown was brought by former NO HC & new DC & looks like he will be a starter... travis fisher, jerametrius butler & tye hill will compete for other spot & also play nickle & dime...

just having haslett instead of incompetent martz cronie marmie could have a huge impact, especially in changing attitude and intensity of the defense (early reports are that new HC linehan focusing equally on defense & offense in camp as promised, which can only help to devote an equal amount of attention to a side of the ball that had been sadly neglected on martz's watch)...

with offense going to more balanced model that emphasizes run more, better pass protection & less turnovers, this could help sustain more drives & both keep defense fresher and allow them to play downhill with a lead in attack mode more frequently than in recent years, where they often seemed to be behind by a few TDs early in games, changing the complexion of the game for the defense in a bad way...

Bob_Magaw said:

the rams should be better...glover & wroten could fix the interior DL problems they have had for years...this could help little have a big year... he was one of the absolute best DEs in the business in 2001-2003, and has had a few off years with major off-field distractions... the light may have started to go on for hargrove, who had like 4.5 sacks in last three games of the season... he was just second year player but very raw (prep QB who missed a year at georgia tech for academic reasons than declared a year early, so just two years of Div I ball at a new position)...will witherspoon was one of the top free agent additions at any position this off-season... after years of being hamstrung by bad contracts & injuries, they were able to be players in free agency again, and made a huge splash with spoon... he instantly fills the void that has been there since london fletcher departed to become a star for BUFF... bad MLB play has been a constant since the rams were in their super bowl prime (first round bust robert thomas, along with free agent washouts jamie duncan & chris claiborne)... tinoisamoa could be ascendant player and be in position to make more big plays in haslett's more aggressive scheme... that could be a very underrated one-two punch...secondary will have 3-4 new starters... chavous not one of the top safeties in the league but he is one of the smartest & should be steadying, stabilizing influence in an otherwise relatively young secondary to make sure everybody gets lined up right... while not as athletic or explosive as new redskin archuleta, he should be a more reliable open field tackler & last line of defense... arch was a sack machine for a DB when his back wasn't hurting, but whiffed on way too many tackles & was responsible for the defense getting gashed repeatedly by big plays in recent seasons... ex-saint fakhir brown was brought by former NO HC & new DC & looks like he will be a starter... travis fisher, jerametrius butler & tye hill will compete for other spot & also play nickle & dime...just having haslett instead of incompetent martz cronie marmie could have a huge impact, especially in changing attitude and intensity of the defense (early reports are that new HC linehan focusing equally on defense & offense in camp as promised, which can only help to devote an equal amount of attention to a side of the ball that had been sadly neglected on martz's watch)...with offense going to more balanced model that emphasizes run more, better pass protection & less turnovers, this could help sustain more drives & both keep defense fresher and allow them to play downhill with a lead in attack mode more frequently than in recent years, where they often seemed to be behind by a few TDs early in games, changing the complexion of the game for the defense in a bad way...

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Last year the Rams ended up as the NFL's 30th worst Defense.With the improvements you've described above, where do you see them ending up at the end of this year Bob?

NYG easily top 5 most improved. Lavar and Madison are great additions. By the way adding another passrusher during the draft can only help. Gmen should have NO problem getting to the QB or stopping the run. Now lets see if Webster steps up and the other DBs.

Strahan, Osi, Lavar, and Pierce. Wow.

Miami

I'll be targeting AZ in my redrafts. This thread tells me I can get them very late.

Green Bay and Atlanta at the top of the list for sure.

hey score...

i think top 10 would be overly optimistic... but with what could be an underrated offense (some uncertainty with rookie HC and new scheme), imo just finishing middle of the pack could put them in position to finish better than .500 (9-7, 10-6?) & take a run at wild card berth, if not beat SEA for nfc west crown... the four intra-divisional games with seahawks & cards will be big... statistically speaking, it doesn't help that those two have some serious firepower on offense...

so i think they will crack the top 20 & have legit shot to get to middle of the pack... i would be ecstatic (well, lets just say pretty happy ) if they could break into top 16 & make a move towards top 10... say 13-15 neighborhood...

* disclaimer... i'm pretty sure my views aren't shared by a lot of other staffers... i hope they aren't colored by being a homer from way back, but instead a function of the fact that i follow them very closely year round... i handle nfc west for FBG defense team reports & IDP coverage...

Atlanta: After giving up about 4.7 ypc last season, ranking them at or near the bottom, they will be much better this season. They were not all that great against the pass but the Kearny/Abraham combo at DE should be a nightmare for most OL to handles...this will take a lot of pressure of an up and coming and improved secondary.

Watch out for the Falcons as a nice darkhorse playoff/Super Bowl team. My thing is though, maybe they should have gotten an upgrade at RB to compliment Dunn or something...not enough fire power on offense.

Bob_Magaw said:

hey score...i think top 10 would be overly optimistic... but with what could be an underrated offense (some uncertainty with rookie HC and new scheme), imo just finishing middle of the pack could put them in position to finish better than .500 (9-7, 10-6?) & take a run at wild card berth, if not beat SEA for nfc west crown... the four intra-divisional games with seahawks & cards will be big... statistically speaking, it doesn't help that those two have some serious firepower on offense...so i think they will crack the top 20 & have legit shot to get to middle of the pack... i would be ecstatic (well, lets just say pretty happy ) if they could break into top 16 & make a move towards top 10... say 13-15 neighborhood...* disclaimer... i'm pretty sure my views aren't shared by a lot of other staffers... i hope they aren't colored by being a homer from way back, but instead a function of the fact that i follow them very closely year round... i handle nfc west for FBG defense team reports & IDP coverage...

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Thanx Bob

bd3521 said:

NYG easily top 5 most improved. Lavar and Madison are great additions. By the way adding another passrusher during the draft can only help. Gmen should have NO problem getting to the QB or stopping the run. Now lets see if Webster steps up and the other DBs.

Strahan, Osi, Lavar, and Pierce. Wow.

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I am a bit concerned about them stopping the run. The DT's on the team all have decent size but none of them have been extremley productive in the past

Mr. Peterson said:

Buffalo BillsEven though they reached in the draft they still got Mccargo, Whittner, Youboty and Ko Simpson wich I think are all great talent. I think adding Mccargo and Tripplet will fit good for the tamba cover 2 defense they are putting in. Whittner filling in for Malloy and getting depth at the CB position is going to solidify the DBs. Oh and dont forget, they are getting back some guy named Takeo Spikes. Top 5 defense.

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I agree with Buffalo. Now if Whitner will just sign and get to into camp.

Yenrub said:

bd3521 said:

NYG easily top 5 most improved. Lavar and Madison are great additions. By the way adding another passrusher during the draft can only help. Gmen should have NO problem getting to the QB or stopping the run. Now lets see if Webster steps up and the other DBs.

Strahan, Osi, Lavar, and Pierce. Wow.

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I am a bit concerned about them stopping the run. The DT's on the team all have decent size but none of them have been extremley productive in the past

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I'm still not all that impressed with their secondary. The front 7 should be stout, but even with Madison who's over 30 years old, is that going to be a reliable pass defense?

redman said:

Yenrub said:

bd3521 said:

NYG easily top 5 most improved. Lavar and Madison are great additions. By the way adding another passrusher during the draft can only help. Gmen should have NO problem getting to the QB or stopping the run. Now lets see if Webster steps up and the other DBs.

Strahan, Osi, Lavar, and Pierce. Wow.

Click to expand...

I am a bit concerned about them stopping the run. The DT's on the team all have decent size but none of them have been extremley productive in the past

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I'm still not all that impressed with their secondary. The front 7 should be stout, but even with Madison who's over 30 years old, is that going to be a reliable pass defense?

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I kinda figure that the pressure the front 7 should apply will make the secondary look better than they really are. Plus I think the safeties (Demps and G.Wilson) are pretty good. C.Webster is going to be a star at CB someday (just my gut feeling), might not be this year but I think he will be.

Baltimore - line pryce, ngata, gregg, suggs, franklin, johnson

lb thomas, lewis, scott db reed, mccalister, rolle, lack of depth though

and most importantly there now have passion with the addition of mcnair