Chaka said:
I am just going to presume that you are taking the doom and gloom route because you want to keep your expectations as low as possible, that way you are less likely to be disappointed.
The cupboard is not bare. Improved pass rush (Irvin), players coming back healthy (Allen), guys who have played at a high level (Amerson, Carrie) and the luxury to move a first round draft pick to the slot.
And you left out McGill who I don't think the book is closed on just yet.
I am fine with being cautious but the notion that the cupboard is bare is an overstatement.
Yea, but I think Sean Smith is worth more than a "aside from". As available corners went he is prob the best fit in terms of scheme and talent that we could have got. I would have liked him to have a couple of less years but it is free agency and 28 is not that old. Amerson turned out to look like a solid CB on the other side (likely will get thrown at more this year and have some more ops to get INT's). Yes, Hayden is a disappointment as a 1st round selection for CB but he should do a decent job as a nickel back. Allen will be back and there is no reason to believe he won't be decent coming off the injury as the MCL tear is pretty routine nowadays for players to come back from. There are serviceable guys to plug in for a year in FA still for the other safety position. I think we are "ok" for starting positions.
More importantly the secondary will get even more help this year. We have got more and more hints towards optimism for Mario. Of course there is Mack and Irvin is a good add as well to help pressure QB's. Later in the year there is still the possibility of adding Aldon too (I think that is a good possibility).
Ideal? No. Would I like Nelson? Sure. Gloom and doom? No, I don't think so, unless the injury bug hits us in the secondary then we are trouble as we have no depth right now. Are we better than last year on D? Absolutely.
Good comments, both. But I think you are conflating my comments aimed specifically at the secondary to the entire D. There is no question our D got stronger up front with Irvin, and the promise of having Mario come back to form -- along with the unstoppable force that is Mack -- does a lot to make up for poor CB/Safety talent. A great pass rush that disrupts the pocket goes a long way to hide deficiencies in the defensive backfield.
But I can't be fooled into thinking what we have is truly a viable NFL secondary. Again, not including Sean Smith, who is absolutely a gigantic upgrade all by himself, there are a lot of unknowns everywhere else. I don't think it's doom and gloom to say that we are very weak past Smith in both dependable and proven starters and depth -- I mean, which of these guys would realistically start on other NFL teams?
That's not to say I don't have hope that Amerson continues his solid progression, or that guys like Carrie or McDonald will solidify. But they were guys that we picked up or drafted for emergency depth and help on special teams -- point being that they are relatively unproven in terms of consistent and reliable play.
I don't think it's anywhere near a stretch to write off Hayden. Guy has wasted his talent with a weak heart. I also don't think it's a chicken little statement to worry about Allen coming back to form as a 29 y/o, regardless of how routine ligament tears are in this day and age.
Granted, safeties aren't as important as QBs, a pass rushing end/OLB, left tackle, or even a WR1. But any strong defense
needs to be strong down the middle. To be really effective and make the most of our front 7, you need a playmaking safety to patrol the middle effectively and make the QB throw into man coverage (our default scheme) -- and where Smith can then shine.
This is has been a huge need for us since Woodson announced his retirement (and arguable earlier). I think it's smarter for us to nab a proven NFL-starting-caliber safety in Nelson now, rather than gamble in the draft and/or rely on the subpar talent we have. We have the money, but seem to have been waiting on the position and letting other guys (Gipson, Johnson, Weddle, Iloka, etc.) get resigned or taken without seeming interest.
Leaves me scratching my head, I guess.
Low balling a lifetime Bengal... sounds just like what the Bengals do to their players.
