Best up-and-coming Defense (1 Viewer)

[footballsavvy]

I'd like to grab me a team defense in my dynasty league and slap a 4 or 5 year contract on them. To avoid paying top dollar for the Steelers or Ravens, I was hoping to target a solid defense that will continue to build and be solid for years to come. Does anyone have insight into Tamp Bay, Phillidelphia, or Tennessee? Or any other teams I may be overlooking that will be, say, top 5 defenses for the next several years?

I was targeting TB until they lost the coordinator and now there are talks of changing to a 4-3. They also seem to have an older secondary.

I am not familiar with the average age of the defensive talent for Philly or Tennessee, or their current defensive coordinator situations for that matter.

 

[Max Power]

While not even a top 10 D, you have to respect what Houston is doing right now. They have a couple serious playmakers on that D. Seeing as how the offense is basically set with young talent, I expect to see Houston go D heavy in the draft for a few more years. Should be a decent play in a year or two that you can get real cheap.

 

[MAC_32]

Tennessee would be a good choice, Minnesota and Carolina too.

Houston and Miami have some young potential, Arizona too.

Philly and Tampa are getting too old for my liking, at least when it comes to thinking about a long term deal. Not sure how I feel about Chicago either, although they always seem to be up there.

 

[Buddy Ball 2K3]

Philly D is only going to get better IMO.

D Line - YOUNG. They have a great rotation at DT and they have 3 very nice DE's that should be putting pressure on QBs for years to come.

Line Backers - VERY YOUNG - This is weakest part of their D right now and IMO its by far the most improved over last year. Their new MLB Steward Bradley looks like he can play. Once they decide on Gocong (OLB) and figure out who can play on every down at that position they will be set.

Secondary - In their Prime - Asante Samuel is an absolute play maker at CB, B-Dawk looks like he has been reborn but he is a free agent and who knows how long he will be able to play. They drafted a replacement for B-Dawk this year and Mikell on the other side has come into his own. Brown is a great hitter and a good corner but he has pizza box hands so do not expect many turn overs from him.

Now I am an Eagles fan so take that into account, but I believe the Eagles can have one of the top D's for the next few years.

 

[MAC_32]

Philly D is only going to get better IMO.D Line - YOUNG. They have a great rotation at DT and they have 3 very nice DE's that should be putting pressure on QBs for years to come. Line Backers - VERY YOUNG - This is weakest part of their D right now and IMO its by far the most improved over last year. Their new MLB Steward Bradley looks like he can play. Once they decide on Gocong (OLB) and figure out who can play on every down at that position they will be set.Secondary - In their Prime - Asante Samuel is an absolute play maker at CB, B-Dawk looks like he has been reborn but he is a free agent and who knows how long he will be able to play. They drafted a replacement for B-Dawk this year and Mikell on the other side has come into his own. Brown is a great hitter and a good corner but he has pizza box hands so do not expect many turn overs from him.Now I am an Eagles fan so take that into account, but I believe the Eagles can have one of the top D's for the next few years.

You guys may be better off than I gave you credit for on first glance, consider my original comments retracted. Something to consider though, the offense is aging, I think they're due to take a step back soon, when that happens that may cause a negative effect on the defense as well. That said, I am also likely the biggest advocate against Kevin Kolb in here, so if you believe in him there's reason to believe in the Eagles. I just don't, nor will I ever until he does it at the pro level, I don't think he can.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Titans should be quite solid.

Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

 

[footballsavvy]

Thanks for the input. Is the Philly D Coord inverviewing for other jobs?

 

[Chaka]

I'd like to grab me a team defense in my dynasty league and slap a 4 or 5 year contract on them. To avoid paying top dollar for the Steelers or Ravens, I was hoping to target a solid defense that will continue to build and be solid for years to come. Does anyone have insight into Tamp Bay, Phillidelphia, or Tennessee? Or any other teams I may be overlooking that will be, say, top 5 defenses for the next several years?I was targeting TB until they lost the coordinator and now there are talks of changing to a 4-3. They also seem to have an older secondary.I am not familiar with the average age of the defensive talent for Philly or Tennessee, or their current defensive coordinator situations for that matter.

Tampa Bay always played a 4-3 under Kiffin.If you want to take a chance on a D you could get cheap, I like Houston. They have invested a lot of high draft picks on that D-line. Mario is a beast and he should help the rest of that line emerge into a fearsome unit. It's no guarantee but I like their potential, particularly for what they would cost you.

 

[Bushead]

Thanks for the input. Is the Philly D Coord inverviewing for other jobs?

No and it isn't very likely to do so. Jim Johnson is 67 I believe and probably on the older side to be seriously considered for a HC job at this point. I tend to believe he is content in his current spot - in fact I just read an article recently that said as much.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

 

[Weapon of Mass Instruction]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

I hear what you are saying...but the 2 most recent draft classes (Jason Jones, William Hayes, Jacob Ford) along with FA signees Kevin Vickerson and Dave Ball can fill the void. Deepest position on the roster.Not that I want him to go, but it would give us mucho $ to spend elsewhere...like WR.

 

[Ridgelake]

You might consider Dallas. They led the league this year in sacks. Demarcus Ware is only going to get better. They have good depth at CB. They have at least a serviceable offense, so teams won't be able to consistently hold the ball on the D.

 

[Chaka]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

 

[Chaka]

You might consider Dallas. They led the league this year in sacks. Demarcus Ware is only going to get better. They have good depth at CB. They have at least a serviceable offense, so teams won't be able to consistently hold the ball on the D.

If the Cowboys pull it together on offense, the defense could become downright scary. There is lots of talent on that defense.

 

[PranksterJD]

Going a little deeper, I'd take JAX as a buy-low end option that could have great returns if you're willing to wait a little. Very good young talent on this squad.

 

[treat88]

You might consider Dallas. They led the league this year in sacks. Demarcus Ware is only going to get better. They have good depth at CB. They have at least a serviceable offense, so teams won't be able to consistently hold the ball on the D.

It's kind of nitpicky because I agree about the Dallas D generally, but how much better can Ware actually get?I'd expect a decline far before any significant improvement.

 

[Buffaloes]

I like the direction Arizona is headed. If they can replace Dansby this offseason, I think they will surprise some people next year.

 

[Phlash]

Patriots defense is trimming out the old players. Last year was a transition and they still ranked #8 in points allowed, and #10 in yards allowed.

They have a lot of young DB talent:

LCB) Tyrone Wheatley was looking like a 5 year veteran before his injury last season. He should be a starter from day one.

RCB) Jonathan Wilhite played great down the stretch - far above his draft position in the 4th round. He was making a lot of plays and had very sound instincts. Ideally he gets moved to nickel back and Ellis Hobbs, who is also very young, takes his spot as the RCB.

FS) Brandon Meriweather is one of the best young safeties in the NFL.

SS) James Sanders is young and solid, but while he is a decent starter he'd be a much better backup. This position should be upgraded in the offseason.

They have a lot of young LB talent:

WILB) DROY Jerod Mayo. Guy is a machine, and was already calling the defensive plays as a 22 year old rookie.

SILB) Gary Guyton. He is an uber athlete (6'3" 250lbs, 4.4 forty yard time, incredible cone time) who is also very intelligent, and worked his way into a starting position midseason despite being an UDFA, before the injury to Bruschi, in fact. He also played some OLB and looks to be a steal.

LOLB) Pierre Woods, who stepped in for Adalius after the injury, played very well. He is a huge guy (6'5" 250) and is a solid pass rusher. He's 27, which means he should be in his prime in the next few years.

ROLB) Shawn Crable looked great in preseason before getting injured. He was the Patriots 3rd round pick last year and should push someone for a starting role this season.

DLINE) Seymour, Wilfork, and Warren are all Pro-Bowl caliber players.

 

[drdgreenlove]

Eagles D should be solid for years and better next year..ionly problem is BDawk is getting older and cant play at this level forever

But our linebackers are all young... Stewart Bradley (MLB) is a stud and only in 2nd year. Gocong improved this year and Akeem Jordan has been great too.

DLine features Trent Cole (young), Bunkley, Patterson... all young players.. and that doesnt count Victor Abiramiri who has shown great promise when healthy

DBacks- Assante has several great years left. Sheldon Brown is solid. Mikel is solid. They drafted that dude from Wisconsin last year at CB (ikewandu or something) who was hurt before the draft but was considered top 2 round talent

And Jimmy Johnson the coordinator isn't going anywhere (unless he retires one day :(

point is... if Dawk can be replaced (big IF) the DLine and LBs should only improve which means the Eagles D will be solid for several years

 

[uwftbl]

I think the Houston pick would be very risky. Sure, they have some young talent to build on but so do alot of other teams that are under the radar.

No. 22 in yards allowed and No. 27 in points allowed? New DC? I am looking elsewhere.

 

[doubletrouble]

I will go for the Dolphins as a great buy low option. The played great the last 6 weeks and are only to get better...

 

[scrumptrulescent]

Eagles D should be solid for years and better next year..ionly problem is BDawk is getting older and cant play at this level forever But our linebackers are all young... Stewart Bradley (MLB) is a stud and only in 2nd year. Gocong improved this year and Akeem Jordan has been great too.DLine features Trent Cole (young), Bunkley, Patterson... all young players.. and that doesnt count Victor Abiramiri who has shown great promise when healthyDBacks- Assante has several great years left. Sheldon Brown is solid. Mikel is solid. They drafted that dude from Wisconsin last year at CB (ikewandu or something) who was hurt before the draft but was considered top 2 round talentAnd Jimmy Johnson the coordinator isn't going anywhere (unless he retires one day point is... if Dawk can be replaced (big IF) the DLine and LBs should only improve which means the Eagles D will be solid for several years

I wait on a defense every year in FF drafts and take the Eagles.....mainly because of Jim Johnson. Usually good value. Maybe not next year though.

 

[PatrickT]

a angle, but take a look at the Falcons. They did a pretty nice job without a boat load of talent and figure to spend a vast majority of their time on the D this off season. They've shown with Turner that they'll spend the money if they think it's worth it and TD has shown he can evaluate talent on both sides of the ball. They could be a top 10 D for the next few years if they continue on their current path.

 

[uwftbl]

Lots of different ways to try to determine the "up and comers" but if you look at the trend (small sample size I know)from last year's D/ST scoring to this year's, the Eagles stand out. In our league's scoring they went from dead last to #2 this year. But now of course, they aren't under the radar. Others that improved their numbers significantly from last year to this are the Jets (#24 to #5), Titans (#16 to #9), and the Steelers (#22 to #10). How it plays out going forward is anybody's guess.

 

[QUEZILLA]

Tampa dropped the ball when their 2 starting DT's got hurt. If they can get pressure they still have one of the best defenses in the league. The DB's, corners, and LB are still solid. The biggest myth around is that Tampa's D is old. Other than Barber, and Brooks the unit is very young. They like Geno Hays behind Brooks, and Monte liked how Barber played last season.

Houston isn't bad either.

 

[blend]

NYG

 

[sho nuff]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

He strikes me the exact opposite.The guy is a crazy competitor.Part of his "attitude" issues with the head stomp and issues he had at UT show some of this.People say he has issues with knowing when to quit...that he gets so caught up in the heat of the moment that he can't shut it off.That does not seem like a guy who will coast when he gets paid.

 

[sho nuff]

Eagles D should be solid for years and better next year..ionly problem is BDawk is getting older and cant play at this level forever But our linebackers are all young... Stewart Bradley (MLB) is a stud and only in 2nd year. Gocong improved this year and Akeem Jordan has been great too.DLine features Trent Cole (young), Bunkley, Patterson... all young players.. and that doesnt count Victor Abiramiri who has shown great promise when healthyDBacks- Assante has several great years left. Sheldon Brown is solid. Mikel is solid. They drafted that dude from Wisconsin last year at CB (ikewandu or something) who was hurt before the draft but was considered top 2 round talentAnd Jimmy Johnson the coordinator isn't going anywhere (unless he retires one day point is... if Dawk can be replaced (big IF) the DLine and LBs should only improve which means the Eagles D will be solid for several years

Will Ike ever make it back though?I thought I heard his injury might have even been career threatening when it happened at Wisconsin.

 

[Chaka]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

He strikes me the exact opposite.The guy is a crazy competitor.Part of his "attitude" issues with the head stomp and issues he had at UT show some of this.People say he has issues with knowing when to quit...that he gets so caught up in the heat of the moment that he can't shut it off.That does not seem like a guy who will coast when he gets paid.

I don't think it's a coincidence that his best season came when it was time to get paid.Buyer beware.

 

[Whiplash Inc.]

Philly and Arizona

 

[sho nuff]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

He strikes me the exact opposite.The guy is a crazy competitor.Part of his "attitude" issues with the head stomp and issues he had at UT show some of this.People say he has issues with knowing when to quit...that he gets so caught up in the heat of the moment that he can't shut it off.That does not seem like a guy who will coast when he gets paid.

I don't think it's a coincidence that his best season came when it was time to get paid.Buyer beware.

Yes...because he sucked last year too.The guy has been getting better each and every year.

 

[zamboni]

a angle, but take a look at the Falcons. They did a pretty nice job without a boat load of talent and figure to spend a vast majority of their time on the D this off season. They've shown with Turner that they'll spend the money if they think it's worth it and TD has shown he can evaluate talent on both sides of the ball. They could be a top 10 D for the next few years if they continue on their current path.

Falcons were the first one I thought of.Mike Smith is a defensive-minded coach, and did some really good things with the Jax defense to make a hot head coach commodity.I think he'll make his mark on the defense in Atlanta sooner rather than later.

 

[PatrickT]

a angle, but take a look at the Falcons. They did a pretty nice job without a boat load of talent and figure to spend a vast majority of their time on the D this off season. They've shown with Turner that they'll spend the money if they think it's worth it and TD has shown he can evaluate talent on both sides of the ball. They could be a top 10 D for the next few years if they continue on their current path.

Falcons were the first one I thought of.Mike Smith is a defensive-minded coach, and did some really good things with the Jax defense to make a hot head coach commodity.I think he'll make his mark on the defense in Atlanta sooner rather than later.

Let's give BVG some credit as well, he took a lot of crap over the last couple of years and did some pretty good work this year hiding the flaws, rotating Abraham to keep him healthy, etc.

 

[Chaka]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

He strikes me the exact opposite.The guy is a crazy competitor.Part of his "attitude" issues with the head stomp and issues he had at UT show some of this.People say he has issues with knowing when to quit...that he gets so caught up in the heat of the moment that he can't shut it off.That does not seem like a guy who will coast when he gets paid.

I don't think it's a coincidence that his best season came when it was time to get paid.Buyer beware.

Yes...because he sucked last year too.The guy has been getting better each and every year.

When did I say he sucked?Try not to take it personally that I question his character and motivation.I would not want my team to sign him.

 

[sho nuff]

Titans should be quite solid.Pretty young across the board. If DC leaves, current Asst. Dave McGinnis will take over in a seamless transition.

The thing that would concern me with the Titans is Haynesworth. He's a game changing talent at DT, and he's a UFA this offseason. If he doesn't return I could see the defense losing some juice given that his position allows him to make the entire defense better.

If the Titans decide to sign him to a market value contract I could see the same thing happening.He strikes me as the type who will put it in neutral and coast after he gets paid.

He strikes me the exact opposite.The guy is a crazy competitor.Part of his "attitude" issues with the head stomp and issues he had at UT show some of this.People say he has issues with knowing when to quit...that he gets so caught up in the heat of the moment that he can't shut it off.That does not seem like a guy who will coast when he gets paid.

I don't think it's a coincidence that his best season came when it was time to get paid.Buyer beware.

Yes...because he sucked last year too.The guy has been getting better each and every year.

When did I say he sucked?Try not to take it personally that I question his character and motivation.I would not want my team to sign him.

I don't take it personally.Its not that you say he sucked...but you act as if this year was this big coincidence/not a coincidence to have in it being his FA year.When, if you look at it...he has been steadily improving over his career.As a Packer fan Id love to have him...but would worry more about his attitude issues and injury history than him loafing because he got paid.

 

[Billy Ball Thorton]

Arizona as long as Wilson-Dansby-Rolle are retained.