If the free agent additions, Anderson & Langford getting healthy etc. allow the defense to be effective against the run I expect some real improvement by November/December when the young guys in the secondary start to gel. Not top half of the league for the season but maybe top half by the time the playoffs roll around.

My biggest complaint about the defense the last few years is they didn'the have anything to hang their hat on. Stopping the run would be a great start.......

Top 15 but if Hooker and Wilson are short studies Top 10 can happen

Crazy talk. Middle of the pack this year. Maybe break top 15 next year with another solid draft and better pass rush and a year under the new players belts.

And maybe a new coach

The ranking of the defense could also be much improved if the offense actually produces as it is expected to. There were games last year where the offense stank almost as much as the defense, such as the first half of the Jags game in London. If we can get the time of possession more in our favour then the defense will be more rested and production will be that much better for it.

I have to agree.

If anything in 2016, I think that it was the offense that was less likely to live up to its potential game-in and game-out that the defense. The defense did, by and large, what it was supposed to (talent level stunk so the performance level stunk).

However, the offense was hoped to be outstanding and it was at times....but it also lagged greatly at times and that hurt us a whole lot more than the defense lagging.

Anyway, I have a good feeling about the offensive line an Aiken and think that our offense will be much more consistent at reaching their potential this season over last. No facts to back that up, just a feeling.

Cheers,

I know it is getting ahead of things, we have to see how good Wilson is as a corner in the NFL.

But what are the chances in the next year if he works out he ends up at #1 corner and Davis moves to #2?

I think that'll depend on if Davis can stay healthy. If he can't he might not even get an offer from the Colts. He is a great player at his best, but we have not consistently gotten his best.