Quote:
Originally Posted by sherck
There are 2 lines of thought on how to improve a team the fastest:
1. Reinforce a strength to make it a true force.
2. Strengthen a weakness to bring it up to at least average.
Polian choose to follow #1 all during the 2000s by continuing to reinforce the offense around Peyton. It led to great regular season success and 1 Super Bowl but left a defense that was always struggling unless put in the perfect position (big lead in the 2nd half against a team inclined to pass to catch up).
Personally, I want to have a team that gets to at least "average" at all parts of the team and then can use or add the select rainmaker as BPA to bring that part of the team up to superior levels.
Right now, the D-Line is at least average if not a bit above it. Not a ton above it but a bit above it. Hankins, Woods, Anderson, Hunt, Ridgeway and Stewart are a good rotation and has had success this year; especially against the run early in games.
The downside is that their good play masks the dreadful play of our ILBs early in games but once our D-Line starts getting worn down as the game goes on (since we typically are losing the ToP stat and we are behind so that the other team can focus running the ball), the lack of quality ILBs starts allowing opposing offenses to gash us in the running game where they start rolling up the yards.
I like our D-Line right now. Our Pass Rush, ILB and O-Line are the glaring areas of our team that are not at least NFL average. I will be pretty pissed if our 1st round pick is at any other position than those.
Walk Worthy,
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Agree with all that
Plus the offense this year is not good and cannot sustain drives, which plays into the TOP equation and time the D is on the field as well.
The DL is much improved this year vs prior years. Teams are not longer able to run straight up the middle on the D.
Once they go off tackle or outside though, the D still can't stop them
Also the LBers can't cover anyone in the passing game
I don't think the secondary as a whole is even too bad when healthy and they would be OK if there was a decent pass rush.
I'd be fine with a first round pick at linebacker for a pass rusher, but OL is also a big problem and needs addressed just as bad.
Ideal situation with a top 3 pick, which seems likely, is you trade down in the first round for more picks and get both