D'Yontae Johnson and defense in general

[killarich]

This guy looked good to me and the fact that he has been splitting first team reps with McFadden is even more exciting.

You add Okereke and Simmons I think our linebacker core plus the pass rush with Dex is actually possibly a legit top 5 defense. Not too mention you still have Azeez coming in for rotation fresh.

My only question in that group is who steps up at DT next to Dex

If Dru Philips is legit at slot and Nubin is who we think is that Safety rotation is DEEP even with the loss of X. Cant forget we still have Mills as the 4th Safety

My only question mark is CB2. I hope McCloud can step up and at least be average. I mean if the front 7 is as good as I hope they are that will relieve pressure off the DB's anyways

[MrGap92]

This guy looked good to me and the fact that he has been splitting first team reps with McFadden is even more exciting.

You add Okereke and Simmons I think our linebacker core plus the pass rush with Dex is actually possibly a legit top 5 defense. Not too mention you still have Azeez coming in for rotation fresh.

My only question in that group is who steps up at DT next to Dex

If Dru Philips is legit at slot and Nubin is who we think is that Safety rotation is DEEP even with the loss of X. Cant forget we still have Mills as the 4th Safety

My only question mark is CB2. I hope McCloud can step up and at least be average. I mean if the front 7 is as good as I hope they are that will relieve pressure off the DB's anyways

McCloud has played very solid since he came on in Dabolls first year, I think he can be at CB2 what Moreau was a couple years ago, hopefully Flott or Hawkins can continue to develop.

[Ed Vette]

Holmes has improved his game. Saw it at camp too.

[killarich]

Holmes has improved his game. Saw it at camp too.

Even better.. if they all improved that just makes the defense even more scary

[bamagiantfan]

My only question in that group is who steps up at DT next to Dex

I don't think much was decided last night at NT, but that isn't all bad. They all played well. I think with Bowen's history as a DC there will be a high value on stopping the run. So, DTs who can hold their ground and occupy multiple blockers will be preferred, even if they don't record a sack the entire season. You might see a rotation where a pass rushing DT comes in on clear passing downs at times, but this Defense is all about stopping the run.

The DB situation is similar. Man to man cover guys are nice to have but there will be a lot of matchup zone with a premium on tackling. The tackling as a whole was excellent last night. Even guys who were beaten in coverage made up the ground and made the tackles to limit the yards after catch.  DBs were willing to come up on running plays and stick there noses into the fray. 

Its early and these are backups playing against Offenses that ran little play action or motion. So, there is still further evaluation needed, but I can't think of anyone on Defense who lost their job last night.

[Jclayton92]

Holmes has improved his game. Saw it at camp too.

Are they still using him on the boundary?

[Bob In PA]

Are they still using him on the boundary?

J: Short answer, yes, all plays I saw him in on last night were boundary CB.

My evaluation: he is struggling to keep up with the demands, but so far, he is winning the struggle.

Just not sure how long he can keep it up.. but if he DOES, he'll not only make the team but has a good shot at significant playing time (which IMO will vary depending on the size of the WR's... obviously he's not a really big guy).

Bob

[Ed Vette]

Are they still using him on the boundary?

As Bob said, yes and he had a nice camp. I see Holmes, Tre, and Dre competing behind McCloud and Banks. Those are the 5 CB's that will make the team from what I've seen so far.

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/BobbySkinner_/status/1821972697464893531

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/nickfalato/status/1821982819952070941

[BluesCruz]

I am absolutely awestruck by this new D

Sayonara Wink

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/nickfalato/status/1821984983428264410

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/nickfalato/status/1821991833070612868

[MightyGiants]

https://x.com/nickfalato/status/1821993321281048738

[Bob In PA]

It's a team sport, so having a "team" aspect to every defense makes sense.

Still, I'm not a big fan of most zone defenses and prefer man... it minimizes communication problems.

Regardless, I'll be rooting just as hard for the team no matter what they do.

Bob