What The Retooled Defense Could Look Like

Lets see what the roster looks like going into camp. Biggest difference is it will be more of a personnel based defense then a scheme based defense. More guys attacking the LoS and more man coverage. We know that, but it will be based more on utilizing players strengths and matchups. All the front 7 guys have to be able to function in any scheme because they will do matchups specific to the teams they face rather run a scheme based system. I expect a New England style defense.

I don’t buy they are going to go schemeless. I do think they will alter personnel, packages and looks from team to team based n what they are trying to take away and how they want to apply pressure … but I still think they will have a base defense they work from.

That said, while we still have a ways to go I think if we are looking at current roster we are a worse defense today than we were a year ago. But think our DC will get more out of them. I think Edge and S are strengths….everything else needs a lot of help still. We don’t have a single above average IDL right now and I don’t know how they are going to be in a position to drastically change that. I like Asamoah….but we need a big fast LB and he isn’t it! He can blitz, run down the edge and cover… but up the middle he’s just too small and Hicks may be the slowest non lineman on the team.
I like the Murphy signing, I think his flexibility fits what they want to do… but the board needs to pump the breaks a tad. He isn’t Jalen Ramsey in his prime …..Murphy is a slightly better, more flexible corner than Cam Dantzler with a much better attitude. I think he’s a good corner and a good fit, but he’s not a true shut down corner. The fact we didn’t retain Shelley as a backup plan if Booth and Evans can’t stay healthy was a huge mistake. While I like Murphy… the CB unit I think took a step backwards “overall”. I think the current players will be helped by a man scheme that suits their skills better and a pass rush tgat forces the ball out quicker… but CB is thin snd we don’t have a superstar.

All this said, there is a lot of off-season to still be had, but If I look at this roster top to bottom right now….I don’t think it’s a better roster at present than what we had last year. But I think Flores can still do more with less…and I’m still holding out hope we add some quality people to the roster still.