I really like to break teams down by squad. For example...You could have the greatest CB in the league like Revis, but if he is surrounded by garbage I wouldn't call the teams secondary a strength. It's all about how the safety's and corners work together as a unit. I feel pretty good about our secondary including the safety's.
So lets start with that group. #24 apologized for our defense not being ranked #1 and for hauling in a grand total of zero interceptions. The Jets have been ultra honest regarding their lack of discipline and how the Steelers played much more physical in the AFCCG last season. The were also honest about trying to upgrade from Cromartie to Nnamdi. That didn't happen and Cro was the best of what was left.
We do have to ask if we lost out on some great opportunities by spending so much time chasing Asomugha. Ike Taylor was on the market briefly before Pittsburgh re-signed him. I would have loved to see him line up opposite Revis. I expect little out of #31. However, we still have Wilson who worked with Revis very closely during the lock out and I am also a fan of Marquis Cole. As for our safetys, I love Lowery and Leonard as our starters with Pool and Smith as part of the rotation. There is more than enough talent in that group to dominate.
Next up is our LB's. Harris is a rich man, and last week in an interview Revis called him the best LB in the NFL. That is beyond ridiculous, but I am happy he is still here. Calvin Pace needs to play 16 games and put up double digit sacks... or I would have to officially chalk his acquisition up as a failure. He is capable, but is he hungry?
Bart Scott is a loudmouth who has produced very little in two years. Rex told Tannenbaum his #1 player he wanted to bring with him from Baltimore was Bart. They paid him 40 million dollars and he has produced 2 total sacks, zero interceptions and about 60 solo tackles a year. Thats veteran minimum money not 40 million. We could have landed Ray Lewis, for the same money... but Rex and Mr. T made a bad choice. He should have really been released, but the cap hit would be devastating.
Bryan Thomas is still around, and every once in a while he puts up a big season. Maybe this will be a good one for him. The whole reason he is still on our team is because we don't want him going to New England. Jamaal Westerman has been getting a lot of attention early in camp. If he could develop into a real starter it would help to make up for Gholston.
Our defensive line is very exciting to me this season. Two young rookies, some role players like DeVito and Pitoitua, and some other talented players trying to find a place on an NFL team like Jarron Gilbbert and Marcus Dixon. I love this kind of competitive environment. No one is guaranteed a starting spot. I just hope some clear cut starters emerge. I don't want us still searching for our front 3 in October.
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