I can second that, but it seems that no matter how much I try to take the "wait and see" attitude, I just catch myself getting very excited about this defense - mostly because of Spags and what he brings to the table.

It's hard not to get excited, just look what Steve has done so far. Lofton, Chamberlain, Hawthorne, Bunkley and potentially Hicks...

Unless of course you have bad CBs who can't cover, nobody to rush the passer so the opposing WRs are running free all over the field, and end up having the worst pass defense in the league. I like Greer but...

I also think Loomis is more deserving of the praise for signing Lofton, Hawthorne, Bunkley, etc. than Spags is.

we don't have bad cbs, Robinson and Greer held their own with the piss poor D-Line we had last year. Any improvement in the line will help the cbs. And I'm thinking that Spags had some say in bringing in the LBs, Loomis gets the credit for making the contracts work though

I don't see any improvement in the DL... and Robinson is a decent cover corner who is a terrible tackler.

Bunkley? and Spagnoulo has a way with linemen. and everyone was a terrible tackler under G.W's scheme. It was all about the big hit and not wrapping up. Let's see what Steve and Flajole bring to the table, they did alright with the Rams defense...

I like Hicks, but I think it will take him longer to get acclimated to the level of competition in the NFL, so I wouldn't expect great things until next year or year after next.

Also Is any one else reassured by the authority and confidence Vitt has had since taking over? He hasn't been overselling the team, and seems like the pressure hasn't gotten to him at all.

They know what their doing. If they like him i like him.

Not much in the pass rush which is what I was implying... Definitely excited about his ability to stop the run, but not get to the QB.

But he does pressure the QB well. QB's often see the DT pressure, and step right or left to avoid it, or throw early. That pressure often gives a good DE the sack. He collapses the pocket well.