xan

I disagree. You can draft your way out of a bad defense, as long as your time horizon is FOREVER.

Problem with defenders is that they actually have to be smart enough to read the offense, intuitive enough to know how to adjust, and have the communication skills to get the other 10 guys on the same page.

Good defenses layer in a scheme that fits the abilities of the players and a commitment to tackling.

I don't think we've had the scheme, the players, or the commitment to have any kind of quality defense. And further, we can change the scheme all we want, (and have!) but the fact of the matter is that transforming this defense will require at least 15 new players. Not happening in 3 drafts, much less 1. With our available budget, the likelihood of any quality improvement for 2013 is low.

If this defense can allow just 10% fewer yards and 5% fewer points, I'd buy the online beer for the first round of the playoffs.

Calvin: "I wish I was a Tiger."
Hobbes: "Common lament."

xan

Before all you jump on that bet, I want to hedge it by stipulating that Brees has to stop throwing pics at an unsustainable rate. I don't care how good your defense is, if they're only given an average of a 1:30 minute break 40% of the time, they are going to suck.

Seer1

Or you can be like me and blame many of Drew's ints on the defense. He knew the defense was gong to give up three scores in the fourth quarter and he simply tried too hard to compensate. I've been watching that boy play since he was at Purdue and that is the one type of pressure he's never been able to handle well.