Evaluating the Defense

ScottyRo · 01-31-2005, 03:05 PM

Since there's an offense evaluation out there, I thought I'd start one for the D. Let's keep AB out of this, PLEASE! Even if you believe the offense caused some or all of the D's woes. Stay on this side of the ball!

DE: A
Grant started off with a problem against the run but seemed to be coached into staying on guard for that. Howard had an OK year, but was strong at the end. Smith was a nice surprise in preseason and excellent coming in as a replacement. unfortunately, we probably can't afford to keep all 3 and Howard is likely the odd man out.

DT: D+
Young didn't impress me except for his "motor". He did chase down plays, but I want him to make those plays at the line or behind it. Tony wahts-his-name was probably next best at DT. Hopefully he'll be resigned. After that Benson needs to hold a "fire sale". Everything must go!

MLB: C
I was encouraged by Watson, but he made many, many rookie mistakes and was caught out of position several times. I was glad to see him in though because experience can only help him.

OLB: D+
A 7th round pick starting should tell us something. Bockwoldt's got heart. I hope he can match it with skill in the coming years. Another position for a fire sale.

CB: D-/B
D minus for the first part of the year. Thomas got paid and lost his heart. Ambrose was too slow in '03. Did they expect him to get any faster in '04? / MM and Brown looked much better. I don't know about Craft...he was injured and in the pre-season he missed some plays I thought he should have made. He did make a few plays after getting back on the field.

S: C-

This position kind of typifies this organization: We give up on a player with heart and football instincts (Knight) for a guy with none of that, but plenty of athleticism (Jones). I was pretty critical of Jones after '03, but I am pleased with his progress since. It's not enough but it's a start. The you got Mtichell getting hurt in '03 and being replaced by a vet that looked awful the previous season as a starter but who looked good early in replacement of Mitchell. Problem was they didn't give Mitchell his job back. If Bellamy played that good in '03 I can only imagine how good Mitchell would have been if not for that idiot Sage Rosenfels. He better win his job back this year or things wont get better at S.

01-31-2005, 03:05 PM	#1
ScottyRo 1000 Posts + Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Williamsburg, VA (ugh, the food here) Posts: 1,704	Evaluating the Defense Since there's an offense evaluation out there, I thought I'd start one for the D. Let's keep AB out of this, PLEASE! Even if you believe the offense caused some or all of the D's woes. Stay on this side of the ball! DE: A Grant started off with a problem against the run but seemed to be coached into staying on guard for that. Howard had an OK year, but was strong at the end. Smith was a nice surprise in preseason and excellent coming in as a replacement. unfortunately, we probably can't afford to keep all 3 and Howard is likely the odd man out. DT: D+ Young didn't impress me except for his "motor". He did chase down plays, but I want him to make those plays at the line or behind it. Tony wahts-his-name was probably next best at DT. Hopefully he'll be resigned. After that Benson needs to hold a "fire sale". Everything must go! MLB: C I was encouraged by Watson, but he made many, many rookie mistakes and was caught out of position several times. I was glad to see him in though because experience can only help him. OLB: D+ A 7th round pick starting should tell us something. Bockwoldt's got heart. I hope he can match it with skill in the coming years. Another position for a fire sale. CB: D-/B D minus for the first part of the year. Thomas got paid and lost his heart. Ambrose was too slow in '03. Did they expect him to get any faster in '04? / MM and Brown looked much better. I don't know about Craft...he was injured and in the pre-season he missed some plays I thought he should have made. He did make a few plays after getting back on the field. S: C- This position kind of typifies this organization: We give up on a player with heart and football instincts (Knight) for a guy with none of that, but plenty of athleticism (Jones). I was pretty critical of Jones after '03, but I am pleased with his progress since. It's not enough but it's a start. The you got Mtichell getting hurt in '03 and being replaced by a vet that looked awful the previous season as a starter but who looked good early in replacement of Mitchell. Problem was they didn't give Mitchell his job back. If Bellamy played that good in '03 I can only imagine how good Mitchell would have been if not for that idiot Sage Rosenfels. He better win his job back this year or things wont get better at S.