GumboBC

Over the past few seasons, we've seen our secondary really struggle. Many times, they've seemed confused and lost, letting receivers run totally free through the secondary. Missed tackles were also the norm. Most notably, Tebucky Jones in 2003.

Last season Haslett and Venturi promised we would be fine with the tandem of Fred Thomas and Ashley Ambrose at CB.

They quickly saw that wasn't going to work and jumped at the chance to aquire Mike McKenzie from Green Bay. Fakir Brown soon replaced and injured Ashley Ambrose.

As it stands right now, we will start the 2005 season with Mike McKenzie and Fakir Brown at CB. Tebucky Jones at FS and Jay Bellamy at SS.

That's a blend of one proven CB with Mike McKenzie and one promising CB with Fakir Brown. While it would be great if we had another standout CB to compliment McKenzie, I think Fakir played pretty well for his first season. And I think he deserves to be starting where I think he will only get better. I think when a player shows as much promise as Fakir did, you must develop guys like that.

So, I feel pretty good about our CBs!

But, it's the back-end I have some concerns about!

Jay Bellamy is good in run support but usually isn't anywhere around the football when it's in the air.

Tebucky Jones improved his tackling dramatically last year. But, as with Bellamy, he really wasn't around the football when it was in the air.

It's been said that a safety is one of Haslett's top priorities this offseason. I can't say I disagree. I think the back-end of our defense is too soft. Neither Bellamy or Tebucky Jones break up enough passes or come up with the big play.

IMO, we need an enforcer to lay the lumber on opposing WRs!!

While we have other needs on defense, this isn't a bad place to start, IMO!

Thoughts?