Either way you look at it we lost speed and coverage ability with Kwon going down. Sure, he isn’t a perennial Pro-Bowler but our front seven is way better with him than without and Alex has been in this defense for 3 years. To this day he is still a liability in the run and passing game. His reaction time is horrible.

Just watch his tape....

The way he bonded with DD was inspiring for the whole defense. He brings high energy and leads by example. I don't see another player that has his energy, gap soundness, coverage skills ability and vocal leadership that can step up right now.

That remains to be seen. I'm taking a more positive stance that the team will rally behind the loss of one single player.

Besides, this isn't some sort of elite player we're talking about. I fear y'all are placing FAR too much importance on one player.

Were you even watching the games when Kwon overtook Anzalone on the depth chart?

Kwon Alexander's addition made the defense elite; he gave us another coverage linebacker in addition to DeMario Davis; that allowed Dennis Allen the add'l option of sending either Kwon or DeMario on Blitz...

Since Malcolm Jenkins can't cover ala Roman Harper, DA has mostly used Kwon and DeMario in coverage, as they're our best (and really good) coverage linebackers...

Kwon Alexander's biggest problem has been missed tackles (terrible for a LBer), because he's been been out of position, mostly because he's still learning the defense, chemistry with his teammates...

However, Kwon has picked up the defense faster than some LBers and a certain SS who've had the benefit of training camp...

But if you look at when our defense really began to take off during the stretch run, it was when Kwon too over opposite DeMario Davis...

Were you even watching the games when Kwon overtook Anzalone on the depth chart?

Kwon Alexander's addition made the defense elite; he gave us another coverage linebacker in addition to DeMario Davis; that allowed Dennis Allen the add'l option of sending either Kwon or DeMario on Blitz...

Since Malcolm Jenkins can't cover ala Roman Harper, DA has mostly used Kwon and DeMario in coverage, as they're our best (and really good) coverage linebackers...

Kwon Alexander's biggest problem has been missed tackles (terrible for a LBer), because he's been been out of position, mostly because he's still learning the defense, chemistry with his teammates...

However, Kwon has picked up the defense faster than some LBers and a certain SS who've had the benefit of training camp...

But if you look at when our defense really began to take off during the stretch run, it was when Kwon too over opposite DeMario Davis...

We had the #1 run defense in the league before Alexander showed up. We had by far our two worst defensive outings (Philly and KC) with Alexander in the lineup and Anzalone on the bench. Was he the sole reason for that collapse? No. Of course not. Just like he wasn't the sole reason for any improvement in the defense earlier.

Like I said. Y'all are giving him far too much credit. Yes he runs around like a chicken with his head cut off. I'm sure that's one of the reasons he grades out so low via PFF ... being out of position. Yes he makes plays. But how many does he miss that we do not catch?

I respect your opinion Guido. But I also respect that Kwon took us to an elite defense. We'll see if they can maintain that performance without him. My eyes tell me that we were always good against the run. You saw it too. However, he did help improve the defensive passing game...at least that is what my eyes told me.

That's two weeks in a row Malcolm Jenkins graded in the bottom five, this week Sheldon Rankins is joining him...

At this point, I'd consider Rankins a bust as a pick; not a Sullivan or Shawn Knight bust, but a bust nonetheless...

We'd done better elevating Gardner to SS and acquiring an add'l outside CB instead of wasting money on Malcolm Jenkins tired-arse game...