1. Coaching: No doubt, Caldwell's defense had a bad year and he has to be given much responsibility. However, 1st year coordinators with several new players (many being very young) are not likely to have much success. I expect much improvement from the defense due to the experience gained by players like Walker, Lloyd and Cisco. How good the defense will be depends on whether the youngsters do improve as well as the team finding someone reliable to play nickel. It could be Herndon doing better if the pass rush also improves or Braswell from Rutgers. Caldwell's grade next year will be greatly effected by these factors.

2.I don't believe anyone along the line will be a pro bowl player as long as they stick primarily to the 3-4. I do believe Walker will get several snaps along the line and he does have the capability to be a pro-bowler.

3.The linebacker position is the most interesting. I expect Walker, Lloyd and Muma to all improve significantly. Still not sure if Walker would be better playing on the line, but we'll get that answer this season. As far as the rookies, I love Caldrac's optimism about Abdullah and hope he is right. It's certainly possible, but he'll have to overcome the same physical liabilities that prevented previous undersized college pass-rushers to be just mediocre in the NFL. Miller seems like the kind of guy who will be very good on special teams, but his physical limitations will prevent him from having much success as a starting linebacker.

4.My greatest disappointment this off-season was the team's failing to draft a starting nickel when several were available as far down as the top of round 4. They then have passed on the top free agents who could have played nickel. Obviously, they have enough confidence that Herndon, Braswell or Hallett will do a satisfactory job at that spot. I don't really see any other options in free agency other than Bryce Callahan and I'm guessing that Baalke/Caldwell don't believe he'd be an upgrade over what they already have. In the quarterback-rich AFC, they better be right!

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