Are we really griping about the defense not being better? Seriously? Caldwell has had one offseason. One.. and seven draft picks.. He blew the roster up and started over and you're complaining the defense isn't better? Of course it's not! Our starting DTs were deemed expendable by their former teams (as good as Marks has looked let's not overlook the facts here). Our starting DEs are a underachieving Gene Smith pick and a journeyman DE in his mid thirties. And as bad as that is, what's even worse is who we have behind them.. A bust of a 2nd round pick from the Gene Smith era, a UDFA, a so-so DE who's in his early thirties, and a Patriots castoff. Think that's bad? It gets worse

 

Linebackers... who have we got there? Poz? a good instinctive LB but he lacks speed and that makes him a liability in pass coverage. Russell Allen is very average, he wouldn't be starting on any other team in the NFL, and Geno Hayes is yet another castoff. Our DBs are our only strength and that is the only area that Caldwell really had the draft picks to address this offseason

 

Gratz is our starting CB, and once he comes back, I expect he will continue to improve.

Blackmon is a Seattle castoff who has played well, but he was pressed into action due to injury. He wasn't expected to be a starter.

Ball is another castoff who has been so-so when he's been healthy

McCray has played pretty well for a 7th round pick who wasn't supposed to be starting this year.

Evans has played well for, yet again, a late round pick who wasn't expected to start this year.

Cyprien continues to improve.

 

We have a LOT of needs, but then again, we had a lot of needs when Caldwell took over. You can't expect him to completely fix this defense in one offseason that Gene spent 4 years destroying. Overall, I'm satisfied with the way the defense has played. I would expect either DL or LB to be addressed in the draft, but not both. Once again, we don't have enough picks to address all of our needs. Patience is required.

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