Anyone who has read this board over the past year can tell you virtually nobody here has confused this team with a juggernaut.

 

We all know that despite the promise this offseason seems to have, we are still in the very early stages of a massive build.  This is far from a complete team, and there will likely be some uneven performances by the team overall.

 

The question is, if you had to pick a side of the ball to trust to carry us this year while the team improves, which side of the ball would it be, offense or defense?

 

Why?

 

Does your answer change over the course of the season?  What would determine it?

 

I think the defense will be the one carrying the offense, especially early on in the year.

 

First, the defense has more proven performers.  While older, guys like Poz, Bryant and Clemons give this team ability and leadership, and at face value, Bryant and Clemons seem to represent immediate upgrades over their replacements from last year, as does Dekoda Watson, while Ziggy Hood should gives us better quality depth, if nothing else.  While Beadles and Gerhart represent veteran additions on the offensive side of the ball, I am not sure if the dramatic impact they may have will be as evident, especially early on.

 

 

  Secondly, I think there are more young players in ascent on this side of the ball.  Cyprien, Gratz and Branch showed signs of improvement over the course of last year.  Cyp and Gratz are in their second years, while Branch is entering his 3rd.  The young guys on the offensive side of the ball are mostly rookies, especially at WR.   Rookie WRs rarely make much positive impact.  While Joeckel is technically in his second year, he is still a rookie for all intents and purposes.  He started out on the right side fro 4 games or so, then in his fifth, he moved back to LT where he got hurt for the year early in the Rams game.  Bortles likely won't play this year-according to the coaches-and even if he does-it likely won't be until later and it is highly unlikely he replicates Marino's or Roethlisberger's rookie year successes.  While Henne may show improvement with new skill players and linemen and another year in the offense, I think the offense's true improvement will come when Bortles is finally inserted in the lineup.  Shorts is in his prime, but Blackmon is not available, and he should be in his prime.  Rookie WRs rarely make much positive impact.  I think the latter part of this year and 2015 is when you will see the offensive improvement.

 

Finally, I think it's going to be easier for the defense to gel than the offense.  Two of the newcomers on the defense already know the scheme.  Meanwhile, the OL has four new starters from opening day last year.  It'll take them a while to get in synch, all recognize blitzes and know what to do, etc., which, in turn will affect the performance of the rest of the offense.  Besides, lets face it.  Bradley is a defensive coach.  This will be a defensive team under his watch.

 

So which side of the ball do you  trust to carry the team this year?

---