Quote:That table of draft capital spent on defence vs. offence is very telling. 24.6% then 3.9% in 2013-2014. Then 73.3% and 99.5% in 2015-2016. You can certainly see the plan - build one side of the ball, then the other, then maintain.


But what was really interesting to me was the adjusted figure when you discount Dante Fowler Jr - down from 73.3% to 11.3%. That's a big hit in terms of the plan to improve the defence from that point, and it maps perfectly to a team that would have been far more successful in the win/loss column with just a hint of a pass rush. As much as I laugh at people for saying DFJ may benefit from his injury, I think the team may benefit - if he'd played to a high level in his rookie season, we wouldn't have sniffed the fifth overall pick, and if we get him back at full strength along with this year's rookies we'll have done better over a two-year period once it all shakes out.

This illustrates the flaw of the argument of those who maintain Bradley is a bad coach because defense is his specialty but it has been bad since he's been here.  I long argued he hasn't had the talent on that side of the ball because the team hadn't invested much on that side of the ball.

 

Is it theoretically possible that this draft class will completely bust.  Yes.

 

But it's unlikely. 

 

I think even without this year's draft class, there is enough talent on the defense to legitimately hold Bradley accountable if the defense does not show improvement.

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