My biggest concern is that the middle of the DL is light (except for B. Brown) and inexperienced. There is no Wagner in the middle to help stop the run. I think our O will be better if OL can stay healthy, but will not get as many opportunities because other teams will run on us with success. If we load the box with the inexperienced safeties and play the cb's 10 yards off, then again, 1st down will come easy. Our D will be on the field for the majority of each game.
I think of myself as a realist, although this may sound pessimistic. I do not see great success in our upcoming record. I think we will be competitive, but think we will be around the 5 win total. Yes, our O is more healthy, but the D took as big a step back as our O did going forward due to health. If for some reason Stafford goes down early in the season, I think we will be competing for the 1st overall pick next year.
One thing I do look forward to seeing from this D, is more effort and flying to the ball, which usually leads to more turnovers. Last year, the D unit did not fly to the ball,. How many times did our D separate the ball from the ball carrier, only for the opponent to recover it. To me, there was a lack of effort and leadership. The Whiners always have multiple players on the tackle and around the ball.
No one can say how special teams are going to do.
It is a rebuild. I just hope we are not starting a stretch like the one that followed 2005 season.
