This defense was porous vs the run last year. What has changed is unheralded and unproven players at many LB positions. Expecting them to jump from the teens to a top 5 defense, saying they look top 5 right now as-is, well, for me is too much Kool-Aid.
They might well get there. And I think they have a chance to be an elite defense with Wade and our staff developing and scheming this thing. But ROLB is a crucial position, someone stepping up is required. Can Longacre hold up there? Or is he going to fill Barwin's shoes where he's probably a better fit on the left side. Barron staying healthy and learning better gap integrity is required, can he do both those things? Can we get two other good starters out of what's left even if those two things happen, from among a non-early day drafted depth chart?
Just trying to keep it real. I am excited and looking forward to seeing this defense in camp and preseason. But I'm not interested in crowning them prematurely.
