SI Ranks Offensive Backfields

I'm still trying to figure out why we signed AH to such a big contract and spent our first draft pick on a defensive player. Maybe because the FO thought the offense was pretty much set and just needed another year in the system, and if the defense could get some turnovers and/or get the opposing offense off the field we may have a better chance of scoring?On AH, pressure on the QB from the front 4 has been a problem for the past few years, IMO the Skins saw an impact player there that only took $$$ and not draft picks to get and went out to get him. If pressure can come from the front four that makes for more plays to be made in the secondary by the back 7. Orakpo was not only the best player available, but fills a need not often found at # 13, a pass rushing DE that is also solid against the run. Also IMO, Orakpo will be moved over to full-time RDE within two years.

It was definitely a need. This defense wasn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. There was a little sarcasm in my last post.

It was definitely a need. This defense wasn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. There was alittle sarcasm in my last post.Sorry about that, I need to re-calibrate the sarcasm meter. :)

I agree with you 100% about the D.

we have lacked a good front 4 for yrs.now we have a strong dline. a passrush helps the entire defense.

The thing that kills me is that some people here don't understand that it is a pretty normal reaction for the fans of a team to be a bit upset if their QB and RB are ranked at the bottom of the league, especially with some questionable backfield ranked ahead of them. :doh:

To every person in here who spends 90% of their threads bashing a particular player (i.e. our QB) or are quickly to dismiss those of us who drink the kool aid a little bit and ask for a higher ranking I have a question? What are you hoping out of this team and what do you root for? I'm not saying that you'd be a delusional fan and think that we have a top 5 backfield, but don't f'ing shoot us down fiercely if we think the players of our team are a bit better than what the sports media says. Shoot, I think the Giants and Eagles fans on this board have a better opinion of our team than some of us fans.

we have lacked a good front 4 for yrs.now we have a strong dline. a passrush helps the entire defense.

Good point. I think our top ranking on defense has hidden this particular deficiency (and the lack of turnover as well).

we have lacked a good front 4 for yrs.now we have a strong dline. a passrush helps the entire defense.

I think what some people aren't understanding is, it also helps the offense. It helps create turnovers and getting the opposing offense off the field so we can get our offense on the field and score more points.

It was definitely a need. This defense wasn't as good as everyone's making it out to be. There was a little sarcasm in my last post.Yeah, my usually spot-on sarcasm meter totally whiffed there. Now there's egg on my face.

I thought you guys knew me by now. :)

I'm just a little perplexed that some people who do watch all the games truly feel like they were witnessing a great defense last year. I mean, this is a franchise that has produced three legit top five/six defenses in the last five seasons, and some people look at last year's sad impersonation of a strong defense and are okay saying that they were witnessing a great unit.

I mean, the perspective is there. We've had great defenses here under Grilliams. Not just good, but great. Three out of four years. Then Blache has a mediocre unit with a small bend-but-don't-break effect, and people are convinced that they are witnessing greatness. I'm just confused.

Defense did a lot of things well last year. Being great was not one of those things. We had two and a half players play at a pro bowl level all year (Rogers, Fletcher, and arguably Griffin). In the past, we had 5 or 6 guys playing at a pro bowl level (Griffin, Washington, Arrington, Springs, Taylor, Pierce, Carter, etc).

End rant.