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Originally Posted by Bangee7
when I look at the roster now, compared to last year.....I'm disappointed that the FO didn't try to improve the two weakest links from last year.
I really fail to see how we'll be better running the ball or stopping the run.
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I don't anticipate we'll be much better running the ball either. But, I don't think that will be an issue. I think the the perception will be an improved run game because 1 back, Matt Jones will get the bulk of the carries and that imo was one of the issues last year. I'm not concerned though, I think our pass game took another step forward. And I view (might be alone with this lol) Jay's focus for the offense is and will be passing oriented anyway.
Run defense:
I was saying earlier that I think the run defense has improved. I never thought the DL was the weak spot in terms of run defense. Its not what I saw with my eyes and its not what the stats suggest. And the only loss in terms of run defense along the DL was Knighton. And its questionable how much we lost based on the number of healthy snaps he actually played.
My view of the weakspots in run defense were both Safety spots and all ILBs not named Mason Foster. The bulk of the S snaps were taken by Goldson who was not good against the run. Maybe surprising or not but the best run support S last year was.................drum roll..........DeAngelo Hall. Yup.
So moving Hall to FS is a huge improvement from Dashon. Then we have the addition of David Bruton, a stud in the run game and Su'a another stud in the run game. A starting Safety tandem of Hall/Bruton/S'ua is a HUGE upgrade in run support from last year.
The other weakspot in my view from watching and from the available stats was the ILB group. It wasn't until Mason Foster entered the line-up did that an ILB graded out positively against the run. Perry Riley historically has been a solid run defender but through scheme change and injury his play dipped drastically in this area. I think there will be real competition from rookie Stephen Daniels. Daniels is a tackling machine.
TLDR: I think they addressed/improved the run D through moving D.Hall to FS and at SS w/ David Bruton/rookie Su'a Craven AND at ILB Mason Foster + healthy Riley/or rookie Stephen Daniels
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Maybe training camp will change my opinion, but with a tougher schedule, I'm not sure we did enough to win more games.
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I'm not one for W/L predictions. And naturally we'll know more as the offseason progresses. But, I think we did address the areas that were weak spots with the run game and expect a noticeable improvement that will be reflected both on the field and statistically.