How much have we improved player personnel?

[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.

Maybe training camp will change my opinion, but with a tougher schedule, I'm not sure we did enough to win more games.

I love the Josh Norman pick up, but I think we took a step back at RB and essentially stayed the same at DT, C & ILB.

I expect we'll be a little better at OLB (more sacks/hurries) which should also help the back 4.

Bjut, unless Paea comes back "stud" strong and Lauvao & Licht/Long turn it up a notch, I still have major questions.

[KI Skins Fan]

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.

Maybe training camp will change my opinion, but with a tougher schedule, I'm not sure we did enough to win more games.

I love the Josh Norman pick up, but I think we took a step back at RB and essentially stayed the same at DT, C & ILB.

I expect we'll be a little better at OLB (more sacks/hurries) which should also help the back 4.

Bjut, unless Paea comes back "stud" strong and Lauvao & Licht/Long turn it up a notch, I still have major questions.

We surely didn't get the boost we were hoping for in the trenches. The BPA philosophy showed itself in the first three rounds and that led to picking players at other positions. From Rounds 5 through 7, it seemed to me that Scot shifted more toward drafting for need, so we'll have to see how the DL and ILB we picked later work out. Rome wasn't built in a day.

[30gut]

I think they addressed the areas that were in my estimation the root causes for the run deficiencies. For me the main loss for run D is from Knighton and he missed a lot of time with injury.

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by 30gut

I think they addressed the areas that were in my estimation the root causes for the run deficiencies. For me the main loss for run D is from Knighton and he missed a lot of time with injury.

Last year at this time, many of us were worried about our O-line, we still had Griffin at QB, Morris as unquestioned RB, had Jeron Johnson or Duke Ihenacho penciled in at safety, Kai Forbath at kicker, Scherff at RT, no Junior Galette...

Point is -- things change a lot by September, we're not done yet & wouldn't get too concerned until we see what the end result is. Btw, Knighton was good, but not that mobile. Not a big loss.

Rush D is certainly a priority -- among the top 5 rush defenses last year? Denver, Carolina, Seattle, Steelers, Jets, with the Patriots and Arizona not far behind.

[Chico23231]

Originally Posted by ethat001

Last year at this time, many of us were worried about our O-line, we still had Griffin at QB, Morris as unquestioned RB, had Jeron Johnson or Duke Ihenacho penciled in at safety, Kai Forbath at kicker, Scherff at RT, no Junior Galette...

Point is -- things change a lot by September, we're not done yet & wouldn't get too concerned until we see what the end result is. Btw, Knighton was good, but not that mobile. Not a big loss.

Rush D is certainly a priority -- among the top 5 rush defenses last year? Denver, Carolina, Seattle, Steelers, Jets, with the Patriots and Arizona not far behind.

great point...I think the battle at ILB this camp could be a great one. My thought is who ever can play the run the best will start at both positions. I know folks probably penciled in Riley and Compton as the starters...but Foster, Spaight and Daniels could provide the our best options at stopping the run.

[SkinsGuru]

Originally Posted by ethat001

Last year at this time, many of us were worried about our O-line, we still had Griffin at QB, Morris as unquestioned RB, had Jeron Johnson or Duke Ihenacho penciled in at safety, Kai Forbath at kicker, Scherff at RT, no Junior Galette...

Point is -- things change a lot by September, we're not done yet & wouldn't get too concerned until we see what the end result is. Btw, Knighton was good, but not that mobile. Not a big loss.

Rush D is certainly a priority -- among the top 5 rush defenses last year? Denver, Carolina, Seattle, Steelers, Jets, with the Patriots and Arizona not far behind.

another way to help the run D look a lot better . . . score a bunch of points and get a good size lead . . . make the opponent one dimensional

[30gut]

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.

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

Maybe training camp will change my opinion, but with a tougher schedule, I'm not sure we did enough to win more games.

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.

[DYoungJelly]

Originally Posted by 30gut

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.

If we have 1 TE who can can catch passes and block then it will be a huge upgrade to the run game.

Last year we were relying on Reed and Tom Compton who were good at both aspects of the position. Carrier caught a few passes in spots but was lacking in the run game big time.

This will be the 2nd year of a new scheme with Callahan that relies on TE blocking and we will now have a TE or two who can block.

Why don't you think there will be actual rather than perceived improvement?

[30gut]

Originally Posted by DYoungJelly

...Why don't you think there will be actual rather than perceived improvement?

I'm sure there will be some improvement.

Stated my view on this several times already. But oh well....I think the run game takes a back seat to the passing game for Jay. And there is nothing wrong with that. An OC should run their offense the way they see fit.

I think Jays run game (barring landing a stud RB) will always play second fiddle to the pass game. From a gameplan perspective, from a planning perspective, from a HC interest/emphasis, practice time etc.

I think examples of this are in the difference in the run game from the Shanahans to Jay and the difference in Cincinnati from Jay to Hue. Here with a better OL and better skill position players the run game was less productive. In Cincinnati Jay had one of the best OL in the league but the run game took off under Hue.

[ethat001]

Originally Posted by 30gut

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

Good analysis 30gut -- and consistent with what I've read & what Joe Barry was saying. We seemed to do decent on short runs but got gashed for long runs ---> and those long runs are more the LB and safety play on the second level.

Here's a great film breakdown / videos to demonstrate this, ie. comparison between possible run defense w Su'a Cravens vs. Trent Robinson.

We'll see in September - I trust Scott knows what he's doing.

[rocnrik]

This team goes as far as Cousins takes us. period. If he plays as well this year as he did last then its not unrealistic to believe we will be at least as good if not better with the new players..but That is the BIG IF.. I do believe the D will be improved which takes the pressure off Cousins.. I really think the Norman signing was the biggest upgrade and will help right off the bat.. one thing that bugs me is I read articles that have players we drafted like Daniels not even making the team because of the depth ..why not take a player of equal value in a position that is thin..stuff like that makes me scratch my head..

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by rocnrik

... one thing that bugs me is I read articles that have players we drafted like Daniels not even making the team because of the depth ..why not take a player of equal value in a position that is thin..stuff like that makes me scratch my head..

When the guys writing "the articles" are accomplished GM's intimately familiar with our talent & scheme and have spent hours/days reviewing film of the guys we have drafted compared to other we might have drafted, I might worry we have drafted poorly.

Not everyone will hit, but it's clear Scot goes by and sticks with BPA even at the back end of the roster.

Look, the late round guys are already odds-against making the roster. At that point, the best way to improve your roster is to pick the guys you think have the best chance of being an NFL player. If he can play, they will find him a spot on the 53. Not like the back end of our roster (at any position) is littered with all-pro's waiting to make the team.