Quarter way through check-in. I’m still on the “I have some serious reservations about the defense” boat. But I expected our DTs to get better. With an average front 4 and our secondary the only true glaring weakness is still the LBs. Van Noy is the guy on the unit with the most speed and imo best modern skill set. Roberts is still there which ultimately will be a problem. Hightower looked better this week (or sounded better for those of us forced to listen by radio).
On a side note I would love it if someone PM’d me or posted and enlightened me on how to stream things legally like the Pats game. I have SlingTV and CBS so I certainly try to get the Pats every week but I don’t have direct TV and I don’t think I have access to season ticket. I have an Xbox one of that makes a difference (not aware of any NFL packages on Xbox one).
The better the front four plays the easier it is to mask the problems with the LBs. I think the DTs underperformed in the first few games. I’m optimistic that Shelton is going to be stout. Same with Brown. Guy and Butler offer you something in the pass rush.
The defense relies on Trey Flowers. He’s either our best defender or at least in the running for it. He’s definitely the best defender in the front 7. Flowers is the most consistent pass rusher. He’s great against anything you throw at him. This is a solid edge group.
The front 4 has a lot of average to above average pieces (some very good) that should work well together. Flowers, Wise, Guy, Butler, Clayborn, etc. give you a pass rush. To me how effective the front 4 are will dictate how season goes for the defense.
As for Sony... I get why people didn’t like the pick or the position. Personally I get it and think it was a fine pick. Eventually Sony is going to be a better receiver. It wouldn’t surprise me if it took him a year or two to develop into that complete player. But when he does put it all together look the fuck out. He’s still predictive out there as a runner (did anyone notice if he was on the field when they passed?). They went for BPA for their team. Sony was such a perfect fit. I was drooling about him myself but figured B.B. wouldn’t go for an RB before he would be snatched up. Now if you told me before the draft that Penny would get drafted before Sony but that Sony would be a first round pick I would have looked like you just told me you were a time-traveling-alien but I digress.
I do have my issues with the offense too but I want to see what they look like with Jules and Hollister back and Gordon getting more time in. Fully staffed I believe this should be a good receiving group. White, Jules, Gronk should be reliable and hopefully Gordon, Hogan, Hollister, Patterson, Dorsett, etc. can pick up any remaining slack. Tom is adjusting to his rotating personnel or at least that’s what it looks like. But if Gordon doesn’t give them much and Jules doesn’t have much left in the tank this could be a difficult year. I’m cautiously optimistic about the group but it’s very much a WIP. The RB rotation and whether we run or pass with who is out there is a potential problem too. It’s a shame that Hill and Burkhead are out because they were also two guys who showed something in the running and passing game (Hill looked very good in his short time here). Sony’s rawest skill coming out was his receiving so I am not sure he will be that dual-threat guy in year 1. That’s normal by the way. White took some time. Remember him in 2014/2015 vs 2016 or 2017? I do expect Sony to be more of a target though because he can’t be a tell that they will run it to him the whole year. Maybe get him started with some screens? I hear he’s good in space.
Lots of questions for me still. This team is never dull.
