Eh I guess maybe I see this team in more of a non-biased view than most here. It'll keep me sane when we go 7-9 or 8-8...
Our front is good, not great. JL55 has always struggled against the run. As I've said before, I'd take any of the other MLBs from our division over him and if we had any of those other guys we'd be much better against the run. You all throw out how good we were against the run last yr but in reality we were giving it up like candy from a baby in the pass game so of course teams will favor the pass when they play us, thus padding our run D stats.
You watch that 49er game at home and tell me McCleod didn't look like a Dahl clone back there. That game sticks out to me the most because Boldin was all over the backfield and our safeties just stood and watched.
It's all opinion anyway. I hope they play better this yr. JL55 lost weight so maybe he'll be faster/more athletic.
I think you make some very strong points here. In fact the only one I really have a problem with is Laurenitis.
I just wanna point out that we have some much stronger peices to work with than we did a couple years ago. Just a few...
-Gregg Williams over Blake: I beleive it's safe to say Gregg is a much more accomplished DC than his son Blake. What he built in the Saints defense was remarkable considering they didn't have as talented of a defense as we do.
- Brockers and Quinn: The right side of the defensive line is the best in the NFL. In 2012, that would have been a highly debatable remark. Same guys, higher production. Brockers and Quinn did very well in stopping the run last year. They did much better in 2013, especially Quinn. Combined they joined for 24.5 sacks last year, too. These two will light up the back field and that's not even including Donald in the mix.
-Ogletree: He wasnt on the team in 2012. Our ability to contain the edges will loom large in controlling AP. If he is forced to stay between the tackles, I love our chances in stopping him.
Laurenitis: We've seen our share of great LB'er play in this stout division. Laurenitis isn't Willis, but he's a really solid player. He's weak against the run in what regard? If Patrick Willis is a 10 the Laurentis is a 7. That's not "weak" at all. If he was weak against the run then he wouldn't compile a ton of tackles year in and out. He's good but not the best. I definately feel he'll thrive in a high pressure scheme because he is a smart player. He'll be where he needs to be. That weak sauce defense Walton put together left a lot of players out to dry, Laurenitis and the secondary included.
Vastly upgraded offense: From the trenches to the weapons, we're worlds better off than in the 2012 season. Yes I'm banking on Bradford and the passing game, here, but I beleive in it. The ground game will be very good with Stacy running behind one of the best OG tandems in the league. Playing with a lead hinders AP on another level. Big difference in Ponder beating us and AP.