DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Focus on Defense, Not Offense

Just some thoughts!

Although I know Offense is important and the QB, OL, RB and WR have been the focus of most of us I think we should look more towards defense during the draft and free agency. Ok, before you flame me let me give my reasons why.

First and foremost, the term ?defense wins championships? is a true statement. Looking back ten years or so there is only 2 teams that have won the Superbowl that had lower ranked defenses then 10th. One was our head coaches defense, NE Patriots in 2001 vs the Eagles and the other was the Broncos vs the Falcons; but the Broncos were ranked 12th . So they were not that far off.

What this will do is one; give the offense more opportunity by turnovers and two; better field position to start drives. I?m sure there is other benefits as well but the defense has already show much promise this year (except today) and feel its not far away from being a top ten D.

I?m not saying we should forget the offense but if a stud defensive player is available; I say grab him and focus on a strong defense throughout the off-season.

BTW, I should have put this earlier; offensive ranked teams that won the SB have been all over the place..24th?16th?16th?etc.

Couple of [censored] poor PI calls plus a lot of 3 and outs don't help the defense.

We need an o-line, RB and proven veteran OC. We have a D that could win with that. We need some DL, but there is no excuse in round 1 to skip on a stud OL or RB, then in 2 and 3 take OL. We should NOT take DB,WR or QB in this draft. Time to builld the trenches and get a stud RB

Totally agree if there is a stud offensive player in the draft and we can get him, take him. That being said taking Wimbley this year was the right move; and I don't want the team to reach for a "Gallery" that doesn't pan out. Thanks for the reply.

We should draft the player with the best shot at being great ... no matter what position he plays.

There is no one on this team performing at such a high level that he should be immune to competition. I would probably pass on TE because of our quality and depth there, but that's really about it.

The problem is, there may not be a stud RB in this draft. Peterson is by far the best of the bunch but he's injury prone and is rumored to be returning to Oklahoma for his senior season. After him, there isn't a single RB that's worth spending a #1 DP on.

The 2007 draft is littered with some great defensive talent. Which is obviously good since we need a DL and CB. If we're in the top 5 I'd like to see DT Alan Branch (if he comes out early), DT Quinn Pitcock (slide him to 3-4 end) or DE Gaines Adams from Clemson (stand up OLB/DE hybrid in 3-4). Other then that........trade down and stockpile picks.

With that said, Garrett Wolfe will come in at our pick, we'll pass and he'll be the next LT.

I know it's tough to "waste" a high pick on an OLman, and there ain't no Orlando Pace's hangin' around out there either (he was in the league 3 years and went to a SB !) but we gotta get somebody that can move in the trenches and help us run the ball.

I like the theory in theory, but we gotta move the ball. A good offense is a good defense---the converse is not true.

Our DL...similar to our QB...has the potential to get better and, at worst, can be called at least "serviceable".

Those things cannot be said for our OL.

At some point, we are going to have the go with the best OL available...regardless of whether said OL is not rated as high as the "experts" think. (ie. Bengals pick of Levi Jones) And I'm talking something like two OL picks on day one regardless of whether he grades out that high.

Bull$#!+
Defenses don't score enough points to win games.

I'll agree that of the teams that qualify for the playoffs - defense wins championships (usually)...because at that point all of the teams have pretty good offenses or they wouldn't be in the playoffs.

We have to get to the point where we can keep our O on the field for more than one or two (maybe two) drives a game.

I would not be surprized if the first 4 picks were on OL and DL.

Some FA's too.

I agree that the offense has some responsibility to keep the D on the bench but
they have to give the ball to the other team and then the D takes over. it is then
THEIR job to get off the field as quickly as possible.

in 2002 our offense was as good as the Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers. There
was only a 4 point difference in total points scored. The difference in the 2 teams
was we allowed more than 100 pts to be scored against us than TB allowed to be
scored.

TB lost 3 of 3 games when the D allowed more than 20 pts and only one game
under 20.

Our 2006 D is no better than 2002 and is on pace to be worse because we have
some talented players on both sides of the ball but we don't have a TEAM. That's
Romeo's responsiblity and I'm beginning to think hedoesn't have what it takes to build a
team.

only place we need help on defense is d-line and CB.. priority is D-Line!! Our CB's just need to get healthy...

offense.. problems are o-line, QB!!, and RB....

im thinking with the 1st round pick they go after Troy Smith or Adrian Peterson.. this team needs more speed on offense..

I get tired of watching ESPN and seeing Vick/Young making huge plays.. or the Bills!! (yes the Bills), 49ers, Colts, Eagles, who running backs have EXCELLENT BURST AND SPEED.. something the Browns lack.. IMO the Browns should have atleast one run a game over 15 yards.. im not a "statician", but uhh.,.. I dont think that has happened in a while!!

Spooky..your comments are just..open..little substance..the facts are the team is weak on both sides of the ball..the D right now is ahead of the offense..what will make the D better is better linmen..so linemen can be had in FA and the draft and not always with the first pick...
The O needs better run blocking/pass blocking linemen.
And a really good back to hit the holes and BLOCK..
All of these areas can be had in the draft next year.

We're not that far away on defense,...the "O" needs a lot of work/re-work,...

Also, the "D" cannot be held responsible for field position turnovers that a poor offense creates/allows. An adequate offense can make an average, rested defense look good. All the skill players in the world cannot move the ball when it has to without solid offensive line play, good coaching, and a "team-first" attitude. IF we have any of those qualities, they certainly are not manifesting themselves.

Your dreaming; if we get lucky we will get 2 maybe 3 starters from the draft. We actually had a pretty good draft this year.

I just believe in building a stout defense will keep a average offense in games. Its proven, time and time again.

We are going to need two DL at least one more cornerback depending on what happens to Baxter and Cutch.
On offense we need a couple OL, depending on how LCB comes back. Will he be healthy and near 100%? We also need a RB; Smith should be gone and move Droughns to FB, where he belongs. Harrison needs to work all off season on picking up a blitzer. I continue to support Frye, but he has not sold me on anything. Dorsey should be gone and get a veteran in here to help Frye out. I still think Frye continues to hold the ball too long and miss open receivers when he doesn't the line breaks down.

No I'm not dreaming..and every pick doesn't have to be a starter..nor will they.
Not right away.
Drafting quality players has always alluded this organization since the comeback..Phil has shown he can draft but he has to be shrewed in doing it this year..if he can move up/down in the draft targeting key players he can come away filling a lot of needs..I see other teams do it do I know it's not IMPOSSIBLE.
A SOLID NT can easily be worked into the lineup behind Ted...it takes a defensive linemen shorter time to become acclimated to the dfensive schemes.
We have a serious problem at guard,and Phil shouuld look at one FA guard and select one high in the draft,that is the way U build the trenches..

Quite frustrating isn't it,...? Maybe we need to evaluate the evaluator ?

First year he tears the team down..
He gets us three supposedly good players
Edwards
Pool
Frye
Jury is still out on 2....Edwards is melting down..Frye being evaluated..Pool is talented at FS, but Russell starts.

His second day picks did not pan out.And I think thats due to wanting impact players early but not really knowing what the team needed.
This year is the first of the actual start of the rebuild.
This past draft he targeted the holes and got two starters and some good players late in the draft, who need experience..
Next season we still have big holes and he'll have to target those with the same precision of this past draft.

So if he's doing that good a job (assuming your implication), then it's coaching ?

I'm neither telling nor arguing, just asking.

There is still a lack of talent and more additional holes this year due to injury and performance of our units and individuals..
Some is coaching but some is a lack of execution.

Always.

Last time I checked you have to score more than 0 points to win a game.