"Best Defense in the NFC" - Stewart circa Aug.
We should all remember our DC suggesting before the season that we had a chance to be the best defense in the NFC. Can we actually climb to the top as a defensive unit? We actually might...
Let's take a quick rundown of a few players who should give us a extra defensive boost in the second half of the season:
Greg Ellis is according to him only playing at 75-80 percent. He seems on track to be playing closer to 90 percent going into the playoffs. Just his veteran presence on the field is a major factor in big games.
Terrance Newman is also at about 80 percent and should be back to about 90 percent for the playoffs. I still admire his run support - he's a very good tackler. As a punt returner he can also influence a game.
Jason Hatcher is coming into his own, and if making plays gets him more playing time, he'll have Spears' job by season's end. Maybe Spears hasn't worked out, but Hatcher is proving to be a pass-rushing force in his own right.
Tank Johnson will be a welcome addition to the DT rotation. He may have some initial rust, but again by season's end his play should be back to its normal level of destructiveness.
Anthony Henry is almost ready to take the field again, and though he may be limited at first, he should be ready to start again in a couple more weeks. Again, he'll be good to go just about the time the regular season ends, back to 90 percent or so hopefully.
I could add (I think I will...) that the defensive unit as a whole is mastering this new scheme with each game it plays, or that players like Spencer and Reeves are gaining valuable experience also, or that simply having a good offense makes their jobs easier. But the point is, this defense has every chance to be the best in the NFC when the rankings are all in. We should continue to get better each week...
Let's take a quick rundown of a few players who should give us a extra defensive boost in the second half of the season:
Greg Ellis is according to him only playing at 75-80 percent. He seems on track to be playing closer to 90 percent going into the playoffs. Just his veteran presence on the field is a major factor in big games.
Terrance Newman is also at about 80 percent and should be back to about 90 percent for the playoffs. I still admire his run support - he's a very good tackler. As a punt returner he can also influence a game.
Jason Hatcher is coming into his own, and if making plays gets him more playing time, he'll have Spears' job by season's end. Maybe Spears hasn't worked out, but Hatcher is proving to be a pass-rushing force in his own right.
Tank Johnson will be a welcome addition to the DT rotation. He may have some initial rust, but again by season's end his play should be back to its normal level of destructiveness.
Anthony Henry is almost ready to take the field again, and though he may be limited at first, he should be ready to start again in a couple more weeks. Again, he'll be good to go just about the time the regular season ends, back to 90 percent or so hopefully.
I could add (I think I will...) that the defensive unit as a whole is mastering this new scheme with each game it plays, or that players like Spencer and Reeves are gaining valuable experience also, or that simply having a good offense makes their jobs easier. But the point is, this defense has every chance to be the best in the NFC when the rankings are all in. We should continue to get better each week...
posted by The Gryphon at 7:41 PM
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