end of season grades and next yrs. outlook (defense)

As promised, here are my defensive grades... and also as promised, I won't be nearly as lenient on some as I was on some of the offensive player..
Here goes .....

De:

Cam heyward -- A+.......one of the few starters that will get a high mark here. Heyward has the makings of a true star. We struck gold on this one, which begs the question, what were the coaches thinking when he started the season as a back up.. look for him to be named in the same breath as jj watt when the subject of best 3-4 linemen come up

Ziggy hood -- C-......one of my whipping boys during last offseason, and he did nothing to prove me wrong.... lackluster play led to heyward's promotion and his benching, and there is where he would've stayed if not for keisel getting hurt... benching seemed to light a fire under him as his play did improve. I still believe he's better off as a 4-3 end... look for him to be tendered (2nd rd.), as I do believe he'll get offers... he'll get another chance as heyward's bookend, but I'm pretty sure he either produces or he's gone and replaced on the 2015 draft.

Al woods -- A.....another one who's produced beyond expectations.. unfortunately, I don't think he's cut out for full time play, but as a back up putting in spot duty at end or nt, he is excellent. ..... look for him to resign at a modest rate and play the same role next yr.

Brett keisel -- B+.....one of the few that leaves it all on the field every down. A true steeler in every sense... while I would like to see him back at least one more yr., I'm pretty sure he doesn't get resigned, and if that's the case, then I will definitely celebrate his contributions and what he brought to us

Nt:

Steve mcclendon -- D.. ... I'm not sure about everyone else here, but I feel like I got rick rolled here..... as casey hampton's back up, he was completely unblockable and had the look of a monster at the position. .. I sang his praises all last season and throughout the offseason, but when he got his shot to be the man, his play was sorely lacking... now he wasn't terrible, but the dominance I expected just wasn't there, and it effected how the inside lber's effectiveness in return.... what I am glad to see though, is mcclendon acknowledge his lack of production.. that much still leaves me hopeful that he can return to form, so that is what I shall look for next season

Hebron fanfupo -- inc..... I believe he has what it takes.... just as I believe, we draft someone that makes him expendable.

Olb:

Jason worilds -- A-...... stepped up big time when finally getting his shot. Unfortunately this is not a good thing. We cannot afford to pay him and keep woodley's salary.... furthermore, pass rushers are at such a high premium, It wouldn't surprise me to see someone throw rediculous money at him... something has to give here ... if we keep him, then woodley gets traded. Otherwise he's gone to apply his skills in another uniform.

Lamar woodley -- D+..... started ou the season looking like his old self, but then came the injuries again.... as stated with worilds, I don't believe we can keep both... I really think we can get a good draft pick or 2 if we trade woodley. . He's too valuable to just release and get nothing in return, but I'm positive that we only keep one

Jarvis jones -- D+......clearly was not ready... simply not strong enough to outfight nfl ot's, but also clearly has the skills and instincts to continue to improve... look for him to get stronger in the offseason... this kid can play, andwill be one of our playmakers next yr.

Ilb:

Lawrence timmons -- C-...... yes, I'm being a little rough here.. as I stated earlier, mcclendon's play clearly effected timmons in a negative way... some games he was an absolute beast, and some games he looked ordinary. .. took some bad angles and had some games where he missed assignments.... still one of our best defenders, but this was a down yr.... look for a rebound yr. Next season

Vince williams -- C.....again, I'm probably being a bit hard considering mcclendon's performance, and seeing as how he was pressed into action because of foote's injury.... lack of experience showed, but what also showed was his natural skills.. had some pretty big games... look for hime to make foote expendable... this will be one of the better pairings in the league...

Kion wilson -- C...... definitely showed his inexperience, but also showed enough to lead me believe that we are set with this crew as a unit...look for him to be one of our primary back ups

Stevenson sylvester -- C-.....had some moments, but I strongly believe his time's up.. expect him to be unemployed next yr.

Sean spence. -- A..... gets an A just for getting to the point where can even practice with the team. . After his injury, I wasn't sure he would eveb be able to walk straight, let alone put on pads.... I'm sincerely pulling for this kid

Cb:

Ike taylor -- D+......his play took a nose dive this yr....some qb's avoided him simply on reputation, but it was clear that he was not the same player that he's been... can't afford to pay top dollar for him again, and truth be told, he isn't worth top dollar anymore... that said, he's still one of our better options, and we're not pressing a high draft pick into service right away... look for a 1 yr. Contract in the area of 2-3 mil... if he takes it, then we have time... if not, then thanks for your contributions

Willie gay -- C+.....I was pleasantly surprised by his play.. he seems to strive in this defense, however, he is what he is, and that just isn't good enough to remain a starter... I see willie as more of a dime, but we just haven't been in the position to put him there.... his position next yr. Depends solely on what we do with taylor.. if taylor resigns, than expect willie to be the nickle back, otherwise, he'll be starting again, and I don't see that as a really good thing

Curtis brown -- c-...... still good on special teams, but still not good enough to see the field as a cb..... I strongly believe that this was his last shot....look for him to get his walking papers next yr., as we bring in a new draftee

Fs:

Ryan clarke -- D+..... got old quick.. clearly on the decline and his play was painful to watch..... ...look for him to be released next yr.

Robert golden -- D......another who's play fell off this yr.... I fully expect to see a high rd. Pick come into the fold... I do believe that golden has a future with us, however, that said... it's not everyday that you see your s get trucked by a qb

Ss:

Trou polamalu -- B.....nice to see him not only play a full season, but to also make positive contributions again... still has a lot left in the tank. Recorded career highs in forced fumbles and was exciting all season....the glass half empty portion is that he no longer is a real factor in pass defense at least from the ss position. ..still has ball skills though, despite the lack of coverage skills.... I would like to see him move to fs next yr., where I think his vision would be an asset.... in any case, expect him to be back for one last season

Shemarko thomas -- B......really showed why we drafted him in the first place..... look for him to get a highly increased role next yr., and possibly start if troy moves to fs

 

Interesting read. Agree with some, disagree with others.

Was it on purpose to leave outside this analysis C Allen, T Garvin, C Carter & W Allen?

 

Garvin and carter..... yes.. will allen was also left off deliberately ................Cortez was a mistake so let me rectify that now......... obviously, the ankle injury effected him negatively in the beginning, and I really think he was rushed into the line-up when he was cleared to return, which is why he got demoted back to nickle.. play got better as the ankle got stronger.. was the primary cover man on mike wallace in miami and basically made him a non factor...I have every confidence that he will cement his spot in the starting line-up, and will become a dominant defender

 

Yea Blast those were the ones I agree with as well.... People like to Bang on will gay but he played way above the line this year as did mclendon.... Timmons was very steady and v, williams played well for getting thrown into the fire....

mclendon was run at 47 times up the middle this season and the average was 2.1 ypc...that is excellent...

 

Keep in mind, I did say I was pleasantly surprised by gay's play..... I also acknowledged that vince williams was thrown in the fire.... I also stand by the fact that timmons missed some assignments.. case in point, the missed assignment on tyrelle pryor's 90 yd td run....I also acknowledged timmons as one of our better defenders

 

The one I wondered about was McLendon at least statistically.

This year McLendon 20 solo, 13 assists, 33 Total, and only 1 tackle for loss. No sacks.

Last year Hampton 11 solo, 15 assists, 26 total, and 4 Tackle for loss. No sacks.

While I know there are other factors like did he demand a double team,etc. I think the grade is pretty harsh. He numbers were better than Hamptons from the previous year and yet he didn't create pressure up the middle the way I expected either. I think he at this point has been focusing on weight gain, while this offseason I expect him to work on strength. I think he is more than capable.

 

Agree with all with the exception of Shemarko, what did he do to deserve a B?

Right on with Mclenden, and Timmons did look great in some games and ordinary in others.

 

My take in red. Basing my opinion on how these players compare to other top players at their position combined with what they bring to our team.

 

One more defensive grade:

Dick LeBeau. D-

Time to hand the reins to Butler.

 

The numbers do seem to indicate that he had a pretty good season, but I'd still like a true clogger in the middle. I think McClendon is athletic enough to make the transition to DE, don't you?

 

Prove it! I've said a hand full of things about him underperforming IMO not every thread involving him. I feel like I give him a fair grade and look forward to him improving. A C grade is average and that's about what he's been, not criticizing him just stating the facts.

 

Performance I'd say and I feel he's been average regardless of what the stats say.

 

Did McLendon make the Pro Bowl? Set any team records or get voted team MVP? Did he get replaced about 1/3 of the snaps by Al Woods?
Look I don't really want to get into a whole argument about McLendon, I just think he was average this season. I'm not sure what grade TTF wanted me to give him? Can't have a bunch of guys with an A grade on an 8-8 team?

 

I was also down on Cotchery and he came up big this year and I admitted I was wrong. I didn't say anything in my grade that was overly critical of McLendon, Not sure why you feel the need to call me out about it?