My training camp/pre-season primer and roster predictions..... D-line

We've looked at the offense, and not surprisingly, there're very few question marks.... Now it's on to the defense, where we don't have nearly the same amount of certainties......The defense gave up the 10th most 4th quarter points in the league, which tells me that the starters are being badly overworked. Depth needs to be addressed.... As always, I will start with the d-line as games are won up front... The starting ends are set, and may just develop into the best 3-4 bookends in the league... behind them, it's not nearly as certain.... We also have an interesting competition in the middle, and one I am looking forward to.. Now on to the individual.

DE:
Cam Heyward: IMHO, a clear pro bowl snub last yr... Heyward has become an intimidator and a disruptive force on the line, and one that has to be accounted for on every snap.. Heyward led the team in sacks last season, and i'm going to go out on a limb and say that he gets at least 10 this season.... look out opposing offenses..

Stephon Tuitt: The bookend, who's development is on a major upswing.. I predicted after his rookie season, that he would in fact be better than Heyward in 2 seasons, and he is nearly there... Tuitt doesn't play with the mean streak that heyward has, but don't confuse that with him not having a sour demeanor.. Tuitt is plenty mean, and more athletic than heyward..... I'm going to go out on a limb again and actually say that tuitt will also reach 10 sacks this season... I'm not sure if any 3-4 defense in the league has ever had both of their ends record double digit sack numbers, but i'm not shy in my predictions.... This yr. is open season on opposing qb's

LT Walton: This 2nd yr. man has a bright future with us as a rotational back up... very strong, and will be better against the run than the pass.... but don't let that fact fool you.. Walton can and will spend his fair share of time in the offensive backfield, and will eat up plenty of double teams.. Look for him often this season

Ricardo Mathews: Mathews comes to us from the chargers.. Fear not..... THIS IS NOT CAM THOMAS PT. 2..... Mathews is a run stuffing space eater that can actually put up a decent fight against good ot's. He is not a big pass rushing threat, but can definitely get in the backfield and create pressure..

Cashaud Lyons: A real threat to make noise in the back up competition... Lyons comes from a small school, but has great pursuit skills and an ability to rush the passer.. If his strength is at a high level, then we may just have a surprise to the roster..

Johnny Maxey: Another small school product..... Dominant against his small school competition, and is a candidate for the practice squad.. At this stage of his development he's purely a one dimensional bull rusher that will take a little time to develop if he sticks at all

Giorgio Newberry: Rookie out of Fla. St.... Athletic enough to have made a switch to TE for a season before returning to the defense... Not much of a threat to make noise this yr., but his athleticism may be enough to warrant a spot on the practice squad if he shows enough

DT:
Dan McCullers: The shade tree has been given the keys if you will... the big man showed me a lot in the limited action that he had last yr..... His size alone warrants a double team, but as always, due to his height, he has to be mindful of his technique so as not to get to high... What happens in the middle will be the key to our run and pass defense, and I believe that big dan has what it takes.... He won't have to worry about being worn out in games due to the next man on this list, so we should see a full motor running at all times

Javon Hargrave: The rookie is being watched with great anticipation, and it looks like we will be blessed to watch one great competition when live ball starts... Gravedigger has his fair share of pass rush moves, and is very explosive... Much shorter than McCullers and the leverage battle should not be as much of a chore... It should be quite interesting to see opposing c's deal with the contrast during games.... I believe we have a keeper here.

Roy Philon: A victim of the numbers game here and may, if he's still eligible, go back to the ps.... Still raw, but has the make up to develop further... The real question is will he get the opportunity given the 2 ahead of him.. I personally believe that he will be on another team by wk. 1.... most likely Arizona or Tennessee

Lavon Hooks: A real threat to make noise in camp and pre-season... consistency will be a big issue, but when he's motivated, hooks can be very disruptive.... another candidate for the ps if he shows up big in pre-season.

Devaunte Sigler: Plays with a non stop motor, but lack of technique will be his downfall... Will make it to the 2nd wave of cuts..

Next up: LBers

 

The key here is big Dan, if somebody can motivate him to play every down look out? Hargrave will get lots
of chances to play and should develop nicely. I do believe with the right rotation with all of the remaining players on the DL is critical.
If we can somehow get breathers for Cam & Stephon I could see both players sack total increase greatly and if we are fortunate to make playoffs
this could be a factor in putting us over the top. ATTACK and watch the w's rise.

 

What happened to the days when linemen didn't need breathers and pitchers went 9 innings? Next thing you know, hockey players will have teeth.

 

More money and less work seems to be the order of the day lol

 

hooks is my pick to make a lot of noise. he's strong and built. it's the numbers game though as you say. good stuff b&g.

 

Well for 1 thing since back in the day, lineman didn't weigh 300 plus pounds, back then a 240- 250 pound lineman was the norm, and back in the day roids were commonly used to bulk up and give them extra stamina to compete, just research how mike webster bulked up with steroids to compensate for his 230 pound college weight ...

 

I do not think we even have seen the best of Walton yet. Keep in mind, his ceiling was very high coming out of Central Michigan. His issue was tech. and consistency. These things usually iron themselves out over time. I am certain that Walton will be much better heading into this season as a key rotational piece.


.... realistically.. he has no choice.

 

LOL, I am old school also. grew up never wanting to come out of a game. I am not so sure the millenial crowd may have the
same attitude.