This subject keeps coming up in other threads and I think it merits its own thread.

The defense has improved markedly it would seem.

Why is that? My scattershot take is its a combination of the following: better health, fewer blown assignments, better depth, Clay in the middle "full" time, no AJ Hawk (I alwyas liked him, but it's apparently addition by subtraction), no Brad Jones.

Or, is the premise flawed? Does the defense LOOK better but really isn't?

Thoughts?