DEFENSIVE PLAYERS DISAPPOINTING ? Your list .......

[pbmax]

Neal was on the radio today saying he thought he could help by simply saving Pick and Raji snaps and pointed to Raji's pass rush penetration as proof.

Maybe a small sample size, but perhaps Mike and the other players/coaches are hoping to see. Could help explain why they were so cautious with Neal; ie they REALLY wanted him for playoffs.

If so Busari, I retract my criticism.

[denverYooper]

Cullen Jenkins has been a disappointment lately.

[smuggler]

The answer to Upnorth's question is also the answer to hoosier and smidgeon's questions. I will admit that Raji hasn't been as stellar as we'd hoped against the run. But the reason he hasn't wowed you, Upnorth, is because none of the other 3 down lineman require more than a single-team to consistently beat in pass protection. I pray Neal can come in and change that.

I really do like Pickett, but I feel like his time is drawing to a close. I hope we can get some capable guys in here next season and see if we can find a gem.

[Bretsky]

I was enamored with Brad Jones after his rookie year. But he's done nothing except disappoint me since.

He showed some really nice flashes in about three games in his rookie year. I actually thought we were getting another pass rusher. Then the AZ game occured and if you look at that game and his body of work after I'm unsure why he's even on the roster.

[Upnorth]

Brad Jones frustrates me as well, he looked phenomenal for that short stretch in 09 but not much since. Last year was just a meh year for Jones, and this year I can't really remember him playing. Is he on special teams?
For the lb's only Mathews and Francois (frenchy?) Have not disappointed. I expected very good things from Walden and So'to.
Picket is being Picket so unlike Raji I am not disappointed in him. I am in away disappointed in Neal, but you can't help and shouldn't rush an injury.
Can Neal do what Jenkins did, if so our secondary will substantially improve. We have a mid level pass rush with an opportunistic secondary. Get us an above average pass rush and that stops at least 3 more points a game.
(We stop 3 more points in NY and we could still say MM can't win a close one hehe)

[King Friday]

I think our defense is really dinged up this year. While our offense has escaped injury outside of Clifton, the defense has been hit hard. I don't really view the loss of Jenkins as being the reason we can't rush the passer anymore. I don't think Capers is getting too creative this regular season. He doesn't need to. I expect Capers to dial up some new looks come January that might catch some teams off balance.

The ultimate report card for this team will come in the postseason anyway. Our defense is playing well enough for us to probably go undefeated...so who's complaining?

[Upnorth]

I am. I like the take aways, like the ppg, but don't like how we have allowed late game drives for important points two weeks in a row. For many games we did not give up any points on drives in the 4th when the game was within 7. That changed in the last two weeks. Just when I was getting a lot of faith in this d they stopped stopping in the fourth.
That needs to stop in the playoffs.

I think we will look good the next three weeks and get exposed @home against det again.

[Smidgeon]

Brad Jones frustrates me as well, he looked phenomenal for that short stretch in 09 but not much since. Last year was just a meh year for Jones, and this year I can't really remember him playing. Is he on special teams?
For the lb's only Mathews and Francois (frenchy?) Have not disappointed. I expected very good things from Walden and So'to.
Picket is being Picket so unlike Raji I am not disappointed in him. I am in away disappointed in Neal, but you can't help and shouldn't rush an injury.
Can Neal do what Jenkins did, if so our secondary will substantially improve. We have a mid level pass rush with an opportunistic secondary. Get us an above average pass rush and that stops at least 3 more points a game.
(We stop 3 more points in NY and we could still say MM can't win a close one hehe)

I think Francois gained rep points with that interception. If he hadn't made it, I don't think anybody would be crowing (not saying you are) about how good he's playing.