Defensive Overhaul

[Pugger]

I have yet to see or remember a play made with any significance by Nick Perry. Add him to the list.

He's made some plays but I don't think that ankle of his is 100%. It can't be easy to rush the passer and get off blocks with a bum foot. We saw flashes of what we could have if both he and Clay were in there healthy but this has been THE worst year for injuries that I can recall. This year makes 2010 seem like a cakewalk.

[run pMc]

Perry's shown flashes so I wouldn't call him a bust. Both he and Clay have had some issues staying healthy though.
Perry and Neal have done a decent job of switching into an OLB role. I'd say both flash but still make mistakes. More upside than Walden.

Agree Safety is also a big problem but doesn't sound like the draft has a lot to offer.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Walden is better tham Perry. but I suppose Perry does have that upside thing.

[woodbuck27]

I'm often torn: do we need thumpers at ILB, or do we need a thumper and a cover ILB? Seems like Hawk or Jones covering RBs like Sproles, Bush, McCoy is often a mismatch, and same thing with TE's.
If you believe McGinn, the D can't be small, soft, or slow. Wow - great analysis. So we need a 6-4 260 ILB with great football IQ who can bench 35 reps and run a 4.5 40...where do we find a couple of those?

China.

[woodbuck27]

He's made some plays but I don't think that ankle of his is 100%. It can't be easy to rush the passer and get off blocks with a bum foot. We saw flashes of what we could have if both he and Clay were in there healthy but this has been THE worst year for injuries that I can recall. This year makes 2010 seem like a cakewalk.

Just do it...Stop the excuses and simply clean house !

START FRESH ! FIRE Em ALL !! NO MERCY !!

[George Cumby]

Impactful players: Clay, Shields, Daniels, Hayward (this is a good core of a defense if healthy)

Serviceable players: Jolly, Perry, Neal, Burnett, Hyde, Pickett

Guys who need to be replaced: BJones, Safety de jour, Hawk, Pickett (age and health), Raji

If you draft/aquire one thumper at LB and one serviceable safety the D looks a lot better (when healthy). Also we need some of the young DL that I can't categorize to step up. I also want a coordinator with attitude. A Kevin Greene type. Nearly every team has holes on D, but we can't seem to cover ours up. 400 points....seriously?

I generally agree with your assessment, I think Hawk isn't as bad as you think and Jolly and Perry are better than serviceable.

So the D isn't without talent but the coaching staff is not maximizing the talent available and certainly isn't getting them to play at a high level on a consistent basis.

Capers needs to go and probably some of the assistants as well.

CMIII's position as bell-cow is suspect. Every year he's lost time to injury. I don't know if staying married to a 3-4 because of him is the right thing to do. I'm not advocating for that change, I just think the option for a change should be contemplated.

[Bretsky]

I think Hawk and Burnett can play, but are fully formed and are not going to change a D by themselves. Burnett has stood out especially when he had talent next to him.

I think Hawk is much the same. Since the odds of landing two Pro Bowlers at these spots is low enough, I would be happy to keep both and get someone who can play next to them. The problem with each, as it always is, is cost. Both are on their second contracts.

I think you are spot on. I overestimated Burnett but still think he's serviceable and a dam good #2 safety. The problem is we've been stocking college level talent next to him for the past several years. I pound the table year after year and I'll do it again; it's about time we get another f'kin safety. Both the Niners and Ravens did a dam nice job drafting the two guys we should have been considering.

I also think Hawk is a nice piece to the puzzle. He just won't carry any defense. He's not a #5 draft pick....and we all realize that he never will be a star talent....but he's alright...which is far more than we can say for some of the others on defense.

[Bretsky]

I generally agree with your assessment, I think Hawk isn't as bad as you think and Jolly and Perry are better than serviceable.

So the D isn't without talent but the coaching staff is not maximizing the talent available and certainly isn't getting them to play at a high level on a consistent basis.

Capers needs to go and probably some of the assistants as well.

CMIII's position as bell-cow is suspect. Every year he's lost time to injury. I don't know if staying married to a 3-4 because of him is the right thing to do. I'm not advocating for that change, I just think the option for a change should be contemplated.

Agree on Jolly but I'm starting to think Perry is a fraud

[Harlan Huckleby]

Perry has shown no more than serviceable.

I'm more encouraged by Neal's development.

Hawk is a good player.

Maybe the fans were smarter than the coaches in suggesting Hyde play safety THIS year. Although he is a little light.

[Harlan Huckleby]

I'm starting to think Perry is a fraud

You beat me to the punch, and you threw a right upper cut while I was composing my little jab.

[pbmax]

I think Perry showed what he can do this year but his foot is bothering him. Even with out a pass rush, he is better against the run than Walden.

[denverYooper]

I think Perry showed what he can do this year but his foot is bothering him. Even with out a pass rush, he is better against the run than Walden.

This. Perry will be fine if he invests in a hyperbaric chamber. Maybe he needs to stop by Hawk's house and browse through the new catalog.

[Bretsky]

I think Perry showed what he can do this year but his foot is bothering him. Even with out a pass rush, he is better against the run than Walden.

We drafted him based on his strenght as a pass rusher. Without the pass rush..it was a bad pick

[red]

to me, perry is looking like a bust. like B said, he was drafted for his pass rush, which is almost non existent

neal is more boom or bust, a lot like walden IMO. he makes a couple nice plays here and there, and you don't even know if he's on or off the field the rest of the time. and again, he gives us no pass rush

[pbmax]

A busted first rounder is costly, but not as costly as some of Walden's misplays.