The Weakest Player on the Defense

[DynastyDriven]

Why do you think that Lenon is a goner, but Ninkovich makes the cut?

A few people have said that Lenon is struggling with the playbook and noticably falling behind and that Ninkovich was looking sharp out there.

 

[JSn]

Weakest starter is Bru. I'll have to say Sanders is the next. I believe he was resigned because he is young and has potential. Getting Chung shows Sanders isn't good yet. He might be bright and a leader but not the best athlete/football player

Disagree on Sanders. He's a pretty important piece. I think getting Chung says we can't get by with only two young, athletic safeties.

 

[The_Riddler]

Disagree on Sanders. He's a pretty important piece. I think getting Chung says we can't get by with only two young, athletic safeties.

James Sanders is a 3rd / backup safety in this league. And that's all we can ask for based on where he was drafted.

He at times can be a sure-tackler.

He can at times take bad angles in run support and on WR slants which have turned into big plays by the opponent.

He is really never, ever around the football. Honestly sit and say to yourself, "man, when was the last time James Sanders made a play that really meant something?" I'll be honest, I can't remember one. I can remember the bad angle on the Dwayne Bowe slant in the KC game that tied the game. I remember the bad angle against Addai right before the half in Indy which lead to Addai's screen TD. As well as other poor angle decisions. You just don't see the man near the football or even close to making picks, he'll try to keep things in front of him "with a cushion" to allow himself to be able to make the hit. This is why he's a role player and not a play maker. Chung and Meriweather are the great safeties, the play makers, the "Atwater/Dennis Smith" and that will prove itself out real soon and James will fall back into that 3rd safety role, which is where he truly belongs.

DaBruinz is doubting Rey Maualuga and what he's going to bring to a defense. I am not so sure you want to be doubting Rey Maualuga and the impact he's going to have playing next to Keith Rivers in that Cincy interior.
Mayo/Maualuga combination in the middle of our defense would have been scary, we were cheated out of seeing that. You questioned Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie for some reason also, and you are going to see what DRC does this season in only his second year. Greatness awaits the man.

 

[eagle eye]

Guyton looks really good this year and he and Mayo looks really scary to me.

Its interesting now, I think our defense is all set, we also have Tank Williams who can play at ILB even though he is listed as a safety. Lenon is not doing well at TC and struggling with the playbook but the guy is known to be intelligent so I'd imagine he will improve a lot as time goes on. I can't see Tedy being involved very much this year, but until Lenon shows he has got a handle on the playbook you can't cut Bruschi.
I think if anybody is cut off the list thats in the op it will be a tackle, I'm taking into account that Burgess can play there if things got bad and the fact that there is less need for big men on STs with the change in the wedge rule.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Am I the only one not sold on Springs at CB? I think Bodden is going to be a stud with this defense and Butler will be strong by seasons end but I have the sinking feeling that Springs is going to be this years Deltha O'Neal...

Also think that Lenon is a goner and Ninkovich makes the cut

I am not sold on Springs ability to play an entire season. I think he can give us 6 to 8 games before he breaks down.
However if those 6 to 8 games give one of the youngsters (wheatley or Butler) the time they need to step it up and earn the starter's job,then so much the better.

 

[bostonia3333]

Hmmm this defense is stacked, but if I were to nitpick, I would go with Springs. Every time I read something on Springs, he is too winded or out of breath to remain on the field. Someone tell Randy and Wes to slow the HECK down

 

[signbabybrady]

Hmmm this defense is stacked, but if I were to nitpick, I would go with Springs. Every time I read something on Springs, he is too winded or out of breath to remain on the field. Someone tell Randy and Wes to slow the HECK down

I think the winded thing was written about one day by two different reporters who I presume were next to each other when they saw it and discussed to together.

I think this was a poor analysis because I believe they mentioned it was during a 2 minute drill. Which was during the second session on one of the hotter days and it was Springs first day in camp and the report was he missed day one because he was sick the week leading into camp.

I am more concerned with what ever his injury is now than his persumed bad conditionin which may not have been legit.

 

[DW Toys]

James Sanders is a 3rd / backup safety in this league. And that's all we can ask for based on where he was drafted.

He at times can be a sure-tackler.

He can at times take bad angles in run support and on WR slants which have turned into big plays by the opponent.

He is really never, ever around the football. Honestly sit and say to yourself, "man, when was the last time James Sanders made a play that really meant something?" I'll be honest, I can't remember one. I can remember the bad angle on the Dwayne Bowe slant in the KC game that tied the game. I remember the bad angle against Addai right before the half in Indy which lead to Addai's screen TD. As well as other poor angle decisions. You just don't see the man near the football or even close to making picks, he'll try to keep things in front of him "with a cushion" to allow himself to be able to make the hit. This is why he's a role player and not a play maker. Chung and Meriweather are the great safeties, the play makers, the "Atwater/Dennis Smith" and that will prove itself out real soon and James will fall back into that 3rd safety role, which is where he truly belongs.

DaBruinz is doubting Rey Maualuga and what he's going to bring to a defense. I am not so sure you want to be doubting Rey Maualuga and the impact he's going to have playing next to Keith Rivers in that Cincy interior.
Mayo/Maualuga combination in the middle of our defense would have been scary, we were cheated out of seeing that. You questioned Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie for some reason also, and you are going to see what DRC does this season in only his second year. Greatness awaits the man.

Agree on Rey. Missed opportunity.
DW Toys

 

[DynastyDriven]

I think the winded thing was written about one day by two different reporters who I presume were next to each other when they saw it and discussed to together.

You can't just assume that...

 

[signbabybrady]

You can't just assume that...

why not? they sit in the tent together and I would imagine they discuss things together. Even if they independantly came to the conclusion the rest of points were still valid.

 

[DaBruinz]

DaBruinz is doubting Rey Maualuga and what he's going to bring to a defense. I am not so sure you want to be doubting Rey Maualuga and the impact he's going to have playing next to Keith Rivers in that Cincy interior.
Mayo/Maualuga combination in the middle of our defense would have been scary, we were cheated out of seeing that. You questioned Dominque Rodgers-Cromartie for some reason also, and you are going to see what DRC does this season in only his second year. Greatness awaits the man.

I will continue to doubt Maualuga because Cincy plays an entirely different defense than the Pats. Who care who the hell he's lining up next to in Cincy. It doesn't amount to a hill of beans. You should really stop and think for a minute about this. Maualuga was passed on by the Patriots. At least twice. So, why should I believe YOU that he'd be good?

As for Maualuga lined up next to Mayo. You're right. It would have been scary. Scary BAD because Maualuga doesn't play in the sytstem. He's a freelancer. And, from all that I've heard, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed. Sorry that I'm not impressed with Maualuga. He was weak in the LB drills at the combine and he runs about as fast as Bruschi does now. And everyone is complaining that Bruschi has lost a step.

I questioned DRC because I don't believe he's all that. Am I supposed to be impressed that all 4 of his interceptions last year came against the crappy Seahawks and Rams?