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Ok, let's say the Brace can play up to the role of Ty Warren (not likely)
Brace needs to be solid against the run. He doesn't need to be at near Pro Bowl status, although that would obviously help.
and Cunningham the role of Woods against the run, where does that get us? Possibly to a 3rd and 5.
What they've got now is worse. After the first game, Warren has consistently gotten worse as teams have targeted the defense's wings rather than messing with Wilfork. 3rd and 5 is a gift with Warren/Wright/current OLBS.
Now we'll have to defend anywhere from a quick pass to a deep pass, a nightmare situation for our defense because of our inability to rush the passer conventionally or to blitz effectively. Teams have killed us the past three years passing in the middle of our defense and keeping drives alive. I don't see that changing this year unless Mayo/Spikes/Guyton all of a sudden can cover guys faster than my grandmother.
I actually have some level of confidence in McCourty/Butler/Mayo/Guyton/Wheatley or Wilhite. I'm not ****y enough to be bragging on that, but it's a group that has some real potential against the pass.
We don't have enough talent in the defensive side even if Brace and Cunningham turn out to be nothing but solid. We need playmakers in our front 7 and I don't see one out there.
Wilfork and Meriweather are playmakers/playkillers. After that, it's going to depend on how players progress. I'm not saying the Brace & Cunningham make the defense awesome. I'm saying that, if they aren't at least capable at their positions, this defense has the potential to end up being known as the Hindenbergs.
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