Has anyone watched Hightower on the Pats vs. Phins week 1 highlight film? Sheesh, he looks like he's playing with cement shoes on. I hope it's him getting back in game shape but the front 7 is looking far from impressive at this point and also slow. Barmore even during double teams was most times collapsing the pocket. Uche looks like he has the speed of a safety flying around out there. Van Noy looked a bit hesitant. Bentley out of position on some plays being in the exact area as another LB. Judon came as advertised...looks great. Wise, Godchaux, Guy and the rest were getting absolutely ZERO push on short yardage runs losing their 1 on 1 matchups. Do you think the defense is way overhyped? Label me unimpressed so far. How many pressures did the defense create vs. Tua? Chime in please.
I'd pump the brakes.
The D gave up 17 points and 200 yards passing and Gaskin averaged 3.7 yards. They created a turnover and the RBs fumbled, in particular Harris, since Stevenson's wasn't really a fumble. If you would tell me this D would give up 17-20 points weekly all year, I'd like those odds with what I think Mac and this offense will start to do production wise.
I love Lawrence Guy and think he's one of the very best 3-4 DEs in the game, but I agree he had a mysteriously sluggish start along Hightower and Godchaux. Hightower looking a tad off isn't a shock.
But, that said, it's Week 1. BBs teams never come out hot, other than maybe 2007. Also, it could be the playcalling wasn't as great as it could have been. There's tons of reasons.
I thought it was odd Henry Anderson didn't really play. I thought that was sneaky good signing because he's a prototypical 3-4 DE on that weakside. Not super thick, but long and gangly. He and Judon should be a problem from a rush and run defense standpoint, but BB didn't use him. I sort of expected a classic 3-4 look more than what I saw and trying to make sure the running didn't do anything and Tua couldn't run wide when he panicked. I actually think the coaches didn't have their best game with them. I don't think it's a player thing. Sometimes you just line up and go instead of constantly using differing packages to try get match ups or trick the other team. Miami's OL is not good, so yeah, I expected a bit more, but they weren't bad by any stretch. BB also likes to tinker early in the season.
I look for improvement from wherever they start, so let's hope we see it vs the Jets a bunch and then they can bring it into a tougher opponent and do it again vs NOs, and I think they will. Some of the comments I read today, you can tell BB is on their behinds, and good for the D for knowing it's not quite up to snuff yet.
But, the depth and talent is there. CB has been weakened by Gilmore's absence, but I think they have the best LBs (on paper) in the conference, including how they use Phillips and Dugger, and a good Def Line, certainly better than last year. Godchaux came recommended by Andrews, Thuney, Mason. I trust their opinion.
Also, Barmore looked good as rookie. He'll only improve.