I think we saw how that's going to work out. Rodgers caught them on 3rd down trying to sub McCullers off for a DB and results in a Packers touchdown. Brady and Bress will kill them with that.
Idk still not taking that game too seriously(even tho I understand why others are given our recent history on D) . No Watt, Heyward, Davis, Hilton, and Haden. Two of our best vets and our best LB. Along with Hilton, our best playmaker now with Shazier gone.
Im excited to see what Burnett and Haden can do playing aside eachother. Burnett is still learning the D but showed some flashes of what he will bring...solid tackling at or near the LOS. Thats where hes best so its a must Davis pans out at FS, we need Burnett at SS. Also brings leadership. With a D filled with young players...Heyward, Tuitt, Haden, and Burnett need to stay healthy.
Burns in his 3rd year...has to take that next step. Dupree in his 4th(alot think hes a bust but he did have some injuries and was it was known how raw he was) and it has to be his best. Whether they decide to drop him back in coverage , lining up as ILB to rush the passer like he did in last game or in his normal spot. With his athleticism it would probably be best to move him around. Davis has to step up in his 3rd year or his job is on the line with Edmunds and Sutton behind him. Edmunds isnt ready yet for a full time job but if Burns and Haden lock down the corner spots maybe we put Sutton in over Davis if he struggles. High expectations again for Hilton, that wasnt a fluke.
Theres alot of "IFs" on this D but they can get it done if Butler does his job. Thats the biggest concern.
I didnt mention the ILBs but if everyone else is doing their job it makes theirs alot easier. And Vince did have a solid season last year until Shazier went down. Hes shown hes capable. I mentioned the 2019 ILB class being very deep and we should be able to land a solid one in the first round but for now we should be having our eyes on final cuts. Not high on Dirty Red at all. But Bostic can be decent IF he is surrounded by players doing their jobs.
And we obviously have to stay healthy on D. Want to see Heyward and Tuitt remain healthy(Cam out 2 years ago, Tuitt with a bum shoulder last year) and see them lead this front. Hargrave has looked better this preseason..also in his 3rd year. We forget 1st...2nd..3rd year guys barely saw the field back then let alone made an impact. But with there being no loyalty anymore and players leaving after their rookie contracts...they are now forced to play right away.
Jags game(and others) left a bad taste in our mouth regarding the D, but I think theres a ton of potential.. Im just worried about Butler getting the most out of it. And dont want him completely changing things either, going too heavy with the sub packages. Not with alot of our guys finally learning the system that was in place the last 3 years. And not with us having a solid Dline.
Like USMC said...7DBs out there could lead to even bigger runs. We'll see. They still havent shown their new schemes on D yet.
Also, Edmunds better pan out because if were gonna reach due to the LBs we wanted being gone then they should have went with the pure FS in Jessie Bates.
