last night on NFL network

they finally previewed the nfc south -- last freakign division -- for the upcoming draft.

said the texas linebacker would be available at #14 and the panthers "could take the top linebacker off the board".

also said that there was more help needed on the OL and possibly at WR.

they were high on the pass defense though, pointing out that 26 INTs led the league.

 

If Johnson is there I hope we grab him. I don't see him lasting though. I haven't seen a mock that shows him there at 14 either.

 

Overall pass D was good, statistically, but for a ball control to give up that many 3rd downs is lethal. Hopefully, our secondary changes will mean continuing to be top in the league in INTs without the breakdowns...it was a welcome change getting picks, given that our 02-03 defenses couldn't buy one.

 

where are Hampton, Jackson, and Wesley most likely gonna figure into the secondary? It would seem to me that Hampton and Jackson will be fighting for the #4 corner spot. And if Wesley makes a huge improvement, he should have a chance to i guess. Who would be the best to backup the nickelback, whether it be Gamble of Manning? Who is most likely to be cut in training camp, Wesley?

And does Hampton even get a look at FS this year with all the new safeties we picked up?

 

Yep. Were were fucking awful on 3rd down.

I wonder if Lucas and/or Bashir will change that. Plus - Fields isn't signed.

 

Seems like those 3 will be fighting for 2 spots... assuming no one is added via the draft.

 

Bashir might help if we try a nickel C2 for the TE - would set us off the ball a bit more and give a tall safety in a man-technique underneath against the TE. We couldn't do that with our corners as it stands, but Bashir has height and allright enough coverage for the task. It's an odd situational call but more teams are putting a DB on Gonzalez, Gates, etc. and he gives us a matchup.

As for the standard nickel package, yeah, we should be fine there. Three starting level corners and regardless of who starts, you have Manning on the slot guy where he belongs. Gamble's breakdowns got better over the year, he's not as easily suckered back underneath by a secondary route when he's got deeper responsibilities, but replacing Hawkins will help a lot. Now it's just up to the FS to step up.

 

It was that Sunday night 4th down that killed me!

 

run the ball, stop the run...