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"I was made the scapegoat," Bly said. "Especially on the other side of Champ, you're gonna take (criticism). But I don't care who you are, if you don't have a pass rush and you're not aggressive on defense, they're gonna catch a ball.
"We weren't aggressive last year in Denver. We let people take the fight to us. We were so predictable on defense. I don't make no excuses; none of us played well in the system.... People are going to question my ability, saying I'm not this, I'm not that, that's fine. I use all that for motivation."
I remember watching some Denver Broncos games last year and they were at least trying to be aggressive by blitzing with their linebackers. Regardless, his comments on using criticism as motivation work for me.
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Still, time marches. Bly, who accepted a one-year deal for a reported $845,000, says he'll play two more seasons, three tops. He'd like to win the NFC West. He'd like to reach 50 career interceptions. He'd like a good finish, next time on his own terms.
"I've told myself 12 years is probably gonna be my mark," Bly said. "I've made my money, I ain't gonna be hanging on. The minute I get demoted, I'm retiring. I'm not gonna be a gunner, running down on special teams. Why do I need to do that?
"I'll be a No. 3 corner, I'll do that. I've accepted the fact that I might have to do that this year. But a No. 4, trying to make the squad? I'll retire. I don't need it."
I'm not sure how I feel about him not wanting to be a No. 4 and trying to make the squad. I understand he is a veteran but I'd like to see him be happy with any role the team gives him (not that it'll come down to that).
At the end of the day, it seems like he wants to play another season after this one so if he plays exceptionally well (as he appears to want to), another team may be paying him a lot more after this season to join their squad instead. I still see a good year for Dre Bly w/ the Niners though.
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