Does anybody believe that our pass rush is any better?

Is anybody buying into our pass rush this year? I mean, we are going to let Manny loose this year, but I´m still not convinced that our pass rush will be a key element in our defense. What do you guys think?

No, but you never know what kinda fire Sing can light under these guys.

Originally posted by PatrickWillisHOF:
Is anybody buying into our pass rush this year? I mean, we are going to let Manny loose this year, but I´m still not convinced that our pass rush will be a key element in our defense. What do you guys think?

It will be better than last year.

It all depends on Lawson. If he can add QB pressure to his game, then maybe; otherwise, it should be about the same in that no other new pieces have been added.

it probably will be and wii continue to improve become some things have chngedm although subtly. parys showed progress, the simpler system on D has enhanced execution, and manny will improve if he's in there more. upgrades to D line and DBs should help too.

like all of these kind of questions, it's just speculation until they've strapped it for couple of weeks in the regular season.

Originally posted by fzrdave:
It all depends on Lawson. If he can add QB pressure to his game, then maybe; otherwise, it should be about the same in that no other new pieces have been added.

This and our added depth on the DL - Evans and a (hopefully) improved Balmer.

Well, we were middle of the pack in sacks last year (tied for 16th with three other teams with 30 sacks) so there is definitely room for improvement. That said, I still think that one of our first round picks next year will be spent on a blue chip pass rusher.

I think our pass rush is about the same as last year. I certainly hope I'm wrong.

It will be better.

Our pass rush should be better than last year. We will be running more of a strict, 3-4. But let's not forget, we will probably be seeing more blitzing, from all over the field.

People have been talking about the OLB's, rightfully so. However, I could also see us blitzing the ILB's a lot more, as well as our secondary. Michael Lewis plays in the box for the majority of 1st and 2nd downs. I could see him blitzing A LOT more. I could also see us blitzing more from the corners. While a lot is expected of Manny, I think that our improved defensive line should help create more plays in the backfield.

Originally posted by KknighthawkK_9er:
Our pass rush should be better than last year. We will be running more of a strict, 3-4. But let's not forget, we will probably be seeing more blitzing, from all over the field.

People have been talking about the OLB's, rightfully so. However, I could also see us blitzing the ILB's a lot more, as well as our secondary. Michael Lewis plays in the box for the majority of 1st and 2nd downs. I could see him blitzing A LOT more. I could also see us blitzing more from the corners. While a lot is expected of Manny, I think that our improved defensive line should help create more plays in the backfield.

Agreed, it will be better. SING will motivate these guys and get there best out of them

not by much

It could conceivably be WORSE this year and here is why:
1. Both Manny & Haralson will be taking EVERY snap this season (expect them to wear down as the season progresses) and who is playing behind them? Brooks?
2. Pass rushing has NOT been Manny's strength often times easily blocked one-on-one and over-running running plays
3. Though we've added depth to the d-line, Sopoaga is going to be rotated between DE & NT and we may rely more on Balmer who is still very raw and Franklin is average at best
4. Injuries are almost inevitable and I'd expect at least one involving the front 7 where we have very little depth at the OLB and a rookie at ILB
5. Scheme - if Manusky/Singletary see the front 7 is unable to get to the QB early, expect another vanilla coverage-focused defense and only a few "coverage sacks" (see Haralson last year) to boot
6. The opposition now has 7 games of game-film on a starting D that is almsot identical to last year; so will the scheme change that much?

That said, perhaps the scheme becomes more intricate this year and resembles a true 3-4 perspective which focuses on dictating the offense, attacking and disguising blitzes using ALL front 7 players coupled with occasional CB & Safety blitzes. Maybe, now that roles are defined, the OLB's will excel and perhaps there will be a surprise in the making (Brooks?).

But without a dominant NT and LDE and a reactive defensive approach, I'm not expecting much change from last year with only marginal improvements in QB pressures, sacks, turnovers & 3rd down defense.

Thoughts?

[ Edited by NCommand on Jul 30, 2009 at 11:40:19 ]

Yeah it's better both Parys and Man-Law are a year older and more mature, and Man-Law is 100% healthy.

Originally posted by NCommand:
It could conceivably be WORSE this year and here is why:
1. Both Manny & Haralson will be taking EVERY snap this season (expect them to wear down as the season progresses) and who is playing behind them? Brooks?
2. Pass rushing has NOT been Manny's strength often times easily blocked one-on-one and over-running running plays
3. Though we've added depth to the d-line, Sopoaga is going to be rotated between DE & NT and we may rely more on Balmer who is still very raw and Franklin is average at best
4. Injuries are almost inevitable and I'd expect at least one involving the front 7 where we have very little depth at the OLB and a rookie at ILB
5. Scheme - if Manusky/Singletary see the front 7 is unable to get to the QB early, expect another vanilla coverage-focused defense and only a few "coverage sacks" (see Haralson last year) to boot
6. The opposition now has 7 games of game-film on a starting D that is almsot identical to last year; so will the scheme change that much?

That said, perhaps the scheme becomes more intricate this year and resembles a true 3-4 perspective which focuses on dictating the offense, attacking and disguising blitzes using ALL front 7 players coupled with occasional CB & Safety blitzes. Maybe, now that roles are defined, the OLB's will excel and perhaps there will be a surprise in the making (Brooks?).

But without a dominant NT and LDE and a reactive defensive approach, I'm not expecting much change from last year with only marginal improvements in QB pressures, sacks, turnovers & 3rd down defense.

Thoughts?

That is a pessimistic view, but here is my reply.

1. Who ever said that Parys and Manny will be taking every snap on defense? Very rarely do OLB's take every snap, or any position on defense for that matter. The only 3 players on our defense who will probably take every snap are Willis, Smith, and Clements.

2. Manny has not had time, nor been given the opportunity to develop any Strength's, let alone weaknesses. His health has been a concern since his rookie season. He is said to be healthy.

3. We acquired Evans and RJF this offseason. Balmer did not play much at all last season. Both Evans and Balmer are being counted on to contribute heavily. Evans will likely emerge as the starter.

4. Injuries happen, and they are unpredictable. Who knows??? McKillop, the rookie, will not start this season. TKO is still the man there.

5. If we do not get to the QB early, my guess is that we blitz more, instead of laying back. We should have a more aggressive defense this year, instead of the opposite.

6. We have several new starters (or right now, projected) on defense. Evans or Balmer will likely start at one DE. Manny was not starting last season, or at least, for the full season, in the role that he will be involved with this season. Goldson is the new FS, and Brown or Bly will be new starters at CB. Hence, we have a minimum of 4 new starters on the D this season.

I have a lot more confidence in Sing and a free-reigned Manusky than I did in Nolan and his "antics". The difference is probably somewhere in the middle.

i think our pass rush will depend on the young guys who haven't played yet. we got a few key off the edge youngsters that have alot to prove in their 2nd 3rd and rookie seasons! we'll have to say! lets just say our pass rush is better! WE'RE HEALTHY!