Originally posted by fister30:
Justin Smith skews the level of play of the D Line. Soap is sub par, Mcdonald can be a starter but probably should be depth behind somebody more dynamic. I can't think of one non starter D lineman I am excited about.
I am hoping for somebody to push McDonald or Soap for playing time. Those guys are serviceable but the d line needs a face lift. Another situational pass rushing OLB would help during the season also to rest Aldon and Brooks.
I really don't have too many complaints about the lb's or the secondary.
I disagree with this, McDonald is one of the better 3-4 DE's in football. He got it done this year, maybe not as well as last, but he's a legit starter and a good player that I think is the most underrated on the 49ers defense.
Soap on the other hand, as I've been saying, really drags the rest of the DL, and defense in general down because he gets blown off the ball and allows himself to be controlled by the guard or center a tad too often for my liking. Him unable to occupy multiple blockers makes things difficult, in a 3-4 you don't want every guy on your DL only occupying a single blocker, that's bad news.
[ Edited by Phoenix49ers on Feb 8, 2013 at 2:50 PM ]