The defense will be fine. Some of you Nancies really need to take a valium. We've got like 6 new starters on this defense. And at least 3 of them are new to the team, so new to the system as well. They'll settle in.
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This was the Eagles. They didn't punt. Do you realize that. It was game 4.
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Chiefs vs Eagles marks the 5th time in NFL history there was no punt from either team. That's shocking.
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This defense is looking worse than 2018 so far. That defense atleast could rush the QB. I'm hoping they can get some pass rush going with Dana and if Clark gets back.
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Townsend's loving this defense. I bet Toub calls him tomorrow morning and says, just take the rest of the week off. We might call you to suit up on Sunday. Maybe not.
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They will need every weapon to score at will like 2018 with this defense currently.
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Yeah, I get that. And while the defense didn't play great, they did force PHI to kick 3 FGs, and did stop them twice; once to end the 1st half, and the other on downs late in the 4th.

So was it a great performance? No, but all things considered it was better.

In 2019 when Spags took over, it took a full 12 weeks for the defense to get comfortable and start playing consistently well. It shouldn't be a surprise that with 5 new starters (if we include CJ moving to DE) that they're going to struggle for awhile. We should be looking for signs of improvement, particularly at CB (two brand new players) and LB (basically two new starters). The DL also has two new guys, and they haven't even all been on the field at the same time since week 2? I'll reserve my judgement until 've seen a little more.
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They were 6/12 on third down. That’s not superb, but every week teams are going for it on 4th down against us versus punting.
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And it has nothing to do with the offensive side of the ball. This is the worst defense in the NFL. It’s vermeil Era suck. They are a joke. If you are past the 50 and less then 3rd and 6, absolutely no reason to punt.
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The question is, will they settle in and make a major difference in time for the playoffs?
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Assuming everyone stays/gets healthy, week 8-9. I actually projected that before the season started. Something about starting two brand-new CBs, seeing how Thornhill was going to get worked in, two new starting LBs, moving CJ to DE (though at the time I wasn't sure Jones would be moved outside all the time), and the addition of Reed.

And what we've seen a lot of so far is a defense that isn't communicating very well. Most of the gash plays have come from miscommunications between the sidelines and the players as well as miscommunication between the players themselves. Watch the replays. There's one in particular where the secondary gets beat for a wide open TD, and HB is glaring at the sideline.
You can see it in his body language.

Which is very similar to how they looked back in 2019, btw. The difference this time is that Spags has a core of players now that have been in the system a couple years to teach these guys how it works. But until these guys start playing instead of thinking, the rest of them are going to have to hold their hands out there until they do.

But they better learn faster. Or someone better go on a tear and prop this D up until they do. It wouldn't be that hard for them to drop 7 games this year, looking at the schedule. The clock is ticking.

Back to the OP, Gordon in that last clip looks fast. It's hard to tell from these things, but he was covering 10 yards every two strides. Maybe not 4.4 speed, but pretty fast. And huge.
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I'm not so sure.

Where is this big improvement coming from?

Reed is new, but a vet. It's not like he has anything to learn that would be slowing him down. He's a DT, go get the ball!!

Hughes looked good in preseason but has been getting steadily worse. It's like Defensive players that get coached in KC get worse, not better. :-)

I think Bolton looks good and will improve

I don't see a ton of room other than Bolton.

How much is our defense going to improve without a pass rush? We aren't getting any pass rush unless we move Jones back inside.

Imo we need to move Jones back inside asap for the interior pass rush. It's the only pass rush we have.

I would rather pull Niemann off the field and play with an extra Dlineman than continue with this shit.

Danna, Nnadi, Reed, Okafor,
Jones ^_____^___^

Turn Jones loose to shoot whatever gap he thinks he can get through. Let Nnadi and Reed handle the run. Jones needs to go all-out with the pass rush like he did during his contract year when he got 15 sacks and 29 QB hits. Jones getting pressure and hitting the QB all game will be worth more than anything else we can do.

Go with a 5-2-4

Hitchen,Bolton can split the field. They should be well-protected behind 5 Dlinemen and shouldn't have as much clutter to deal with. Cover their half for the pass, read/react/attack against the run.

Pull Sorenson, go with Sneed,Mathieu,Thornhill,Baker. If there 3-wide receivers, then pull Thornhill and put Hughes out. When Fenton gets healthy he will take Hughes' place. Mathieu plays a single-high.
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Nice post, I agree there needs to be a 5-2 set where Jones can rush from the interior with Nnadi and Reed. You didn’t mention Willie Gay returning who I think is going to have a sizable contribution compared to what 56 is currently providing. Hopefully him or Bolton can replace Hitchens on passing down because the dude is getting exposed out there in coverage.

All in all I think there’s enough talent to get the job done and the leadership/mentality is right on the locker room. Trust the staff in the building to get the team right, they’ve earned some leash.
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Mmmmm, my brother, I love you, and I am excited but...this year, so far, we have needed it.
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A 5-2? This isn't high school.

Our biggest problem is covering backs and TE's in the flat and short over the middle. I don't see how an extra lineman helps that.
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