Five defenses that will look different in 2014

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Akrasian

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http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/sto...-cardinals-transactions-different-def/slide/1
1) Dallas Cowboys
What’s new: DE DeMarcus Ware was released; LB Sean Lee tore his ACL and is out for the season; DT Jason Hatcher left as a free agent to Washington; DT Henry Melton signed as a free agent from Chicago; drafted seven defensive players including DE Demarcus Lawrence and LB Anthony Hitchens.

For better or worse? Worse, which is a problem since they gave up the most yards in the NFL last season. Ware, no matter how injured he was last year, is difficult to replace. Lee is practically impossible.

2) Denver Broncos

What’s new: DE DeMarcus Ware, CB Aqib Talib and S T.J. Ward signed as free agents; LB Wesley Woodyard, CBs Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Champ Bailey and Des Shaun Phillips and Robert Ayers left as free agents; drafted CB Bradley Roby in the first round.

For better or worse? Better, or at least the front office is betting millions that it is. It was an all-in offseason and an arms race with the Patriots, with the offense getting a few tweaks but the defense getting a massive infusion.

3) Chicago Bears

What’s new: DE Julius Peppers was released; DTs Henry Melton and Corey Wootton left as free agents; DEs Jared Allen, Lamarr Houston and Willie Young and Ss Adrian Wilson, M.D. Jennings and Ryan Mundy signed as free agents; DT Nate Collins returns from October knee surgery; DT Jeremiah (formerly Jay) Ratliff enters first full season with team; four of first five draft picks are on defense, led by first-round pick CB Kyle Fuller.

For better or worse? Has to be better, since last year’s defense was the worst in franchise history by almost any measure.

4) Arizona Cardinals

What’s new: CB Antonio Cromartie and LB Ernie Sims signed as free agents; LB Karlos Dansby left as a free agent to Cleveland; CB Tyrann Mathieu likely will start season on PUP with knee injury; LB Daryl Washington serving season-long drug suspension; drafted S Deone Bucannon in the first round.

For better or worse? Worse, by the margin of Washington’s suspension, which jarred and angered the organization. Beefing up the secondary helps, but the NFC West is not the division in which anyone can afford to step back.


5) Oakland Raiders

What’s new: Drafted six defensive players, led by LB Khalil Mack; DEs Justin Tuck and Antonio Smith, CBs Carlos Rogers and Tarell Brown and LB LaMarr Woodley signed as free agents; DE Lamarr Houston and CB Tracy Porter left as free agents.

For better or worse? Better. Mack will give Jadeveon Clowney a run for best defensive player drafted this year. Tuck and the rest are a major investment, especially since the offense has a lot of catching up to do.

_______________________________________________________________________________

No credit to the Rams? They seem to only credit changing players, not DC. Although AD and all the DBs are as significant as any other team's player changes. But few veterans added to the Rams, so not worthy of press, I guess.
 

Ramrasta

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I will finish this list up.


6) St. Louis Rams

What's new: Lost S Darian Stewart and CB Quinton Pointer to free agency. They also cut CB Cortland Finnegan after a terrible season. The Rams did manage to resign LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and acquire DT Alex Carrington off the FA market. Through the draft, the Rams added DT Aaron Donald, DB LaMarcus Joyner, S Maurice Alexander, CB E.J. Gaines, S Christian Bryant, and DE Michael Sam. This is all supplemented by the appointment of Greg Williams as defensive coordinator.

Better or worse? Better! With no real talent lost and the addition of plenty of fresh stars, this defense has nowhere to go but up. Greg Williams is a huge upgrade from Tim Walton, with an aggressive style well suited to the defense. With the young players adding another year of experience, they should also see a spike in development.
 

Dodgersrf

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I will finish this list up.


6) St. Louis Rams

What's new: Lost S Darian Stewart and CB Quinton Pointer to free agency. They also cut CB Cortland Finnegan after a terrible season. The Rams did manage to resign LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and acquire DT Alex Carrington off the FA market. Through the draft, the Rams added DT Aaron Donald, DB LaMarcus Joyner, S Maurice Alexander, CB E.J. Gaines, S Christian Bryant, and DE Michael Sam. This is all supplemented by the appointment of Greg Williams as defensive coordinator.

Better or worse? Better! With no real talent lost and the addition of plenty of fresh stars, this defense has nowhere to go but up. Greg Williams is a huge upgrade from Tim Walton, with an aggressive style well suited to the defense. With the young players adding another year of experience, they should also see a spike in development.

Well done.(y)
 

BigRamFan

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6) St. Louis Rams

What's new: Lost S Darian Stewart and CB Quinton Pointer to free agency. They also cut CB Cortland Finnegan after a terrible season. The Rams did manage to resign LB Jo-Lonn Dunbar and acquire DT Alex Carrington off the FA market. Through the draft, the Rams added DT Aaron Donald, DB LaMarcus Joyner, S Maurice Alexander, CB E.J. Gaines, S Christian Bryant, and DE Michael Sam. This is all supplemented by the appointment of Greg Williams as defensive coordinator.

Better or worse? Better! With no real talent lost and the addition of plenty of fresh stars, this defense has nowhere to go but up. Greg Williams is a huge upgrade from Tim Walton, with an aggressive style well suited to the defense. With the young players adding another year of experience, they should also see a spike in development.
Nice work, my man, nice work!