Is history repeating itself, or is attrition on the defense finally going to bite us?

[Merlin]

We are not going to be able to keep finding prove-it difference makers at edge. At some point it's going to hurt us if we don't find a long term answer.

Littleton was not even a surprise. His film showed he was shy of contact (he went out of his way at times in the run game to choose the wrong hole so he could tackle from the side or trailing) and overrated as F. Not sure what the Raiders were looking at when they identified him as a key piece. I'm guessing they fell in love with a handful of fantastic plays he made in space but he has never been nor will he ever be a guy who can aggressively fill holes.

I am expecting a dip on defense. We've hit twice in a row on edge but not sure that is going to continue. We might lose Williams. Our safety position is going to be a bit of a mess (losing JJ, and is Rapp a scheme fit). Our new DC doesn't exactly have a great track record of limiting scoring. If we want to run certain tweaks I expect him to favor improvement at ILB at the least. If we run a continuation of what we did this year I expect he might need to come up to speed a bit on the gameday calls and management side.

And then looming is an offseason of big focus for our offense. For good reason. Which might affect things we'll see.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Floyd quite possibly headed to Bolts. no need to move and back with Staley

 

[RamDino]

Just get me a stud inside linebacker and I won't worry about the defense. Oh, and Darious Williams stays for one more year.

 

[Hobgoblin]

I only really remember Littleton making plays not ST. He was always so so on defense so I was surprised he landed a contract...

 

[CGI_Ram]

We are not going to be able to keep finding prove-it difference makers at edge. At some point it's going to hurt us if we don't find a long term answer.

One might not work out one of these times, but every offseason there are players like this to be had. With Donald, we get first dibs.

 

[Mackeyser]

I am going to miss Floyd. He fit what we need out of an DE perfectly! Just perfect.

But, I think this is the beauty of Donald...... Free Agents see what’s happening here.

Flowler, now Floyd... about to cash in.

So,... rinse and repeat. Find another “prove it DE“. We need that player... THAT PLAYER wants to play here! We have a win win situation on our hands.

Who is that player this year? Go get’em Snead.

The Ravens have two franchise tagged OLB/Edge guys in Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon. Judon's been there since his rookie year, Ngakoue has just been there a year after doing whatever to get out of Jacksonville.

Honestly, if we were able to get Ngakoue on a one year deal, that'd be ideal

 

[Neil039]

A thing to consider is what Morris is telling McVay he needs to keep the level of play on the defense.

Personally, if Floyd leaves so be it. JJ is the guy I hope they keep. This may be another plug and play year at DE via free agency.

A few of you posted using the saving on OL, 100% agree that’s what’s needed. No balance between the two units. Gotta have that to win Championships IMO