
Well, the one thing we know is Del Rio wasn’t holding anything back on the preseason.
Kind of reminds me of classic Norv. "Our scheme works." So, he goes with the scheme no matter who is actually on the team. Sadly, Norv proved his scheme didn't work when square pegs were expected to be round ones.burgold - I started out really wanting to argue with you here but I just can't.
Honestly, I don't understand how our coaches can't design a defense that plays to our obvious strengths rather than one that seems to be emphasizing our weaknesses.

Getting Riggo' drilled is basically a matter of talent and off-season preparation. Getting Riggo drilled by Lions' backups is an abject humiliation and a cruel wake-up call that out "elite" Dline isn't elite at all. Allen is the only one close to that. Someone like Vita Vea or Akiem Hicks are real standouts who consistently impact the game; but I would not put him in the tier of Donald, Suh, Hicks, Vea, etc. Payne can be sometimes but not always.There seems to be a narrative that our D isn't talented. I don't buy that. Payne and Allen are two very talented defensive tackles. Jamin Davis is very talented if raw (why he should be still raw after a full season and offseason under his belt is baffling to me), William Jackson was a very highly rated corner before he came here. Sweat is a very talented defensive end. Holcomb may not be a gamechanger, but he's not untalented. Forrest looks like he has talent (speed and power).
I mean I'm under know delusion that our talent rivals the 85 Bears, but I think this unit has plenty of talent to compete. Are they not because of fit? Because of scheme? Because of predictable and easily exploited play calling? Because of lack of hunger and hustle? Is it lack of discipline?
Regardless, this dodge that the D isn't talented rings false to me. If there are weaknesses that doesn't mean you can't play to your strengths. You shouldn't be so basic that every week you get your weak in space linebackers locked up on their best wide receiver. You should be able to clog running lanes against a third string offensive line. You should be making a QB fear for his life and play erratically if you have three first rounders against their third string line.


That's fair, too.I have no insight to give. I think we’d all agree that the defense is not playing to it’s potential. Whether it’s coaching primarily or a combo of things - I don’t know for sure.
Ironically, the defense early in the Lions game looked promising. We kept giving them the ball back in good field position and the D was limiting the damage. Even Jamin Davis was having some noteworthy success. But no NFL D is going to look good when the O is going 3 and out on multiple drives for an entire half and that even has ramifications in the 2nd half.



I have no insight to give. I think we’d all agree that the defense is not playing to it’s potential. Whether it’s coaching primarily or a combo of things - I don’t know for sure.
Ironically, the defense early in the Lions game looked promising. We kept giving them the ball back in good field position and the D was limiting the damage. Even Jamin Davis was having some noteworthy success. But no NFL D is going to look good when the O is going 3 and out on multiple drives for an entire half and that even has ramifications in the 2nd half.

Disappointing from Jamin Davis …

