Sturm’s camp observations: Secondary ‘pretty loaded’; impressions of Randy Gregory

[Cotton]

Why would I mention the safeties which would be having Byron Jones there, assuredly playing at a high level?

And no, that CB corps is still not crud. It's no worse than average. I said Carr is "not poor" because crud would be poor. As such... Carr is not poor, therefore further distancing us from crud.

I didn't say we were loaded. I said it was not crud. Which its not.

You're throwing around the word "assuredly" a little too loosely here.

 

[ravidubey]

The defense is ALL secondary to a balanced offense.

Last years' butt-average defense went 12-4.

Will lose:

16 games - Henry Melton, Bruce Carter, George Selvie, Sterling Moore, and CJ Spillman
13 games - Anthony Spencer
6 games - Justin Durant
4 games - Rolando McClain

Plans to gain:

16 games - Sean Lee, Byron Jones, Randy Gregory, Andrew Gachkar, Jasper Brinkley, Corey White, Danny McCray, [Damien Wilson, Ryan Russell]
12 games - Greg Hardy, Morris Claiborne
8 games - Demarcus Lawrence

 

[Cowboysrock55]

You're throwing around the word "assuredly" a little too loosely here.

Carr absolutely was crud most of last year as well. So I'm not sure why we are assuming he won't be this year other then the D-line is better.

 

[L.T. Fan]

If the DL gets as productive as anticipated the secondary will benefit and look better.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

If the DL gets as productive as anticipated the secondary will benefit and look better.

It will certainly look better if that's the case. It won't make crud into gold but the pass rush can help cover up certain deficiencies.

 

[L.T. Fan]

It will certainly look better if that's the case. It won't make crud into gold but the pass rush can help cover up certain deficiencies.

Yep. A consistent pass rush will make great QBs look average sometime and that not only can help the secondary ,but it also allows then to get into a better position for turnovers.

 

[Carp]

Yes, it's cruddy. The best defense you can come up with is one good corner, one with a "not poor" track record, and above average 4s and 5s? Which is a completely subjective claim anyway -- who is to say those two guys off the scrap heap are above average anyway?

And as iam suggested, you didn't mention the safeties who were at times horrific last year.

Even if you want to quibble with the definition of cruddy, we aren't loaded as Sturm claimed. Seattle is loaded. Arizona might be loaded. We're not.

Tell me how Seattle is loaded at CB.

 

[Smitty]

Carr absolutely was crud most of last year as well. So I'm not sure why we are assuming he won't be this year other then the D-line is better.

I don't agree, he was better as the year went on. And he did a great job against Jordy Nelson in the playoffs.

 

[townsend]

I don't agree, he was better as the year went on. And he did a great job against Jordy Nelson in the playoffs.

He did alright against Calvin Johnson the previous game too. That's two elite receivers he faced back-to-back when it counted.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I don't agree, he was better as the year went on. And he did a great job against Jordy Nelson in the playoffs.

The majority of the season he ranked as one of the worst starting corners in the NFL if I'm not mistaken.

 

[Smitty]

The majority of the season he ranked as one of the worst starting corners in the NFL if I'm not mistaken.

You might be correct but if so I'm sure it's due to the abysmal start to the season he had. He was good down the stretch and very good in the playoffs.

I can't say he's crud, this isn't a Doug Free situation where his entire year was just a disaster.

And even if I could say he's crud, we are average to above average at our #1, #4 and #5 CB spots without even factoring Jones in.

The position is fine. If a stud falls into our laps we can take him and find a spot, but at the same time no reason to make it a priority to address.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Tell me how Seattle is loaded at CB.

I could swear "secondary" included safety. And a backfield with Sherman, Thomas, and Chancellor is loaded no matter who the other corner is.

You don't think so?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I can't say he's crud, this isn't a Doug Free situation where his entire year was just a disaster.

Actually I'd say it is exactly a Doug Free situation. The guy was that bad at times last year. Of course much like Doug Free he has the ability to still play pretty well. It's why I think Carr could put together a solid year this season. I sure as hell hope he can pick up more then 0 INTs this year as well. We need someone to pick up some of that slack because Carter obviously won't be getting 5 for us. Or probably ever getting 5 INTs for anyone again in his career.

 

[GShock]

The problem isn't the CB position, it's the S position.

Which, given the discussion of depth at CB, will presumably be Jones and Wilcox/Church?

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Which, given the discussion of depth at CB, will presumably be Jones and Wilcox/Church?

I hope so. This is what I'm really leaning towards as being a best case scenario. I'd let Jones work corner drills still but when I get to any team type work I'd have the guy playing safety. The reason I'd let him still do corner specific individual drills is because I'd still use the guy in man coverage. Just in my standard packages he'd be one of my 2 deep safeties.

 

[townsend]

I hope so. This is what I'm really leaning towards as being a best case scenario. I'd let Jones work corner drills still but when I get to any team type work I'd have the guy playing safety. The reason I'd let him still do corner specific individual drills is because I'd still use the guy in man coverage. Just in my standard packages he'd be one of my 2 deep safeties.

I think we're doing ourselves a disservice if we aren't starting our top 4 DBs, and I don't think Church qualifies for that list.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I think we're doing ourselves a disservice if we aren't starting our top 4 DBs, and I don't think Church qualifies for that list.

I've never understood why Church is almost viewed as untouchable. He was one of the worst starting safeties in the NFL last year and was down right a liability in multiple games. I get that he has leadership qualities but the number one quality you need in a leader is physical ability.

 

[townsend]

I've never understood why Church is almost viewed as untouchable. He was one of the worst starting safeties in the NFL last year and was down right a liability in multiple games. I get that he has leadership qualities but the number one quality you need in a leader is physical ability.

Yeah, he can lead just fine from the sidelines.

Besides Scandrick, Lee, and Hardy will do just fine leading their respective units.