I don't think it is. It feels at least like they are getting some stops this year. The difference in my opinion is that our run game hasn't been right. So our scores feel quicker and it feels like other teams are getting way more opportunities with the ball than they should.
Again, I could be wrong. But it feels like the run defense is better and we are sometimes actually forcing stops. But I don't know if the stats back that up. From top to bottom the defense just feels more talented.
Our biggest problem right now is just that we have a couple massive liabilities. Steward/Bell and Winters. We need to figure those two spots out. But at least we have a LBer this year.