Lets Talk Defensive Line

[badboy]

Jacob Martin signing today. There is going to be some tough cuts in camp on the DL. I am encouraged by this unit.

Starting base DL:

DE: Will Anderson
DT: Maliek Collins
DT: Sheldon Rankins
DE: Jonathan Greenard (Hughes probably listed as starter).

Then depth at DE with Hughes/Horton. I expect Hughes/Greenard to rotate quite a bit. Add in the competition for designated pass rusher between Martin, Winovich and Rivers. One of them will get paid on their next contract after having a career year in DeMeco’s defense.

DT is looking like quality depth with Ridgeway and Roy Lopez. Hinish and Booker are currently on the outside looking in… One or both end up on PS.

I didn’t care for Lopez as a full time starter but I think he’s a quality 3rd/4th DT in a rotation. I expect the quality of his play to improve sitting behind a bonafide solid starting NFL DT in Rankins and playing less snaps. He has been a good value find by Caserio.

This is a formidable DL unit that is deep. I think the pieces are in place to generate a consistent four man pass rush this season.

I want to see some five man rush plays with an occasional safety blitz, also .

 

[The Pencil Neck]

You Will

Oh. Good one. Add that one to the list.

 

[TheRealJoker]

I want to see some five man rush plays with an occasional safety blitz, also .

Harris and Pitre both have that skill set. But I wouldn’t anticipate it happening often. Ryans has been below league average in running blitzes. Much easier to beat the league’s best QBs with a four man rush and have more people in coverage. One reason Lou Anarumo has been able to give Mahomes and Josh Allen problems with Cincinnati’s defense.

What differences can we expect defensively between Steve Wilks and DeMeco Ryans?

www.ninersnation.com

“Since Wilks took over, Carolina blitzed 33 percent of the time, which was the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. DeMeco blitzed 23 percent of the time in 2022, which was slightly below league average, coming in at 18th.”

 

[Texansphan]

“Since Wilks took over, Carolina blitzed 33 percent of the time, which was the sixth-highest rate in the NFL. DeMeco blitzed 23 percent of the time in 2022, which was slightly below league average, coming in at 18th.”

That surprises me - I would have figured him blitzing heaps with the line he had there.

 

[powda]

That surprises me - I would have figured him blitzing heaps with the line he had there.

I guess if you have Bosa, you don't have to.

 

[JB]

I guess if you have Bosa, you don't have to.

It takes more than one guy

 

[powda]

It takes more than one guy

The remainder of their line is also pretty damn solid. Hopefully wa51 is the first in us duplicating that.

 

[JB]

The remainder of their line is also pretty damn solid. Hopefully wa51 is the first in us duplicating that.

Rankins and Collins and Ridgeway should be pretty solid also and hopefully some youth progresses under DeMeco

 

[powda]

I really like the Martin addition. I know he's just a situational pass rusher ,but lining him out w9 should excentuate his speed. Especially coupled with a cross stunt or blitz inside the tackle.

 

[Mollywhopper]

That surprises me - I would have figured him blitzing heaps with the line he had there.

'The line he had there' was exactly the reason he didn't blitz heaps..

 

[badboy]

That surprises me - I would have figured him blitzing heaps with the line he had there.

Nope, I want him to blitz but he hasn't in past. Hoping with our guys, Ryan changes that.

 

[JB]

'The line he had there' was exactly the reason he didn't blitz heaps..

I don't expect him to here either. A good QB will pick apart a team that blitzes too much and the Texans face a lot of very good QBs this year

 

[JB]

Rankins and Collins and Ridgeway should be pretty solid also and hopefully some youth progresses under DeMeco

I forgot to mention Horton, he should be a really nice young addition

 

[TheRealJoker]

I don't expect him to here either. A good QB will pick apart a team that blitzes too much and the Texans face a lot of very good QBs this year

Bingo. You blitz Mahomes and he’s just going to find the receiver you left open to pick you apart.

 

[SeriousShizzle]

Unretire JJWatt and the Ninja!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[steelbtexan]

I don't expect him to here either. A good QB will pick apart a team that blitzes too much and the Texans face a lot of very good QBs this year

Who are the very good QB's compared to last yrs. QB's they faced?

 

[JB]

Who are the very good QB's compared to last yrs. QB's they faced?

Who said anything about comparing to last year?

 

[steelbtexan]

Who said anything about comparing to last year?

You said they are facing very good QB's this yr. I was just wondering how the QB's this yr compare to the QB's they faced last yr?

I know there isn't a Hurts, Mahomes, Herbert on this yrs schedule.

 

[JB]

I know there isn't a Hurts, Mahomes, Herbert on this yrs schedule.

No there isn't, but there is a Jackson, Burrows, Rodgers

 

[steelbtexan]

No there isn't, but there is a Jackson, Burrows, Rodgers

Yep, but overall the QB's last year were tougher than this years QB's This years schedule is much easier.