Is our D line as bad as we all think?

[KevinthePRF]

:laugh: for the 32165412154 time, here we go.

in 2004/2005 when the D line was opening holes and allowing blitzers to come free, Salave'a missed 3 games total due to injuries (remember, he has never played 16 games in one season). He was having a career year both in tackles (23 in 2005) and sacks (2 in 2004).

Come 2006 and he is slowed due to age and injury. Only plays in 13 games in 2006. Golston steps in to fill for him. Golston is not a 2-gap DT and does not garner a double team. He's also playing next to a hobbled Griffin. Neither can open holes like they appeared in 2004/05. This does not allow the LB's or the Safeties to get to the QB/RB and exposes our weak secondary.

Salave'a cannot be expected to do something he has never done, which is start 16 games. No other DT on the roster requires a double team to handle. All in all, you need an anchor on the line to take 2 defenders on, allow single converage to the DE's and open holes for the LB's/Safeties to do their job in Williams' 46 defense.

Every team suffers through injuries. The Bears and Colts lost a key interior D lineman. But that didn't keep their entire defense from falling apart. As long as our defense depends on the whole unit staying healthy, it will continue to suck.

[Oldskool]

Every team suffers through injuries. The Bears and Colts lost a key interior D lineman. But that didn't keep their entire defense from falling apart. As long as our defense depends on the whole unit staying healthy, it will continue to suck.

Exactly why you keep Salave'a and get another big body in the middle at DT. You cannot depend of Joe to play 16 games.