Will the addition of Rob Ryan start paying off this Sunday?

Here’s part 2 of that great article by new TLH staff writer C. Joseph Wright – SM

Trying to decide which 5 defensive things I will be watching for when the game is live and at full speed is impossible. I can’t pay attention to that many things the first viewing. The truth is, on defense, the only honest answer I can give to “what will you be watching for?” is: EVERYTHING.

No one really knows what to expect other than a general belief that Ryan’s defense will be drastically different from the 3-4 run by Phillips; there will be more substitutions, and a lot more pre-snap movement.

This defense, both collectively and as individuals, has a lot at stake in their performance this year, and that begins Sunday night against the Jets. As a team, they are trying to erase the memory of last season’s debacle by showing that it was an aberration. They are also likely playing to validate all the talk of their new coach, Rob Ryan.

Most of the players starting on defense, with the obvious exception of Ware and Ratliff and maybe a couple of others, will be battling for more playing time (which eventually means more $) and/or their jobs as starters. I hope to see everyone playing like they are afraid of being cut from the 53. (I can’t wait for Jenkins to come back and see how he tackles this year.) Here’s what I will be paying close attention to: (more…)