They haven't been bad, but any top 5-10 defense wouldn't be satisfied with the performance. Our expectations have just become extremely low as far as what we expect for a high quality defensive performance.
The one area of the field where you can't take a dark on 3rd down and of first this undisciplined squad takes an enormous sack to knock them out of FG range. Why are you even making a playcall that allows for that deep of a drop to even risk that there?
That would be really cool. The umpires would reject it as an illegal substitution and not allow him to bat, of course, but it would be a memorable moment to see him throw on a helmet, grab a bat and try it.
We've seen people all the time point out how having a certain player on the field caused a good defensive play to happen, usually said by mentioning the difference between that player and the replaced one. Never seemed like a big deal to me, more of a compliment for the player on the field than anything else.
I'm not going solely by box score. I watched the entire game and that wasn't the impression I got at all and I definitely think the stats bear that out. Sure looked to me like we were just getting shredded on the ground. I was texting a friend of mine when it was 24-12 and we were discussing how we both felt we were fortunate the score was what it was because Atlanta had played pretty well, particularly in running the ball and left some points on the board.
Did some things well defensively in the first three quarters that we can hopefully build on.
Agree that Bijan is an uber generational talent that will shred a lot of defenses this year. Couldn't figure out why the Falcons were bothering to pass much at all.
Agree to disagree on most of the rest of it.