DL woes... WHAT GIVES?!?!?

[truant]

Alright, seriously... take a look at our projected starting D line.

Upshaw (or Smith)
Russell
Dalton
Wynn

Upshaw started most of the year on a pretty good Raider team last year. Russell was the star of that Raiders line for the last few years. Dalton was a run stuffing DT in Denver and I believe they had a top 10 run D last year, if not better. Wynn is pretty solid but unspectacular.

I'm not saying this is an allstar line, but come on... this shouldn't be the WORST LINE IN THE LEAGUE!!! But they are playing like it. So where's the catch?

Russell not in shape? Coaching? Age?

[Emmanouel8]

That line-up hasn't been on the field together at all this year. Truant have you been paying attention? Upshaw has barely played. Dalton didn't get on the field early in the season b/c he came in late, hopefully he gets better as he gets his reps. Wynn is no basis for underachieving claims. Russell just got here the other day for crying out loud.

Our line-up has consisted of mostly Holsey and Bruce Smith two weak leaks against the run. Holsey is a weak link at everything IMO.

Let's hope Russell gets better and draw double teams like Gardener did for us last year to help this defense get going. I'd like to see more of Zellner too. It's all on Russell IMO.

Whatever happened to Delbert Cowsette, I forget.

[truant]

Very true that they haven't been playing together all year. But i was more eluding to the rest of the season. Our D line has been poor so far, but it SHOULD improve, right? With that lineup there shouldn't be any more excuses, verdad?

Cowsette was cut in the preseason i believe. He was one of the last to go i think.

[Emmanouel8]

Truant, no excuses only if Russell comes back to his previous form. If he doesn't then we won't have anybody on the line that commands a double team. I think it will improve but will be in full force in 2-3 games. It's probably too little too late though as far as playoffs.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

I don't think Russell will be in good enough shape to play like he used to. That's our only shot at anything resembling penetration, unless we see some more creative blitzes.

[IowaSkinsFan]

We won't be generating any pass rush with the front 4 exclusively. At this point, you are what you are. Even on Bruce's sack last week, LaVar came on a blitz and pinched the tackle to the inside, which allowed a straight line for Bruce. We simply have no playmakers on the D line.

[Spence]

None of those guys are very good. Russell is out of shape and still learning the system. Upshaw is a career underachiever. Wynn is a run-stuffer, not a passrusher. Dalton was benched by Denver and the could not wait to trade him even though their starting DT Daryl Gardener was out with an injury to start the season.