Carrying any less than 10 d-linemen foolish this year?

[Jeff George]

I'd be suprised if we kept any less than 10.

5 De's: Allen/Houston/young/ Izzy/bass
5dt's: rat/paea/Collins/Ferguson/Sutton

Emery loaded up to make cuts impossible on Trest and Tucker.

Possible cuts: paea/Collins/Izzy/bass

But I think all 4 stick. Paea because he seems hungry to prove the naysayers wrong.

Collins if he still got the burst.

Izzy if he shows a lot more than bass

Bass if he shows a lot more than lane and scott

Bottom line. We learned its all about depth last year for 2 reasons: injuries and the super bowl champs defense.

 

[Raskolnikov]

I agree but think Washington instead of Bass.

 

[Mitchapalooza]

I'm hoping Izzy still has something left, he was always solid for us.

 

[Snorch]

IMO nine will be the number

 

[pseudonym]

10. Washington over Izzy.

 

[KittiesKorner]

I think you're right. Sadly, I think we will end up letting Izzy go

 

[nwfisch]

Allen, Houston, Young, Bass

Paea, Collins, Ratliff, Ferguson, Sutton

Izzy as swing?

 

[pseudonym]

i like izzy. but bears keep saying they want to get younger. can't see 11 at de/dt.

 

[Jeff George]

Izzy sticks because of his versatility to move inside.

 

[Silverwulf]

Wish I could understand where the love for Washington comes from.
To date, he's shown absolutely no reason for me to believe that he'll make this team.
Maybe things will change.

 

[NCChiFan]

I don't see them carrying 10, I see Izzy being the odd man out.

 

[KittiesKorner]

Washington is the JT Thomas of the d-line, or Michael Okwo

 

[gwharris2254]

Unfortunately Father Time is not in Izzy's favor this year. I take Washington and Hands On Hands Off helping him and Bass to move their games UP and into the final 10
.....
And I can't remeember 10 being so athletic versatile powerful and potentially ferociously veteran and youthfully stacked.

 

[Sagbear]

Washington over izzy strictly for the upside, Bass and Washington both have a lot of potential.

 

[xer0h0ur]

Players on rookie contracts don't get cut. Ergo Conte and Paea sticking around.

 

[Silverwulf]

I also wish I could understand how Briggs(33), Tillman(33), Ratliff(32), and Allen(32) will all be having their typical Pro-Bowl caliber seasons as they lead us back to the Super Bowl, but poor old Idonije(33) is just going to be too tired to even get out of bed in the mornings.

Idonije may end up getting cut, but I doubt it will have much to do with his age.

 

[TheWinman]

I also wish I could understand how Briggs(33), Tillman(33), Ratliff(32), and Allen(32) will all be having their typical Pro-Bowl caliber seasons as they lead us back to the Super Bowl, but poor old Idonije(33) is just going to be too tired to even get out of bed in the mornings.

Idonije may end up getting cut, but I doubt it will have much to do with his age.

Excellent observation which leads us to reality. For this defense to finish middle of the pack or better, we need the above mentioned to be above average. We would be lucky to have one of those 4 make the pro bowl and we would be lucky to have two of them play the entire season injury free. Much is riding on these 4, but luck is needed also, or else we will be testing our depth once again, which I think is much better this year. I hope.

 

[xer0h0ur]

I also wish I could understand how Briggs(33), Tillman(33), Ratliff(32), and Allen(32) will all be having their typical Pro-Bowl caliber seasons as they lead us back to the Super Bowl, but poor old Idonije(33) is just going to be too tired to even get out of bed in the mornings.

Idonije may end up getting cut, but I doubt it will have much to do with his age.

Because Idonije was never on the same talent level as they were/are? The man was a good player for us for many years and had to struggle with being forced to put on and cut weight repeatedly but he was never top tier talent.

 

[Silverwulf]

Because Idonije was never on the same talent level as they were/are? The man was a good player for us for many years and had to struggle with being forced to put on and cut weight repeatedly but he was never top tier talent.

I guess that's why I wasn't really discussing his talent level.

 

[Jeff George]

Izzy basically had a year of rest. He offers more than bass and washington