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The First step in solving the problem is a realistic assessment.
Too many people here have developed affection for certain players and ignore the fact that they've been here 3 years and we have not yet escaped the bottom 10 in defense.
Defensive Line:
Actually....we haven't been too bad here. Not dominant, but we aren't getting blown off the line like in years past. Where we have room for improvement is a true pass rusher that scares offenses. To be honest, you do not NEED such a player to field a good defense, look at the Redskins as an example. Furthermore, Jared Allen could be such a player with more weight room work.
Linebacker:
Lets face it, our Linebackers are HORRIBLE. Fujita is the only acceptable starter. Mitchell has good workout numbers but poor instincts. Who knows how he will turn out. Will Maz come back? Again, that is anyone's guess. How effective will Shawn Barber be...again...who knows? Caver is, at best, a marginal backup. Keyaron Fox is another question mark. But, if this team is to compete next year, we cannot afford to simply pray we will get production.
Secondary:
Almost as bad as the linebackers. We have a crying need for a corner. The only way to be SURE we can get someone is to both bring in a veteran AND spend a high draft pick. Even so, we tried that in '03 and it didn't work (McCleon and Battle).
This year we need to go after a veteran with a better pedigree and a higher draft pick. Woods has also performed poorly at safety. I do not think we should simply trust he will improve next season.
BOTTOM LINE:
We need to bring in at LEAST 5 quality defensive players next season. Four veterans and one high draft pick. That means two linebackers and three players in the secondary. This equation changes if you could bring a prime pass rusher like John Abraham into the fold. Then you might skimp on the secondary (sign one veteran corner) and shore up the linebackers.
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