What's a satisfactory season for DJ?
 

Watching one of GC's videos just gets me thinking once again how talented DJ is but he hasn't really put it altogether for that "wow" season where the entire NFL takes notice and praises DJ for the elite player he could be.

I guess my answer is that it depends on the scheme. Is he going to blitz much? Cover the TEs?

Overall, he needs to make big plays more consistently, really change the game with an INT or turnover deep in the opponents' territory, etc. I can't put a number on how many tackles, INTs, sacks he should have because I need to see how he'll be used.

He's never going to be a weak link on the defense. What he needs to be, IMO, is one of the strongest links along with Hali and Allen.

400 tackles 35 sacks 20 ints and 15 forced fumbles. Anything less=bust.

I'd take an 80 tackle, 6 sack, 3 INT season...that's for sure

and in all honesty, I expect DJ to breakout this year. I really do...

Is DJ playing weak-side or strong-side linebacker this year? I know he has played SLB, but I am curious to see if they move him now that we have Donnie.

Which position he is playing really determines what kind of role he will play this year.

I think he was on his way to a breakout season before the injury a year ago...it basically sidelined him for five games.

I'd like to see him get 90 tackles, 6-7 sacks, a couple interceptions, 7 or 8 passes defensed and 3-4 forced fumbles.

I've seen them flipping him around quite a bit. They may have some packages where he comes screaming off the weakside like he did at Texas.

As long as DJ isnt covering the tight end I will be happy, let him freelance and blitz and he could breakout IMO.

90 tackles
4 sacks
2 interceptions
5 forced fumbles
2 recovered

I'd be happy with these numbers.

5 or more sacks, a couple of picks, and at least 3 or 4 forced fumbles.

I'd be quite happy.

I think I'm right with you guys. Basically similar to last year but a little more. Hopefully he stays healthy. Add another sack or two onto his 4.5 last year, force a fumble or two on those sacks and hard hits we keep seeing, and of course he needs to intercept the football and give our offense some good field position.

I do, too. I've really liked what I've seen in preseason, and I think he'll hit the pro bowl this year unless the sportswriters decide to give Ray Lewis and Steroidman all of the starting spots.

126 Tackles, 30 Assists, 3.5 sacks, 2 Int, 3 Forced Fumble, 7 Passes Deflected would be a heck of a year.

I think DJ could clip over a 100 tackles this year. As for sacks, I don't see his number vastly improving b/c he's rarely sent. Maybe w/ Donnie and Harris this year he'll be given more blitz packages b/c Donnie can certainly play coverage?

I wouldn't say DJ has been a bust, the guy was a 1st rounder that saw the field in his first year and does a great job. The reason I was so high on him out of college was his ability to cause fumbles, which I haven't seen nearly as much in the pros. His tackle move where he use to punch at the ball with his lead arm was great at UT, but I don't see as much of that here. Maybe the coaches don't want him to do that b/c in this league if your trying to tackle w/ 1 arm, chances are you're not making the tacke? Who knows

198 tackles

21.5 sacks

Anything less is unacceptable