Anyone else get Derrick Johnson vibes last night?
 

Willie Gay looked so much like DJ it was crazy. The speed to the sideline, the power and even the near picks that DJ kept missing early in his career. It was like I was watching a young DJ out there.

I can’t believe we fixed our LB problem in basically one offseason with Bolton and Gay.

These guys compliment each other quite nicely as well.

Good job Burt. Your shitty drafting has fixed our glaring LB problem. :D

The can both flat-out play.

I'm a huge DJ homer. If DJ was playing in today's NFL instead of the 2006 version, he might have a HOF career.

No idea if Gay can be that guy, but if he can be on the field, he'll be damn good.

Gay and Bolton are going to be one badass duo.

They say nice things about each other?

:D

We are back to having LB's. Bolton and Gay are real NFL LB's.

I admit that I don't know much about football, but watching the game last night, I found myself thinking that someone has stuck a cattle prod up the collective asses of the defense. It looks to be completely different than earlier in the year.

Am I wrong?

Just gotta stay healthy now. Except for Sorenson.

Pre Haley drunk DJ or post Haley clean DJ?

I was saying the same thing yesterday. Gay was everywhere.

And we simply had a stud at each level of the defense. It was amazing.

I swear it seemed like everytime they took Bolton and Gay out, and put in Sorenson and the other LB'er; the other team ALWAYS makes a big play.

I think Willie is more physical then DJ.

1. They got healthy

2. They now have the right players in the right spots. Jones has been an absolute monster

3. The younger guys (Gay/Bolton/Fenton/Sneed) look soooo much more comfortable playing the game. They're just reading and reacting right now. It's beautiful to watch.

4. Spags has been aggressive and letting his guys play and the results are showing up on the field.

5. We've been somewhat fortunate over the last 3 weeks with facing some teams that have had some key injuries/players out....that said, you still have to execute on D and they are ABSOLUTELY getting it done.

Gay just needs to stay healthy. I'm excited about him and Bolton taking over.

The thing that coaches don't like to hear is that speed solves alot of problems. Even if a guy like Hitchens is in the right position, doesn't mean he'll make the play. Willie can be in the wrong position and still make the play. Same with Sorenson vs Thornhill.

Sometimes talent is better than effort, hard work & experience.

It's not a coincidence that this defense has been playing WAY better once Hitchens snap count has been reduced - whether that was from injury or from coaches playing him less - he's played much less snap counts in the last 5 weeks (when you know, our defense has been good)

Hitchens snap count by week 1 to week 10
Week 1: 47
Week 2: 65
Week 3: 52
Week 4: 49
Week 5: 47
Week 6: 11
Week 7: 0
Week 8: 0
Week 9: 31
Week 10: 22

DAN SORENSON snaps by week
Week 1: 59
Week 2: 76
Week 3: 60
Week 4: 73
Week 5: 57
Week 6: 19
Week 7: 16
Week 8: 27
Week 9: 22
Week 10: 27

It's like magically after week 5 we don't suck at defense anymore after Hitch and Sorenson snaps decline MASSIVELY.

SOURCE: https://www.fantasypros.com/nfl/repo...ts/defense.php