This is very likely as I'm sure they have some sizable, strong players. The run may be tough sledding, but DL pass rush won't be as imposing as last year.
I'd be more worried about confusion with LB stunts against our youth as they seem to bring heat from there often.
Up front they're breaking in two new starters to replace the best DL they had by far.
They lost a 3-year starting DT and 2-year starting DE to the NFL...
DT Sheldon Day (4th round) - 43 games, 141 tackles, 7.5 sacks
Senior Year: 45 tackles, 15.5 tfl, 4 sacks
DE Romeo Okwara (UDFA) - 37 games, 114 tackles, 12.5 sacks
Senior Year: 49 tackles, 13.5 tfl, 9 sacks
Both of those guys owned their position for a while. I wouldn't expect a similar level of domination from their replacements right out of the gates.
Those two were the top sack leaders of the defense, accounting for 13 of 24 sacks.
The 2015 sack numbers by player...9, 4, 3, and 8 guys with 1 sack. 9 and 4 are gone, and the guy with 3 is a LB. No returning DL had over 1 sack.
Assuming a significant DL pass rush drop-off in Week 1 is not unfounded.
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Last edited: Aug 30, 2016