We do not have one single player on the defensive side of the ball that could be considered a playmaker. That has become our biggest offseason need right now IMO. Outside of now two games the D has been pretty good overall which is a testament to the scheme, now we need to bring in a playmaker. The obvious spots for that type of player is OLB and/or safety which I would rank right up there with DLine depth as our biggest need to address in the offseason.
Revis is a playmaker. Every offensive coordinator in the league knows it, unfortunately. ADDED: The Bear Jew beat me to it.
Revis might not get on the high light reel but he's the best player on this defense and one of the best over-all players in the league. Leonhard played his ass off today and he did a damn good job. Wish I could say the same for the guy lining up next to him. Harris has been a major force in this defense. Jenkins, until he got injured, was on fire. There are a few play makers on this team.
Right now...Leonhard is 3x the player Rhodes is........and he was wearing a cast on his thumb. Rhodes should be embarrassed.
Revis is an elite CB but he doesn't get many chances to make plays that change the outcome of games. He shuts down his side of the field which is obviously great, he is doing his job but he doesn't get many opportunities to make plays.
Good point-- not to discredit Revis but he is easier to neutralize and though I don't want to understate the luxury of having a shut-down corner, shutting down one opponent WR doesn't have the game-changing impact that strip-sacks and INTs have. We are missing both of those and for the type of scheme we run, should have many more of both.-- Lack of playmakers is right on the mark.
Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins are the only "playmakers." And I would exclude Jim Leonhard from any bashing of this D. He is the smallest guy on the field and seems to make every friggin tackle that guys like Pace, Thomas and Harris, for one reason or other, can't make. As for guys who are good at sucking: Kerry Rhodes = statue Donald Strickland = toast Shaun Ellis = invisible man Calvin Pace = Rag Doll
