ESPN.com - NFL - Clayton: NFC big questions
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Is one of the league's best offseasons good enough to make the 49ers a playoff team?
The 49ers' ultimate goal was finding seven new starters on defense. That might have been a little ambitious, but it was a great offseason for the defense. The additions of cornerback
Nate Clements and safety
Michael Lewis complete the secondary.
Patrick Willis and
Tully Banta-Cain, along with
Manny Lawson and
Derek Smith, form a good linebacking corps.
Aubrayo Franklin will help at nose tackle. The key is for
Alex Smith to develop at quarterback. That process took a hit with the departure of offensive coordinator Norv Turner to San Diego. Head coach Mike Nolan believes he has that covered with his staff. He helped Smith by adding WR
Ashley Lelie and
Darrell Jackson to the receiving corps.
Do the Bucs have the three-technique tackle to make their defense work?
Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin must be in heaven. After years of neglecting the defense in drafts and free agency, Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen gave him defensive end
Gaines Adams, safety
Sabby Piscitelli and linebacker
Quincy Black. The day after the draft, the Bucs traded for
Ryan Sims of the Chiefs. Sims could be the most important acquisition. Kiffin has been missing a big piece of his defense since
Warren Sapp left for the Raiders. The three-technique tackle creates havoc along the line of scrimmage. Kiffin did a nice job in resurrecting the career of
Chris Hovan, a former Vikings No. 1 pick who came to the Bucs at the minimum salary. Hovan played his way into a nice contract. Sims will try to do the same under Kiffin.
Can another safety help the pass rush?
Joe Gibbs thought
LaRon Landry was the best defensive player in the draft, so he made him the sixth pick after repeated efforts to trade down. Now the Redskins have two of the most talented safeties in the league -- Landry and
Sean Taylor, who was the fifth pick in the 2004 draft. The problem is the Redskins passed over a pass-rusher,
Jamaal Anderson, to take Landry. The Redskins are calling all around to see if a veteran pass-rusher is available. The Redskins had only 19 sacks last season. Without any pressure on the quarterback, opponents had a 97.8 quarterback rating against them. Unless the Redskins can find a way to get a pass rush, Landy and Taylor might get a lot of opportunities to get tackles downfield.
05-03-2007, 11:11 PM
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