After reviewing them (and I made it clear in the story the areas where I'm extremely skeptical of their grades), I honestly... don't feel that bad about the defense long-term?
Pro Football Focus: Snap counts and grades from UNC loss
Get a full game out of Conner this week, and you not only have a better whip out there, you also don't have a linebacker playing the position (and therefore no depth at linebacker, and therefore... etc.). Jermaine Waller will probably be a lot better with some practice (literally had not practiced before stepping into the lineup Saturday). With Divine Deablo slated to come back this week, you make the weakest point of the defense (Matheny) into one of the strongest... I know Fuente will complain about the roster situation as much as he can without trying to sound like he's making excuses, but he's got a point. The roster situation, particularly on defense, has been a nightmare.
It's not going to call to mind the Lunch Pail Defenses of yore, but I'd hesitate to pass too much judgment on the D's potential until the personnel situation is no longer the perfect storm of bad news.
Pro Football Focus: Snap counts and grades from UNC loss
Get a full game out of Conner this week, and you not only have a better whip out there, you also don't have a linebacker playing the position (and therefore no depth at linebacker, and therefore... etc.). Jermaine Waller will probably be a lot better with some practice (literally had not practiced before stepping into the lineup Saturday). With Divine Deablo slated to come back this week, you make the weakest point of the defense (Matheny) into one of the strongest... I know Fuente will complain about the roster situation as much as he can without trying to sound like he's making excuses, but he's got a point. The roster situation, particularly on defense, has been a nightmare.
It's not going to call to mind the Lunch Pail Defenses of yore, but I'd hesitate to pass too much judgment on the D's potential until the personnel situation is no longer the perfect storm of bad news.
