You could be right. We don't seem to have the acumen for getting the right guys for the defensive front seven for a while now. I wonder if part of the problem at this point is the switch to more base 4-3 v s 3-4? It's a major difference for so many players within that group that it's difficult figuring out how many actually fit the new scheme.
What I did see, against the Bears, late in the contest, was a pretty substantial pass rush, despite some wide open gaps where Williams exploited it. That, methinks, is more on the fact that the Packers did not use anyone from the LB crew to act as a spy. They played it more as if he was a pocket passer.
Then there was the two different Brendin Cox players we saw on the field. The one who worked to the backfield well, and held corners, and then the one who totally failed to hold the corner. It showed how raw he is, and at the same time, how much potential there is in him. I hope the talent end wins.
Regardless of what they think, or anyone else thinks, I believe they already miss Smith out there. We talked about his lack of production, but to be honest, I think that one of the reasons we saw that is that teams schemed away from him, looking at weaker spots on the field to exploit. But, that's just an opinion. I haven't watched any decent game film to make a judgement on it.The uptick as guys learn to play in his place will come. I hope it made a big jump in this game, because at this point, we're dog meat for the Vikings and Lions if it isn't there.