What cheers me up in dark times - looking ahead, defense 2012 vs 2013

I am a lost fan right now. Between the Honeybadger moving on, now Sonic Sam leaving, I feel like I need to look over the new Tigers and see which players I can root for. I want help with that if anyone has time to chime in with a good story about any of the up and coming guys on the depth chart. But first, to the comparison. I've seen plenty of mock depth charts here, and plenty of people spouting off that next year will be disasterous or good, but with no real reasons. So I say let's look at this, position by position, and break it down.

RDE - 2012 Sam vs 2013 J. Rasco
Advantage 2012, both as a playmaker and a team guy, Sam is clearly better.

LDE - 2012 Mingo vs 2013 Hunter/Maclin
Adv. 2012, Mingo seemed to disappear at times, but I'm going to trust the NFL on this one and say a big loss.

DT1 - 2012 B. Logan vs 2013 Ego
Adv. 2012, I liked what I saw from Ego in limited play, just not nearly as much as I like what I saw from Logan in constant play, lol.

DT2 - 2012 Freak vs 2013 Freak +1yr
Adv 2013, Finally! a bright spot. Freak a year more experienced, stronger, faster, smarter. Can't wait.

Sam - 2012 Kwon A. vs 2013 Kwon A. +1yr
Adv. 2013, Kwon is going to make a big jump this year, hell, he was very good last year.

Mike - 2012 Kevin Minter vs 2013 Barrow +1 yr
Adv 2012, wasn't sure who will get moved inside, but I think Barrow has the build to do it, so let's call it a hunch. It will be a moderate dropoff with him here, not b/c Minter is so easily replaceable, but b/c the Chief is ridiculous.

Will - 2012 Barrow vs 2013 Tahj Jones
Draw, although he haven't seen much from Jones yet, we know he was our guy last year, and that he is a year older, although he doesn't have the experience to go with it.

LCB - 2012 Simon vs 2013 Jalen Collins
Adv. 2012, no question about it, Simon played well this year, and we're replacing him with the 3rd guy in. I expect very good things from Collins, but not in his first year starting.

RCB - 2012 Jalen Mills vs 2013 J. Mills+1yr
Adv 2013, Mills is going to be rock solid. This year is going to prove that.

SS - 2012 Craig Loston vs 2013 Craig Loston +1yr
Adv 2013, I would not want to be hit by last year's Loston, but I would want to catch a pass in front of this upcoming year's Loston even less.

FS - 2012 Eric Reid vs 2013 R. Martin
Adv 2012, Eric Reid had a mediocre year, but Martin has limited experience. Martin is going to be remembered in the same long line of great safeties we've had the privilege of watching suit of for the Tigers, but to think there won't be a dropoff this year is crazy.

Not listed - Frank Herron - DE ; Tre'Davious White DB ; Kendell Beckwith DE/LB?


So looking over what we had and have, to me, it looks like the D-Line will be down from the last two years. But considering just how good they have been over that time, going from a top 3 line to a top 10 line isn't something to complain about. Especially when you consider the guys we have this year coming in, and the ones we may yet sign before signing day. I see Freak as the only guy possibly skipping his last year, and if that's true, we are in for another great stretch of DLine play.

For LBs, it's tough to say. I will err on the side of caution and say it's even. We return a LOT of depth here, and I think the starters we return make up for the loss of Minter. When's the last time you could say the guys on the defense you're the most pumped up to see play are the LBs? With DeBo, Kwon, Beckwith if he goes LB and the rest, this is going to be a fun group to watch knock the shite out of everyone.

Secondary is concerning. I thought Simon would stay, and that all would be right in the world, but again we are forced to start a CB with very little experience, as we did this year. Not that I don't like our guys on the outside, the two Jalens will be household names. I just like having that cushion for injury's sake. Up top we've got Loston coming back, thank God, and Ronald Martin filling in where Reid was. I really don't feel like there will be a drop off here. I think Martin is a guy who could have been a CB, and could fill in there if the personel called for it. And Loston played well this year, and is a 5th year guy back there, so as long as they can keep the old man's knees from locking up, I think they will play as well as Reid/Loston did this past year.