How good do our LB and safety groups need to be for us to have a championship defense?

LBs need to be top notch. Hope and pray Jones and Strong live up to the hype and Baskerville gets his grades right

I think the LBs have the highest upside for the 21 season while the safeties have more upside over the next few years based on current roster.

Also, I think the 2019 defense is a perfect example of a defense that is just good enough for a championship.

If I compare current to 2019:
2019 safeties > 2021 safeties
2019 DL < 2021 DL
2019 LBs >>>> 2021 LBs
2019 CBs = 2021 CBs (Ricks more or less needs to prove if hes better than Fulton)

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2019 safeties > 2021 safeties

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I think with a healthy Grant Delpit this deserves a few more >>>>>>>>

It depends on how good the offense is. A 2019 offense allows for some wiggle room on defense. Last year's offense means even if nearly perfect there won't be a championship.

linebackers need to be at an elite level for us to have dominant defense. Safeties need to be competent.

Assuming our D line can exert pressure consistently, and not get pushed around against the run; and assuming our corners (Stingley and Ricks) are able to lock up opponents' top 2 WRs:

Linebackers need to fill in the gaps. Meaning, if it's a run, they need to plug the interior holes to limit offtackle runs to minimal gains. They need the speed to flow outside to take away the edge plays.
If it's a pass, they need the speed and awareness to take away the swing passes and releases by the backs, and to provide the underneath coverage to avoid getting nickel and dimed down the field. In theory, someone needs to be able to stay with a tight end long enough to hand him off to a safety.

Our safeties just need to be able to cover a TE, and to pick up and support a WR breaking through the LB coverage underneath. You do want a guy with enough range to be able to complement Stingley and Ricks against a deep route.

For LB, I think a lot of younger guys like Webb, Sampah and White will be able to contribute more this year. I think our “stud” LBs will be Strong and Jones, and will also provide more experience and hopefully leadership. As for the safeties, I’m not as concerned as a lot of people are. I think Sage Ryan and Derrick Davis Jr. will show out and contribute right away, as well as the emergence of Jay Ward. Don’t forget that Major Burns is now on the team and will provide a little college experience. I have a lot of faith in this coaching staff as well. Bright, young minds who bring a lot of energy, and that’s what a college team needs

The backend,LB's and Safties, of the defense were so bad last year that anything would be an improvement. Hoping the young guys can come in an make an impact. Not sold on many of the upperclassmen at these positions but hoping the light turns on for at least 2 or 3 of them with the new coaching staff.

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Linebackers need to be great. Safeties need to be average.

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I think this is the truth. I think the line will be one of the best ever. With a good line you can get the pressure so it will take pressure off the safeties. If the lbs are above average then this defense could be very good.

Don't start 18# he gets pushed around on run defense he's not a head hunter to be a middle linebacker we all saw it last year and a liability with smaller backs.. Go watch the film.. I will start bug strong #22 st middle backer.. The guy from Clemson at sam backer... & number 58 at will backer..

At safety I will start #4 for experience @ strong safety with major burn behind him behind him.. At free safety im starting #5 the corner that convered over, with the freshman #6 behind him And whatever comes after at.. At slot I'll put the best experienced guy with the freshman sage ryan behind him..

Corner
Right side
Stingley

Left side
Ricks

#3 corner
Mcglother