re: Who honestly believes our defense was "fixed" this year?

Without reading 4 pages, fixed? No. Better. Yes.

The question I have is how would our defense have been if our offense were able to sustain drives and score points? I think that would have improved the entire defense for several reasons. Obviously, the players would remain fresher. But one has to think that some of the defensive play calls would be different if, say, we have a 17 point lead versus trying to keep things close so our offense has a chance to win the game. And if your offense can score points and get a lead, it forces the other team to become more one dimensional, which would benefit our defense.

That said, I think our defense was a little too predictible. Rarely did you see a blitz that you didn't know was coming (i.e. Cutrera up the middle or Coleman from the edge). How about some corner blitzes, or sending Chad Jones from his safety spot? I thought the safeties played too far back. However, linebacker play was much improved this year. KS went from goat last year to one of our best defensive players this year.

But our defense has got to do a better job of not just keeping the other team out of the end zone, but getting the ball back via punt and/or turnover. I still think some of that blame goes back to our offense's inability to sustain drives and light up the scoreboard.