It is no coincidence that the defense was noticeably better the last few weeks (including the playoff game), when they finally were able to play Cooper and Walker on the same field, at the same time, and both were pretty much as healthy as they had been all year. Those two together, healthy, made a huge positive difference.

On Clark: as conservative as this team usually is with injuries, I find it difficult to believe that he played all year on an injury that was that serious. But regardless, it's a tall order for a 300+ DL who's on the wrong side of 30 to come back from a foot injury and be the same, and not be constantly hindered going forward. Maybe he can. We'll see.

Wyatt actually showed quite a bit of improvement last year. If he'd managed to stay healthy, he'd be far and away the #1 interior DL on this team. That said, once a guy has several years in a row injured, they frequently continue with that same pattern. There are exceptions, of course (see also Flanagan, Mike), but until we see it, it's just hoping/wishing. But I really do hope and wish, because I think Wyatt is on the cusp of breaking out as a top interior DL in this league.

I think Brooks will see an increased role on the defense this year. He played some really good football last year. Actually, realizing that he is an interior DL (vs. an end, which I had thought he was up until a week or so ago) has eased my mind somewhat re: the overall quality of the interior DL, though they are still woefully thin if there were any injuries. Wooden, I don't know - I just don't see it with him the way I do Brooks...

I put zero stock in a 6th round pick and a UDFA to come in as rookies and do anything other than sit on the practice squad all year. Not saying they'll never amount to anything, but you yourself have repeatedly said it's unfair to expect ANY rookie to come in and do much of anything, especially in the trenches where they really need a year of NFL-level strength/conditioning.

As far as edge rusher, I have the exact mixed opinion you expressed: they should trade some players (well, one specific player), but they also haven't done much to address the position, which was extremely subpar last year. They have two good ones - Gary and Cox... the rest are a whole pile of 'meh'. While I do have extremely high hopes for Sorrell and Oliver, see my comments above re: depending on a rookie. I mean, they went in the 4th and 5th rounds for a reason... they ain't coming in NFL-ready. That's just reality.

I do have some concerns re: the 'second year' helping anything. I keep reading conflicting reports regarding what they're doing on the DL. Are they going back to what they did in 2023 (I've read something like that)? Are they continuing on from last year? I also read Hafley saying something like "ignore the past - people have seen that" implying that they're going in a completely different direction. Given all this potential change, are they really in the 'second year in the system'? Or is this yet another 'first year in a new system' - at least for the DL? Until we see it on the field, I'm going to hold off on thinking a 'second year in the system' will really help anyone. Besides, you can talk 'years in the system' all you want... but talent still overshadows everything else. If they just don't have the talent, it won't matter what system you put them in. Vis-a-vis the GB DL, for a LOT of guys, the jury is out on that point. But, hope springs eternal!!

I'm actually really looking forward to how it all comes together, though. There's a lot of guys that ought to be just chomping at the bit to show what they can really do in this league. I have my opinions of who will and who probably won't... but they all have the opportunity, and we'll see who rises to the occasion.