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Message: [QUOTE="Lou_C, post: 887835, member: 3201"] The offensive line should be improved, with four senior long-time starters coming back and an experienced backup stepping in at center. Running back loses it's top two guys, but most are expecting equal or greater production as Karlos Williams takes center stage, who is by far the most talented guy in the backfield. Unproven studs behind him. However, it's doubtful they will be as good in pass protection as Devonta Freeman was. Receivers can be expected to take a meaningful step back, losing two of the only three guys that really contributed. Rashad Greene is fantastic, but will others step up? Tight end should get better, O'Leary comes back, as do his two backups who were lost for the season to injury, which will allow us to run two tight-end sets which we couldn't do this year. QB, you know about. On the defensive line, we get most back and should continue to get better. However, the interior can be expected to take a SUBSTANTIAL step back. We lose three guys there, including Jernigan. While the guys we have stepping in are good, there's just no way they're replacing that. Linebackers are a question mark, we'll have to see. Be difficult to replace Telvin Smith's leadership, but we presumably will get bigger. Probably about the same. Defensive backfield will lose Lamarcus Joyner, but brings everyone back. That unit is just packed with future pros, and will presumably be just as good or better next year. Our kicker is back (Groza award), but so is our punter, who is terrible. We'll need to find a punt returner, but Kermit Whitfield is back returning kicks, so... In a nutshell, defensive line and receiver should take a step back, offensive line should be even better, linebacker could go either way, other units will hopefully be as good as this year or better with another year experience. We have a bit tougher schedule, and it is incredibly difficult to repeat in any case, so the odds are against it. But we are bringing back enough (even with 10+ drafted) to be in the hunt again. [/QUOTE]

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