I absolutely get that, and over the course of the season I think that Williams being gone will start to hurt. However, I just don't think that our run defense being poor against the Falcons, Bucs, or Cowboys was due to his absence. I just can't come to grips with saying that Williams' presence in those games would have led to a lot less yards and scores. I think Barnett and Hawk need to step their games up and start forcing some fumbles though.

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i think you guys have it in the nut shell o-line needs to pick it up we may not have what we need on the d-line but given rest and not on the field all day will help and considering they are on the field more,think they have played rather well.o-line needs to play a whole game come out strong and we need a punter frost isnt it,sure hope they show up sunday

brnt247... I think you are undervaluing rotation within each game and the pass rush from the interior that Williams provided.. he had 7 sacks last year from DT.. that is a solid year from the outside let alone inside.

But with that, I am not saying it is Williams himself.. I am saying it was 7 DT's to rotate last year and 3 this year. That is the point.. we aren't keeping this big boys rested.. now add to it that they are on the field to a greater extent with our ball control issues with the offense, stemming from a lack of a consistent running game.

In the end.. IMO, it all starts with the Oline / running game and snowballs from there..

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