One of the key positions the front office should be looking very closely at this off season is the defensive line. When Vita Vea went down with the fractured ankle, the defense appeared to take a dip in overall performance, so they were forced to make some significant changes.
They acquired Steve McLendon from the Jets in week six, incorporated more blitz packages from the outside taking a man away in coverage, and moving to four and sometimes five-man fronts. Vea’s return off of IR at the end of the season reignited the defense allowing more coverage downfield, in the middle, and up front.