Written By Bob Cunningham With the linebackers a year more experienced, look for Jim Johnson to set them loose off the edge and up the middle and any other way he can think of.
Sean Jones is a big guy who can play in the box and take over for a vacating linebacker, so look for him to be that eighth man in the box fairly often.
Also, with the emergence of Joselio Hanson and the trade for Ellis Hobbs, the cornerback position looks much strong than it did last year.
Because of the new talent in the secondary, Johnson won't have to worry so much about rolling coverage to compensate for one guy's shortcomings as he may have had to do with Hanson last year.
I also look for even the corners to get in on the blitzing. Sheldon Brown and Hobbs are very good blitzers off the corner and can lay a hit on a quarterback who's not paying attention. Actually, they can even if he is.
A new faith in the young linebackers will allow Johnson to really get creative and go nuts with the blitz this year. Also, the re-emergence of a guy like Darren Howard gives the defensive line a bit more credibility in Johnson's eyes to hold their own should the blitz fail.
