I could see this defense surprising some people this year. Yeah, they lost two really good linebackers, but they're returning all the Pedersens and Richards. If Anyaorah, Rau, Russi, and Norman can develop into contributors, they could be one of the team's strengths. We're all expecting the D-line to be good too, with Sommer added to a group of solid veterans in Beckley, Shackford, Jacobs and Ma'aseia. The big question mark is the defensive backfield. I expect Brown, Assily and Shead to start, but who else is going to step up? Wightman will fill in well too, but where is the other guy going to come from? If the new coach can figure out the answer to that question, this could be a really good unit, and the team could challenge for the playoffs. If it's a rotating door, I don't expect much more than a .500 season.