Will the defense (PPG allowed) be better - same - or worse?

LOL  Come on man.  You have to do better than that. 

Good point and I think they're getting much closer.

We made huge strides as far as the front 7 go.  Goldman's ability to both handle double teams and also provide pressure on passing downs is huge plus as far as a NT goes.  I truly believe that kid is headed towards being a consistent Pro Bowl level player.  Hicks is playing the version of Fangio's old 5 tech Justin Smith but he's a much bigger version of him and Bullard and CWash can play that LDE/3 tech DT role McDonald played for Fangio in SF.  Big difference up front now.

Then you add in two of the best 3-4 ILBs and some young and experienced but decent depth and good OLBs in Young and Houston along with Acho now that someone lit a fire under him again and Jones and Floyd for Fangio to scheme on the edge or as ILBs if needed and the LB core is 100% better IMHO.

One kid I'm looking forward to see develop for them is CB Jacoby Glenn.  This kid had a real nose for the ball in college and had he played his senior year instead of leaving early he may have been a relatively high draft pick.  He's added about 15lbs to his uber skinny college frame.  His biggest drawback may be a lack of great speed but like Hall if these guys can learn to play in press coverage and disrupt the faster guys at the line they can probably play the way Fangio likes his CBs to play.

 Strengths: Salty cornerback who plays with passion and intensity. Outstanding hands and effective playing the ball. When he's in position, makes it extremely difficult for receivers to make the catch. Has feel for deep routes and understands when to turn and run. Reliable wrap-up tackler who breaks down in space and sticks his face into the target. Showed improved understanding of off coverage and how to restrict throwing windows as 2014 season progressed.


 But overall that defensive backfield has to get more aggressive in coverage and play the ball better this year than they did last.  No one seems to be worried about challenging our DBs and IMHO that has to change or whatever we gain in run defense we'll lose right back in pass defense.

Maybe that's a good thing.  Ha ha

If it gets too boring here we can always sponsor a "Troll For A Day" contest just so we don't lose our ability to recognize one when we see one.