Is 53 making 56 a better football player?

but i have noticed from last year and these few preseason games is this:

Derrick Johnson: what people seem to notice about him is he can make big plays. he had some good interceptions and some sacks last year. but what people dont notice some of the time is that he does miss some tackles ive seen him miss 2 or 4 already in this preseason. I think the talent is there but he cant stay consistent.

Demorrio Williams: He led our team in tackles last year and is a great sideline to sideline linebacker, he doesnt miss much tackles but last season he didnt have a sack or INT. so he really doesnt make big plays which is probabaly why he isnt the fan favorite. BUT last night he had 2 sacks, and showed great quickness.

bottomline: i say start williams. hes a more consistent tackler and if he can make big plays like last night then why not?

And has gotten more starting time than William…

But aside from the one hit DJ made where he popped the ball out of Bell’s hand, he hasn’t done anything to warrant a starting spot. Williams has. I’m afraid it’s time to stop being hopeful for DJ. He’s an inconsistent player, and should be treated as such. He’ll get on the field in some packages, and is likely to make some plays for every now and then, but he’s just too much of a liability to be an every down backer.

He’s always been an instinctive player so when he’s thinking too much he’s slower and his play drops off. He seems to be thinking less and playing much more instinctively. Also his effort level is much higher then I saw at any point last year. A play last night that stands in my mind was during one play(that ended up a QB flush and scramble) he went after the QB straight into two waiting olineman. While he didn’t make the play he didn’t hesitate and went full bore in to try to make the play. Was good to see.

…with Belcher close on DJ’s heels.
Mays (no matter his potential) has not shown any significant improvement in his ability to diagnose scheme or stay in his gap to be the heavy hitter run defender/QB blitzer.

Belcher has shown a few things as the pass defender/pick off artist/ QB spy, but DJ’s tip and knock down and pass defending has been better.

The 2 guys on the field at ILB have to play as a team. One of them has got to stay behind in run support and not leave his gap unless he’s blitzing through it, while the other guy has got to play QB spy for a chance at breaking up the pass. Each has their chance for glory, but when they stop trusting their partner and start over pursuing things that are not their responsibility bad things happen