Brandon Mebane spent the past nine seasons playing a key role in a dominant Seattle Seahawks defense.
The nose tackle sees no reason why his current team can't have similar success.
It's been only two months since Mebane inked a three-year deal with the Bolts, but it didn't take long for the 6-1, 311-pound veteran to see a wealth of talent on the roster.
"There is so much talent on this team it's unreal," he said. "I was telling guys there is more talent on this defense than there was in Seattle. If you look at the draft, you have four first round draft picks and you have five second round draft picks all on defense. In Seattle, you only had two first rounders and one second rounder. If we put it together, just play together and work on our skill, I think the sky is the limit for our defense. It's amazing. The skill. The talent level. It's there. All we've got to do is just believe in each other and play together.
Mebane will be an anchor up front this year, sandwiched between Joey Bosa and Corey Liuget to headline a revamped defensive line. In order to be successful, the Bolts will need improved play from every member of the unit. So far, Mebane is encouraged by the strides the unit has taken.
"I knew that they were very young, and I'd seen on film that they were very raw on talent," he said. "One of the things I'd noticed was the technique could improve. And they're improving from the day we started working with the coaches on the field to now. They're improving so much to where I was like, 'Wow, it's amazing.' Just how much the hands and your leverage pays off."
While he's only known Bosa for a week, the 31-year old is encouraged by what he sees in the 20-year old rookie.
"I think he's got a little nasty side to him (on the field), and that's a good thing. I think he's a great player. I think he's going to be real helpful to our defensive line…..I knew he was a guy who will run to the ball and chase the ball all over the field. He doesn't get tired out there. I have to get my cardio up (to keep up)! He has great technique for a rookie already. Seeing how good he is now compared to how good he is going to be once we continue to get reps every day, I think he'll probably be a Pro Bowler (one day) and Corey (could be) an All Pro player, too."
Mebane isn't just high on his teammates' talent; he believes Defensive Coordinator John Pagano's scheme is designed to elevate his game as well.
"(I) have the opportunity to get more one-on-one's up front. I think up there in Seattle, everyone pretty much figured us out to where I got more double (teams) last year than any year of my career. I think here, where you have five guys on the line of scrimmage, you don't know who comes or when it comes. It's going to be awesome. It's going to be an exciting season."
