Today's question: How will losing defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, players Antonio Cromartie, Darnell Dockett and Dan Williams -- and maybe even Daryl Washington -- impact the Arizona Cardinals' defense compared to the past two years?

Nick Wagoner, St. Louis Rams: As someone who watches Rams defensive coordinator Gregg Williams dream up blitz packages to attack from all over the field every week, I’ll miss getting to watch him and Bowles go at it twice a season. The Rams and Cardinals were first and third, respectively, in the league last season in blitz percentage. The Cardinals were also third in the league in pressure per dropback. That defense is clearly built to generate pressure via the blitz, but I wonder if the loss of Cromartie, in particular, will hamper their ability to dial it up with such frequency. Having Cromartie and Patrick Peterson at cornerback makes it easier for a coordinator to call a blitz. Without Cromartie, it could mean playing it a little safer in coverage on that side of the field. This should still be a good defense, but I tend to think it’s a little more vulnerable than it was under Bowles.

Paul Gutierrez, San Francisco 49ers: Let’s go with ... a lot. As if the 49ers signing Dockett away from a division rival wasn’t a double-whammy on its own, the Cardinals losing Bowles might be the biggest blow of all. Especially since, in the minds of many, Dockett is a wash since he did not play at all last season while rehabbing from an ACL injury and there is no guarantee he will be the force he was before injuring the knee. Still, James Bettcher has big shoes to fill as Bowles’ replacement, even if he keeps the same 3-4 scheme and blitzes more than his predecessor. Then again, the Cardinals only had the No. 24-ranked total defense in the league. Look, Honey Badger don’t play, figuratively, but the Cardinals need the hybrid defensive back on the field to keep opponents honest. In fact, Tyrann Mathieu might be the key to whole defense, and if he can avoid another injury-wracked season, the defense will be quicker and more disruptive.

Terry Blount, Seattle Seahawks: It can’t be good, but this is a little misleading. Losing the players is an issue, but I think the real problem is losing Bowles, an excellent communicator and brilliant defensive strategist who will do wonders for the Jets. Dockett and Washington didn’t play last season. Cromartie and Williams did have 85 tackles between them. The Cardinals did draft three defensive linemen in the first five rounds, including talented Markus Golden of Missouri in the second round. That should help fill the gaps. They kept things in-house by promoting outside linebackers coach Bettcher to replace Bowles, but Bettcher has big shoes to fill.