There is much to be said about the entire defense being on the same page and working as one. If this defense buys into the system we're running, it can be a very effective unit b/c we do have some talent as well, especially on the D-line. Look at what the Pats have historically been able to do with no-names (for the most part) on defense.
It's ironic that they would consider our defense garbage considering they play in a division with the Saints and the Falcons, two teams that have had god awful defenses at some point in the last 5 years.