^ This is it.
The team was old and tired. In the previous four years they played played what amounted to an extra season. I was at the home opener against the Jets. Attrition and injuries really impacted the RT position and forced Jerry Crafts to be the starting RT. He single handedly almost got Kelly killed that game.
They rebounded thanks to some great moves by John Butler who brought in Wade, and Big Ted, and Bryce Paup which started a run of excellent defensive football for our team.
Ironically, this defense was quickly dismantled by the alleged defensive expert and guru Greggggo Williams. (I still dislike that guy to this very day).