The spearhead force was conceived and authorized by alliance leaders at their summit in Wales in September in response to calls from Poland and Baltic member states for improved defenses against potential threats from Russia.
Suns Coach Alvin Gentry, who took over when Porter was fired last year at the All-Star break, cited two reasons for the improved defense: better defensive players and a less complicated system.
The overall profile of these changes is one of improved defense against environmental stress.
He's become the catalyst for the team's improved defense.
Spelling trouble for Young, though, is the improved defense the Colts showed in their victory over the Saints in the regular-season opener.
A big reason for Hawaii's success last season was its improved defense and, although eight starters return, coordinator Jerry Glanville is gone.
The Rams' other offensive tools and their improved defense make them the team for San Francisco to beat in this division and the team for the rest of the league to chase.
Consider in particular how spending now located in Connecticut by Lieberman's patronage might be relocated to Maine, and redoubled in scale — all for the good of the citizenry and the improved defense of the nation, of course.
But for all the differences — Moss out, Branch in; an efficient offense; an improved defense — the two most important people in this rivalry never change.
It will take an improved defense, few turnovers and the type of explosive offense that led to playoff trips for the Colts in 1999 and 2000.
