I like Maranelli, but hate the fact he doesn't seem to like the idea of a traditional one tech. I wouldn't mind either of the Alabama guys, Clark or the kid from Penn St myself.
Mebane would be a major target in free agency for me to boot.
I don't have a problem with not going with a traditional 1-tech.
Darren McFadden doesn't have 1,000 rushing yards at this point and is FIFTH in the league in rushing yards.
This league doesn't really run the ball anymore. It's pass after pass after pass. And we have people here that demand a 2-down player to stop the run at the 1-tech. I'd rather find another guy that can pass rush and get upfield.
And our problems against the run are more related to the awful play at the MIKE position. When McClain has a pretty good game, the run isn't a problem.
Our 1-tech isn't that great right now because T. McClain got hurt and Hayden is what he is and Irving was a bit out of position and Crawford has been banged up so when he rotated there he wasn't effective. But...it's still way down on the totem pole of issues we have to fix. I'm far more concerned about the MIKE, SS, cornerback and QB than I am about 1-tech.
YR