Well, obviously, we have to re-sign our own priority UFAs before going after anyone else's. Such as Colombo, Crayton, Elam, Gurode, Kenyon Coleman, etc. Kenyon is on the list because I believe he is going to have a breakout year this year. He has finally found his niche. As far as some others go, I only had time to go over 1/3 of the teams, but here are a few I would love to have:
- Adalius Thomas, LB, 6-2, 260, Ravens. This guy is a beast, and would work Ellis out of a job. Let's face it. Greg is being the good soldier, and things are working out well because he is such a good player. I still think his heart is not into it, and the team should trade him to a 4-3 team.
- Mike Gandy, OG, 6-5, 310, Buffalo. Gandy has started both OG positions, as well as his natural position at LT. We all know Flozell is a year or two away from retirement, and Gandy, only in his 6th yr., would be the perfect replacement. Gandy was one of two OL to start all 16 games for Buffalo in 2005, so he is dependable & versatile-both of which BP loves.
- Justin Smith, DE, 6-4, 275, Bengals. Smith has been the sack leader for Cinci three out of the 5 years he's been with them. With a 40 time of 4.65, Smith could easily take on the SOLB spot. Smith has an outstanding first step, and explodes off the block. Has tremendous instincts and a nose for the ball.
- Eric Steinbach, OG, 6-6, 300, Bengals. Living in NE Ohio, I have had the chance to watch both players play. Steinbach is another versatile player who has played all five positions on the line. His natural position is OG, and he plays it well. So well, that he was voted first alternate to last year's Pro-Bowl.
- Dan Koppen, OC, 6-2, 300, Pats. Took over the Center position pretty much his first day of camp after being drafted in 2003. Started the first nine games at C in 2005 before being placed on IR, (11/15). Had started 46 consecutive games at Center, including the playoffs, before being placed on IR. Is the dominating & intelligent Center the Cowboys haven't had since the days of Stepnoski, Donaldson, & Kennard.
- Kris Diehman, OG, 6-4, 310, S.D. I really like this guy. He came out of the 2003 draft as an UFA DL-TE. At the time, he weighed 275 lbs. The coaches really liked his toughness & tenacity, so they made a project out of him and turned him into an OG. He has worked so hard the past 3-4 years, that he put on 35 lbs. of muscle, and is now the starting LG for the Chargers. I think in time, this guy can be better than either Rivera or Kosier are now.
That's as far as I got. As you can see, my first position of need was OL, then DL. You win & lose in the trenches, and we need to improve our trenches.
