Yakuza Rich;3171032 said:
IMO, here's what we need to look at:
Center - seriously need a backup for Gurode
OT - just in case Brewster doesn't pan out and Colombo struggles coming back
ILB - Need to find somebody to take over Bradie's spot, but with a bit more athleticism and better in coverage.
WR - Need to cut Hurd and probably Crayton. Move Ogletreee up the depth chart
DE - Spears may want $$$ he's not worth. Need to move Bowen to starter anyway and find somebody to take his spot. Also, Hatcher may not be around too much longer.
S - Need a playmaker with lots of range and a guy that makes turnovers happen.
K - Who knows how this will turn out.
YAKUZA
I wouldn't mind moving to Gurode to guard and finding a rookie or FA vet to play center. Gurode's concentration lapses are what stopped him at guard. If you are technically good enough to get by at center and can man block monster NTs, then for sure you can play guard. If Brewster can play and Columbo is healthy then tackle isn't really much of a need but I wouldn't mind picking up a developmental kid so we can cut McQuistan. He will never be a useful player.
As for ILB, I don't think Brookings will play much longer and I don't know if Jason Williams or Steven Hodge are any good. Plus, Carpenter may not be back next year. We also need to get Bradie off of the field on 3rd down (and hopefully 1st and 2nd down). I think we need to find at least one premium player here to complete the front 7.
On the topic of the front 7, I don't understand all the Spears hate. He has played very well this year and would be upset if we lost him. He has been better than Olshansky by a wide margin. I would be sorry to lose him and I think Hatcher/Bowen are part-time guys and not starters. If a good DE drops to us, I wouldn't object to signing him but DEs aren't premium players in a 3-4 scheme which is partly what has generated the venom against Spears.
Safety has been a major weakness for years and would spend a premium pick in 2nd or 3rd round if a good one became available. If the guy looks like a future Ed Reed, then a first rounder could be spent. But I want a guy with the coverage skills of a CB, a centerfielding ballhawk and a solid open field tackler for a first round safety.
At WR, if Jerry is dumping RW we should probably draft one in the middle rounds to develop. I disagree about cutting Hurd. I think he is still a RFA, he is a good ST player and is a serviceable wideout who can do some of the dirty work occasionally required of the position. He is sort of a #4WR/ST player but that is okay as every team needs players like this. I think Crayton is fine as the #3WR. The problem is RW at the #2 but Otree should win this position in camp next year if RW is still around. Hopefully, Manny Johnson has been making some strides on the practice squad which would make drafting at this position a bit of a luxury/BPA.
BTW, we should never be afraid to draft a CB, RB, QB, OLB or TE who drops even if they are relative spots of strengths. Players get injured or can be traded for other chips later on.
