Offensive and Defensive Lines.

[Galian Beast]

I think most people would agree that we need to nuke our lines.

It all starts up front, and on both sides of the ball we lack ability.

First Hudson Huock is gone. I'm STUNNED we didn't get Solari.

On offense the only player even worth keeping is Doug Free, and even with that I don't give him a huge contract. If he is willing to work for an average salary I retain his rights.

I know that Logan Mankins will be a free agent next year I think we have to sign him. Like I knew we needed to trade for him. I think Matt Light is also going to be a free agent in 2011. Any other players whose contracts are up or are likely to be cap casualties?

Also who are the top offensive linemen in college right now?

I think if we can sign 2-3 offensive linemen in free agency, and draft 2 high, we could be back in shape. Thats including Doug Free.

As for our defensive line. I think most people would agree we aren't stopping the run anymore. Our linebackers are aged and could never cover to save their lives when they were younger. Most people want Brooking gone, and some also want Bradie James gone. That said most people want Olshansky gone, and maybe a few want spears gone as well.

I think with all that going back to the 4-3 makes the most sense. It opens things back up for Ratliff so that he can play a role more similar to that of La'Roi Glover. Maybe even put Ratliff at tackle next to him. I'm not sure. I'd hope one of our current 3-4 ends could play that position next to him. That also takes Ware and Spencer out of coverage and lets them focus more on rushing the quarterback and stopping the run.

I would then shift our focus on drafting REAL linebackers. Not projects and hybrids. We draft players and try to make them learn new positions on top of coming into a higher competition level. We need to stop doing that. We have Sean Lee. He is an outside linebacker. Yet we have him converting to inside linebacker in the 3-4. We go to the 4-3, and you put Sean Lee at Strong side outside linebacker. Then you find a true weak side and middle linebacker.

And we wonder why we don't have a defensive player of the year? We keep drafting players and putting them out of position. Sean Lee is barely active after an off season where he was continuously compared to Dez Bryant's level of talent but on defense.

Most of these players have played in a 4-3. This isn't a huge scheme change that requires years of adjustment. Hell we still play the same scheme in the nickel. Except our linebackers can't cover to save their lives.

We go to a 4-3 and its run by someone who knows how to bring pressure, and you're going to see not only increased and consistent quarterback pressure but better pass coverage (assuming campo is also fired)

 

[canters]

The OL is no surprise. We have a lot of work there to get better.

The D line is a surprise to me. The other teams OL is handling our line with 3 guys way too often, leaving the other linemen free to engage and most often, destroy the ILBs. And, add to that missed assignments, and you will give up 100 yards rushing most of the time.

 

[Galian Beast]

Thats because Spears and Olshansky are garbage.

You bring a 4 man line with the occasional blitzing of faster linebackers and you're in business.

We need to draft sure tackling speedy linebackers. Not these oversized guys who can't cover, and still can't tackle consistently or force fumbles consistently...

I really don't know what Brooking is good for, at least Bradie James tries sometimes. But its obvious that Bradie James doesn't belong on the field, even Kitna had said so. Simply lost in coverage.

 

[canters]

If we have to replace our DEs and upgrade the OL in one off season, we are in big trouble.

 

[Galian Beast]

We have defensive ends...

DeMarcus Ware, Anthony Spencer, Brandon Williams, maybe victor butler if he can get his weight up. You'll see a lot more production out of Williams and Butler in the 4-3.

 

[Future]

If we have to replace our DEs and upgrade the OL in one off season, we are in big trouble.

I think the OL is a much, much more pressing need. The DLine needs to be tweaked, especially since guys like Spears and Igor only play maybe 2/3 of the defensive snaps. But the OL needs a major overhaul.

Actually, I think that improving the OL would help the DL and defense as a whole. If we had a line that could consistently run the ball and not kill drives with stupid penalties, there would be much less pressure on the defense and they wouldn't have to be perfect to win. We wouldn't recognize the problems wwith the DLine as much if this team could play with a lead.

 

[casmith07]

Spears is doing fine. It's Olshansky that's horrible, making tackles 8 yards downfield as a supposed run-stuffing DE.

The offensive line is a disaster. Really the only person that we don't need to replace is Doug Free. It might take two seasons to get it all in tact unless Sam Young and Travis Bright come along quickly. I think next year we're looking at

Free-Kosier-Gurode-Mankins-Colombo

as our offensive line. Logan Mankins should be the number 1 free agency target, and Leonard Davis needs to be shown the door. If Costa shows enough to play Center, show Gurode the door as well. Hopefully we don't have to cut Colombo, because he's been passionate about the team, but his legs are shot...he should retire after this year for not only the good of the team, but for his health.

 

[Galian Beast]

I think the OL is a much, much more pressing need. The DLine needs to be tweaked, especially since guys like Spears and Igor only play maybe 2/3 of the defensive snaps. But the OL needs a major overhaul.

Actually, I think that improving the OL would help the DL and defense as a whole. If we had a line that could consistently run the ball and not kill drives with stupid penalties, there would be much less pressure on the defense and they wouldn't have to be perfect to win. We wouldn't recognize the problems wwith the DLine as much if this team could play with a lead.

Exactly how New Orleans won a championship.

Their defense is garbage, but when you're up 21-28 points, teams feel compelled to give up on the run, and start tossing the ball up. One dimensional football creates turnovers, which creates wins, which creates playoff births, which creates super bowl wins.

 

[CATCH17]

I want to get rid of Igor just because I can't stand watching him do his stupid dance when we are getting our faces punched in.


What a moron.

 

[burmafrd]

IF spears will not cost too much keep him. Very disapointed in Igor. Need two ILBs. and Spencer gets no free pass either- he certainly has not continued as he finished last season.

Is any of our young LBs worth anything besides Butler?

Colombo is done; his legs are gone. Kosier is injured too much any more. So really we need to replace 3 starters. Gurode is a concern if his knee has reached the point where he cannot do much. Mankins is almost a MUST now.

 

[basstapp]

I dont udnerstand why people are against going back to the 4-3 if the new coach wants to implement it. Every so often a scheme comes out and everyone goes toward that scheme. If you are one of the few with a 4-3 defense you get prime picking of college players because they dont fit the 4-3 mold. Ware, ratliff and spencer can play with their hand on the ground and we can draft accordingly.

 

[canters]

I am for the 4-3,,never liked the 3-4.

You are correct-we have the personnel to convert to the 4-3 base---the only guys left out might be Spears and Igor, due to their relative sizes.

The starting DL could be Ware, Ratliff, Spears or Bowen, Spencer.

This might shorten the career of Ware, who at times disappears in games this year, but the 4-3 might work as a patch.

 

[Stautner]

I am for the 4-3,,never liked the 3-4.

You are correct-we have the personnel to convert to the 4-3 base---the only guys left out might be Spears and Igor, due to their relative sizes.

The starting DL could be Ware, Ratliff, Spears or Bowen, Spencer.

This might shorten the career of Ware, who at times disappears in games this year, but the 4-3 might work as a patch.

Who would be the starting LB's? Taht would be the one problem I see.

 

[canters]

Who would be the starting LB's? Taht would be the one problem I see.

I would guess Bradie as MLB, Lee as weak side LB, and ................Brooking?

We would need a strong side LB, soon.

Pipe dream anyway. We ain't switching.

 

[Stautner]

I would guess Bradie as MLB, Lee as weak side LB, and ................Brooking?

We would need a strong side LB, soon.

Pipe dream anyway. We ain't switching.

Brooking is a career ILB isn't he - plus at his age he doesn't really have the ideal mobility for OLB. Not sure about Lee either. He would have to convert from ILB as well.

Bottom line is I think we would have to acquire someone to play OLB. That may not be such a big problem to do anyway. Any conversion takes some adjusting, and I assume we could find someone.

 

[dfense]

I think most people would agree that we need to nuke our lines.

It all starts up front, and on both sides of the ball we lack ability.

First Hudson Huock is gone. I'm STUNNED we didn't get Solari.

On offense the only player even worth keeping is Doug Free, and even with that I don't give him a huge contract. If he is willing to work for an average salary I retain his rights.

I know that Logan Mankins will be a free agent next year I think we have to sign him. Like I knew we needed to trade for him. I think Matt Light is also going to be a free agent in 2011. Any other players whose contracts are up or are likely to be cap casualties?

Also who are the top offensive linemen in college right now?

I think if we can sign 2-3 offensive linemen in free agency, and draft 2 high, we could be back in shape. Thats including Doug Free.

As for our defensive line. I think most people would agree we aren't stopping the run anymore. Our linebackers are aged and could never cover to save their lives when they were younger. Most people want Brooking gone, and some also want Bradie James gone. That said most people want Olshansky gone, and maybe a few want spears gone as well.

I think with all that going back to the 4-3 makes the most sense. It opens things back up for Ratliff so that he can play a role more similar to that of La'Roi Glover. Maybe even put Ratliff at tackle next to him. I'm not sure. I'd hope one of our current 3-4 ends could play that position next to him. That also takes Ware and Spencer out of coverage and lets them focus more on rushing the quarterback and stopping the run.

I would then shift our focus on drafting REAL linebackers. Not projects and hybrids. We draft players and try to make them learn new positions on top of coming into a higher competition level. We need to stop doing that. We have Sean Lee. He is an outside linebacker. Yet we have him converting to inside linebacker in the 3-4. We go to the 4-3, and you put Sean Lee at Strong side outside linebacker. Then you find a true weak side and middle linebacker.

And we wonder why we don't have a defensive player of the year? We keep drafting players and putting them out of position. Sean Lee is barely active after an off season where he was continuously compared to Dez Bryant's level of talent but on defense.

Most of these players have played in a 4-3. This isn't a huge scheme change that requires years of adjustment. Hell we still play the same scheme in the nickel. Except our linebackers can't cover to save their lives.

We go to a 4-3 and its run by someone who knows how to bring pressure, and you're going to see not only increased and consistent quarterback pressure but better pass coverage (assuming campo is also fired)

Anybody watching that game yesterday can see the running back getting hit at the line of scrimmage or behind it 70% of the time. There isn't any lineman getting out on a LB at all. Gurode got pushed right back into Davis on the goal line as Davis is pulling. Why they're pulling a guard at the 1 foot line is another story, but Davis just can't play anymore and Gurode just gets blown up at the worst times. They simply can't run on anyone anymore. Is that Garrett's fault? Can you blame the coordinator when the hand he's dealt is no good? Why do you think he was throwing it so much in the beginning or the season? He knew.

And the Cowboys blitz gets burned every time now. When Wade brings both ILB's, you can just see the WR or RB break it underneath. And there's nobody there to tackle him. Those blitzes killed Dallas yesterday and you could see the Jags were just waiting for to take advantage.

It's blue chip player time in the draft.

 

[RS12]

I dont udnerstand why people are against going back to the 4-3 if the new coach wants to implement it. Every so often a scheme comes out and everyone goes toward that scheme. If you are one of the few with a 4-3 defense you get prime picking of college players because they dont fit the 4-3 mold. Ware, ratliff and spencer can play with their hand on the ground and we can draft accordingly.

Who is against the 4-3. I've said forever Rat would be dominant anywhere on a 4-3. I think Brent could be a DT or RE in that scheme. I think Lissimore would be good for it too. Put Ware at RE. Start Butler at WLB and Spencer at SLB. Some pieces are there.

 

[goshan]

Spencer can't play LB in a 4-3. You guys crack me up.

 

[kramskoi]

Spears is doing fine. It's Olshansky that's horrible, making tackles 8 yards downfield as a supposed run-stuffing DE.

The offensive line is a disaster. Really the only person that we don't need to replace is Doug Free. It might take two seasons to get it all in tact unless Sam Young and Travis Bright come along quickly. I think next year we're looking at

Free-Kosier-Gurode-Mankins-Colombo

as our offensive line. Logan Mankins should be the number 1 free agency target, and Leonard Davis needs to be shown the door. If Costa shows enough to play Center, show Gurode the door as well. Hopefully we don't have to cut Colombo, because he's been passionate about the team, but his legs are shot...he should retire after this year for not only the good of the team, but for his health.

...Columbo is likely gone as well...

 

[superpunk]

I want to get rid of Igor just because I can't stand watching him do his stupid dance when we are getting our faces punched in.


What a moron.

And his sleeves.

No lineman should wear sleeves. It's unseemly.