Opening the wallet on Kareem McKenzie, Lucas and big nose tackle...

[keds]

in free agency... would set us up well in the draft where we could then focus on a defensive lineman (Spears), linebacker (Merriman) and best available offensive player with the first three picks.
With our 4th rounder we could possibly find a change of pace running back, in the 5th round and beyond we could go best player available.

I think this is all possible and if Blade could make a comeback as a backup defensive tackle this team could take some major steps forward on defense...

 

[Woods]

I've said this before, but I think in FA we MUST

1. Get a starting NT/DT
2. Pick up a starting RT
3. Pick up a veteran back-up RB
4. Pick up at least 1 LB with 3-4 experience and who is starting quality
5. Get a starting FS in FA

And, I think we SHOULD

1. Get a decent CB opposite T New.
2. Get a starting quality RG as well.

Then in the Draft, we can look to improve the WR position, LB, DE position, etc.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Yes Woods, I would say we will/should pickup at least 5 starting players in FA!
Then 3 impact players in our first top picks...

Churn the roster!

 

[4lifecowboy]

I've said this before, but I think in FA we MUST

1. Get a starting NT/DT
2. Pick up a starting RT
3. Pick up a veteran back-up RB
4. Pick up at least 1 LB with 3-4 experience and who is starting quality
5. Get a starting FS in FA

And, I think we SHOULD

1. Get a decent CB opposite T New.
2. Get a starting quality RG as well.

Then in the Draft, we can look to improve the WR position, LB, DE position, etc.

I would agree with this with the exception of RB being a must in FA. Replace that with CB and address RB in the draft.

 

[AsthmaField]

I've said this before, but I think in FA we MUST

1. Get a starting NT/DT
2. Pick up a starting RT
3. Pick up a veteran back-up RB
4. Pick up at least 1 LB with 3-4 experience and who is starting quality
5. Get a starting FS in FA

And, I think we SHOULD

1. Get a decent CB opposite T New.
2. Get a starting quality RG as well.

Then in the Draft, we can look to improve the WR position, LB, DE position, etc.

I tend to agree with that Woods, although like 4life said, I'd spend the money on CB instead of RB. CB's just seem a little harder to come by.

1. NT - Williams (Buff) or Ferguson (Jets)
2. RT - McKenzie
3. CB - Lucas, Dyson, or Smoot (someone priced mid-level, so Smoot's probably out).
4. ILB - Ed Hartwell (Balt) - Terrific run stuffer who knows the 3-4 well.
5. FS - Baxter (Balt) - He'd be great in coverage and Roy could stay up and wreak havoc.

Then, in the draft we could get:

1. Merriman OLB
1. Spears DE
2. Baas OG
4. Sproles (sorry, but I love the guy)

New starters on D:
Spears (R), Ferguson (FA), Merriman(R), Hartwell (FA), Bradie James, Baxter (FA), Lucas (FA).

Seven new defensive starters to go with Ellis, Dat, R. Williams, and Newman. Four free agents, two rookies and one holdover.


New Starters on O:
Baas (R), McKenzie (FA).

Quality Backup: Sproles.

Only two new starters on offense (not counting players already on hand who may start, like Henson, Peterman, etc.).

This offseason would definately be defense heavy, but anyone watching this season knows we need it.

I would only be concerned with the WR position, but we probably could make it another year with what we currently have, since Witten is such a weapon in the passing game.

 

[junk]

I tend to agree with that Woods, although like 4life said, I'd spend the money on CB instead of RB. CB's just seem a little harder to come by.

1. NT - Williams (Buff) or Ferguson (Jets)
2. RT - McKenzie
3. CB - Lucas, Dyson, or Smoot (someone priced mid-level, so Smoot's probably out).
4. ILB - Ed Hartwell (Balt) - Terrific run stuffer who knows the 3-4 well.
5. FS - Baxter (Balt) - He'd be great in coverage and Roy could stay up and wreak havoc.

Then, in the draft we could get:

1. Merriman OLB
1. Spears DE
2. Baas OG
4. Sproles (sorry, but I love the guy)

New starters on D:
Spears (R), Ferguson (FA), Merriman(R), Hartwell (FA), Bradie James, Baxter (FA), Lucas (FA).

Seven new defensive starters to go with Ellis, Dat, R. Williams, and Newman. Four free agents, two rookies and one holdover.


New Starters on O:
Baas (R), McKenzie (FA).

Quality Backup: Sproles.

Only two new starters on offense (not counting players already on hand who may start, like Henson, Peterman, etc.).

This offseason would definately be defense heavy, but anyone watching this season knows we need it.

I would only be concerned with the WR position, but we probably could make it another year with what we currently have, since Witten is such a weapon in the passing game.

Did you watch Bradie James play this year? And you actually would want him to start? He was just awful this year.

There are several T/G prospects in FA that might be a nice add. Floyd Womack, Oliver Ross, Keydrick Simmons.

Keep an eye on Anthony Henry as a potential CB option.

 

[keds]

If you can get a decent right tackle in McKenzie then the play of Gurode should improve and you also have Peterman available in case. Baas may be the best player available but I'd rather see us fill a bigger need with our second round pick...

 

[AsthmaField]

Did you watch Bradie James play this year? And you actually would want him to start? He was just awful this year.

There are several T/G prospects in FA that might be a nice add. Floyd Womack, Oliver Ross, Keydrick Simmons.

Keep an eye on Anthony Henry as a potential CB option.

I suppose I should have explained a little better. Since I was particularly talking about the draft and free agency, I was saying add Merriman and Hartwell to our existing LB's. Two new guys brought in and get the other two from what's on hand.

When I plugged in James (and Dat for that matter), I was merely saying one of out existing linebackers.

It could be Thornton or Shanle... I wasn't really focusing on that spot. I'm not too sure Dat is what Parcells wants at ILB either (although my gut tells me he can do it.)

Having said all that... I don't think James has shown us all he can do either. He has the ability, and if something clicks upstairs, he very well could play in a 3-4 at OLB or ILB.

You're right though; Bradie stunk it up this past season. If he gets his head on straight then he'll play... if he doesn't, he won't.

I could see:

Merriman, Hartwell, Dat, James

or

Merriman, Hartwell, James, Thornton

or

Merriman, Hartwell, Dat, Thornton

If you can get a decent right tackle in McKenzie then the play of Gurode should improve and you also have Peterman available in case. Baas may be the best player available but I'd rather see us fill a bigger need with our second round pick...

You're right about that, Gurode just might improve with another year and a better RT.

We just don't know at this point. If Parcells thinks Gurode can improve and he really liked what he saw from Peterman and his rehab, he could very well think G is the last position we need to draft.

On the other hand, if Parcells thinks Gurode is about done and he wonders if Peterman will ever be the same... then he might find a hard-nosed, blue-collar guy like Baas too hard to pass up.

And Baas could very well be the best player available.

I suppose we'll see come April.

 

[junk]

I suppose I should have explained a little better. Since I was particularly talking about the draft and free agency, I was saying add Merriman and Hartwell to our existing LB's. Two new guys brought in and get the other two from what's on hand.

When I plugged in James (and Dat for that matter), I was merely saying one of out existing linebackers.

It could be Thornton or Shanle... I wasn't really focusing on that spot. I'm not too sure Dat is what Parcells wants at ILB either (although my gut tells me he can do it.)

Having said all that... I don't think James has shown us all he can do either. He has the ability, and if something clicks upstairs, he very well could play in a 3-4 at OLB or ILB.

You're right though; Bradie stunk it up this past season. If he gets his head on straight then he'll play... if he doesn't, he won't.

I could see:

Merriman, Hartwell, Dat, James

or

Merriman, Hartwell, James, Thornton

or

Merriman, Hartwell, Dat, Thornton




You're right about that, Gurode just might improve with another year and a better RT.

We just don't know at this point. If Parcells thinks Gurode can improve and he really liked what he saw from Peterman and his rehab, he could very well think G is the last position we need to draft.

On the other hand, if Parcells thinks Gurode is about done and he wonders if Peterman will ever be the same... then he might find a hard-nosed, blue-collar guy like Baas too hard to pass up.

And Baas could very well be the best player available.

I suppose we'll see come April.

Good points on James. I guess I shouldn't give up on him yet, but he looked so bad..so lost...so out of position, I don't have much hope for him.

I think guard needs to be addressed. Gurode hasn't ever lived up to his potential and Peterman looked lousy in preseason. Maybe he takes a page out of the Al Johnson workout regiment and can contribute next year, but he looked pretty bad in preseason as well.

 

[Hollywood Henderson]

Shoots James was our BEST LBER all year, the ONLY LBER who can dish out a hit...The ONLY LBER who smacked a QB...

But most fans don't see how many tackles dat misses, or how he can't get to the corner, or how he can't rush the QB or how easily he is blocked...

The Whole whimpy zimmy WUSS D is designed for dat to be a star and he sucks!

Its not James's fault zimmy can't coach worth a CRAP!

Watch, the tiny Lbers will be gone and James will be playing how it should be played, TOUGH!

 

[junk]

Shoots James was our BEST LBER all year, the ONLY LBER who can dish out a hit...The ONLY LBER who smacked a QB...

But most fans don't see how many tackles dat misses, or how he can't get to the corner, or how he can't rush the QB or how easily he is blocked...

The Whole whimpy zimmy WUSS D is designed for dat to be a star and he sucks!

Its not James's fault zimmy can't coach worth a CRAP!

Watch, the tiny Lbers will be gone and James will be playing how it should be played, TOUGH!

Do you even watch the games or do you just blindly spout crap about Zimmer? James was the WORST LBers to see significant playing time. He was outplayed by your little midgets Dat and Dex and was even outplayed by an undrafted scrub like Shanle.

So what if he can dish out a hit? He was out of position all year long. For as much as you complain about Dex, Bradie couldn't beat him out after being given every opportunity.

Look at every major run play from this year. Most were missed assignments by your beloved James.

 

[VoR]

in free agency... would set us up well in the draft where we could then focus on a defensive lineman (Spears), linebacker (Merriman) and best available offensive player with the first three picks.
With our 4th rounder we could possibly find a change of pace running back, in the 5th round and beyond we could go best player available.

I think this is all possible and if Blade could make a comeback as a backup defensive tackle this team could take some major steps forward on defense...

I like this scenario.

 

[tiller77]

i do not want sproles as the back up give me a bigger back to take the load off of julius

 

[VoR]

i do not want sproles as the back up give me a bigger back to take the load off of julius

I wouldn't mind a bruiser as a change of pace also, but don't forget Parcells once drafted Meggett. Sproles is another Meggett type.

 

[4lifecowboy]

I wouldn't mind a bruiser as a change of pace also, but don't forget Parcells once drafted Meggett. Sproles is another Meggett type.

I wouldn't mind Sproles, as long as we had a bruiser as well. Parcells did draft Meggett but he also had Anderson and Hampton as well. To bad George's best years are behind him, his style would have fit nicely. Or maybe R.Anderson could fill that role, he was probably our second best rusher this season.