03-14-2016, 04:44 PM
(03-14-2016, 04:22 PM)fredtoast Wrote: For years I pointed out that Peko was always among the league leaders in tackles by interior linemen and all i heard was that he didn't get enough sacks. Then when he gets sacks they don't count because of Dunlap and Atkins.
Your logic is circular. You can't say that it is important to pend resources to upgrade at DT and then say we will get great production from the position even if the guy there stinks.
Peko used to be an upper tier DT, and now, even though he has declined, he is still a solid DT playing 50% of the snaps. But he is near the end and we need to get a replacement plan this year.
It works out perfect that if we used a first round pick on a DT we would have him on a cheap rookie deal for 4 years and both Geno and Carlos just happen to be signed for 4 more years. So if we do draft a big star we don't have to pay him until one or both of those contracts drop off the books.
Peko had like 3 or 4 solid ass seasons for us, but he's just not that good anymore. He doesn't get any push at the point of attack and when Atkins is out he's straight up terrible. As far as using the "league leader in tackles" it doesn't mean he's good, it's like saying Nelson is an all-pro or one of the best because he had 8 ints when not even realizing that he's a bad tackler and not great in man to man coverage. It doesn't mean that I dislike the guy or that he doesn't have some value to us. The team just personally needs better players to allow our defense to continue to be good.
I don't agree that he was ever an upper tier DT, he was solid at times and while I like him as a person and appreciate all he's done for the team, we sorely need better play from that position. It's not always about the numbers but how a player can affect the other teams game plan. No team game plans against Peko.
With this years crop of DT's, I think we could possibly land one of the best if not the best DT in the first round, or a really good one in rounds 2 or 3. Either way, I want this to happen or a guy like Derron Lee to come in at 24.
Good post overall!!!
