01-09-2017, 03:41 AM
Rather than "tear it up", they need to fortify the OL and keep the youth flowing into a defense that can mirror the Zimmer days. That is this team's identity. Sure, maybe we get lucky and a Mike Williams slips to 9, or they sign a big name FA but let's be realistic....
By the end of FA, they should have a descent offense
-Your goal should be to TRULY fix the offensive line....plus keep Dre and possibly Lafell
You need to sign TWO B+ level or above OL starters and at least another fringe vet to challenge Westerman, Ogbuehi, Fisher and even Boling (though only a youngster suddenly dominating would bench him). I don't care if it's Whit/Zeitler/John Sullivan or Whit/Wagner/Schwenke, or something similar. Spend the money to solidify the line and lockup Lafell at WR or replace him with a similar WR and they're set. Resist the temptation to throw big money at WR and don't overpay Burkhead, and go with what you have at TE into the draft. Trade McCarron and let the backup QB market come to you, but cash out with something like 1.5M to Hoyer before you're looking at Josh Johnson again. Defensively, Dre has had ups and downs and hopefully they throw a little more guaranteed money and a longer deal to get a lower annual salary. They can't afford to lose him. The big question mark after FA may be NT. I have this feeling they'll gamble on Peko returning for one last year with Marvin to share snaps with Billings (coming off an injury) and will play chicken even if they have to wait for a team to trim fat there or draft one by the 4th round.
Offense:
Starters
LT Andrew Whitworth
RT Ricky Wagner
WR Brandon Lafell
Backups
C/G Brian Schwenke
QB Brian Hoyer
RB4/ST Cedric Peerman
Defense:
Starter CB Dre Kirkpatrick
Backup DL Hunt or Gilberry
By the end of the draft they should have a descent defense...
-Guenther did a good job with what he was given, give him more.
He's going to inherit Jackson, Billings and Hardison back and SHOULD be given more reign to play the youngsters he wants. At 9 you're open to other positions, but it looks like a stud DE (Burnett), LB (Foster) or S (Adams, Hooker) could be BPA. This year, you're looking at the guy to come in and be high in the rotation. If they don't go DE at 9, be sure that they'll give Guenther a DE that can be a situational pass rusher and hopefully someone to challenge Will Clarke.
By the end of the draft you should end up with:
A starting defender
a rotational LB or pass rushing DE
a true NT (even if they are limited to rush downs)
a back end rotation defender
That sounds vague, so lets say its something like:
1. DE Derek Barnett Tennessee- He had great production and may not tear up the combine to make him unreachable. He'd be a well rounded DE to take this defense to another level to help take attention from Atkins and Dunlap, or finish plays that they cause. I really like Hooker here otherwise.
2. S Budda Baker Washington- Great ball skills at FS or slot but size drops him here. He's a weapon all over the field weather it's waiting to pounce across the middle, blitz or chase down a RB. Starting at FS lets you slide Iloka over and even toy with a 3rd safety (Smith or Williams) at times.
2.(McCarron trade) LB Jarrad Davis Florida- Shows athleticism and versatility to let Guenther move him, Burfict and Vigil all over the field. If they can get a push from their DL, Davis has the ability to clean up or even cover most TE's, not the ideal run stuff type though.
3. Jarron Jones DT Notre Dame- He has the size to play NT, can punch into the backfield one play and just hold his ground the next with the occasional wash out. He's a bit of a gamble, but if they can work with him he'd make a potent tandem with Billings and allow Hardison time at DE.
4. RB Samaje Perine Oklahoma- There is good value mid round at RB, this absolute bull falls to the Bengals in the 4th. Perine knows his role, hit the hole hard the revamped OL creates and be the threat that allows Andy to bring back the Boomer play action. He's the guy we thought Hill would be.
4. (comp) WR Carlos Henderson LA Tech- Big play, 20+yd per catch guy that can be put in occasionally to stretch the defense. He could challenge Core for playing time early in the rotation and allow you to slide Boyd over when giving one of the starters a break.
4. (comp) LB Connor Harris Lindenwood - Just seems like the small school guy they'll heavily scout and talk him up and actually take him. Very productive, smart and strong to play the middle. I think they slide Dansby inside and Harris splits time as they groom him to take over that role.
Give me some vets to add stability to the OL and some young defenders to bring back the defensive identity back to this team and I'm telling you we will be looking at them getting past the 1st round next year, if not by gaining a bye.
By the end of FA, they should have a descent offense
-Your goal should be to TRULY fix the offensive line....plus keep Dre and possibly Lafell
You need to sign TWO B+ level or above OL starters and at least another fringe vet to challenge Westerman, Ogbuehi, Fisher and even Boling (though only a youngster suddenly dominating would bench him). I don't care if it's Whit/Zeitler/John Sullivan or Whit/Wagner/Schwenke, or something similar. Spend the money to solidify the line and lockup Lafell at WR or replace him with a similar WR and they're set. Resist the temptation to throw big money at WR and don't overpay Burkhead, and go with what you have at TE into the draft. Trade McCarron and let the backup QB market come to you, but cash out with something like 1.5M to Hoyer before you're looking at Josh Johnson again. Defensively, Dre has had ups and downs and hopefully they throw a little more guaranteed money and a longer deal to get a lower annual salary. They can't afford to lose him. The big question mark after FA may be NT. I have this feeling they'll gamble on Peko returning for one last year with Marvin to share snaps with Billings (coming off an injury) and will play chicken even if they have to wait for a team to trim fat there or draft one by the 4th round.
Offense:
Starters
LT Andrew Whitworth
RT Ricky Wagner
WR Brandon Lafell
Backups
C/G Brian Schwenke
QB Brian Hoyer
RB4/ST Cedric Peerman
Defense:
Starter CB Dre Kirkpatrick
Backup DL Hunt or Gilberry
By the end of the draft they should have a descent defense...
-Guenther did a good job with what he was given, give him more.
He's going to inherit Jackson, Billings and Hardison back and SHOULD be given more reign to play the youngsters he wants. At 9 you're open to other positions, but it looks like a stud DE (Burnett), LB (Foster) or S (Adams, Hooker) could be BPA. This year, you're looking at the guy to come in and be high in the rotation. If they don't go DE at 9, be sure that they'll give Guenther a DE that can be a situational pass rusher and hopefully someone to challenge Will Clarke.
By the end of the draft you should end up with:
A starting defender
a rotational LB or pass rushing DE
a true NT (even if they are limited to rush downs)
a back end rotation defender
That sounds vague, so lets say its something like:
1. DE Derek Barnett Tennessee- He had great production and may not tear up the combine to make him unreachable. He'd be a well rounded DE to take this defense to another level to help take attention from Atkins and Dunlap, or finish plays that they cause. I really like Hooker here otherwise.
2. S Budda Baker Washington- Great ball skills at FS or slot but size drops him here. He's a weapon all over the field weather it's waiting to pounce across the middle, blitz or chase down a RB. Starting at FS lets you slide Iloka over and even toy with a 3rd safety (Smith or Williams) at times.
2.(McCarron trade) LB Jarrad Davis Florida- Shows athleticism and versatility to let Guenther move him, Burfict and Vigil all over the field. If they can get a push from their DL, Davis has the ability to clean up or even cover most TE's, not the ideal run stuff type though.
3. Jarron Jones DT Notre Dame- He has the size to play NT, can punch into the backfield one play and just hold his ground the next with the occasional wash out. He's a bit of a gamble, but if they can work with him he'd make a potent tandem with Billings and allow Hardison time at DE.
4. RB Samaje Perine Oklahoma- There is good value mid round at RB, this absolute bull falls to the Bengals in the 4th. Perine knows his role, hit the hole hard the revamped OL creates and be the threat that allows Andy to bring back the Boomer play action. He's the guy we thought Hill would be.
4. (comp) WR Carlos Henderson LA Tech- Big play, 20+yd per catch guy that can be put in occasionally to stretch the defense. He could challenge Core for playing time early in the rotation and allow you to slide Boyd over when giving one of the starters a break.
4. (comp) LB Connor Harris Lindenwood - Just seems like the small school guy they'll heavily scout and talk him up and actually take him. Very productive, smart and strong to play the middle. I think they slide Dansby inside and Harris splits time as they groom him to take over that role.
Give me some vets to add stability to the OL and some young defenders to bring back the defensive identity back to this team and I'm telling you we will be looking at them getting past the 1st round next year, if not by gaining a bye.
