08-31-2015, 12:41 PM
(08-30-2015, 12:11 PM)bengal kitten uk Wrote: Everyone's talking about our Defensive Line, and how it is probably the most stacked position on the team. This despite getting rid of a starter (Geathers) from last year.
Just looking at the numbers, there are 12 players with a legitimate claim for a spot:
DE: Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Clarke, Hunt,
NT: Peko, Thompson, Sims
UT: Atkins, Hardison, Still, Williams
We usually keep 9, but even if they keep 10 there's going to be at least one big name player out on the street.
We can almost certainly assume that last year's starters, plus Johnson, are safe (Dunlap, Johnson, Gilberry, Peko, Atkins). That leaves 4 or 5 spots for Thompson (3rd rounder), Still (2nd), Sims (3rd), Hardison (4th), Hunt (2nd), Clarke (3rd), Williams (UFA). So this is the year we're giving up on at least one 2nd or 3rd rounder from recent times.
Here are your options:
Brandon Thompson - has played all three seasons but struggles to make his mark in games. Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Devon Still - well known off the field, has yet to do much of anything on the field. Was cut this time last season and ended up on the practice squad until injuries opened up a spot on the 53. Has been anonymous during pre-season.
Pat Sims - he's big and can back up Peko at NT or work alongside him on rushing downs. We were better against the run when he last played for us. Has done nothing this pre-season due to injuries.
Marcus Hardison - the rookie has shown promise during pre-season. It's unlikely we cut a 4th rounder so early as he'll be picked up by somebody else.
Margus Hunt - flashed last pre-season but has yet to get it together during the regular season. Has had lots of injuries. A bit of an expert at looking like he might get to the QB, but being too late for the sack.
Will Clarke - last year's third rounder, he's looked decent. Could back up MJ at RE.
DeShawn Williams - the wildcard UFA from Clemson. He's built like Geno and has been getting a lot of praise for his pressure and work-rate both in practice and during pre-season games. One of the few DTs we have that can rush the passer.
If it was my choice, I'd go for 9 (+ Chris Carter in the LBs):
Dunlap, Peko, Atkins, Johnson
Gilberry, Hardison, Sims, Clarke,
Thompson
Still and Hunt don't make it and Williams misses out in the hope we can squeeze him to the PS.
What say you?
i might keep hunt over thompson. which would suck to get rid of our back to back 2nd and 3rd round pick DTs from a few years ago.. but neither have truely panned out. And i go with an extra DE over DT as several of the DEs can slide inside. to play DT for us.
