What's our greatest need now?

washington and fletcher are both stud LBs. daniels and the #2 DT are not, and the depth there really isn't capable of starting.

at LB rocky might be healthy, blades showed something, and last minute LBs (like godfrey) are fairly easy to find. stud DEs are never easy to get, and if we get injured there, there's no fix, and no average level replacement sitting on a couch waiting to be called.

I don't see a whole lot of downgrade from Daniels to Evans at DE. Whenever Evans gets an opportunity in a game he plays his guts out - definitely not as strong as Daniels but maybe a hair quicker - he seems to be in pursuit of the qb on a fair number of downs.

AC could have easily had 15 sacks last year. I don't think it's unreasonable at all to expect another 10 sack season from him. He's in the prime of his career.

Yeah I'm with Matty here. I've seen enough from Andre Carter to think that 10 sacks from him is normal now.

He finished 2006 with a bang, picked right up where he left off last year and never tailed off. This after being forced into a LB role in SF, one he was never really suited for, and having to relearn the DE position.

And once GW got the hell out of his way and allowed the DEs to get after the QB, that's when you saw the real Andre Carter come out.

Looking at Andre Carter's historical production isn't completely fair to him. His history includes a lot of misuse by coaches. When coaches use him right (allow him to rush the QB), he makes big plays. I don't see any reason to believe Blache will change that, and I think we can put another 10+ sack season in the bank because of it.

Dude's one of the more underrated DEs in the league.

Yeah I'm with Matty here. I've seen enough from Andre Carter to think that 10 sacks from him is normal now.

He finished 2006 with a bang, picked right up where he left off last year and never tailed off. This after being forced into a LB role in SF, one he was never really suited for, and having to relearn the DE position.

And once GW got the hell out of his way and allowed the DEs to get after the QB, that's when you saw the real Andre Carter come out.

Looking at Andre Carter's historical production isn't completely fair to him. His history includes a lot of misuse by coaches. When coaches use him right (allow him to rush the QB), he makes big plays. I don't see any reason to believe Blache will change that, and I think we can put another 10+ sack season in the bank because of it.

Dude's one of the more underrated DEs in the league.

he had a 12 sack season as a DE in SF, so i don't think historical production is against him at all. he sucked as an LB (too slow), but he's fine as a DE and he magically figured out how to stop the run last season, which is great for us.

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him get 10-15 sacks. he stepped up as a real #1 DE last year.

AC has his problems against the huge, athletic tackles, but who doesn't? He's definitely become a key cog in the D. At the beginning of 07 he was in the backfield a lot. After teams saw how quickly he was beating some LTs I think they really stepped up their game plan for him.

The James signing really could be just enough to create some healthy competition at DE in camp. I like Evans, but I've thought for a couple years that his job was on the line. He's been lucky that they haven't brought in any vets or high draft picks, plus his versatility has helped him. We'll see if James can push for that spot. Maybe if James beat out Evans at DE (which btw, I have no idea how healed EJ will be by camp), they would cut Boschetti since Evans & Daniels can play DT?

I do like that in this offseason the signings have been more about competition at camp, rather than fa guys that are pegged as starters.

You guys are probably overrating Carter's pass rushing ability, and setting yourselves up to be disappointed. I think you could list the guys in the NFL who are consistent 10+ sack guys year in and year out on one hand.

Is he underrated leaguewide? Perhaps. He's been a very good value signing for us thus far.

But 10+ a year the norm? When did he become Strahan, Kampman, or even Patrick Kerney?!

I would think the norm for him would be in the 7-8 range -- above average for a defensive end. Even then, I hope I'm not just giving him the benefit of the doubt simply because he wears the B&G.

He was pretty good against the run last year though, which was a wonderful surprise.

You guys are probably overrating Carter's pass rushing ability, and setting yourselves up to be disappointed. I think you could list the guys in the NFL who are consistent 10+ sack guys year in and year out on one hand.

Is he underrated leaguewide? Perhaps. He's been a very good value signing for us thus far.

But 10+ a year the norm? When did he become Strahan, Kampman, or even Patrick Kerney?!

I would think the norm for him would be in the 7-8 range -- above average for a defensive end. Even then, I hope I'm not just giving him the benefit of the doubt simply because he wears the B&G.

Thats true what your saying. But really now after that hes best year at DE with the 9ers, he had to switch to LB and he didn't fit a 3-4.

He comes back to us as DE ,fit the 4-3 and bam 10 sacks 4 FF. He could probably get 8 sacks this year but hes better than what people should think,and if he can't than awell. Will just pick up a Peppers type player than.

Common guys we dont need a backup full back, Im not even sure we will use Sellers as much. We are runing a west coast offence now, we will probably use a lot of singleback sets. As much as I hate to say it I dont think Sellers will get much PT this year. As far as OLB goes I'm not that concerned because we still have our core from last year that did well and Blades has a year under his belt. I am concerned about the age on our O-line and the center position but CR has proven to be durable. Honestly Im most concerned about our QB postion i know its cleche but hey we have proven players all over the field except at QB.

Our greatest need will be 11+ wins in the regular season and 3-4 in the post season!:)

As far as the Andre Carter arguments are going, I will go on the record saying Carter (if he stays healthy through all 16 games) ends up with 10+ sacks. I can say this after looking at the schedule and realizing we don't face any real good scrambling QB's (maybe McNabb but he has dropped off some lately). We also don't have to face the Colts or Pats or any other team that just has a sick o-line or a QB that can get the ball out no matter what.

With good health on the d-line, AC could have a Pro Bowl year.

As far as I'm concerned, we can fix the LB problem pretty much last minute. There is god depth that will be released when people start cutting down their rosters.

Our greatest need is for JC to get good in the red zone and in the clutch.