Peppers says he wants to explore free agency

I am a UNC fan so I have followed Peppers since college, though I like him I don't want him to die here.

I think is funny how people are willing to go with Haynesworth (including me at one point) despite all the character issues he has. Peppers has had consistent good years, save for last year when he did not produce much. You can say that he had a contract year this year, but before last year he was having similar numbers to this year.

Now, I do not think we should go after Peppers, I think we should go after Gross. At DT, we can go after someone like Rocky Bernard, who quietly had a good year in a crappy team with a crappy defense.

Initially I was all about us getting Haynesworth, but the more I think about it, the more it looks like he would be a bust.

You're like me in a sense in you care about character. With that said Rocky Bernard isn't going to fit that criteria either, in fact he might be worse then Haynesworth.

Suspension

On Saturday, August 30, 2008, the National Football League (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NFL) suspended Bernard for the Seahawks' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Seahawks) 2008 season opener for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Bernard was arrested in April on investigation of domestic violence. He alledgedly punched his ex-girlfriend in the forehead. He will lose $235,000 in salary for the suspension.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_Bernard#cite_note-1)

My somewhat educated guess says the following:

-We're going to show some interest in Peppers and Jordan Gross but it won't be all that intense. And, much to my dismay, we're not likely to go after Karlos Dansby either.

-We're going to offer a lot of money to Albert Haynesworth mainly because he's exactly what Blache has been asking for, a dominating interior lineman. Personally, I think the concerns about Big Al's character issues are a bit overrated. The bigger concern is really durability issues, he's only played one 16 game season in seven NFL seasons.

-Blache is really hoping Daniels' knee is up for at least one more year so he can put him back at DE opposite Andre Carter and allow the team to...

-Move Jason Taylor (who I think they figure out a way to keep) to weakside linebacker.

-If Daniels can't go, maybe they go with Evans again. Either way, I know that at this point DE is not high on their list (probably some late round pick if they get some extra picks) so I expect the 2009 starters are already on the roster

-Marcus Washington is probably gone (along with Griffin especially if they are able to get Haynesworth)

-McIntosh moves to the strongside but could be benched pretty quickly if they are able to get the guy they hope might fall to them in the draft...

-Aaron Curry. If he's there at #13 (not likely) the Redskins will probably take him and hope to trade late into the first round or into the top third of the second round to take an OT (deep class) like Beatty or Loadholt

-If Curry isn't there, they'll probably take an OT there at #13 and then hope to trade late into the first round or into the top third of the second round take an OLB like Cushing or Sintim. I think Cushing might actually be the guy they most want (little worried about that) but not at #13

-If they keep their third round pick, it may be an interior OL but it's more likely to be a running back

That's all for my somewhat educated guesses for now

Some say the "DL is fine" and their are others who always argue for more DB picks. The truth is that our defense could not hold the best QB down because we have no pass rush. A quick review:

Gholston and Montgomery are decent but would be backup on other teams.
Griffin is on his last legs and the far downside of his career.
Taylor, Carter and Evans together had less sacks then a single, good DE.
The age and level of play of our DL is below average and getting worse. It needs talent and new blood.

The best defenses constantly draft for the DL - every year. They can constantly apply pressure on the QB, get turnovers and points for their teams.

Yet, Blache and Vinny seem to want to reject the winning philosophy of the elites and look for experienced DL players who cost huge dollars against the cap and then coast to retirement on Danny's and our fans dime.

The DL is NOT fine!

Some say the "DL is fine" and their are others who always argue for more DB picks. The truth is that our defense could not hold the best QB down because we have no pass rush. A quick review:

Gholston and Montgomery are decent but would be backup on other teams.
Griffin is on his last legs and the far downside of his career.
Taylor, Carter and Evans together had less sacks then a single, good DE.
The age and level of play of our DL is below average and getting worse. It needs talent and new blood.

The best defenses constantly draft for the DL - every year. They can constantly apply pressure on the QB, get turnovers and points for their teams.

Yet, Blache and Vinny seem to want to reject the winning philosophy of the elites and look for experienced DL players who cost huge dollars against the cap and then coast to retirement on Danny's and our fans dime.

The DL is NOT fine!Well, yeah, if you go out of your way to create weaknesses for all of our current guys, then I would say the correct conclusion is that we need new players.

-Aaron Curry. If he's there at #13 (not likely) the Redskins will probably take him and hope to trade late into the first round or into the top third of the second round to take an OT (deep class) like Beatty or Loadholt

-If Curry isn't there, they'll probably take an OT there at #13 and then hope to trade late into the first round or into the top third of the second round take an OLB like Cushing or Sintim. I think Cushing might actually be the guy they most want (little worried about that) but not at #13
I'd be surprised if Aaron Curry wasn't the No. 1 overall guy on Vinny's board.

What do you think the plan for the offensive line really is, considering there's a significant portion of it we are already committed to cap wise?

Well, yeah, if you go out of your way to create weaknesses for all of our current guys, then I would say the correct conclusion is that we need new players.

Are you saying you think we have a good pass rush or even a decent DL?

All I'm saying is that a couple good draft DL picks over the next two years could bring this line back to the top. Something this team hasn't done over the last decade.

Are you saying you think we have a good pass rush or even a decent DL?

All I'm saying is that a couple good draft DL picks over the next two years could bring this line back to the top. Something this team hasn't done over the last decade.I'm in no way saying that we shouldn't pick some defensive lineman high in the next few drafts. What I am saying is that we already have a considerable amount of talent there. In the case of the ends, it's certainly older talent, there's no doubt about that.

It would be a mistake for us to go cutting everyone though. Our line is much stronger against the run than the pass, and what we can't do consistently against the pass is not evidence that we can't do anything right with the current guys.

Here's the bare bones point: if we can't get to the passer with the talent we already have, bringing in other players isn't going to help us get there. Which, again, doesn't mean I think we should ignore the position in the draft continually. We should take defensive linemen in the draft when it makes sense to do so.

I'd be surprised if Aaron Curry wasn't the No. 1 overall guy on Vinny's board.

What do you think the plan for the offensive line really is, considering there's a significant portion of it we are already committed to cap wise?

Well the latest on Curry is he's skyrocketing to probably being a top 3 pick so that improves the likelihood at this point that we're taking Cushing at 13 (assuming he's there). I really like the idea of adding a young, playmaking OLB but I'm not convinced entirely that Cushing is the right choice that high.

I think the plan for the offensive line is Samuels is the LT until he has to carted off; at LG they really (and so do I) want to see Rinehart take that spot this summer, though I think they'll probably bring back Kendall for cheap if they can regardless, C is kind of a toss up position right now-I don't think they're in love with Rabach but I also get the sense they don't think it's all that important a position relative to others-I think they take a C very late in the draft and have Rabach, Geisinger (if healthy) and the draft pick battle it out in training camp with Jansen and Kendall being long shots. At RG, Thomas probably stays there. RT is the wild card, I think they're really trying to trade into the 2nd round to get an OT there. There are probably 7-8 draft picks who could start at RT right away and who knows when that will happen again.

So to summarize-Samuels, Rinehart, Any old bloke, Thomas, Rookie is probably their ideal starting scenario.

I'm in no way saying that we shouldn't pick some defensive lineman high in the next few drafts. What I am saying is that we already have a considerable amount of talent there. In the case of the ends, it's certainly older talent, there's no doubt about that.

It would be a mistake for us to go cutting everyone though. Our line is much stronger against the run than the pass, and what we can't do consistently against the pass is not evidence that we can't do anything right with the current guys.

Here's the bare bones point: if we can't get to the passer with the talent we already have, bringing in other players isn't going to help us get there. Which, again, doesn't mean I think we should ignore the position in the draft continually. We should take defensive linemen in the draft when it makes sense to do so.

Ok, I understand. Good points. I'm not for cutting the entire DL, even if it is one of the oldest in the NFL. what I'm saying is that it needs a major infusion of young talent this draft and next, using some of our top selections.

Something that this team hasn't done for years. K. Lang was our last high draft pick. Unfortunately we also need to draft for the OL for the same reasons.

BL - we have consistently proved you can't 'buy' a top DL; you need to also draft for it using first day picks.