Prospects for Shanahans offense/Hasletts 3-4 D

I want to know what OL, RB, QB draft prospects would work for Shanahans zone blocking, run first, decent running QB type offense.

As well as Hasletts 3-4 defense with our needs or what players could be 3-4 MLB's OLB's and DE's

Given the focus is on defense this year I can honestly say that I don't jack past names like Cody and McClain. However what I do know is guys who fit on the O-Line

Obviously Okung is a shoe in. However from the second round on back there are many good O-Line prospects

Charles Brown - T - USC - Quick first step and gets into sound position. Does not provide a strong initial surge but can sink hips and regain leverage. Has the lateral quickness to scoop defensive tackles and hook defensive ends. Questionable balance and slips off too many blocks.

Note: If you see anywhere in a players profile that he has the ability to "scoop" anything then chances are he's a good fit for a zone blocking scheme. Other buzz words you want to look for include things like "takes good angles", "gets to the second level, and "quick first step.

Selvish Capers - T - West Virginia - Not going to drive many defenders off the ball. Plays far too high and legs can go dead on contact. On the other hand, has above-average athletic ability. Can scoop 3-techniques and seal 5- and 7- techniques inside. Doesn't always take sound angles to downfield blocks but has above-average range and body control so h ecan cover up linebackers when technique is sound.

Note: He seems more like a RT at this point and didn't do much to justify taking him as a LT. If we had our 3rd round pick still I would love to see if he could fall that far, though tackles rated as highly as Capers rarely do

Jason Fox - T - Miami - Has enough range to effectively pull and flashes the ability to cut off linebackers at the second level. Works to sustain once locked on but doesn't get much push. While he is agile enough to be an effective zone blocker he takes too many false steps and will have a difficult time hooking 5-techniques and scooping 3-techniques at the NFL level unless footwork improves.

Note: Seems like a nice late round pick that can be developed. Definitely has great size.

Vladamir Ducasse - T/G - UMass - Displays a quick first step and takes strong angles to the point. Plays with balance and leverage and is able to engulf defenders with massive frame and strength. Moves well in the open field and can adjust on the move in space. However needs to take more precise angles when cutting off linebackers and could use to play with lower pad level at times.

Note: My personal favorite right now. If this year ends up being a top heavy tackle draft then Ducasse could end up being a steal. He has the size and quickness to succeed at LT. In fact a better way to describe him might be a poor mans Brandon Albert.

Mike Johnson - G - Alabama - While he doesn't always get great push he uses excellent hand placement and rarely slips off blocks once locked on. Is quick and masks a lack of ideal body control in space by taking sound angles to second-level blocks. Can scoop 1-techniques and hook 3-techniques so he may be a good fit for a team that does a lot of zone blocking. Footwork is inconsistent, though. Takes too many false steps and plays too high when asked to drive defensive tackles off the ball.

Note: Would be a solid pick if we got him in the fourth

Sergio Rendar - G - VT - Lower-body strength appears above-average and can drive defensive tackles off the ball when plays with sound leverage. Effective down-blocker who can collapse defensive tackles inside. Can get around the center when asked to trap. Though he doesn't show great body control in space is big enough to engulf linebackers and willing to throw his body around when he gets to the second level. Hands slip outside the defender's frame a little too often and holding could be an issue until he cleans up his technique.

As far as free agents go anyone on the Bronoco's right now would probably be a good fit. Ben Hamilton is projected to be an UFA and the team could release G Chris Kuper and Running Back Peyton Hillis.

However the Free Agent that intrigues me the most is Daryn Colledge. Colledge is a versitle lineman thats projected to be released soon by the Green Bay Packers. He's exactly the type of bargain that a line in tranistion could use with the prospect of keeping him long term if he works out. The only catch is weather Green Bay will flat out release him and make him an UFA (at least thats how I believe the way the system works).


Packers | Deciding whether to tender Colledge
Thu, 28 Jan 2010 09:02:10 -0800

Greg A. Bedard, of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, reports the Green Bay Packers are trying to decide whether to offer restricted free-agent OT Daryn Colledge a second-round tender or not tender him a contract at all, according to sources.

Scout.com Grade: 66
Comment: Colledge is a smart, competitive player with good athleticism, which gives him some versatility along the offensive line. As a guard he doesn't have great power at the point of attack but is able to lock on and stay connected. He understands hand placement and angles to gain leverage as both a run and pass-blocker. Daryn is a good technician who maintains good knee bend and body positioning as a pass-protector, but he's inconsistent verses powerful bull-rushers.

Rookie Profile:
Is an impressive athlete. Has quick feet, great speed and is fluid. He lacks massive bulk and base, but he is a powerful player. He is a workout warrior in the weight room. Shows explosive pop. Has a powerful upper body and can jar defenders initially with his hand punch. He shows a quick set in pass pro. Is technically sound; uses good footwork, balance and hand placement. Is a natural knee bender and rarely is off-balance. Does not need to over-extend to reach the corner vs. speed rusher and he shows the consistent ability to redirect vs. the double move. Impressive lateral movement skills. Fires off the LOS with good leverage as a run blocker. Takes good angles and has great mobility as a reach and downfield blocker. Typically is in great position. Is a fist fighter type, who uses feet, technique and power to make up for what he lacks in size. He's a hard worker with a mean streak. Will fight to finish and plays hard to the whistle.

I would like to see j norwood here, he has very good speed and is a veteran back.. Defense is ok we just need to add a couple more lb's ... Maybe a cb or 2.. On draft day I'm torn between okung and Bradford at 4.. We really need oline but we also need a qb of the future.. Every draft guru has Sam the best qb in this draft .. Honestly I bet okung goes to Detroit anyway.

I was just thinking about about any QB in the league that could help us if not take over for JC, at least help in practice and serve as a solid backup. Matt Shaub and Jay Cutler have worked exclusively with Mike/Kyle Shannahan but are already franchise QB's elsewhere. One name that comes to mind is one that we drafted and thats Sage Rosenfels. In Houston he served as a reliable backup and knows the offense that Kyle Shannahan runs. Greise is gone, Plummer, Elway of course. Can anyone think of any other QB's that have worked for the Shannahans?

Can anyone think of any other QB's that have worked for the Shannahans?

Patrick Ramsey. :)

Heres a guy I think we could get and would not only fit in a 3-4 defense but a 4-3 offense. YouTube - LB Sean Weatherspoon Highlights/Lowlights 2009 Missouri (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xx-BxSaQVh4)
He's 6'2 250lbs and was an OLB in a 4-3 but could easily be a 3-4 ILB with his size...reminds me a lot of Karlos Dansby of the Cardinals.

Damn 6'2 250? He is a monster LB. My thing about the switch to the 3-4 is won't that pretty much negate the effectiveness of AH?

Damn 6'2 250? He is a monster LB. My thing about the switch to the 3-4 is won't that pretty much negate the effectiveness of AH?

yeah i was thinking the same thing of AH...it will really blow to have a guy thats making 100 mil and being a 4 technique specialist and cant be our "casey hampton"

i would really like to see Okung at 4 but like said before if Suh goes to the rams i can see detroit taking him. Im not against drafting a qb it just scares me due to the ryan leaf's, david carr's, and joey harringtons of the world. I would rather go with the "safe" pick and sure up our line. I cant think of much qb-wise that would be available to us in free agency tho...and NO patrick ramsey isnt a good fit 8P...i never liked that guy for some reason lol

The ESPN crew had a couple comments about Haslett going to a 3-4. Basically we need to find a way to maximize London's tackling ability.

I still don't agree at all w/ the strategy. The offense needs a massive overhaul to compete in the league, while running a 4-3 defense we're pretty close to set already. Switching to the 3/4 just means we have to draft acquire guys on the defensive side, which is a shame when we could literally use every draft pick on offense, sign 2 or 3 offensive FAs, and probably still be a bit below avg on offensive talent.

On the one hand I'd say Allen and Shanny's decision to go w/ Haslett and the 3-4 means they're committed to a rebuild time of at least a couple years. On the other hand I don't sense Haslett will be here long. Shanny rarely gives his defenses, both coaching and roster, a chance to put something together over the long haul. And Haslett hasn't had great success anywhere. I tend to think he's here for a year, two at most.