Fixing the Secondary

i hear what you're saying whistler and maybe the majority seems too quick to not think thomas or rambo can be a legit safety (i agree w the majority) ... but given our secondary woes and the fact that we have relatively cheap corners ... id like to see us invest some dinero in an above average safety as I view merriweather as our only NFL caliber safety on the roster.

Don't let NC Skins hear you say that. ;)

I think Thomas can be an impact NFL starter, but Rambo is a little more questionable. I wish he and Gumbs would at least contribute on Special Teams.

Rambo, Thomas, and Gumbs are all strong safety types. I know Rambo played some FS last year...and we saw the results. They can duke it out for the SS starter's role.

But we don't have a bona fide free safety. Unless we move up to draft someone like Calvin Pryor (unlikely), we need to sign a good-quality FA free safety.

Rambo, Thomas, and Gumbs are all strong safety types. I know Rambo played some FS last year...and we saw the results. They can duke it out for the SS starter's role.

But we don't have a bona fide free safety. Unless we move up to draft someone like Calvin Pryor (unlikely), we need to sign a good-quality FA free safety.

Calvin looks like a SS at the pro level

Rambo, Thomas, and Gumbs are all strong safety types. I know Rambo played some FS last year...and we saw the results. They can duke it out for the SS starter's role.

But we don't have a bona fide free safety. Unless we move up to draft someone like Calvin Pryor (unlikely), we need to sign a good-quality FA free safety.

Mike Mitchell.

Mike Mitchell is very good. I think Carolina will try to sign him but they have alot of people to sign and no O-line depth. I think we can get him.

I'd be happy if we signed Mitchell.

The skins have a serious need to "grow their own" players. If you draft well, and identify talent correctly it can be done without breaking the bank. Seattle did a good job with that, and it paid off the last couple of years, however coaching helps a lot.

It seems as if there are no good players out there other than Byrd and Ward?

Good football players are never a step slow due to good football instincts. Good DBs don't have to run 4.4, low 4.5s isn't bad db speed. Football isn't a track meet. There are diamonds in the rough everywhere.

Bringing in highly touted FAs that are given a starting position can be a confidence killer to a young guy with potential.

Now, if your saying that you have no confidence in the skin's front office to identify talent or the coaches to "coach em up" that's a whole different discussion.

Exactly.

Whistler team building strategy seems to be let's just get a bunch of average joes and keep our fingers crossed. We have the cap space and we are in good cap position for the future as well, so why not interject some good talent in some need areas? Several players at Safety, Oline and WR could put this team back in the playoffs quickly.

So when has this strategy worked in the past?

Weve tried to polish so many turds here for years now especially in the secondary. Sign a legit cover safety or watch us get burnt next year. Like we need more to complain about. We have Orak, Kerrigan, Amerson, Perry, all homegrown guys. Let gruden draft his offense. If it goes the opposite so be it. But i feel like safety needs to be addressed bigtime. Not lets see what happens again. I didnt want Rambo to not pan out either but.. you trust this guy?? He looked awful game 1. Your a rookie its your shot.. i dunno bout a guy like that. If he turns it around ill be happy but very surprised.

So when has this strategy worked in the past?

London Fletcher, to name just one.