Right Tackle and Free Safety

Good morning folks, as the dust settles from free agency and as I peruse our roster I see 2 gaping holes at starting spots still on vacant on the team. Right tackle and free safety positions have been severe problems for way too long on this team and with the remaining market available its wont be solved be this method.

The draft is thin at Free, but at Tackle there are many versatile players available in the college ranks, but none seem talented enough for a top 5 pick.

I would still keep my eye on Goldson in Tampa to see if he will be released. While Im not a huge fan, he is talented enough to start and be productive in this league on a 1 year deal. Stevie Brown has connections here, he is another I would at least bring in to gauge interest.

Right Tackle, Barksdale is still available and probably the most talented free agent left. Where above I would settle for Goldson as talented enough to still be productive, I dont see it in Barksdale with what his price is gonna command. I think we need to spend at least our 2nd round pick on Right Tackle.


Its frustrating for the last 5 years we seem to have the same discussions for these same damn positions. Whats your plan at these starting spots for 2015?

Sure, an upgrade at Right Tackle is needed, but the 82 Hogs couldn't block for our starting QB. Bad QBs get sacked behind any line.

See Jason Campbell. Constantly under pressure, O-line blamed incessantly. Insert Todd Collins (not exactly a future hall of famer) and the pressure miraculously goes away.

The Line will play better when there's a capable QB behind them.

Sure, an upgrade at Right Tackle is needed, but the 82 Hogs couldn't block for our starting QB. Bad QBs get sacked behind any line.

See Jason Campbell. Constantly under pressure, O-line blamed incessantly. Insert Todd Collins (not exactly a future hall of famer) and the pressure miraculously goes away.

The Line will play better when there's a capable QB behind them.

But who is your starter, Compton? You bringing back Polumbus?

My 2015 plan:

FS - Bandaid on 1 year contract. Draft FS in 3rd or 4th Round. Also, have Amerson or Breeland compete for that position if DHall can go at CB.

RT - Draft. Trade down in 1st Round or trade up into mid first round to get one. Our 2nd round pick will be too late to get a starting-quality player. Try Xavier Nixon at RT, as well.

Personally I am more alarmed that we have no starting QB that we can count on.

How about a blockibg TE? Sign Housler.

How about a blockibg TE? Sign Housler.

Fred tighten up, trying to focus on actual starters, which right now we have a full stable of TEs. And Housler is a pass catching TE, not really known for his blocking.

Trade down and draft Brandon Scherff in the first round.
Move Hall or Amerson to safety.
Problem solved.
But I would get more serious about safety next year.

RT - compton/polumbus

FS - thomas/duke/vet added late after roster trimming


there doesnt seem to be any real starting caliber options at FS and id rather wait another year than force a multi year deal on a player we dont really want.

next year is not a contending year so there is no urgency to force a move.

Trade down and draft Brandon Scherff in the first round.
Move Hall or Amerson to safety.
Problem solved.
But I would get more serious about safety next year.

I dont think Hall would be a good fit for safety. I just dont see him being anywhere near physical enough to play in the middle of the field and running down hill to hit someone.

Hall is great at tracking the ball in the air and adjusting his body but has he slowed down so that he cant do that sideline to sideline?

Amerson has the size i could see him getting caught looking into the back field way too often and forgetting/missing assignments. i could see a lot of balls completed over the top bc amerson was caught looking in.