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Defensive End - How Big is Our Need?
A good read from Mark Stevens on DE Andre Carter:
Quote:
Yes, statistics can be deceiving. But sometimes a look at the raw data helps paint a clearer picture. In this case, the picture is of a player who, after being next to invisible for his first 11 games, came quite abruptly into focus in the remaining five:
Through his first 11 games, Carter recorded 20 solo tackles, three assists and two sacks. Included in that run were two games in which he was shut out--zero tackles, assists or sacks--and three other games where he managed only a single solo tackle (recording an assist in one and a sack in another).
Over his last five games, Carter recorded 27 solo tackles, six assists and four sacks. Included in that run were games of 9/2/1, 7/1/1 and 8/0/1.
There is no guarantee Carter's play in 2007 will consistently reach the level of his play late in 2006. But there is also no guarantee that what we saw down the stretch wasn't a sign of things to come.
Given that the strongest part of his season was toward the end, as he grew more comfortable and confident in his role, one could make the case that the more reasonable expectation is the latter.
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Blog: One Fan's View
This is a big reason why I think DT is the much bigger need. I think we've got a strong pass-rushing DE already.
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God made certain people to play football. He was one of them.
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