What's our greatest need now?

[skinsnut]

I still think we have a glaring need at OLB.
We need to pick up an ex-starter.....what other areas need shoring up before we start the season...and, who could become available at those spots?
any spot urgent enough to consider trading for?

[Schneed10]

I'm also concerned about OLB. Also, I'm not sure we've got any decent backup FBs behind Sellers. I'm also not sure we have a backup C who's worth a crap. And there's the ever-present question marks about the DE spots, despite the James acquisition.

But I wouldn't make trades to fill these holes.

Phillip Daniels is old and can't rush the passer much, but I like him against the run and we could do worse. I think Carter has the other spot locked down and solid. When we need to generate the pass rush on 3rd down, Blache will likely continue to rotate Daniels down to DT and let Wilson or Washington get after the QB on that side. That worked well for us last year. And who knows, maybe James performs a miracle and gets in the mix on that side as well.

I had concerns about CB, but the Tryon pick seems to address that. He's got good cover skills and is physical enough to be a decent nickel until we get Rogers back.

Rinehart gave us some young depth at G and T, so combining with Heyer, no moves needed there. In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.

A backup FB would be nice, but at some point you have to figure that going 2-deep at every spot on the field is a luxury you just can't afford. Good thing Sellers is tough as nails.

So that leaves OLB, where I have by far the most concern. Washington has proven brittle lately, and Rocky is obviously coming back from major injury. Behind them, I'm not sure we've got squat diddily. MAYBE you can rotate Blades around, but I prefer him in the middle as he's not so much suited for coverage of the better TEs. We definitely lack a guy like Randall Godfrey, he was very valuable for us last year when McIntosh went down. Of all the things we could do, OLB is the spot I'd be most interested in improving.

[Daseal]

I agree. OLB and CB are currently two of our weaker spots. If Carlos comes back early and Springs stays healthy, we're fine. However, that's asking a lot.

[That Guy]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I'm also concerned about OLB. Also, I'm not sure we've got any decent backup FBs behind Sellers. I'm also not sure we have a backup C who's worth a crap. And there's the ever-present question marks about the DE spots, despite the James acquisition.

Rinehart gave us some young depth at G and T, so combining with Heyer, no moves needed there. In camp, we need to see if we have anybody who can back up Rabach though, otherwise we should think about signing someone.

our backup center is jon jansen if we really need one. and we have a backup FB. pete schmitt - he was with us last year adn they like him. broughton is listed as a FB as well, and we've had him for 3 years, but i doubt they consider him a blocker.

[Monkeydad]

Backup fullback.

Seriously, if we lose Sellers, we're in trouble in the backfield.


OK, maybe that's not our GREATEST need...

[skinsnut]

I worry about DT depth too.
Golston is ok...but I dont even know who #4 is
What happens if a starter or 2 gets injured?
We need a 3 man rotation.
I think we need some help here

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

I worry about DT depth too.
Golston is ok...but I dont even know who #4 is
What happens if a starter or 2 gets injured?
We need a 3 man rotation.
I think we need some help here

Yeah but at DT you can rotate Daniels down, he's big enough and strong enough to make that work. Evans has rotated down to DT before too and done alright.

I'm thinking Boschetti may not make the team, but I'd bet that if a Griffin got injured, they could always call on Boschetti to fill in.

We're not talking about world-beaters here, but I think we've got the flexibility to get by should injuries set in.

[jamf]

Anywhere on our defensive front 7 is in need of depth.
Let's go into camp and see who can win a job. If no one steps up in training camp, we can pickup a veteren that gets cut in minicamp.

Unfortunately we can't have all former first rounders starting on defense(We tried last year!). We have to let some unknown guys earn their paychecks.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah but at DT you can rotate Daniels down, he's big enough and strong enough to make that work. Evans has rotated down to DT before too and done alright.

I'm thinking Boschetti may not make the team, but I'd bet that if a Griffin got injured, they could always call on Boschetti to fill in.

We're not talking about world-beaters here, but I think we've got the flexibility to get by should injuries set in.

Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?

[freddyg12]

DE & C
CB gets second IMO simply because of the history of injuries to those guys & that Tryon is a rookie + torrence & eubanks might never be solid pros.
If all those guys can stay healthy though & Rogers returns to form, it's a solid unit.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?

Ooh, that's a cool thought. I never even thought of that idea.

He's certainly quick getting off the line, so the agility would seem to be there. I wonder if he's fast enough to cover TEs.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Do you see any situations where Chris Wilson might slide out to LB?

I think he's got the physical set to play SLB only, sort of like Matthias Kiwanuka for the Giants, but that's also HB Blades' best position, it's hard to see Wilson playing SLB ahead of Blades.

I wouldn't put it past Blache to try 4 DEs on passing downs: Carter and James at the ends, Daniels inside, and Chris Wilson as a rush linebacker. But that's not really playing linebacker.

[GTripp0012]

And yes, I agree with those who are saying LB and CB. We are dangerously thin at both those positions.

[skinsnut]

What about Safety?
I know we've got a ton of young guys...including our 2 starters...typically depth includes a prior starter thats got NFL smarts.
I worry about if one of our starters goes down...a rookie for both backup spots seems risky to me....especially since our corners beyond our 3 starters are also very inexperienced....and yes....I was a preiloux fan...I could just never spell his name

[RIGGO/NYC]

We are okay at LB because the middle is arguably the most important spot and Fletcher has never missed a game. Blades is a good fourth LB if any of our guys go down and Campell is solid enough to start a game or 2. Gatewood and Sinclair (whom I do not like) will fill the 6th spot. Hopefully Gatewood. CB is our most pressing need! On paper we look okay with Springs there, but you have to expect he'll miss at least 2 or 3 games and Rogers has a very serious injury, so I do not think he will be himself at all this season. Torrence, Smoot and Tyron cannot hold up against Dallas or NY. We should get a veteran camp casualty who could play nickle. Second most glarring need is center and we should sign Jeremy Newberry to be the backup. He a great year last year, but is in his 11th or 12th year, so could be had for the vet min. He could even be better than Rabach. I also have to say that I am a little nervous about Rhinehart, whom a lot of scouts thought was overatted and overdrafted by us. I read that he was overmatched at the senior bowl. Granted he played tackle, but that is not a good sign. I think we should have drafted Carl Nicks instead. Hopefully Buges made the decision on this because I trust his imput and that would reassure me. Let's hope Springs stays healthy and Buges can work wonders with Rhinehart.