Questions that might effect the DRAFT

[Jake2008]

Originally Posted by Daseal

OL is safe, I'm talking about Dline being unsafe. However, 13 is a BAD spot to draft an Olineman. Unless we need an LT (which we don't) there's no reason to spend that high of a pick on a guard, center, or RT. Also, Ruhskins -- the guys you mentioned were all what -- top 3 picks? There's a world of difference between a top 3 LT and a 13th LT.

IMO if you can get a guard, center or RT that we can plug in our line for 8-10 years then I would do it in a minute. Any pick is risky. How many supposedly 'stud' players have been taken in the first round who never pan out? It is a gamble. So unless there is some can't miss player then we need to draft to shore up our major weaknesses.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

Randy Thomas is making an obscene amount of money next year. I'd be shocked if he's not starting. I am 99% sure we bring Kendall back next year. His play was solid all year. Assuming Samuels and Thomas come back healthy, in all likelyhood, this will be our line next year:

Samuels-Kendall-Rabach(or anew guy)-Thomas-Jansen/Heyer

Rinehart will be our primary backup at both G positions and our #4 T.

[30gut]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Randy Thomas is making an obscene amount of money next year. I'd be shocked if he's not starting. I am 99% sure we bring Kendall back next year. His play was solid all year. Assuming Samuels and Thomas come back healthy, in all likelyhood, this will be our line next year:

Samuels-Kendall-Rabach(or anew guy)-Thomas-Jansen/Heyer

Rinehart will be our primary backup at both G positions and our #4 T.

How is this line an improvement?

[SmootSmack]

I hear what you're saying 30 about a center to replace Rabach. I've heard that Unger likely won't play Center in the NFL. I do like Luigs as a center option though. But I'm really high on Robinson though. He didn't like playing it in the past, but I'd revisit with Kendall the idea of him moving to Center. Left to Right you could go Samuels, Robinson, Kendall, Thomas, and Vernon Carey (assuming we were to sign him) with depth in Rinehart, Jansen, and Heyer. Is that great? Probably not, but with Robinson, Carey, Rinehart, and Heyer that's some youth to build on.

As for the defensive line? I've mentioned him before but I'll say it again. DE Connor Barwin in the 3rd round.

YouTube - DE Connor Barwin Highlights Cinci vs Rutgers 10/11/08

And sign Karlos Dansby for LB

[53Fan]

Orakpo goes head-up against Alex Boone tonight. Texas vs Ohio State. Should be interesting. We could end up with one or both of these guys. Some mock drafts have us taking Orakpo at #13.

[MeanEvilSkin]

After watching the Sugar Bowl, I know I don't want the center from 'Bama. He looks worse than Raybach.

[Larry Michael is Satan]

I think it is really foolish to be counting on Kendall OR Rinehardt at LG next year. Kendall is going to be 36 I think, and has arthritic knees. Rinehardt, I actually recall hearing about him getting repeatedly blown up in training camp, and the fact that we were desperate for O-line this year, and he was never even active tells me he has a long way to go. I think we need to draft a starting LG as badly as we need a starting RT. We need quality players, not just bodies. Better have somebody ready to step in for Casey also. Good luck Vinny.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Larry Michael is Satan

I think it is really foolish to be counting on Kendall OR Rinehardt at LG next year. Kendall is going to be 36 I think, and has arthritic knees. Rinehardt, I actually recall hearing about him getting repeatedly blown up in training camp, and the fact that we were desperate for O-line this year, and he was never even active tells me he has a long way to go. I think we need to draft a starting LG as badly as we need a starting RT. We need quality players, not just bodies. Better have somebody ready to step in for Casey also. Good luck Vinny.

While he's aging Jansen probably plays well on the interior and can be a force at either guard position. Just an idea since he's a guaranteed hold-over but now lacks the lateral agility to be a great RT.

[WaldSkins]

Do you think we should be drafting lineman from teams that run a west coast offense or do you think that any lineman can be trained to play in it??

[Bubba305-ST21-]

i see it like this, if we release Marcus Washington, then our first round pick will be a linebacker. If we retain him I can see this pick being either O or D linemen.

[30gut]

Trade down to get get Knowshon Moreno and a second round pick
Then draft a C that can play guard: Alex Mack, Max Unger...
Attempt to get Portis to restructure so he can get traded...

[itvnetop]

If Taylor Mays falls to 13, you grab him. Horton's been a pleasant surprise, but Mays is the closest prototype to a Sean Taylor-potential safety since Swoop... 6-3, 235 and runs a 4.2. Fast as a gazelle and hits like a truck.

* Edit: SC insiders are now saying he's actually going to stay for his senior year. Wow... this dude was a lock to go top 15.

[dmek25]

everyone repeat after me, we need lineman. not the best available, lineman. on both sides of the ball. and lineman that aren't projects. lineman that are expected to step up and play, right away

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by dmek25

everyone repeat after me, we need lineman. not the best available, lineman. on both sides of the ball. and lineman that aren't projects. lineman that are expected to step up and play, right away

That's what I'm screaming.

[itvnetop]

Originally Posted by dmek25

everyone repeat after me, we need lineman. not the best available, lineman. on both sides of the ball. and lineman that aren't projects. lineman that are expected to step up and play, right away

Depending on the picks of teams before us, what if that lineman left at 13 isn't projected on our board to step in right away... and by some stroke of good fortune, nobody took the top rated safety (who coincidentally will grade out as the best safety prospect since Swoop) by then?

The FO had in mind who they wanted last season in the first round (linemen, btw)... but they weren't willing to settle for someone piddling in the middle of their board just b/c their targets were all snatched up early.