Defensive Tackle

This argument has been on going in the Draft Forum. I have taken the position that we need a DE more than a DT although both could use improvement. I think I part company with many in that I rate Golston as an adequate starter and they do not. Also, others take the position that because we spent so much on Carter we have to hope he pans out. I say even if Carter plays better, Daniels and Wynn are over the hill.

Most of the argument is brought on by the 6th overall and wether to take Branch or Adams. My view is that they should split the difference, trade down, and get one of each. However, if they keep the 6th overall, they should take Adams or whoever they rate highest at DE.

My botton line is that 1. We need to improve the DL. 2. This is a multi-year process. 3. Defensive End is the more immediate need.Its true there is no quick fix to our line problem. We need some raw talent in Daniels's spot and Salvae's spot immediately.
I'll have to differ with the thought that Golston is an adequate starter though. If he played a full seasons then we might rank worst than the 06 campain. Golston is an overachiever, a great back up and good to keep our starters fresh.
Overall though good thoughts lets draft both positions and coach em' up to be talented starters.

I want Alan Branch more than anyone. He's a 6'6 330lb monster with quick feet, a huge wingspan, and he can play some end too. He would be awesome at plugging the run and eating up blocks, and I think Fletcher could have a huge season playing behind him. If Carter continues his improved pass rush that began coming on at the end of the season, we could be in good shape, and with an improved secondary we could afford to blitz more... I dunno, if we trade down there are good players available too- Moss, Carriker, Spencer. It seems like we debate this everyday, and I always feel torn...

Because if we have Golston and Montgomery, Griffin and S'alavea, and we resigned Boschetti, I don't see us drafting another DT. What to do, what to do??

I agree. At first I was hopin for an impact DE. But now that think about it, we really need somebody that can stuff the run! If we can solidify the D up the middle, the edges wouldn't get exposed.

I agree. At first I was hopin for an impact DE. But now that think about it, we really need somebody that can stuff the run! If we can solidify the D up the middle, the edges wouldn't get exposed.

A lot of talk has gone out about Adams being too light to play against the run
in the NFL, inspite of his huge number of tackles in college. I disagree. The has the skills, obviously, and he will have the size. He's 6'6" and 260 but the guy can press about 360 and is heavily muscled and thin. He could easily put on 15 to 20 lbs and still be the fastest lineman in the draft. Kiper says he's the second best player in the draft. I say he's too good to pass up. Branch's two tackles per game and no sacks really bother me; the numbers are just too low, whether he's double teamed or not.
I wouldn't be too disturbed though if we dropped back just enough to get DE Carriker and a stud DT early in the 2nd. Carriker's a frightening guy, a real physical freak of nature with a brain-- a solid pass rusher and a real big crusher in the running game who's got to be double teamed. He might be one of the more underrated guys likely to go in the first round. With Carriker, we will get the eqivalent of a DT who can rush.

Its true there is no quick fix to our line problem. We need some raw talent in Daniels's spot and Salvae's spot immediately.
I'll have to differ with the thought that Golston is an adequate starter though. If he played a full seasons then we might rank worst than the 06 campain. Golston is an overachiever, a great back up and good to keep our starters fresh.
Overall though good thoughts lets draft both positions and coach em' up to be talented starters.


There can be a quick fix to or D-LINE it's called healthy players, PD is fine. Sal is aging, however, I think Golston did a great job when Sal could not go...which was to often. And certainly think he can start....look who was behind him?
What makes you state him as an overachiever...to me that's what you want? I certainly think we have enough underachievers..."AKA" BL,ARCH
My position is DE first, DT second, to be adressed in Draft.

It all starts with stopping the run. If you can't stop the run it doesn't matter about the pass rush. You got walk before you run. You have to stop the run before anything else. In 2005 we were strong against the run and we did not have a very good pash rush and we still made it to the second round of the playoffs. Last year we sucked against the rush and we failed to make the playoffs. We need a DT.

There can be a quick fix to or D-LINE it's called healthy players, PD is fine. Sal is aging, however, I think Golston did a great job when Sal could not go...which was to often. And certainly think he can start....look who was behind him?
What makes you state him as an overachiever...to me that's what you want? I certainly think we have enough underachievers..."AKA" BL,ARCH
My position is DE first, DT second, to be adressed in Draft.

i agree with some of that but i dont understand how you can say that golston can start, with griffen id assume, when we gave up so much against the run. obviously something was very bad in the middle

It all starts with stopping the run. If you can't stop the run it doesn't matter about the pass rush. You got walk before you run. You have to stop the run before anything else. In 2005 we were strong against the run and we did not have a very good pash rush and we still made it to the second round of the playoffs. Last year we sucked against the rush and we failed to make the playoffs. We need a DT.

That's a great point. Which is why I've been saying we should go get Ian Scott from the Bears. He would come pretty cheap, he's still young, and has a non-stop motor. With Scott, Golston, Montgomery, Griffin, S'alavea, and Boschetti there would be plenty of able bodies who could rotate (which Williams loves to do) at the DT position and stay fresh. If we did this we could draft a DE. I wouldn't mind Amobi Okoye in the draft while we're on the subject. He's young, smart, and can play end or DT, plus he's a "super smart character guy."

That's a great point. Which is why I've been saying we should go get Ian Scott from the Bears. He would come pretty cheap, he's still young, and has a non-stop motor. With Scott, Golston, Montgomery, Griffin, S'alavea, and Boschetti there would be plenty of able bodies who could rotate (which Williams loves to do) at the DT position and stay fresh. If we did this we could draft a DE. I wouldn't mind Amobi Okoye in the draft while we're on the subject. He's young, smart, and can play end or DT, plus he's a "super smart character guy."

Scott's great. He's meeting with Denver today isn't he?

Scott's great. He's meeting with Denver today isn't he?

Yeah, doesn't it feel kinda weird when a guy we could really use actually gets a visit with another team without our front office throwing way to much money at him??? I like the new approach. If we are really interested, we'll get a chance to counter Denver's offer if they make one.