No D-linemen drafted in first 5 rounds since '97

terell suggs played linebacker his rookie year

I don't agree with that... Will Smith, John Abraham, Terrell Suggs, and Dwight Freeny were all really good their first years... but they were also high draft picks

thats what? 3 out of 200+? the stats show that it's much safer to get your
DE/DT through free agency, the downside, of course, being that you'll be paying a lot more for him.

too true. where are the Dexter Manleys and Charles Manns?

Isn't Dwight Freeney in the last year of his contract? Also, it looks like John Abraham will be available. I doubt we'll be able to afford guys of that caliber; I think we'll have to settle for someone who is just adequate. We are going to have to cut some guys or restructure some deals just to keep "our core" together.

What's really disgusting is all of our busts in the mid rounds, hell, 95% of those guys don't make the team.

Don't get me started on Snyderatto! I am glad Gibbs is calling the shots now.
As you can tell by my name on TWP I am a firm believer that defense wins championships. All the top SB contenders start with a good defense first, combined with at least a balanced offense. A good defense is a must to winning, something Snyderatto did not agree with. He drafted mostly offensive skill position players.

I will be happy if we draft the best player available, but when there is no clear choice between several players, go defense. Good, young defensive players are always in demand and harder to find. Offensive players are available every offseason in free agency.

Besides the obvious need for D-lineman, our corners are getting old.
Carlos R. was an excellent pick up this year, he will be great. We need more young CB'S.
FS Sean Taylor was a great pick up last year, but we could use a great SS to complement Taylor. Two talented safeties playing together make a good defense great.

Besides the addition of defensive coach Williams, Sean Taylor was a major reason last year our Defense improved so much.

Don't get me started on Snyderatto! I am glad Gibbs is calling the shots now.
As you can tell by my name on TWP I am a firm believer that defense wins championships. All the top SB contenders start with a good defense first, combined with at least a balanced offense. A good defense is a must to winning, something Snyderatto did not agree with. He drafted mostly offensive skill position players.

I will be happy if we draft the best player available, but when there is no clear choice between several players, go defense. Good, young defensive players are always in demand and harder to find. Offensive players are available every offseason in free agency.

Besides the obvious need for D-lineman, our corners are getting old.
Carlos R. was an excellent pick up this year, he will be great. We need more young CB'S.
FS Sean Taylor was a great pick up last year, but we could use a great SS to complement Taylor. Two talented safeties playing together make a good defense great.

Besides the addition of defensive coach Williams, Sean Taylor was a major reason last year our Defense improved so much.
uuuhhh...ryan clark

if abe and dwight are both FAs this year, that means the above average DEs should be cheaper too right? last year corners were available and decent WRs were too (mason, plax)...

uuuhhh...ryan clark

uuuhhhh....Ryan Clark does not scare anyone. A good SS needs to hit with the ability to loosen fillings. Ryan is tiny, he will not do.