Glaring Need / Roster

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

OLB is our #1 glaring need because we don't have anyone on the roster that can start in that role. If we had to, we can start Heyer at RT without the line collapsing. We can start Wynn or (if resigned) Daniels for one more year until we address that in the '10 offseason. However, we simply cannot go into the '09 season with HB Blade, all 5'9, 240 lbs of him at our SLB spot. That's just madness.

I know 75% of our fanbase has a love of OL, OL, OL but we need playmakers and at 13 we need to get one.

But, I think you'll agree with this, a defensive player we take at 13 has to not only fit in our scheme, but also fit in anyone elses scheme as his prime years are going to be played likely under a different defensive coaching staff.

In the first round, that's pretty much two players: Orakpo, and Tyson Jackson. Orakpo could help us at OLB next year in kind of a Matthias Kiwanuka type role, but Jackson wouldn't help our LB situation at all, and would likely spend a year as Carter's backup in the defense.

As much as I like to conceptualize everything I discuss, at the end of the day, we're still going to have to draft a player, not just a position. This, obviously, is a reason to not just draft "best available RT" as well in the first round.

BTW, Blades' skill set plays well at SLB. It's because 1) TEs are smaller now then they've ever been in the past and 2) our defense usually puts Chris Horton on the outside of him on most plays anyway.

[GridIron26]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

But, I think you'll agree with this, a defensive player we take at 13 has to not only fit in our scheme, but also fit in anyone elses scheme as his prime years are going to be played likely under a different defensive coaching staff.

In the first round, that's pretty much two players: Orakpo, and Tyson Jackson. Orakpo could help us at OLB next year in kind of a Matthias Kiwanuka type role, but Jackson wouldn't help our LB situation at all, and would likely spend a year as Carter's backup in the defense.

As much as I like to conceptualize everything I discuss, at the end of the day, we're still going to have to draft a player, not just a position. This, obviously, is a reason to not just draft "best available RT" as well in the first round.

BTW, Blades' skill set plays well at SLB. It's because 1) TEs are smaller now then they've ever been in the past and 2) our defense usually puts Chris Horton on the outside of him on most plays anyway.

You have a good argument, as I believe Heyer would be decent enough for us to play good offense. Although I had different thought, as Heyer is the reason why I want us to draft Mack; NFL are getting enriched with massive NTs.. Some people said Buges don't instill rookie into the line, that may be the case but he also could play guard.. Maybe he would come in when Thomas don't perform well, that is unless if Thomas goes back to his old self but it would be difficult with back problem and age, I believe..

But now I'm open to drafting LB w/ #13 pick..

[Trample the Elderly]

Originally Posted by GridIron26

You have a good argument, as I believe Heyer would be decent enough for us to play good offense. Although I had different thought, as Heyer is the reason why I want us to draft Mack; NFL are getting enriched with massive NTs.. Some people said Buges don't instill rookie into the line, that may be the case but he also could play guard.. Maybe he would come in when Thomas don't perform well, that is unless if Thomas goes back to his old self but it would be difficult with back problem and age, I believe..

But now I'm open to drafting LB w/ #13 pick..

Mack or Wood can help us with the nose tackle. If they pass on both of these guys something is wrong.

[Paintrain]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

But, I think you'll agree with this, a defensive player we take at 13 has to not only fit in our scheme, but also fit in anyone elses scheme as his prime years are going to be played likely under a different defensive coaching staff.

In the first round, that's pretty much two players: Orakpo, and Tyson Jackson. Orakpo could help us at OLB next year in kind of a Matthias Kiwanuka type role, but Jackson wouldn't help our LB situation at all, and would likely spend a year as Carter's backup in the defense.

As much as I like to conceptualize everything I discuss, at the end of the day, we're still going to have to draft a player, not just a position. This, obviously, is a reason to not just draft "best available RT" as well in the first round.

BTW, Blades' skill set plays well at SLB. It's because 1) TEs are smaller now then they've ever been in the past and 2) our defense usually puts Chris Horton on the outside of him on most plays anyway.

Yes, I agree with you. We'd have to draft a fit, not just a position at 13. I guess I am just not feeling Blades at SLB at all.

I kind of think a lot of folks are under the assumption that we can draft one of the top 4 and just slot him at RT and he'll be a stud until moving to LT post Samuels. It's not as simple as it seems.

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by Paintrain

Yes, I agree with you. We'd have to draft a fit, not just a position at 13. I guess I am just not feeling Blades at SLB at all.

I kind of think a lot of folks are under the assumption that we can draft one of the top 4 and just slot him at RT and he'll be a stud until moving to LT post Samuels. It's not as simple as it seems.

Sort of discredits our coaches on offense don't you think? Over the last few drafts OTs taken in the top 15 have been able to start on day 1 and some have even had remarkable success. I mean the Rinehart situation makes me uneasy... a guy they draft in the 3rd can't even dress as a rookie. But 1st round OT talent, especially early 1st round OT talent, should make it harder to "miss" right?

More generally I think players drafted early in the 1st ought to make an immediate impact, w/ the exception of most rookie QBs. If a player drafted that high can't start right away something has gone very wrong IMO, whether it's at the player or coaching level.

[AnimateYYZ]

Originally Posted by The Goat

Sort of discredits our coaches on offense don't you think? Over the last few drafts OTs taken in the top 15 have been able to start on day 1 and some have even had remarkable success. I mean the Rinehart situation makes me uneasy... a guy they draft in the 3rd can't even dress as a rookie. But 1st round OT talent, especially early 1st round OT talent, should make it harder to "miss" right?

More generally I think players drafted early in the 1st ought to make an immediate impact, w/ the exception of most rookie QBs. If a player drafted that high can't start right away something has gone very wrong IMO, whether it's at the player or coaching level.

I agree with you, but I would say WR is the other position outside of QB, that makes for the toughest transition to the pros. Very few WR's make an immediate impact. This could explain why our early 2nd rounders didn't see much action last year.