Defensive End - How Big is Our Need?

[offiss]

Am I the only one who saw Carter getting pushed all over the field the last game against the Giants by a backup TE?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by offiss

Am I the only one who saw Carter getting pushed all over the field the last game against the Giants by a backup TE?

Yeah I don't think you're telling us anything we don't already know, Offiss. Carter isn't the greatest against the run. But he did have a sack in that game against the Giants, as well as a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.

The whole point was to say that he was really coming on as a pass rusher, more than anything.

A lot of us here are saying it wouldn't be the best idea to draft Gaines Adams and line him up on the other side of Carter, because we'd have two ends who can get to the QB but are very vulnerable to the run.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by dmek25

Adams plays the opposite of carter. one of them would have to occasionally face the tight-end. but the colts have 2 very light ends, and they still get their sacks. like i said before, its just something they have, that knack for getting the quarterback. and Phil Daniels probably would be alot more effective being used as a situational pass rusher

Doesn't this seem like it could be a problem to you? I'm not sure I'd cite the Colts defense as the standard for excellence in the NFL.

[dmek25]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Doesn't this seem like it could be a problem to you? I'm not sure I'd cite the Colts defense as the standard for excellence in the NFL.

i was more talking about their ends. they still get their sacks. i think their problem is more in the middle. i think D.T. is the answer, but i see branch as the second coming of big daddy, and that didnt work once before

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by dmek25

i agree with you about the biggest need being defensive tackle. but, i don't want Branch. so who would be the next choice? thats why i want Adams, to turn up the pressure on opposing quarterbacks

I likes Gaines Adams also but I think the concern is about his size (despite the fact he could easily put on another 6-10 lbs.) and whether he would, or would not have to be a situational player since I'm convinced the team feels it can get another serviceable year out of Daniels. Like I said before DT or DE is fine with me. Adams at DE or Okoye at DT......How I wish we could land them both.....Just call it wishful dreaming.

For those concerned about the size of Adams, he's the same size Dexter Manley was playing at the same position. I like him, it's just a matter of how he would fit into the defensive rotation at this time.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

I likes Gaines Adams also but I think the concern is about his size (despite the fact he could easily put on another 6-10 lbs.) and whether he would, or would not have to be a situational player since I'm convinced the team feels it can get another serviceable year out of Daniels. Like I said before DT or DE is fine with me. Adams at DE or Okoye at DT......How I wish we could land them both.....Just call it wishful dreaming.

For those concerned about the size of Adams, he's the same size Dexter Manley was playing at the same position. I like him, it's just a matter of how he would fit into the defensive rotation at this time.

Yeah but today's tackles are bigger than the ones Manley faced.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

Yeah but today's tackles are bigger than the ones Manley faced.

For a player who relies on speed as opposed to power and strength, this could be to his advantage. Granted many tackles are bigger now than the one's Manley faced, around the league you see the smaller DE's having success against bigger guys using their speed and quickness.

[jermus22]

I really like the idea of drafting Branch at DT. He is a beast in run support with tremendous size and power, something the defensive line lacked last year. He wouldn't need to start immediately, but if he rotated with Salevea at DT, he would be ready by (or before midseason). His play would boost the production of the other DL flanking him (Carter and Griffin) and free the linebackers up to make tackles.

[jermus22]

Another reason Branch would fit in our defensive scheme is that his abilities suit Salevea's particular position. While Griffin is generally used more to shoot gaps and penetrate, Salevea is asked more often to stuff the run and occupy blockers. When Salevea went down with injuries last year, his replacement (Cedric Golston) lacked the ideal size and strength for that role. As a result, opponents ran effectively up the middle, our LBs contended with OL, and our DBs had to make most of the tackles. Branch would fix that problem, keep Salevea healthy and rested, and allow Golston to occasionally give Griffin a breather (and allow Golston to develop as a gap shooter instead of run stuffer). In short, Branch could help our defense the way Dave Butz helped in the '80s.

[jermus22]

As a right (weakside) defensive end, Daniels is solid against the run and above average as a pass rusher. But on the left (strong) side, he lacks the size to contend with bigger tackles as well as tight ends, making him only modest in run-support. His age (34) means he will need to be relieved occasionally so he can be effective as a pass rusher; that would simply involve rotating in more players like Renaldo Wynn and Demetric Evans to maximize our pass rush.

[freddyg12]

the d line got pushed around a bit in a few games. AC is certainly no run stuffer, but if we get our O going we'll build some leads & GW will turn em loose on the pass rush.

[Beemnseven]

Am I the only one who finds it absurd to heep praise upon Andre Carter for being able to "turn it on" for half a season?

Will we all sit here next year and be thankful if Andre gives us a solid performance for 8 games, while the other 8 he just uses up oxygen?

I wonder if Patriots fans, Colts fans or Philly fans rejoice with the fact that one of their starters actually decides to put forth some effort for just 50% of the season?

My, have our standards fallen.

[jdlea]

I like Carter, I don't trust Daniels, however, I think if the Skins get a guy who can bring pressure from up the middle then that'll free up the D Ends. I like Okoye, they were talking about him on Sirius yesterday and said he's even quicker off the of snap than Sapp used to be, when he was young. If the Skins pass on Okoye, I'm not gonna be too pleased, however, I really hope they just draft a linemen. If they go corner, I might kill someone. I'm really hoping for Okoye.

[#56fanatic]

in my eyes the ends are only as good as the guys playing inside. If our tackles are getting doubled that frees up the end for one on one, or against a TE. Daniels is big and strong and can generate a pass rush one on one, as well as Carter. My most glaring need is for a DT who demands a double. When Grif was at his best two seasons ago down the stretch he demanded doubles and Joe wasn't all that bad. Which led to Daniels having some pretty big games at the end of the season. Plus, if the DT's are taking up space and holding up the guards and center, that frees up the LBs to make more plays against the run. I dont think anyone on our D line was playing up to those standards last year.

DT is definately the way to go. If we can trade down and get a later 1st and 2nd, then we could draft both. The draft is really deep at quality DT's and DE's.

[skinsfan_nn]

I think Carter really improved the latter part of the season, if he can pick up where he left off, I think we are in pretty good shape.

DE or DT either way, I also like Adams and Okoye. Can't have it all.