Defensive Fix!

by Sincethebeginning @ Hogs Haven on Jan 15, 2007 7:58 PM EST

Lets state some facts,when shawn springs was in the lineup we were a different team,but his injuries have really hurt us being there is only 16 games in the reg. season,and lets face it he isnt getting any younger! Pierson Prieleau will be back next year and I think we should rely on him being there in the SS position. Furthermore, I think we should keep Archuleta for backup at SS and run schemes. This way he will earn some(but not much) of his salary. Top priority in the draft should be given DE or CB whichever comes first,or whatever kind of deal we can work out to get both, like trading down. Im not going to complain if we can get both(from trading down) whoever they are and in either order,either way with springs aging and injuries and nobody except golston under 30 on the D-line. Another option is we dump Archuletta put Springs at the SS(which I think would make us A+ at the two safety positions) which in turn would help Rogers and our newly drafted CB! Lets face it, we need a SS who can play both the run and the pass(not suck at one of them) at this day in age, especially with his contract! Even if we cant trade down for two top picks then we should take whoever we get and is best available with our first two picks for DE and CB(not trade them away). Many times the very best picks aren't worth it and, you could find equal or close to talent later in the draft! Everybody else does it! Why cant we? Anyways LB is not much of a concern I know we are a little undersized but we drafted Mcintosh last year and he should be relyed on a that position if we need help there. Any thoughts?

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I agree with most of this.

Ideally, the more I think about it, this team is in good shape when Shawn Springs is healthy (which he might not be). I'm comfortable or at least optimistic about Priolieu as our safety opposite Sean Taylor. I think the higher draft priority is Cornerback over Safety.

I say DE then CB in that order, though trade down to get both. We can get remarkable value for our #6 pick depending both on who is still available and the needs of teams below us. St. Louis and Tennessee (off the top of my head) are two teams that would be willing to trade up. We could easily get 2 day 1 draft picks + a pair of 2nd day picks (or even 3 day 1 draft picks) if we traded down with Tennessee. As they have, I think, 10 picks this year, I view them as the ideal Draft Day trading partner.

We have some options at Safety. We keep Archuleta, who can come in for run support or perhaps play linebacker on passing downs against a Tight End. There is some value there. We can also start Priolieu if he is healthy, or shift Shawn Springs over (as you said) -- Coach Gibbs has mentioned that.

Corner and DE are the biggest holes. One can be fixed in free agency, most likely CB by the looks of the FA market. But I'd rather we draft both anyways as depth is an increasing concern given Springs age/durability.

Like you I'm not nearly as concerned about LB as others, but it needs addressing within the next few years. 2008 draft should look to a MLB.

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by Skin Patrol on Jan 16, 2007 10:36 AM EST reply actions

From my memory...

the only real option at CB is Clements from BUF, and he's sure to get PAID by whoever signs him. Other than him, I don't remember any starter-caliber corners on the market.

But like I said, this is not based on any research done recently.

I know for sure TEN has 10 picks (the most allowed) and they have a good group of core players so their draft needs are pretty flexible. If they fell in love with a reciever for Vince or anyother piece to their defense (a saftey alongside Hope, another DL) they might be willing to trade.

I think trading is the best option, but I also thought that about the Texans last year and see how they handled it? I really, really hate Casserly.

I can't think of a spot on offense that the team needs to draft for, especially if they resign their starting line and maybe add a Wade type backup. The team has so much money sunk into the offense already that it seems they flat out can't spend more there, especially in light of how the defense performed last year.

DE or DB on day 1. Draft for value the rest of the way.

by TexSkins on Jan 16, 2007 5:57 PM EST up reply actions