I would throw a tun of money at haynesworth.

Then I would start Langford (LE) Haynesworth (NT) Ferguson (RE)
and keep merlyn and holliday as rotatin subs where all 5 gets lots of playing time

Then I would draft a blitzing OLB and move roth to ILB. Start rookie or anderson at (left OL and porter at (right OL and rotate channing, ayodele and roth at ILB

Draft a CB for nickel/ dime (keep allen and goodman)

Keep Bell at (SS-should have made probowl) and use a first or second to get a ball hawkin FS

We should be very solid after this... thoughts on upgrading defense?

Haynesworth is the guy who stomped on the bare scalp of a pro-bowl offensive lineman from DALLAS. I have to say that was one of the most psychotic actions I have ever seen in sports. It was a DICK MOVE and I think that might not be something that our coach will forgive him for. On the other hand...Haynes would definately help us stop the run.

Haynesworth is a lot like Bryan Cox, a ton of emotion and a ton of talent. Occasionally his brain gets short circuited by his rage. With the right coach keeping in his brain, he would be a definite gain.

Miami Reppa Wrote:
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> Then I would draft a blitzing OLB and move roth to
> ILB.

I have also wondered why Roth is playing OLB. His body structure seems much more suited for ILB. He looks awkward in pass coverage, but I imagine he could be a beast plugging those holes up the middle to stop the run.

Reppa...I love the plan with a few exceptions...

I too, would like to see Roth at ILB. He could be Levon Kirkland of this unit.

I do not see Charlie Anderson playing a full time strong side spot though...he is not stout enough against the run. He is more of a situational pass rusher. He should continue to spell Porter and learn from him. We also need to draft a replacement for Porter. He is a liability against the run and cannot shed blocks.

I also do not see Fergy at DE. He is a plugger. He should alternate with Haynesworth. Fergy on running downs and Haynesworth on passing downs.

LE=Langford
NT=Fergy & Haynesworth
RE=Merling

LOLB=Rookie
LILB=Roth
RILB=Crowder
ROLB=Porter

FS=rookie
SS=Bell

CB=Will Allen
CB=Goodman

Nickel=Rookie that could take over for W. Allen at some point.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

eesti Wrote:
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> I also do not see Fergy at DE. He is a plugger.
> He should alternate with Haynesworth. Fergy on
> running downs and Haynesworth on passing downs.
>

Yeah that could work, i just get so excited thinking what if we played a 4-3 and we could play them both at the same time. They would make the williams wall in minnasota look like lavern and shirely...

But seriously, even if they alternate I think it would be hard to not play them together atleast on running downs. They are monsters I would think that we gotta find situations to get them on the field together. Otherwise I am glad to see that we agree, i just hope that management see it the same way. And even if they dont, this past draft has shown me that someone on there team has great vision of how to draft and aquire players that fit a championship scheme...

Goo fish.

Defense is the core of this team, expect a lot of defensive picks early, even though imo we need an o lineman and receiver really bad. Ferguson should stay where he is.

The entire unit has to improve. But the pass rush, run defense and the secondary has to be the priorities for the defense.

Picking where we are that will be a tough order for the front office to fill via the draft. Free Agency additions are going to be very key in the short term.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/01/2009 11:05AM by Ken.

Haynesworth will probably not even be seriously looked at... as his skills are much better suited to a 4-3, than a 3-4, plus he is going to command a LOT of money. He is much more valuable to a 4-3 team. We should not get into a bidding war for his services as his pay would far outpace his overall impact on OUR team.

Matt Roth would not make a good ILB. He does not have the lateral movement necessary to follow a running back down the line as his is picking a hole and making cutbacks and make the tackle. He also doesn't have the movement or speed to be able to regularly cover a TE/FB down the field in pass coverage.

He has been mildly successful as an OLB due to once again... the system he is playing in. In a 3-4, the OLB isn't much different than a DE in a 4-3 which is the position he played previously. Especially the Strong-side OLB, which is the position he plays. He would be a horrible OLB in a 4-3 and an even worse ILB in either system.

For the most part, I like the plan on the DL.

If we do sign Haynsworth, I think you'll see he and Furguson platooned - with Haynsworth the starter, and the yongsters (Merling and Lankford) starters at DE - platooning with Holiday.

Truth be told, I think DE is one of our more solid positions, and there is no need to move Furguson outside - he's too slow anyway. We need serious help at NT and Haynsworth first the bill long term.

Not so sure I agree with your thoughts on the LBs.

I think Channing will be gone this year - he wants too much money and can be replaced with draft picks or cheaper FAs. Roth at ILB is an interesting idea, but I'm not sure he's got the athleticism to be a big time gap filler. I think he stays at OLB, however may be benched in favor of a drafted player. I disagree totally that we need a blitz specialist - we need a guy that can play the run and pass better than Joey.


I think your right on at DB. We will draft a safety and CB while keep the players we have.

I don't think Roth can operate in space as well as needed for ILBs. I could be wrong, but he doesn't seem like a read and react type, and has trouble navigating through open space necessary to be ILB. He's a much better one on one player which is more suited for OLB.

grooves12 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Matt Roth would not make a good ILB. He does not
> have the lateral movement necessary to follow a
> running back down the line as his is picking a
> hole and making cutbacks and make the tackle. He
> also doesn't have the movement or speed to be able
> to regularly cover a TE/FB down the field in pass
> coverage.
>

Grooves,

In the 3-4, isn't the strongside inside LB (the Ted) primarily responsible for taking on the guard? And tying up blockers so that the Mike and strong safety can make the tackles? I'm not sure if this is how our system works, but our top two tacklers are the SS and the Mike. If so, wouldn't Roth seem to be a decent fit for this role?

As for the overall defensive plan. We need a NT to learn from Ferguson and eventually push him to a backup role. No one's mentioned Starks here yet. We gave this guy $20M, so he's in the plans somewhere. And Holliday is the defensive captain. All in all, other than adding a NT, I don't think there are any changes here. I think you have to hope that Merling and Langford become better pass rushers with a year of experience under the belts. And Justin Smiley raved about the pass rushing of Lionel Dotson, so maybe he can contribute next season.

At LB, I get the feeling that Crowder won't be back. He's a good player, not a great one. And I think he wants to be paid like a great one. If some other team offers a deal that this regime thinks is more than his worth, he'll be gone. Then we need to find someone to fill this role, either in the draft or free agency. Maybe Karlos Dansby? I also think we could go after a college DE that can be converted to OLB for the strong side, someone who is big enough to set the edge but fast enough to rush the passer.

In the secondary, I think Goodman will be re-signed quickly, like the week after the season ends. And I think Bell will be re-signed, too. I'm torn on Renaldo Hill. He's not an ideal safety, and I understand the desire to upgrade there. But, the staff praises his ability to communicate as the reason for the turnaround of the secondary. I could see him brought back. And even if he is, I can see a young safety being drafted. And I think we'll draft a corner fairly early, someone to play the nickel and groom as a future starter.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/02/2009 03:18AM by dolfanmark.

Mark,

Inside LB's have to have something that no other defensive player has.....atleast the good ones do anyways, and that is instincts. A nose for the ball. Roth does not have that. Zach Thomas was so great because of his instincts, same goes for all the other MLB's that are good.

Aqua&Orange Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Mark,
>
> Inside LB's have to have something that no other
> defensive player has.....atleast the good ones do
> anyways, and that is instincts. A nose for the
> ball. Roth does not have that. Zach Thomas was so
> great because of his instincts, same goes for all
> the other MLB's that are good.

I agree with you. I think lack of instinct is Channing Crowder's only real problem. He's always a step or two late. Instead of making the tackle in the hole for a 2 or 3 yard gain, he makes it after a 5 or 6 yard gain. He also fills the wrong hole a lot, and then has to recover. He's a terrific athlete and it allows him to overcome this to an extent. But, I think it's what keeps him from being a Pro Bowl level talent.

2 WORDS.....Nnamdi Asomugha

like the Haynesworth move, I think he can play in the 3-4 or 4-3. The guy is an old school player not an idiot like Brian Cox. I would draft Brian Cushing to move out Roth, time for him to go. Forget the inside move. Draft some db's for backup and future replacements and the 'D' should be ok providing we resign Crowder he has shown prgress each year.

Phinsfan2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> He's ok rushing from that spot
> but he's been dynamite against the run.


Which is exactly why he needs to be used on the interior of the defensive front. If he has the quickness to set the edge, he certainly has the quickness to play ILB along with Crowder. His lack of speed down the field can be hidden at ILB just as it is now.

Miami Reppa Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have a link that will help us or help me cause I
> the debate is on the responsibility of the ILB.
> Based on this link (if anyone can find a better
> one please update) it says that of the two ILB in
> a 4-3 one is responsible for being the run stopper
> and the other is typically a smaller ILB who is
> responsible for pass coverage and some run
> stopping. If this is correct than I think that
> roth would have to replace crowder as the run
> stopper and I assume that ayodele is the smaller
> better pass coverage ILB.

We need an upgrade over Ayodele, and I'd rather pick up a prototype ILB in the draft or a proven FA than experiment with Roth AGAIN.

Roth went from DE to OLB in like 2 months. Something tells me he's got the mental capacity to play ILB. Not to mention he has the entire offseason to drop some weight and add some speed.

Our linebackers have actually turned out to be pretty decent this year, so I'd rather give Roth a shot on the interior and focus on the offensive and defensive lines. We absolutely need a DT or DE with our first pick, and depth on the OL in the second round would be a good idea.

Our main priority needs to be a better pass rush.

noetic Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Roth went from DE to OLB in like 2 months.
> Something tells me he's got the mental capacity to
> play ILB. Not to mention he has the entire
> offseason to drop some weight and add some speed.
>
Gee, then why not try him at QB? DE to OLB, moving from a 4-3 to a 3-4, isn't that big a switch. Taylor played OLB when Saban employed a 3-4. OLB to ILB is a more difficult switch. I'd hate to have to rely on a guy that's never played that position. If we lose Crowder, we need to pick up a guy that knows how to play ILB rather than experiment with Roth.

> We absolutely need a DT or DE
> with our first pick,
We're pretty set at DE, with Holiday, Langford, and Merling platooning. We still have Rod Wright as well. Also, there is no DT in a 3-4. We need a NT, not a DT.

> and depth on the OL in the
> second round would be a good idea.
Don't forget, we're getting Thomas back next year. We also have Al Johnson and Satele that can both play Center and Guard. If Smiley comes back, we'll have some good, versatile, players on the O-Line. I'd rather not spend a second rounder unless we're planning on not re-signing Carey or a 1st-round talent falls in our lap.

>
> Our main priority needs to be a better pass rush.T
As Langford and Merling mature, and we improve our interior run D (with better ILBs), the pass rush will follow. Porter is one of the best pass rushers in the league, but our D has had to concentrate on stopping the run lately which has stifled our pass rush.

We need to start up a rumor that Rey Maualuga smokes crack, then maybe he falls to us and we can laugh in everybodyes face.

I heard Shula started a rumor about Marino and thats why he fell all the way to us.

montequi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Gee, then why not try him at QB?


Thanks for reminding me why I don't take you seriously. I'm stunned at how you manage to interweave unrealistic optimism with clearly defined pessimism in the same post.

I really would like to see Solaia grow up a bit and settle in as the NT. He is a monster and the biggest player on our team @ 6'4 345 lbs and the same size as dominant NT Kris Jenkins. PS is pretty quick for a big man and ran a 5.1 40. That is pretty good. He offers the potential to be a plugger in the run game and the ability to get up the field in a pass rush. Remember, he is only in his second year and BP and co. must have seen something in him to keep him in the first place and to keep him after he screwed up twice. There is definitely something there. That would also save us from using a high draft pick on a NT which I don't think we will do anyway.

I doubt Roth will move inside. It was just a thought but there is no reason to think that Sparano will make that switch anyway.

Like someone pointed out earlier, Roth is new to the position of OLB and has done pretty well. He should be more comfortable next year and would have time to drop a few lbs and get back some quickness after spending last off season gaining weight to play 3-4 DE. He is the type of guy BP loves with the high motor and would be nice to see him settle in.

That would leave us the ability to get some help at LB and FS. Bell is a FA but they are trying to resign him to an extension.

Hill is a FA but I think he could be upgraded.

Will Allen is a good CB but Goodman has outplayed him this year to become our number 1 CB. We could use some competition there.

We are already slated to pick 26th so my choice would still be a LB like Brandon Spikes, Laurinitius or Cushing. Spikes and Laurinitius are inside guys with good speed but I think Laurinitius has more potential as Spikes may just be a newer version of Crowder. Cushing is an outside guy but is very versatile and could play all 4 positions.

With pick 2A I would like to see a WR like Robiskie or Juaquin Iglesias and 2B to be a FS or CB.....or visa versa depending on talent available.

Every year there is a player that drops into later rounds and hopefully we can get another one like we did with Merling.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2009 02:05PM by eesti.