Looks like Ireland is looking at a replacement for McDaniel and trying to produce more sacks in the process...

Edwards had 6 sacks for Carolina last year. He seemed to thrive after switching to 4-3 DT (3-technique) after playing 3-4 DE. He said he likes the 43 better.

That would give us (3) 31 year old DT's.

Lots of visiting going on but not many signings...I'm getting anxious to fill out the roster so I can sit around stewing about it for 4 months!

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

eesti Wrote:
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> Looks like Ireland is looking at a replacement for
> McDaniel and trying to produce more sacks in the
> process...
>
> Edwards had 6 sacks for Carolina last year. He
> seemed to thrive after switching to 4-3 DT
> (3-technique) after playing 3-4 DE. He said he
> likes the 43 better.
>
> That would give us (3) 31 year old DT's.
>
> Lots of visiting going on but not many
> signings...I'm getting anxious to fill out the
> roster so I can sit around stewing about it for 4
> months!

For McDaniel or Soliai?

Probably for Soliai since McD replaced him in the nickle.

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

eesti Wrote:
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> Probably for Soliai since McD replaced him in the
> nickle.


If we sign this guy you can start the clock ticking on Soliai. he'll be traded.

I don't think so. Ireland said wants to keep some continuity with the success of our d-line. We need that run stuffing NT. I still stand by the theory that we run a system that requires a 43 NT and a 3-technique in the base offense.

I don't think we are anywhere near as successful stopping the run with two 3-technique DT's. We still need 4 DT's for the rotation.

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

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I don't think so. Ireland said wants to keep some
> continuity with the success of our d-line. We need
> that run stuffing NT. I still stand by the theory
> that we run a system that requires a 43 NT and a
> 3-technique in the base offense.
>
> I don't think we are anywhere near as successful
> stopping the run with two 3-technique DT's. We
> still need 4 DT's for the rotation.


I think we'll be drafting one

I do too...but will it be a wide body or a 3-technique. Both ours are 31 and FA's in 14. We already have (3) 3 technique DT's on the roster.

Paul Soliai 6'4 345
Kheeston Randall 6'5 307
Randy Starks, 6'3, 305
Chas Alecxih 6'3 296

Jessie Williams (6'3 325) from Alabama could be an option. Benches 600 lbs.

I thought Star Lotu would be a NT but he measured in at 6'2 311 although he lost 10 lbs in the week before the combine. Actually several of the top DT's measured in smaller.

Shariff Floyd 6'3 297
Sheldon Richardson 6'2 294
Kawaan Short 6'3 299
Sylvester Williams 6'3 313

All 3-tech guys

John Jenkins is 6'4 346 but has red flags. It's hard to find those wide body guys that are still athletic and not battling weight issues or lazy.

I think Solia will restructure because he doesn't want to move his family and we draft a 3-technique.

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

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I do too...but will it be a wide body or a
> 3-technique. Both ours are 31 and FA's in 14. We
> already have (3) 3 technique DT's on the roster.
>
> Paul Soliai 6'4 345
> Kheeston Randall 6'5 307
> Randy Starks, 6'3, 305
> Chas Alecxih 6'3 296
>
> Jessie Williams (6'3 325) from Alabama could be an
> option. Benches 600 lbs.
>
> I thought Star Lotu would be a NT but he measured
> in at 6'2 311 although he lost 10 lbs in the week
> before the combine. Actually several of the top
> DT's measured in smaller.
>
> Shariff Floyd 6'3 297
> Sheldon Richardson 6'2 294
> Kawaan Short 6'3 299
> Sylvester Williams 6'3 313
>
> All 3-tech guys
>
> John Jenkins is 6'4 346 but has red flags. It's
> hard to find those wide body guys that are still
> athletic and not battling weight issues or lazy.
>
> I think Solia will restructure because he doesn't
> want to move his family and we draft a
> 3-technique.


I don't think Ireland is worried about having a perfectly balanced line this year.

I think he wants to get younger first and foremost.


Just my guess, but I think if we signed a depth guy like Edwards who can rush the passer, and a DE so Odrick moves inside, we'll trade Soliai. He's a commodity that will be a FA after next year and frankly isn't a great fit for our scheme as evidenced by his substantial drop off in play this year.


Add a draft pick like Kawann Short and you live with a DT rotation of quicker 300lb guys for this year and if you need a run stopper next year you bring one in to replace Starks.

Over those two season you get MUCH younger on the interior D-line and you maximize your assets by turning Soliai into a pick or two instead of letting him walk next year.

Should be a few 3-4 defenses out there who would want him.

I'm sure he would be a hot commodity since 6 teams were after him as a FA.

It depends on how Coyle wants his defense run. It's not really entirely up to Ireland. Coyle learned and ran the system with a 43 NT and a 3-tech in Miami just as Marvin Lewis did in Baltimore and Mike Zimmer ran in Cincy with Geno Smith and the other big Samoan.

I could be wrong but I don't see us eliminating the Nose position.

We can't afford to give up our best area of the team (run defense) even for a year. It's fine in passing situations but not when we play big running teams. It may be getting a little carried away by revamping the entire LBing crew and the DT's trying to add better pass rushers and blitzers everywhere. That would leave only two guys in the same position on the front 7....Wake and Starks.

If we are looking at 3-technique DT's in FA then maybe that says we will be shopping Odrick to a 3-4 team.

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

resigned with CAR

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The beatings will continue until morale improves.