After our Superbowl win, what's next? Let's think about the draft.
by hevchv on Dec 29, 2008 5:46 AM MST
5 comments
I'm guessing that we'd pick around #21. By then all, or most, of the cute players will be off the board. Does that mean we can't get our bang for our buck? Of course not. I am slowly becoming a fan of the 3-4 defense. I love its attacking style and aggressive mentality. This analysis of draft needs will be from a balanced offense (traditional with a tight end and fullback) and a 3-4 defense prospective.
Round 1. OL/DT- Our first priority is to fix our line and that means fixing a few glaring holes. However, if we could get e real NT to anchor our D-line, then I'm all for it.
Round 2. DT/OL- It will take a real presence in the middle to receive constant double teams allowing the LBs to run free and to react. Just ask Ray Lewis how happy he is now.
Round 3. RB/CB- I have a man crush on the Giants earth, wind and fire RB stable. It doesn't matter who is in there, they will get the job done. It also means D-coordinators have to plan for three backs instead of one or even two.
Round 4. ILB/CB- I think once the middle is clogged, you need a backer who can run sideline to sideline and react quickly. With the NT double teamed, one of the ILBs should be free to be a primary playmaker.
Round 5. TE/OLB- Spach will do an admirable job in the run game. But a true power running game may need a strong double tight formation. Our current guys are more apt just to go out and catch the ball. To keep defenses honest, you can't be one dimensional.
Round 6. OLB/QB- With everyone getting hurt on the edge, how will we ever get pressure to the QB again. And forget stopping any runs off tackle.
Round 7. QB/OL- The former Steelers experiment is failing miserably, save for a few bright spots (Morey and Haggans), and that means they are becoming less and less reliable. With Warner still undecided about retirement and St. Pierre just plain scaring me, I would love a QB prospect we could train a year or two to be a good back up to Matt. Or maybe just take over if he never gets it.
With all that said, if he were still on the board, how could you pass up on a man child, a gargantuan beast of a DT? Meet Terrence Cody, a RS Sophomore from Alabama and projected 1st rounder.
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This is just my opinion. Let me know if you agree/disagree and share your thoughts.
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Revenge of the Birds' (ROTB) editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of ROTB's editors.
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Love me some draft talk
For the record though, their pick should be somewhere in the early 20’s. it’s also worth mentioning that 2 of the 3 “earth wind and fire” combo are unrestricted free agents this offseason. If the Cards want to add to the RB stable before the draft, they can.
- I’d love the see Cody in some Cardinal red. He’s simply unmovable at times and he’s the definition of a 3-4 nose tackle. (I’d still rather see Branch live up to his draft status but that seems like pissing in the wind these days.)
- I think whether Dansby stays or goes will greatly impact the needs of this team heading into the draft. If he leaves then ILB might be the biggest need, unless they sign another FA of course. There’s no way that Beisel or Highsmith can start next year.
- I like all of your picks on the offensive line. I’m hoping that they get two picks in the first four rounds. They need an infusion of young talent in this group.
Great stuff. Who’s the big-name offensive lineman that anyone is keeping an eye on? I always like to watch the bowl games that have the best pro talent.
by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 29, 2008 6:20 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, I'll update the draft positioning.
And do you think Hobson will play inside or outside? If he moves inside full time, he can be a stop-gap incase Dansby leaves. And what about this scenerio? It has been long rumored that Merriman will not be back in SD. How would Dansby and Merriman look playing inside together? Hypothetically of course.
by hevchv on Dec 29, 2008 8:51 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
That’s a real good question. From what I’ve read he’s played both inside and outside but I’m not sure that depending on him to be a starting ILB is the best scenario. He was cut by the Patriots and Bengals this season and any team in the league could have signed him at any point this season, so it’s not like he’s a Pro Bowl talent or anything. We’ll see, maybe he’ll have the off season to get acclimated to Clancy’s system and turn into a 100 tackle 6 sack player that he was a couple of years ago, but I’d call that a heck of long shot at this point.
As far as Merriman, I haven’t watched a ton of Charger football over the years but I always thought that Merriman was more of a pass rush specialist. I’m not sure that he could even play inside and even if he was, you’d be neutralizing his biggest strength which is rushing the QB. Don’t get he wrong, he’d start somewhere on this defense if he was here, but I doubt it would be inside.
If you’re looking for free agent ILB’s here’s the guys that top the list:
Ray Lewis – forget about him, he’s old and the Ravens will resign him.
Eric Barton – He’s 31 years old but he’s started 46 games the past three seasons for the Jets and had 119 tackles this season.
Mike Peterson – He’s 32 years old and can’t stay healthy (missed 23 starts the past three seasons) but when he’s healthy he’s a very good.
Bart Scott – Here’s the first name that interests me. He’s 28, hasn’t missed a game in 4 seasons and has experience inside and outside. I wonder if he can play outside of Ray Lewis’ shadow though.
Jonathon Vilma – Don’t fall in love with the name or his numbers, he struggled mightily with the 3-4 system in New York and the Saints are going to resign him.
Michael Boley - We’ll get a good look at him this weekend but he’s 26 and a OLB in a 4-3 (which means that he might be able to play inside in a 3-4). He’d have to bulk up a bit though.
Angelo Crowell – Another young OLB in a 4-3, but he’s got a bit more size and he had 126 tackles this season.
Channing Crowder – Interesting kid who’s 25 and had 113 tackles for the Dolphins this year. He’s been a starter each of his four seasons as a pro.
Any other names that interest anyone? Anyone overwhelmed by those names?
by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 29, 2008 9:44 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs
Cardinals Draft position locked in (sort of)
They’re officially locked in at 21st, unless they or the Chargers go to the SB.
That’s pretty significant considering that they haven’t had a first round pick that late since 1976, when they picked 22nd (although they didn’t have first round picks in ’90, ’92 or ’95 for whatever reasons).
by RedBirds to the SB on Dec 30, 2008 7:41 AM MST reply actions 0 recs
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