etherdome Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 (edited) It's too early to say much about what we will do, but that won't stop me. I believe that everyone in the FO and coaching staff will return for at least one more year. Having said that, here is my suggestion for a successful off season. Cap Casualities: Paul Soliai, William Moore, Brooks Reed, Devin Hester, and Matt Bryant. Keepers: Schofield, Durrant, Schaefer, Clayborn, Graham Free Agent targets: (I am trying to keep this realistic) Vinny Curry- a true pass rusher that should fit into the LEO position very well. He is a classic 4-3 DE but he has performed pretty well as a 3-4 OLB. Ben Jones-- A solid, young Center with experience in the ZBS. Brandon Brooks--The ZBS requires that its OL's play in perfect collaboration. It takes time to develop that kind of harmony. Fortunately, Brooks has played very well next to Ben Jones. Brooks is a health gamble: he has had recurrent stomach ailments that need to be investigated. Still, he could be the right guy to plug into the RG position. Ben Jones--Brooks' team mate. He has experience in a ZBS system and is certainly an upgrade from Person. Draft: 1. A'Shawn Robinson. I keep repeating this first round pick and I see no reason to stop. This guy is a foundation player. With both Soliai and Jackson off the projected roster, it makes sense to draft the best DT in college. I believe that he will be the best defender on the board. This guy has the size, strength, smarts and work ethic to become a pro-bowler in two seasons. 2. Su'a Cravens. This guy could get drafted in the first round, but I think that miraculously he will drop into our laps. He hits like a truck and is savvy. I think he can start very early for us. 3. Deion Jones. I really think that this guy will get forgotten come draft day. He is not flashy but he is smart, covers very well and tackles with great form. I would keep Durrant, but I want Jones to develop behind him. 4. Tajae Sharpe. We have Julio and we have Hardy. We need another big-bodied WR to do the dirty work. Sharpe is that kind of player. This kid runs routes OK, but works hard to improve in that area. His catching ability is not questioned. He won't pay off quickly, but he could be a major future target for Matt. From this draft, I see two immediate starters: Robinson and Cravens. The other two will take some time to develop, but I am confident that they will become solid starters in two seasons. Did I cover all needs? No, but I think that I got good value for every pick and free agent acquisition. With the above plan, I think that we will have enough cap space to add one or two more veterans in the summer. Edited January 2, 2016 by etherdome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shuswap Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Cravens making it to our 2nd pick would be huge. I think he's a late 1st . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndySG Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 My only slight concern with Robinson (and I certainly haven't watched him enough to see it this is the case) is that I'm pretty sure the DT playing next to him is also projected as a top 20 pick, isn't he?Could it be a case of without each other they're not as good?As I say, I haven't watched him enough, so you can probably ease my concerns. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Domed Outter Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Cravens making it to our 2nd pick would be huge. I think he's a late 1st .Cravens making it to our first round pick would be huge.That and he probably wouldn't fall past Minnesota /Green Bay in the first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted December 27, 2015 Author Share Posted December 27, 2015 My only slight concern with Robinson (and I certainly haven't watched him enough to see it this is the case) is that I'm pretty sure the DT playing next to him is also projected as a top 20 pick, isn't he? Could it be a case of without each other they're not as good? As I say, I haven't watched him enough, so you can probably ease my concerns. AndySG, you are right to consider the players around Robinson. You have to wonder whether the team around him has made him appear more productive than he truly is. All I can tell you is that when I watch Alabama's DL, I see opposing OL's directing their efforts mostly towards Robinson. I rarely see Robinson blocked by one man. He gets a lot of attention. This is not to say that Robinson's DL mates are chopped liver. Reed is another big guy that can stop the run and Allen is a developing quick penetrator that can come off the edge in a 3-4 alignment and affect the QB. No man is an island, so some credit has to go to his team mates. Robinson may have help, but it is clear that AR commands a lot of attention and he still makes a lot of plays in the opponents' backfields. I envision him paired with Jarrett in the middle, with Hageman lined up outside on the strong side. I think that DL could not only occupy blockers, but actually collapse the pocket, as well as shut down the run. Play makers behind them could pick and choose their pass rush lanes and really harass QB's. The defense, as well as the offense, is lead by the guys that are front and center. I think that A'Shawn Robinson can be the star in the middle that this franchise has lacked for a long time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tl;dr Posted December 27, 2015 Share Posted December 27, 2015 Love the draft, but I'm not sure either Cravens or Robinson will be there when we pick. We need some teams to win in front of us and we need to lose if we want of those guys. Personally I would love to finish 9-7 despite the hit it would take on our draft stock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 You may be right about Cravens, but we may have a good shot at Robinson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datchrisb1 Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 (edited) Cravens making it to our first round pick would be huge.That and he probably wouldn't fall past Minnesota /Green Bay in the first.Packers are drafting O-lineman guaranteed, and I see Minnesota getting an skill position player late first, they have the defense, not that many weapons for Teddy on offense. Edited December 28, 2015 by datchrisb1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 AndySG, you are right to consider the players around Robinson. You have to wonder whether the team around him has made him appear more productive than he truly is. All I can tell you is that when I watch Alabama's DL, I see opposing OL's directing their efforts mostly towards Robinson. I rarely see Robinson blocked by one man. He gets a lot of attention.This is not to say that Robinson's DL mates are chopped liver. Reed is another big guy that can stop the run and Allen is a developing quick penetrator that can come off the edge in a 3-4 alignment and affect the QB. No man is an island, so some credit has to go to his team mates.Robinson may have help, but it is clear that AR commands a lot of attention and he still makes a lot of plays in the opponents' backfields. I envision him paired with Jarrett in the middle, with Hageman lined up outside on the strong side. I think that DL could not only occupy blockers, but actually collapse the pocket, as well as shut down the run. Play makers behind them could pick and choose their pass rush lanes and really harass QB's.The defense, as well as the offense, is lead by the guys that are front and center. I think that A'Shawn Robinson can be the star in the middle that this franchise has lacked for a long time.Ether how much would getting a guy like Vernon in FA rearrange your mock ?In that instance we'd probably go somewhere else with that 1st pick don't you think.If we did that move I think you could possibly trade out or look LBer or go BPA in another position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datchrisb1 Posted December 28, 2015 Share Posted December 28, 2015 Don't we take too much of a cap hit for cutting Moore, Soliai, and Reed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted December 28, 2015 Author Share Posted December 28, 2015 Ether how much would getting a guy like Vernon in FA rearrange your mock ? In that instance we'd probably go somewhere else with that 1st pick don't you think. If we did that move I think you could possibly trade out or look LBer or go BPA in another position. I like Vernon as well, but I don't think that I would change my draft strategy. I believe in the old saying that the game is won and lost in the trenches. Our DT's have played well this season, though not great. Babs, Soliai and Jackson are starting to acquire too many miles on those big bodies. I firmly believe that we should draft a great DT for the next seven years. That is why I would stick with Robinson and worry about the athletes behind him later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GleasonForever! Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 You cut two dlineman you need to sign 2 more. Get Robinson in the first amd sign a younger NT in FA since you didnt get on in FA or draft Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwifalcon Posted January 1, 2016 Share Posted January 1, 2016 What about at C ether who you got arguably that's our biggest need this off season.I agree the game is won in the trenches but for me I'd fix the o-line in FA as the #1 and go as much defense as I can in he draft.Reason as another poster pointed out to me this morning is the complexity of the Shanahan ZBS principles and the simplified way DQ runs his defensive is ready made for fast physical athletes coming out of college. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share Posted January 2, 2016 What about at C ether who you got arguably that's our biggest need this off season. I agree the game is won in the trenches but for me I'd fix the o-line in FA as the #1 and go as much defense as I can in he draft. Reason as another poster pointed out to me this morning is the complexity of the Shanahan ZBS principles and the simplified way DQ runs his defensive is ready made for fast physical athletes coming out of college. You are right. I don't know why I left a free agent Center out. I'll edit. ThanksEther how much would getting a guy like Vernon in FA rearrange your mock ? In that instance we'd probably go somewhere else with that 1st pick don't you think. If we did that move I think you could possibly trade out or look LBer or go BPA in another position. Vernon would be a great signing. I picked Curry because I think that he will sign for less than Vernon. I don't know that for a fact, just a gut feeling. I think that we will be picking 19-20. If that is the case, we may be out of the running for Robinson, so I will need to revamp the draft. I would love to trade down the the first round but a trade require a partner. Right now, I can't think of a player that will be available at #20 that would entice a partner into a trade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby.Digital Posted January 2, 2016 Share Posted January 2, 2016 Really like the FA signings. But no way can I see A'Shawn making to our 1st or Cravens to our 2nd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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