micronin127

I think that we need a little of both. Welker definitely counts as a quarter for the offense. I think that any more receiver help is likely to come via the draft where they will go for a receiver with speed that can also contribute on special teams returning kicks. I'm not against Brandon Lloyd, but my fear is that no matter what Gronk, Welker, Hernandez will be the top 3 options, so let's not spend another 5+ million on the 4th option. I'd rather have a couple of nickels in addition to Welker, like (Connolly or Koppen) and BJGE.

For the defense, I am not sure if we should go after the pass rusher in free agency or the draft. I think that we need to add an athlete to the defense and would prefer at least one quarter on that side of the ball. If Mario Williams is unattainable, then perhaps another talent like John Abraham or even secondary help like Brandon Carr. Then after one quarter for the defense, a couple of nickels for them too, Ihedigbo, Molden, and Carter. I fear that Anderson will need at least 3 years and at least $20 million to retain and would count as the quarter. Carter, though ahead in his rehab, can't work out for teams and is unlikely to get signed quickly, so we may be able to get him back for a 1 year deal and less money, let's say for a dime. We'll need to add some top talent to the defense in the draft too.

So if the answer can be both. I would like 2 quarters, 1 dime, and 5 or 6 nickels. I would like to see some deals restructured to clear cap space as 2012 will have a flat or declining cap which is unusual and the cap will likely go up a bunch in a few years with the new TV deals. So it would be appropriate to move some reasonable amount of money forward so that we can address our needs this year without creating too large a problem in future years. Let's say we move $7 million forward. That is a far cry from the $25 million in cap space that Pittsburgh just created by restructuring half their team and releasing a bunch of players. They'll be up against the cap for years to come because of that. Same as the Jets.

supafly

How about 2 dimes and 1 nickel?

I'd love a guy like R.Marshall, E.Wright etc at CB. I think that would help to shore up the secondary, and I would also expect at least one draft pick for that area. (DIME)

I'd also love a guy like R.Wayne, or B.Llyod at WR. (DIME)

Then another guy on the D line who can provide depth and experience, along with at least one or two draft picks. (NICKEL)

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

supafly

Abraham is apparently looking for "top 5 DE money" according to him and his agent. Somewhere near 12 million per yr. Those are words directly from his mouth.

That would certainly put him way out of the Pats market, as I would assume that they wouldn't pay any more than 1/2 of that for him.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

ay-yo

I certainly hope Anderson doesn't cost 3 years 20 mil. I was hoping more like 4 years 16-20 mil.

Stanford Routt got 3 years and 20 mil from KC. I'm thinking that makes the price tag for Carr or Finnegan around 8-10 per year. Too rich for my blood. Even Marshall may command 5-6 per which would be pretty expensive.

I'm curious to see if the type of interest Mathis gets. I'd pay him 3 mil a year to be a sub rusher. Might be a better option than Carter given the health of each player.

supafly

I believe the Colts just locked Mathis up to an extension, within the past couple of days.

As far as Marshall's 5-6 million, that is right around what Bodden got, IIRC. That's more than fair, considering his versatility and track record. They could look for a guy like E.Wright, T.Porter, or A.Ross, but I don't think they're going to find much more/if any of a bargain, especially when you consider the talent levels.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

ay-yo

Indy gave Mathis 4 years, 36 mil w/ 15 guaranteed . That's crazy for Indy, great for Mathis. Certainly doesn't help our negotiations w/ Anderson.

supafly

I'm not 100% sure that Anderson is going to be wanted here. As you point out, he's going to want 'fair' money, and I'm not convinced the team cares enough about him. Even if they do, I don't think they can afford him.

If they keep one of the two, I think it will be Carter. He'll be much more cap friendly and affordable. I don't see much of a chance at retaining Anderson.

They'll try to replace the production in 3 ways:

1. The draft--where we should definitely choose at least one to two picks
2. Hoping that Carter can play somewhere close to his level of last yr
3. Lower level FA's like Merling, Holliday, Redding (pick your player, as I'm just giving examples)

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

EJ Blitz

I thought signing big names was the way to go last year, and look how that turned out, albeit they were relatively old guys. We ultimately ended up having a bunch of unproductive players, and the only glimmer of success got his quad tore the eff up.

I'd definitely go with plan B. We NEED depth, STARTING CALIBER depth especially on defense. Not some shoe ins who unexpectedly surprises us 2/3s through the season while desperately trying to scrape together a competent defense. I will not complain about whichever DBs we get because they will be an upgrade to most guys who are here right now. I will be happy.

You know what else? Put free agency to the side, BB needs to draft like his life depends on it because in the grand scheme of things he/they have been mediocre for some years. You won't NEED to be double dipping in free agency like you're some crack fiend looking to get your fix if you just draft talented guys consistently, like the goddamn Giants...


rant over

supafly

I think that it's a lot more difficult for us in the draft lately, due to the 3-4 standards that BB has had in the past. Then there's the complexity of the schemes on both sides of the ball here too.

It's possible that maybe BB has relaxed some of his standards by changing up the base looks a bit, so that may open up some additional fits here.

Just a crazy thought though, take it with a grain of salt.

FWIW--I don't know if the NYG have drafted that much better, when you consider all of the positions. We've certainly whipped them at TE's, even possibly RB's if our 2 new guys pan out. There's also the fact that there were 3 probowl draft picks (Warren, Wilfork, Seymour) on our D-line for many yrs too. QB is a big plus for us too, as they didn't even draft Manning, and their backups are not as good either. Our OL picks have been pretty damn good, so there's another position where we have drafted better than the Giants too.

As far as the DB's go, we came out of this past season with:

--a 1st rd pick in McCourty who was only the 4th NEP rookie to make the pro-bowl last yr. No one could've envisioned a sophmore slump. Even then, they utilized his skills the best they could by moving him to FS in subs

--a starting CB who led the NFL in interceptions in Arrington

--the 33rd overall pick (basically a 1st rounder) who couldn't play due to injury, but proved that he can line up and play physically due to his starting the season as our #2 CB

--a hybrid CB/S who we stole off of OAK's practice squad, who progressed enough to make some of the biggest plays of the yr in the AFCCG on consectutive back to back plays

--a sure fire SS who has emerged to one of the top 10 SS in the game. His situation was hampered due to missing 1/2 the season with injuries

With guys like Dowling, McCourty, and Moore as all providing hybrid-like skills to show the versatility that is needed in a major passing NFL, we already have a good base of DB's. Add in the NFL's leader in INT's to play the slot CB position (he did a fine job vs Victor Cruz), and Chung as SS, and you have 5 DB's right off the bat who look just fine.

Add in another draft pick, or/and a mid level FA, and the secondary is shored up significantly. Hell, if we use McCourty, Dowling, or Moore at FS, we already have a much improved secondary from last yr.

Remember that they made a lot of improvements from the 1st half of the season, and looked pretty good down the stretch in the playoffs. I don't blame the Manningham catch on poor coverage. The NYG were held to 1 TD over the first 59:01 of the game. That's not exactly bad play for a defense who will improve in the talent level significantly.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

EJ Blitz

Maybe I was too hasty to say the Giants have drafted more consistently than the Pats. It's evident that we have a great O-line built through the draft and I didn't take that into account because of how dissatisfied I am am with the defense. If you look at their defense, it consists of many 1st to 2nd round picks. Webster, Ross, Amukamara, Kiwanuka, JPP, Joseph, Thomas (I'm probably missing out others) all accumulated over years. Now look what the Patriots have, Mayo, Wilfork, Chung, McCourty, Spikes.

...this post looked pretty persuasive in my head but when I wrote it out it pretty much conveys that the drafting has been somewhat evenly successful which nullifies my argument.

The point is, I want to see this defense not have the ball matriculated down the field on them, regardless of net yardage, points allowed and all that other good stuff. I don't know if the problem is scheme or personnel, but I just want to see a visibly improved defense from the get-go next year, not halfway through the season. I think depth through the draft is of utmost importance since we already have an established set of guys who 'do' need backup.