manxman2601

I've thought this for a while, hence having an OG as my no 1 pick. I suspect after the Buffalo game, there may be more agreeing with me.

mayoclinic

I've had DL and OL as my top 2 priorities since May, and see no reason to change. I just think that it's easier to find good offensive linemen on day 2 and 3 - especially guards - than stud DEs and DTs. Jahri Evans and Josh Sitton were 4th round picks, Carl Nicks a 6th rounder. Brian Waters was a UDFA in 1999. But there's no doubt this is an area that the team needs to address.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

manxman2601

My argument would be:

A) DT is not a huge immediate priority - It would be difficult for a draftee to break in to the Wilfork/Love partnership. I understand the argument about giving Wilfork more rest and investing for the future, perfectly legitimate arguments but I just don't think it's as essential need as interior OL. Having said that, if an outstanding DT is comfortably the BPA with our first round pick, of course I wouldn't have a problem with a pick.

B) There is such quality at the top end for interior offensive linemen, I'm of the opinion that it would be an opportunity missed not to take one. Chance Warmack might be a better run blocker than most NFL OG's are right now. Jonathan Cooper is though in some quarters to be better than DeCastro and Barrett Jones and Dallas Thomas are as comfortable playing tackle as well as guard.

Your argument is equally valid, I just think we're more likely to come out of this draft with a long-term starter and maybe star by going OL rather than DT.

manxman2601

I never claimed sole rights to the importance of the grizzly, we all know how your rather unnatural obsession with big men ( ).

Off The Grid

Naturally, I'm very happy that you're on board with the focus on Offensive Guard, Brother Manx...But you're not exactly the first guy to prioritize that position, hereabouts.

I hope you'll forgive a Dog for emoting a whiff of Territoriality, Sir.

But there simply isn't a Soul that places Offensive Guard higher on the Championship Building Blue Print Priority List than I do. I've been pounding the table for the last 3 years ~ ever since I got here ~ for us to rack up High Caliber O Guards...and 99% of what I get back is Arguments about either the position's alleged lack of importance ~ I'm pretty sure that Vince Lombardi and his 5 Championships in 7 years would be on my side on this one ~ or about how easy it is to pick up decent talent later in the Draft.

You can't go cheap on O Guard and expect to win the only games that matter, in the Dark Depths of Winter.

2007 should've taught us that.

2011 should've taught us that.

Had we rolled with my Mock, this Spring, Amini Silatolu ~ #40 to the Panthers ~ would've picked up for Dan Connolly at Right Guard...and we'd be 3-0, right now.

And Senio Kelemete would almost certainly be starting at Left Guard, today.

Both of these guys are fully capable of racking up as many as 10 Pro Bowls, each.

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Love HURTS!!

Off The Grid

Don't judge me, Brother Manx.

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Love HURTS!!

manxman2601

Funnily enough, I do factor in how a player looks on the field when I like a player. My favourite ever player was Walter Payton, in part because he just looked so good on the field. Mark Barron was another. Yes, he was an outstanding safety, but he looked damn good doing what he did. One prospect interesting me this year is Quinton Patton the La Tech WR. Again, I can make the logical case for why he's a good prospect but in part I like him as a prospect because he looks like an NFL player.

mayoclinic

My counter-argument (accepting that both points of view are valid) would be:

A) Defensive line and offensive line are both ALWAYS a priority. I'd rate those positions as the second and third most important areas on the team after QB. And I subscribe to the concepts of building a "pipeline" at key positions and to "overloading" on talent. Vince Wilfork will be 31 in just over a month, and he played 86% of the snaps last year. He is arguably the most indispensible player on the team after Brady. Why wait until he gets injured or hits the wall to look for another stud DT. Kyle Love has made remarkable progress, but he is never going to be another Wilfork-type player. Take away Wilfork and you're left with Love (contract year)-Brace (contract year)-Deaderick-Pryor (contract year and injured).

B) I would have no argument with taking Chance Warmack in the first round, and probably not Barrett Jones. Maybe Jonathan Cooper and Dallas Thomas. Certainly a trade back or trade up to take them in the 2nd round would be fine by me. But I think that there are excellent values to be found later in the draft. I've mentioned Mark Jackson before. Larry Warford of Kentucky is another big guard with unexpectedly quick feet for his size. There's always the potential of moving Marcus Cannon to RG (and remember, Cannon was at least as highly regarded as any of these guys coming out of his senior season). A platoon of Mankins-Connolly-Cannon would not be terrible. So while I think that OL is always a key position and requires an infusion of youth and talent, I don't see any need to "draft for need" and look for an immediate starter on OL.

Again, it's preference. I certainly understand the OL-first argument. But for me, I'd prioritize completing building an elite DL, and then add some quality developmental talent on OL. As Grid has mentioned, we've passed up several appealing candidates, most recently Senio Kelemente.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi

Merril Hoge's Tie Knot

I'm just upset there might be a need for another starting cornerback. I'm sick of cornerbacks. McCourty and Dowling need to step up. Hopefully today is the day. Save me from watching cornerbacks this year.

mayoclinic

I'm personally not evaluating the secondary at this time. There are too many variables. I want to see whether McCourty settles down and plays consistently, how Dowling, Wilson and Ebner develop, what happens with Chung and Arrington in contract years, etc. The secondary could be anything from a huge need (which would upset me, as well) or a relative non-need. I'm very much hoping for the latter, as the team needs to be able to address other areas without constantly re-investing in the secondary.

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To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

"The key to any successful organization is to anticipate things, not react to them." - Michael Lombardi