What's the move you want to see before the season starts?

Arizona wouldn't part with with him for less than a third. And I doubt that would even be enough. Housler has to much skill. The way cameron broke out and all these fast athletic TEs like Housler and Green expected to break out, I doubt they will part with a guy for a fourth or even third that they realistically could be watching in the pro bowl. He may not be worth a second rounder at this point but they aren't just giving a player away that has prototype pro bowl talent for a mid rounder.

PatFanCraig said:

Many good lbs had to play out of position and flourished.

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Hightower replaced Mayo calling the plays and had to cover a lot at 270 pounds because Spikes is slow anyway, plus he was playing on one leg.

Did you watch the season?

PatFanCraig said:

Arizona wouldn't part with with him for less than a third. And I doubt that would even be enough. Housler has to much skill. The way cameron broke out and all these fast athletic TEs like Housler and Green expected to break out, I doubt they will part with a guy for a fourth or even third that they realistically could be watching in the pro bowl. He may not be worth a second rounder at this point but they aren't just giving a player away that has prototype pro bowl talent for a mid rounder.

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You're overrating the guy quit a bit. He is fast, but not strong. He doesn't get open anything like Jordan Cameron. He's really not that good. As a pass catching TE he is a decent option, but you are making it sound like he is some star in the making while Arizona is actively trying to replace him.

That's the prob, at 270 he has trouble covering ground himself. He lacks burst. Broadcasters across the country called him out for ball carriers crossing his face like he had concrete shoes. He said himself he doesn't like chasing speed demons like Vereen around. Well what does he think his job is as a LB. Doesn't matter if its mlb weak or strong side. Some point he has to cover or chase fast RBs TEs or even WRs. He isn't explosive to rush the qb. Yeah I watched the games, he was called out for lack of burst more than Spikes. If he is going to be an impact LB he has to get much quicker and agile. I would imagine playing at a lumbering 270+ lbs has more to do with his struggles than calling plays or who he plays next to. Look at all the standout LBs outplaying him like Willis/Bowman/Wagner/Wright/Davis/Washington/Brown/Burfict/kuechley/Lee/Alonzo/Kendricks/Ellerbe/Ogletree. They all play 230-240. There are no standout impact 270+ LB LBs in the NFL.

On the positive side its impressive he can even play carrying around all that excess girth. Amazing even! All those forementioned guys a doubt would be on the field plodding with all that extra heft. So he has some talent. If he played closer to prototype weight the successful LBs play at like 250 he would be a wrecking ball! His hits would jar ball carriers from their senses into another time zone because of the extra burst he would have. He would still be huge at 250, just as powerful but a lot more explosive/agile. He runs a 4.65 at 270+ lbs. Now granted he doesn't play up to that speed but that's still impressive. If he played closer to the size if the impact guys like around 250 he would probably run a sub 4.6 but more importantly his burst and agility would be on par with those guy's that play at 235 but wrapped in his powerful 250-253 lb frame. It would make him a wrecking ball. Could you imagine him moving like them guys but packaged in his big powerful frame. He would devastate RBs,TEs or WRs over the middle. I hope he realizes this. Some rumors around say some coaches said if he shows up at 270+ again and plods around they won't want him back after this season. Hopefully he realizes his immense potential.

Maybe so but his prototype speed/athleticism could worry them housler breaks out elsewhere and they look like clowns.

PatFanCraig said:

Maybe so but his prototype speed/athleticism could worry them housler breaks out elsewhere and they look like clowns.

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A trade to the AFC would make the most since for them then.

I like the idea of grabing Housler, but I don't think he is Hernandez level good, or even has the physical ability to play at that level.

He would be a better #2 than Hoomanawanui. Hoomanawanui would make a good #3.

The idea just seems like a great match for Arizona to cut bait with a player the coach doesn't want to a team that could use Te depth and a receiving TE at that.

A second rounder would be an insanely high price for him. He looked like he was getting better as the season progressed last year, so they may see his value still at a 3rd rounder. I am not sure another team will see it that way though. He is too one-dimensional.

patsinthesnow said:

A viable TE2

Options:

-Sign Dustin Keller
-Sign Jermichael Finley (unlikely with his injury)
-Trade for Rob Housler
-Lure Tony Gonzalez out of retirement (I still think this is possible, just too early now)

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According to Jermichael Finely's latest comments a few days ago, he's hoping to come back to Green Bay.

"I'm working as hard as I can to get back to Packer Nation."

http://www.espnwisconsin.com/common/more.php?m=49&action=blog&r=40&post_id=38581

Like others have pointed out, I think the TE2 spot is in need of some obvious upgrading. As each day passes, I become more and more concerned. I think there was a part of me that expected a move by training camp, although that could be made up only in my mind.

The safety depth could be improved upon as well, where a guy like Chung could certainly be switched out for a better S3-4 option. These are the 2 moves that I'd like to see made.

supafly said:

Like others have pointed out, I think the TE2 spot is in need of some obvious upgrading. As each day passes, I become more and more concerned. I think there was a part of me that expected a move by training camp, although that could be made up only in my mind.

The safety depth could be improved upon as well, where a guy like Chung could certainly be switched out for a better S3-4 option. These are the 2 moves that I'd like to see made.

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I hated the TE depth going into last season, but I'm a bit less worried now that bigger receivers should play better in the red-zone going forward. But yeah, the position could use another #2 to bump everyone else down one spot.

I would hate to see Chung stick. That means someone else didn't workout or got hurt. I can't see him playing a down for this defense this year, but crazier things have happened.

Sticky Caulk said:

I hated the TE depth going into last season, but I'm a bit less worried now that bigger receivers should play better in the red-zone going forward. But yeah, the position could use another #2 to bump everyone else down one spot.

I would hate to see Chung stick. That means someone else didn't workout or got hurt. I can't see him playing a down for this defense this year, but crazier things have happened.

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I agree with you about feeling more confident than January due to seeing a return to health and (hopeful) improvement in the WR corps, but I still think that Hooman is a horrible choice as a receiving target. Basically, he's a viable blocker, but as you said--I'd much rather see someone brought in who could add something in the passing game.

As far as Chung goes--I initially believed that he was brought in to be camp fodder, but now I'm not as sure. Someone has to play that S3 or S4 role, and while I'm okay with DMcC and Harmon, I don't think we've got many options at the moment. In other words, if Chung leaves, we'd definitely have to replace him with someone else in my opinion. Maybe that can be done in the next 4-6 weeks?

supafly said:

if Chung leaves, we'd definitely have to replace him with someone else in my opinion. Maybe that can be done in the next 4-6 weeks?

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I guess we have to hope Tavon Wilson steps it up during camp. I am not going to hold my breath waiting for that to happen..

I have several items.....none of which includes a freakin' WR.

1. I want BB to announce that Marcus Cannon will be competing for the RG job. He can still back up at the swing tackle, but its time for him to get starts BEFORE someone gets injured. He's a big body/power presence we currently don't have right now.

2. On the same day I want him to announce that Armstead will be ready for TC. I don't even care if he ultimately makes the team right now. I'd just like to see what he has.

3. I know all you guys love this kid Housler, but he's a luxury that we don't even know is available. I think if Gronk is healthy (and I refuse to believe that he's its a given he's going to get injured) Homan and DJ/Jones will be fine. That being said, I think picking up Tony Gonsalez for the last 10 games of the season would be a great playoff run addition. If Gonsalez has truly retired then, Keller or Finley would fill the same need.....just not as well.

4. I want to hear that Devin McCourty has been extended (around 9MM/yr)

patfanken said:

3. I know all you guys love this kid Housler, but he's a luxury that we don't even know is available. I think if Gronk is healthy (and I refuse to believe that he's its a given he's going to get injured) Homan and DJ/Jones will be fine. That being said, I think picking up Tony Gonsalez for the last 10 games of the season would be a great playoff run addition. If Gonsalez has truly retired then, Keller or Finley would fill the same need.....just not as well.

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He's not available unless Troy Niklas jumps him. That said, he has been listed as the #3 TE on the Cardinal's own website, and the coach said (paraphrasing) he wanted his TEs to be blockers first, receivers second, insinuating that Housler needs to magically become a blocker to get on the field. Whisenhunt may very well let him go for a pick.

Hey Ken...it's ONE super-know-it-all fan that loves this Housler. The Pats are not giving anyone a 2nd , 3rd, 4th or 5th round pick for this guy.Ludicrous.

PatFanCraig said:

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Belichick drafted him at that size. He wanted him to play at that weight. He did not draft him to be a coverage linebacker. Mayo got hurt, Spikes was hurt, Collins wasn't ready, so he did his best.

In case you don't know, we have Jamie Collins starting who's great at coverage. We have Mayo back. We dropped our slowest LB in Spikes. We have a ton of coverage people in the secondary and we'll be in pass coverage sets a lot. We have a coverage linebacker in James Anderson for situations too.

Maybe you know more about what type of linebackers BB should have than he does, so you should probably send him an email, or something.

if a big name vet G or center gets cut I would like to see the pat sign him other then that I don't see any players the pats could sign that would have any impact on the season

As much as I fantasize about the TE production of 2011.... I think we have moved on from that, not sure why.. but they seem to have.

Do not see any huge moves, some tweeking though....

Joker said:

It's ONE super-know-it-all fan that loves this Housler. The Pats are not giving anyone a 2nd , 3rd, 4th or 5th round pick for this guy.Ludicrous.

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I had originally proposed trading for Housler, so I assume you mean me, though I never suggested a 2nd round pick. I apologize if I come across as "super-know-it-all". I'm not sure why it would be "ludicrous" to trade a day 3 pick for a decent young player who would be an upgrade at the "move TE" position with the potential to be more. The Pats have made far more ludicrous trades in the past. I agree that trading a 2nd would be ludicrous.

I want them to sign Keller.

I thought the title said 'movie' not 'move' so I was going to say Guardians of the Galaxy.

I dunno, I'd most like to see a message from the me of the future that we coaxed Tony Gonzalez out of retirement in the middle of the season.