Evaluating Our Needs Yet Again - Defense

[mgteich]

DRAFT NEEDS - FOCUSING ON THE OUR PICKS THROUGH 124 (seven picks now)
We always can use upgrades at almost any position.
I expect us to use two positions on offense for OL backups (see other post).

DE 4 How can we not factor in that Seymour and/or Green might be gone in 2010?
It often takes time for our DE's to develop. If we pick late, then we can get guys
like Wright and Smith (if we draft or sign well), but it takes 3 years of developing.

DT 2 We can use a backup to Wilfork, but I personally don't expect one.

OLB 5 One of our starters is Woods. His backup and passrusher is Banta-Cain. Our
development project Crable probably will need another year of development.
we need to replace Vrabel and find the future replacement for Thomas.

ILB 4 At minimum, we need a 2010 replacment for Bruschi.

CB 2 I expect us to keep one of Hobbs, Bodden and Springs for 2010.
With the development of Wheatley and/or Wilhite, I think we are fine.
We can always use a backup, but only if he is a top special teamer.

SS 4 We need a backup. We have Spann and Richardson as backups at safety.

FS 3 We need a backup. We have Spann and Richardson as backups at safety.
We do have a future all-pro as a starter. Also the backup can be a corner.
That is the reason for a lesser need than at SS and why I would be OK with
no drafting a FS in the first four rounds.

BOTTOM LINE
OLB
OLB (developmental perhaps)
DE
SS
ILB
============================================

 

[satz]

After reading your post all i can think is where is the roster spot to keep so many players their backups and developmental players.

 

[mgteich]

There is plenty of room for rookies and free agent upgrades on this roster. Some of us may have a binkie among the nine below, but I suspect that we would all be fine if we upgraded all these positions.

The Bottom of MG's 53 man Defensive Roster - Also Known As - potential upgrades
---------------------------------------------------------
OFFENSE
DL Smith
OLB Redd
ILB Alexander/Ruud
SS Spann
FS Richardson
==================================
OFFENSE
QB Gutierrez
RB/FB Green-Ellis
OG Yates
OT O'Callaghan
==================================

After reading your post all i can think is where is the roster spot to keep so many players their backups and developmental players.

 

[WhiZa]

Unless a DL falls to the Pats I cannot see them drafting a day 1 this year. Especially with a good stock of DL next year. There just aren't enough roster spots so you'd have a tough job finding playing time for a good DL.

I agree with OLB, we do not have a solid starter at this point to replace Vrabel.

ILB is tough to figure out. It all depends how much Guyton improves. I'm thinking a day 2 ILB. If Guyton does well this year then the need for a day 1 ILB or good FA is not there next year, and hopefully a young ILB steps up into a #3 backup role.

I think Springs has a 3 year contract (Miguel's chart shows 1 year). So that solves backup FS and potentially starting CB if Wheatley or Whilite can't step up in 2010 or if Hobbs/Bodden leaves for FA.

SS needs a backup. It would be a good fit for Harrison, but I think he is too proud to take a backup role. Probably a day 1 pick here.

So my list is
Day 1:
OLB
SS
Day 2:
ILB

Everything else could be best player available.

 

[mgteich]

Since you are counting on Springs as a free safety, please provide stats and evaluations of his previous success at that position, or are you drafting based on converting a player to a position that he has never played?

Unless a DL falls to the Pats I cannot see them drafting a day 1 this year. Especially with a good stock of DL next year. There just aren't enough roster spots so you'd have a tough job finding playing time for a good DL.

I agree with OLB, we do not have a solid starter at this point to replace Vrabel.

ILB is tough to figure out. It all depends how much Guyton improves. I'm thinking a day 2 ILB. If Guyton does well this year then the need for a day 1 ILB or good FA is not there next year, and hopefully a young ILB steps up into a #3 backup role.

I think Springs has a 3 year contract (Miguel's chart shows 1 year). So that solves backup FS and potentially starting CB if Wheatley or Whilite can't step up in 2010 or if Hobbs/Bodden leaves for FA.

SS needs a backup. It would be a good fit for Harrison, but I think he is too proud to take a backup role. Probably a day 1 pick here.

So my list is
Day 1:
OLB
SS
Day 2:
ILB

Everything else could be best player available.

 

[WhiZa]

Since you are counting on Springs as a free safety, please provide stats and evaluations of his previous success at that position, or are you drafting based on converting a player to a position that he has never played?

Springs has played safety in Washington.

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"When I played for Washington, I was all over the field," Springs said. "I wasn't a full-time safety, but we had a lot of packages where I was like a safety."

Because of the backlog at CB I see Springs filling more of the backup S role like Lewis Sanders.

 

[mgteich]

We need a backup safety that is a safety. Obviously, if we don't have safeties, we can get a corner to play free safety and a linebacker to play strong safety. But it is much better to have safeties playing safety. The bottom line is that if Meredith were out for a couple of game, I would like to see someone who is a full-time safety come in and start at safety.

Springs has played safety in Washington.

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Because of the backlog at CB I see Springs filling more of the backup S role like Lewis Sanders.