I think he compliments Dmac really well playing in the robber role with McCourty as the single high safety. Gregory plays the run well and isn't asked to do much in the passing game. Tavon Wilson any Harmon are hard hitters.
As for the Dline, I think they should sign a third DE to alternate with Jones, Ninko a guy like Michael Johnson, Houston, Tuck ect and draft a DT like Aaron Donald, that would greatly improve the pass rush.
Cousin,
Please keep in mind only one of the 44 players on the starting O and D of the Superbowl Teams was a Rookie. It's great to say if we get Donald or Jernigan they are plug and play NFL ready. Remember this....... Three years. That is the shelf life of a Draft pick before an assessment can be made. There are a few who are ready quicker, but less than 17%.
Cutting VW will not happen. Restructure has to.
Seven of the D line rotation of the Seahawks were Trades or FA.
I love Ninko but he is a good player, not a field changer. Not a great player.
I am not ready to say McCourty is the next Ed Reed. He is good, not great in my opinion.
You need "good" players to build a Team. You need Great players to make a difference like a Reggie White, a Jimmy Brown, a Montana or a Megatron or even a Gronk when healthy. the field tilters they say.
I think you take our "good" and back a few "good" pieces missing last year like Mayo and VW from IR, and add some more who might be good and have the capacity to become great here. Moss became Great here, Welker, Dillon, Harrison, Vrabel. They were good but became great.
The Draft helps. It fills the roster with depth but let's look at it from the perspective of the last Teams left in the dance this year at the SB.
You build through the Draft but it is a process and a lengthily one. The Trades and FA additions come with a true NFL stor and pedigreey, not how great they were in college.
I am for a stout D, but we have to add a few more pieces on the O. The three kid WR's were mediocre at best. Hopefully one or two will emerge. Boyce had less than Bethel Johnson numbers at that point and KT had a few more than......Tate!
Let's talk some reasonable priced "good" players who can become great.
O line helps the passing game and even can make receivers better. We need a top center who is tough (not Connelly) Love Mack but the Browns just can't let him go and they have CAP space. FA Deitrich-Smith of the Pack was rated only slightly below him and he can pass block.
We need a WR to the mix. We can talk Decker but he will cost big for what he is. I rather discuss Andre Johnson of the Texans and they in-turn have interest in Mallet. Johnson will cost but maybe a lot less than we would have had to pay Fitzgerald in the long run.
As a value I have already mentioned WR Justin Blackmon who if he is back sober and focused, at 25 years old, would be a great pick up. Jags might be tempted for a pick or players.
WR Sidney Rice can play when healthy and only 27. He is a CAP casualty for sure. We took a shot at Amendola with injury risk, right? Cheap money for a potential young WR star?
We need a move TE. Another CAPeroo will be Owen Daniel. Good target and dependable. Back from a leg break but ready.
How about this for a move TE. Riley Cooper. He had 47 catches for 835 yards and eight TDs as a bigger WR. So his production equals and exceeds Hernandez. At 6'3" he is bigger than Hernandez and his attributes are blocking (Hernandez, not so much) and ball skills. BB likes receivers who can block. I see him as an 80-90 catch guy here. A real red zone alternative. 8 TD's.
D line has had some good moments. The 3 DT's on IR should help. A little CAP tweaking and they can all stay. Then good DT rotation with the kids with another year experience.
DE is an issue. They flat ran out of gas. Ya need Michael Johnson, Jared Allen or Julius Peppers. Two of these would be better but I think the last two have made their $ and a Ring is in the offing. I see at least one in a friendly deal (pending Peppers is cut. We did kick his tires). We share reps and rotate the last two.
I see Johnson replacing Nink and Nink back at LB/DE rotation if we invest that much (the Pats looked at Johnson last year) in the pricier Johnson who has freekish talent.
Johnson accounted for 61 pressures this year (according to Pro Football Focus). Easily a career-high. Johnson also generated a career-high in forced fumbles (2), passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage (9) and defensive stops (33) -- plays that constitute as a failure for the offense. Johnson ranked second in the NFL (among all 4-3 defensive ends) with a +21.2 score against the run.
Jones and Jonson as bookends? We should be set for years at that position. Even add just Nink and we have some pressure. Have Collins rush the passer more. I even see Nink as an MLB in some defenses. Why not?
At Safety I trade Ridley for Antrel Rolle, Helps both Teams and we resign Blount who has more favor of BB.
Keep Talib, restructure VW and Kelly, re- sign Blount to trade Ridley who is gone in 2015, for S Rolle. Swap Mallett (also gone in 2015) and ???? for Texans WR Andre Johnson and pick up cheaper WR FA Riley Cooper for his new position as move TE and add the cheaper TE Owen Daniels another CAPeroo until Gronk returns. Edelman is a luxury resign with Amendola tied up here....that sucks. Gotta give Danny A for effort though. And sign Dietrich-Smith at C.
Cut the usual subjects like Connelly, Gregory, Sopoaga and A.Wilson to save CAP. Cut the ineffective Tavon Wilson experiment who is a big Draft BooBoo and Beguette, both for the sake of humanity.
Most expensive signing is UFA DE Michael Johnson but he is a stud.
Now go to the Draft board for depth.
So I say keep Talib and Wilfork.
DW Toys
