ClosingTime said:
I'd take the Pats DL over Claytons but again, it's hard to compare 3-4 to 4-3 lines. In a 3-4 you need run stuffers, guys that command double teams. In a 4-3 you need your ends to get to the passer while the LBs fill the gaps and stop the run.
But it's pure unacy to say you wouldn't take his overall D with the significant upgrades to the secondary and LB.
And it's beyond lunacy to say that the Pats OL is superior to that lineup.
It was a fun article by Clayton I think. He does make the mistake of Peyton over Brady. Always take the better QB, no matter the money.
I like the Patriot LBs better, but agree its close only because the Pats have a question mark at the 4th LB spot, but that player sees the field less than half the snaps. Bruschi or Tatupu? Williams or Colvin? Vrable or Briggs. Wait I changed my mind maybe its not close. I dont like his secodnary much, but agree that his secondary may have a bit of an edge. I like our safeties MUCH better with a healthy Harrison. Trufant is so-so, but Hall is very good.
Walter Jones is the only OL on his team that is a clear edge. And Light is the most underrated LT in the NFL.
Koppen is better than Saturday. Mankins is better than Steinbach.
I dont get the excitement over the NO RT, Kaczur outplayed him when he took the field. Snee/Neal is a draw.
Not at all a stretch to me that the Pat OL is better than that unit. It wasnt in 2005, because Light and Koppen were injured, 2 rookies were starting (and they played well for rookies) and it was an injury depleted line. If healthy, I'd take it over his.
Of course he spent a ton of money on LT, Gates and the WRs. I think its overkill at the WR spot. You negate Gates or some of the WRs. It is foolish to go nuts on Manning, LT, Gates and 3 WRs when you have 1 football and ignore blocking for them or anyone who can stop the run. Thats 30% of his cap before you block or tackle anyone. (His D would be better if he put Merriman at OLB, Wilfork at DT and got rid of Tommie Harris for a guy like Warren at DE who can play the run) Actually, he should change his D into a 34.
Keep Merriman as an OLB, Tatupu as an ILb, Williams as an OLB, Wifork on the nose, move Haynesworth to DE, get rid of Freeney and take Seymour, get rid of Harris and add an ILB.
You can create a much better D in a 34 than what he has done with the 43.
I wish I had access to the cap numbers he does. I bet it would be VERY easy to build a complete team that would destroy his fantasy team.
