Prior to the draft I made a thread in which I took notice of the age of our players in various positions... since many players have changed since then and since I feel there will be no major changes to our team until the end of the season, the core of the new Ryan-Tanny team is this one, I think it would be a good idea to see in what areas age might become a problem. OFFENSE OT: Ferguson 26, Woody 32, Hunter 28 OG: Faneca 33, Moore 29, Turner 25, Slauson 23 C: Mangold 25 Overall we are in pretty good shape. Considering any guard's job is easier playing between D'Brick and Mangold the only position we have to worry about is RT where Woody is getting up in age. QB: Sanchez 23, Ainge 23, O'Connell 24 I didn't consider Clemens because I'm sure next season he'll be gone. We have a lot of talent at this position but not much veteran help. I must say I feel comfortable with Ainge as our n?2 though... WR: Cotchery 27, Edwards 26, B. Smith 26, Clowney 24, Wright 25 TE: Keller 25, Hartsock 29 I like our recieving group very much both talent wise and age wise. RB/FB: Washington 27, Jones 31, Greene 24 / Richardson 38 I don't know how long T-Rich will play but he still is a valuable asset to this team. In case we have Jason Davis on the PS. TJ will be gone next year because of age and contract so we'll have to find a 3rd RB. DEFENSE NT: Jenkins 30, Pouha 30, Green 30 DL: Ellis 32, Douglas 32, DeVito 25, Pitoitua 24 Age-wise this is clearly the most liable part of the team. Although we have good talent and a frequent rotation is keeping everyone fresh I feel we will bring someone in from the draft and say goodbye to at least one of the old guys. OLB: Pace 29, Thomas 30, Gholston 23, Murrell 24 ILB: Scott 29, Harris 25, Westerman 24, Izzo 35, Fowler 27 3/4 of our starters are nearing the 30ies and this is a position in which speed and explosivness really counts, especially at OLB. But I'm guessing until we have Gholston no one will be brought in (considered Westerman versatilty). I don't think Izzo will play past this year but then again he's just a ST. CB: Revis 24, Sheppard 28, Strickland 29, Lowery 23, Coleman 27, Carroll 26, Cole 26 S: Rhodes 27, Leonhard 27, Smith 26, Ihedigbo 26 All Young, all good ST K: Feely 33 P: Weatherford 27 LS: Dearth 33 Feely and Dearth are assets for this team but the fact they are getting up in age shouldn't be a problem... Until what age do kickers and long snappers play!? 50!?
how insane is it that this team only has 6 starters of age 30 or more? as strong as we are, we are damn young as well. I fully expect our first 3 picks to be NT DE and RT in the draft next year, not necessarily in that order, but you get my point.
we need younger defense line help in the next 2 years. first round next year best dlineman who fits the system should be drafted
While I was doing this I was so hyped this team is really really young! If we find a good RT and DL in next year's first 2 rounds then we can go BPA for the next 5 years
The successor to Ellis and/or Douglas needs to be brought in next offseason. Next year is the final year of Ellis' contract so it would be nice to have a quality draft prospect in the fold beforehand. Ditto Faneca and Woody. Next offseason should be about addressing both lines and locking up our own guys long term.
Let's say you have to release either Ellis or Douglas next offseason, who do you release? I think I'd wave goodbye to Ellis... especially considered he is making 6 times the money Douglas is. I also think DeVito will be given every opportunity to win a starting job next year.
I think most people are in agreement that both the defensive and offensive lines need to be priority #1 and 1A in next year's draft. I would personally go defensive line first. This is where I think this team could face huge problems going into the next couple years. I love Big Jenks (what is there not to love?), but he can be pretty injury prone and is going to be on the wrong side of 30 going into the next few years. Also, Ellis and Douglas will be getting up there in age as well. The focus should definitely be in getting a couple of good defensive line prospects to mix in with these guys next year in order to spell Jenks, Ellis, and Douglas while they develop themselves.
Next year's draft has to be a DT, DE, and RT like everyone above me posted...we can grab a viable 3rd string RB off of FA and other then that we are in position to BPA.
I know right! its like he could play until he's 45. its scary how he can still pop LBs so consistently.
