I like what you did here Mambo, I am happy with the safety situation I have always thought Ihedigbo is underappreciated but also i think pool will be good aswell i think we are set here. Like footballgod stated the one thing im nervous about is our ilb depth, this has to be a priority.
I was talking to my friend recently about the depth of this team and D-line / MLB was something that really worried me. After thinking about it D-line isn't as huge as a problem as I thought it would be because I really think Ropati Pitoitua will see a lot more burn this year. In addition I can see Ropati putting some more weight on his 6'8 frame. Jeez he is huge Unlike D line I really see mlb depth being a huge problem for us. What happens if scott or harris get injured (knock on wood) I suppose westerman could fill in, but we really need a safety net there. Two guys I think we could fit in here who are still UFA are Akin Ayodele Rocky Boiman
I love it! also considering we already have T-Rich's replacement (Conner) and probably Woody's too (I think Ducasse will eventually be our starting RT in a year or two with Slauson starting at LG if not in 2010 in 2011). Looking to the future we're in a VERY good position
I would expect a veteran MLB to be brought in like Fowler was. A low-cost guy who can fill in here or there. But if Harris or Scott went down for an extended period of time we would be in big trouble. But then again, what team wouldnt be hurting if their best linebacker went out.
I guess our OLBs are ok but next season we really need to get a young stud (easier said than done). However, 3-4 OLBs are really hit-or-miss so I guess Rex didn't really like any of the guys in this year's draft (or we would have drafted one over a FB).
Just out of curiosity, why is most of the board down on Woody? OL players tend to last into their mid- 30's. Another reason I disagree with the Faneca move. They don't break down as fast as DL because its a positive energy position as opposed to a negative energy (read & react). Kevin Mawae is still a top 5 center and he's 36. Obviously having the #1 center in the NFL is better (Mangold)...
I don't care how old he is, Faneca absolutely sucked last season, it was a football reason over age/money/everything.
We have some quality players at safety now... There are no stars, but the starters will be solid with good depth. Maybe someone steps up big. We don't need a pass-rusher THIS YEAR with Taylor coming in opposite... BUT we do need a younger pass rusher who can take over for Jason Taylor in the not too distant future. As for this year at those two positions, the roster is pretty much set...
When I read this, I remembered how well he played in the pre-season last year.. I'd like to see a veteran QB added - Mark Brunell? - but I think Ainge showed enough last preseason to become at least a quality backup someday
Because tackles don't last as long as guards or centers. they need to be more athletic. Woody was already a guard (less athletic) to begin with so I don't know for how many years he can pull it off at this level. He will be 33 this season and has already had a big injury... but who cares, we just drafted our RT of the future in Ducasse
I'm still holding out hope for Sharper and Von Miller is a guy I have my eye on in next year's draft.
Next year it's imperative that we find a good OLB... I wonder if Basped can become any good (UDFA we just signed)...
If this team ends up performing as well as we think and is really as stacked as we believe, I think we see Tanny trade almost anything to grab the most elite pass rusher in the draft next year. If we add a Demarcus Ware type to this defense (and obviously keep the core intact with Revis/Cro/Harris/Scott/Pace/Leonhard/Wilson etc.) there is just no way it doesnt end up as an all-time elite defense before its all said and done.
