This is the FA we should be targeting- good size for a 3-4 end. It's going to be really hard to get someone in the Draft that can come right in a start at DE and IMO, that is the spot that we need the most immediate answer for. 3-4 DE is kind of a rare breed. I think this guy would be our best bet in the FA market. I would like to hear your thoughts as to why or why not.
He would be an outstanding pickup, he's a very good DE and can play in a 3-4, but I haven't heard that he's a free agent anywhere.
Is going to become a UFA? If so, we should go for him. He'd be a big help in terms of stopping the run.
I know, I just heard the other day- nobody talks about it-- maybe everyone expects him to be franchised. The Saints franchised Darren Howard for like 4 years in a row.
I remember one of the debates back in 2002 was if the Jets should have drafted Charles Grant over Bryan Thomas. Grant went 3 picks after they took Thomas. Not to compare the two, I love the new Bryan Thomas. But it would be great if we could bring him in for the D-line.
I will get all of you a stripper if we bring in Grant-- I think he would be the best signing we could make. That position just seems so hard to fill, and IMO, KVO is the worst starter on our team by far-- that spot needs to be addressed prior to the draft.
Did a little research, and he definetly is a UFA: http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=89105 http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=NFL&id=1072 I'm surprised this hasn't been talked about more, he's a perfect fit and should be one of our major targets.
if we could land grant, adalius thomas and samuel our D is set. Then add a runningback and oline depth in the draft.
i guess its because hes had a down year as of compared to his other years. Also, Will Smith gets alot of the attention and that overshadows him. I didnt even know he was a free agent. He'd be a good pickup, but i still prefer getting a big DT so Dewayne could move to DE. I think Dewayne could be a Luis Castillo type player
Nice links-- Saints fans sure like him. Good, not great stats- 50 tackles, 6 sacks, but 3 FF, and 2 recovered. I'd love that production compared to what we had this year in that spot.
I know thats all, just convince the top 3 free agents in the market to come to one team while dishing out huge signing bonuses
Maybe. He's not big for a 3-4 end although he's not a lot smaller either. He's had a nagging turf toe injury since 2004. It seemed better this year but he still is not back to where he was in 2003 when he looked headed for super stardom. If the toe is healed he'd be a good pickup. I wouldn't spend huge dollars on him though.
What makes you think he can play DE in a 3-4?? He'd still be undersized. We need to target a mammoth DE in the mould of Seymour and Warren. 300+ pounds boys... We need size on that d-line pronto. Grant is a hell of a player, but not the right fit for us.
Dude, this guy is BIGGER than Sean Ellis he's 6-3 290. Brian Thomas has had snaps for us at times in the end spot, and he's lucky to be 270. Anyway, what you may think he lacks in size (he doesn't) he makes up for with much better speed than a 300 lb end. Guys can certainly still play end at 290- you're being pretty dumb in thinking they all need to be over 300. Guys were just talking about Kelly Gregg playing in the MIDDLE at like 295! Kimo Played NT at under 300. Just another illinformed poster looking to complain. Who do you suggest we sign at end then??????? Or are you crossing your fingers that Alan Branch drops 20 spots in the draft so we can take him?
Not that I don't like Charles Grant, but I have the feeling that we will bring in players that have experience in the 3-4. To the best of my ability Grant didn't play 3-4 End at NO, or at UGA...
The strength of New England's front three is its' size. The focus of our line should be size guys who occupy blockers. Remember, the function of an end in the 3-4 is to occupy blockers so that the linebackers can make plays. Pass rush upside is nice, but we really need a guy who will allow the linebackers to make plays. Charles Grant is a nice player, but the money he's going to get in any new contract is going to be because he has pass rush upside. I would prefer to leave this to the draft, or sign someone of considerable size and move Robertson to the outside, where he'd be more effective. I don't think Charles Grant is really the answer. -X-
Carriker is an ideal 3-4 end. He's not an explosive pass rusher by any means, but he's gonna bust his ass on every player. He's a big dude too- I don't know about taking him in the 1st, but he'd be a great pick in the 2nd round. I think D-Rob would be great as an end in the 3-4- he'd cause a lot of problems for tackles. I just wish there was a stud NT in this draft- Okoye is as close as we are going to get. He's a project but the beautiful thing is that he's only 19- there's still lots of room to grow. D-Rob would be an absolute beast on the outside IMHO. He's got good lateral quickness which he showed in defending the screen this year. He's strong too, he did start to get penetration up the middle near the end of the year. We can really go a long way to establishing our defense for the long term future with the draft this year.
