The Arena league would be all wrong for Pennington. Arm strength is very important there because the field is smaller. Passers need to put a lot of zip on their throws in that league. Remember, arm strength is not only about how far a guy can throw a ball.
I disagree. his decision making right now is as much a problem as the weaknesses of the players. so, even if you do get better players, his decision making will still remain. he is as conservative as Herm, no question asked, and has cost this team losses because of his fear to break in a new QB. well, now we still have to break in a new QB and have those losses. playing Clemens wouldn't have been giving up the season if he lost to the Bills and Giants anymore than playing Chad has cost the Jets the season. I wasn't sold on Mangini last year, and I am not this year. last year we were one year removed form a 10 win season, so all Mangini is doing is continuing the Herm inconsistency, following a good year with a bad year. Mangini hasn't made this team better at all, and hasn't shown any indication that he can.
If any NFL head coach needs 4 years to get a team on track in this day and age, he is not a good coach.
Getting a Pass Rusher and Nose Tackle I don't think Mangini will make the change at QB this year and with the way our defense is playing it looks like we are in for a tough year. I thought we would be around 6 and 10 going in based on our schedule but obviously that is looking a bit aggressive. I think a priority should be getting a pass rusher and nose tackle in the draft. Maybe we can trade Vilma who doesn't seem to fit in this 3 4. I'm thinking back to the sack exchange and what a far cry we are from that front line. Can someone tell me how much Chad still has on his contract? and what hit we would take if we cut him? I don't think at this point many teams would take him.
I hate to mention this but does anyone else realize we haven't had a true edge rusher since John Abraham? Could trading him qualify as a mistake? Now, we have to draft to backfill his position AGAIN since BT hasn't lit up anything and DRob absolutely IS NOT a true NT.. Basically, I'm thinking this team, on both lines, needs SIZE! We're too light in the ass on both sides of the ball..
LOL. Yeah, we need to think like New England and get some burger boys in there. Only thing D'Rob can clog is a toilet.
I'd consider letting Abraham go a mistake if he had consistently put up his numbers instead of racking up stats against backup tackles. IMO, neither he nor Ellis deserved that contract.
I was always in favor of giving Abraham the big deal over Ellis. I remember JWWS and I having to constantly support him over Ellis. I personally would have kept Abe over Ellis.
It makes no sense to keep Abe if he isn't going to be on the playing field. Last year he played 1/2 the season. What good is he if he's not playing?
The problem w/ Abraham is he didnt fit in the 3-4 at all. Both the Groh and Edwards era try to use him in specific 3-4 schemes and it just never worked out. As for filling the pass rusher and NT needs in the draft...we're gonna be very hard pressed unless we switch back to the 4-3. A guy like Dorsey could play a 4-3 NT, but no way he or any other DT prospect is a fit in the 3-4 at that spot.
I dunno what makes you think Abe didn't fit the 3-4. His rookie year before he got hurt he was tearing it up in the 3-4, also, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure he played OLB in college.
He was tearing it up on 3rd down when we switched to a 4 down linemen nickel defense. As for in college, his final year at South Carolina they switched to a 3-4 and he played OLB... I believe the results were mixed.
That was his listed position but he rarely played during games, except on 3rd down as a 4-3 DE in the nickel.
So there's no NTs in the draft next year and the FA market looks bleak. Where are we going to get a NT? Perhaps the 4-3 is the only answer. Jared Allen, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs Allen’s sack total dropped in ’06, but he still posted 7.5 and raised his tackle total a good deal. He’ll be back in Kansas City for the upcoming season, but there’s a good chance that he’ll try the market out come next offseason. He’s just 25 years of age, and has shown that he is among the league’s best at his position. He’ll be a high priority for several teams once the signing period opens. Simeon Rice, UFA, Tampa Bay Buccaneers His age isn’t appealing and he was hampered by injuries last season, but Rice is still known as a defensive force. His sack total of two in eight games was his lowest total of his career, and just the third time he had less than a double digit total in the category. Prior to 2006 he had missed two games in ten seasons, and has been a leader on the line for some time. With Tampa Bay releasing him, he’s already a free agent. His shoulder will need to heal some before he can pass a physical. Justin Smith, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals Smith is an intriguing player. He’s consistent, experienced, and has a powerful motor. With 81 total tackles and 7.5 sacks in ’06, Smith showed that he was a high level end, and that he was coming into his own as a defensive leader on the Bengals. He won’t command elite dollars, but he would be valuable to several teams and may find a suitor willing to open the checkbook wide. Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens Suggs is somewhat versatile and has become a volatile opposing presence for offenses. He has the ability to play at the linebacker spot and also attack from the line at the end spot. He has grown into a top pass rusher and presents match-up problems for most teams. He’s been near or above double digit sack totals in each of his four seasons with eight being his low. He is a true talent and will attract some large offers from various teams, but Baltimore will do everything they can to sign him to an extension, especially considering that he doesn’t turn 25 until October. Mike Rucker, UFA, Carolina Panthers The veteran defensive end is heading into his mid-30s, but he’s still proving to be a threat to offensive attacks. Rucker benefits from playing on a line that includes Julius Peppers, but Rucker brings some quality of his own to the position. His play in ‘02 and ’03 was stellar, and while had hasn’t reached double-digit sack totals since, he’s still posted respectable totals and helped the Panthers to being regarded as a solid defensive unit. Rucker is past his prime, but he will still contribute to a team willing to give him a chance. He’ll need to stay healthy to increase his stock on the free agent market. Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans Haynesworth has come into the season determined to have a great year. He has a single sack through three games, but he seems to be getting pressure up the middle consistently, and is helping to allow other defensive linemen to have an even greater impact themselves. While quarterback Vince Young is a major reason for the team’s success so far, Haynesworth and the defense he is helping to lead are also contributing significantly. If Haynesworth can keep up his current play, the Titans will find it hard to let him leave via free agency, as it would create a sizable hole to fill. Other Free Agent Defensive Linemen Jordan Carstens UFA Carolina Panthers Ebenezer Ekuban UFA Denver Broncos Tommy Kelly UFA Oakland Raiders Sam Rayburn UFA San Francisco 49ers Mike Rucker UFA Carolina Panthers Paul Spicer UFA Jacksonville Jaguars Randy Starks UFA Tennessee Titans Renaldo Wynn UFA Washington Redskins
