What I'm excited to see...

- The left side of the OL.

I want to see the OL as a whole obviously, but our left side can potentially be the key to our long term success. Faneca is still somewhat young in G years, D'Brick (despite what many seem to think) is a very talented, young LT, and Mangold is already a kickass center. The addition of Faneca ideally would optimize both Mangold's and D'Brick's run blocking skills, and we're actually a threat at the goal line. I think this is D'Brick's year to shine. He may not go to the Pro Bowl, but this guy was a legit top 5 pick, and would have been one in '05 if he chose to come out as a junior. If D'Brick plays up to his upside, he becomes a long term franchise and fan favorite. Hopefully he's confident after that stretch of dominance last year, and he can put on weight that'll allow him to play above or even at 300 over a full season. The guys biggest flaw is keeping weight on and staying strong over the full season...that should die with time. I think we start seeing him shine next year.

- Kellen Clemens AND Chad Pennington

I just want to start by saying that I am not a Chad fan. I think he's a great guy and all, but eventually relationships go stale. BUT, do I think he can be successful behind a good OL with a good running game? Yes. Do I think this team has the potential to have both of those things this year? Yep. Do I think this can help Chad do his job a little bit better? Yep. Thats the logical side. See, the fact is offenses are system base, not individual based nowadays and that means teams rely on each other more than ever (amongst a million other things). Teams don't really NEED that Elway talent, but they sure as fuck will want and take him.

Clemens isn't quite Elway. Lucky for him, neither is any other QB in this draft. Clemens was not and is not as bad as his numbers were last year. I'm not a fan of using W-L record as a barometer for success of an individual playing a team sport, but the guy did start in all 4 of our wins and would have had 5 if our WRs were a bit more consistent last year. While I'd love to bring in a guy like Ainge to scare Clemens a little, I do think this guy has a shot to be somebody in this league. He's got balls and an arm. Plus, I think if he was 6'5 225 people would be a little more willing to give him a shot here.

- Leon.

Better run blocking should allow him to really do his thing in the running game. This guy is the most exciting talent on our offense, and an OL that'll open holes for him will be huge.

- The DL.

I wanted to save this for after the draft, because I really am hoping we grab one of Balmer, Moore, Langord, Jason Jones, Pressley, Rubin, Harrison, Morton or someone. If we draft any one of them it could change how I look at our DL instantly. If we go Moore/Rubin/Morton, I can see Jenkins sliding over to DE where he's free to do a little bit more than at NT. Moore and Rubin especially would allow us from versatility on the line, as I think both can handle NT and DE if asked to.

I shouldn't ignore Pouha at NT though. He should get more snaps there and allow for a more versatile defense...Jenkins and Coleman at DE...Ellis on the bench or in a different role...or even some 4-3 alignments used with those 4 guys (or one out and a pass rusher in as the other end). I like to think we're getting there with the DL. I DO want a young DL talent in the draft though, and one of the ends (Moore, LAndgord, yada yada) would be perfect.

*Note* Kareem Brown in on our roster, and does have excellent measurables for the 3-4 DE positions. Same for Mike DeVito. Maybe/hopefully those guys show something.

- Just how much we'll mix it up.

This coaching staff has shown they're not glued to any one philosophy. We do a little bit of everything on offense and defense, and we're starting to get more versatile and talented players in the mix. Personally, I trust them to go balls out this years, but nothings guaranteed. This is probably the only qualm I share with the (former?) Mangini bashers. I still don't think it will be that serious of an issue, I just want to see it.

- Our LBers versatility.

I like our linebackers actually. I think we need a better LBer to put next to Harris, but overall we've got us a pretty versatile group here that'll allow us to do alot of things. Thomas, Pace, and Harris have all had success rushing the passer in the 3-4,. All 3 don't look retarded in coverage, and I don't remember Barton being terrible either. This versatility should allow us to hide our blitzes and coverages better and take us one step closer to building a true 3-4.

- Bryan Thomas.

Oh man, does this guy piss people off or what?

I think he's a good player. People seemed to lose their memories of '06 pretty fast this year, but I chose not to. Thomas was a damn good player in '06. I mean the guy finally got put into a system he fit, and he was very productive there. It's not like he doesn't have the talent. He's very athletic and is pretty explosive when he's standing up and rushing the passer. Remember, he did deal with alot of shit with Herm...first because no one thought we needed another first round DE when he was drafted...then limited playing time...then injuries...then decent play but still not exciting enough...then Abe got healthy and it was back to the bench. He *did* improve his sack numbers every year, notching 3.5 in 4 starts and limited snaps in '05 before the transition to 3-4 OLB.

I think with Pace on the opposite side of him, the potential for another pass rushing threat to be drafted, plus improved DL play should allow him to have another 8+ sack season.

Oh, and he was dropped into coverage ALOT last year, especially after we lost Vilma (our best coverage LB). Hopefully he can somehow melt those pass rushing skills from '06 with those coverage lessons from '07 and add himself up into a very good all around 3-4 OLB this year.

- Revis and Rhodes.

I think Rhodes is a top 5 safety right now, and I'd take him over any safety under 28. He's like Adrian Wilson and Troy P with a little Ed Reed in him. He's just a weapon we can't lose. I want him resigned, but I'm just really excited to see what he's going to do with improved front 7 play. Rhodes looked lost for a while last season, but then the D played better and Elam came in and we had our star playing like a star again. This guy can't and won't be ignored for too much longer.

After what I saw last year, and the more I think and watch it again...I think Revis has the potential to be the best corner in the NFL. Last years CB class was pretty damn good with Wright, Ross, and Houston all really catching my eye too. Still, I think Revis outshined all those guys last year. He's physical, he isn't scared to play the run, he's excellent one on one, he's a form tackler, and he's extremely intelligent on the football field. He had one of the best seasons of any corner in the NFL last year as a rookie, and that says alot to me.

Thoughts?

 

I'm sorry...what?

Jenkins has the height, length, two gap ability, and athleticism to handle 3-4 DE. As a DT in the 4-3 he was a pretty good pass rusher, and really before he started ballooning he would definitely have been a good fit as a 3-4 DE IMO.

1. How would moving him around the line be "monkeying" around with him? Seymour lined up at NT at times for the Pats as a rookie. Wilfork has lined up at 3-4 DE before. The Cowboys used a guy who was like 6'4 and barely 300 at NT last year after Fergy went down. Versatility is key in 3-4 linemen.

2. The reason its dumb to move DRob to 3-4 DE is because he's 6'1 with no length on him at all. He has like 0 things in common with Jenkins.

3. Like I said, at his best Jenkins was a guy who could eat up blockers and still disrupt the backfield. Thats what you want out of a 3-4 in general. His height, length, and athleticism allow him to potentially play ANYWHERE on the line.

4. Can I ask the people who think Jenkins taking snaps at DE in the 3-4 is ridiculous what they've seen in him that makes it so ridiculous? Or for supersonic to explain what similarities DRob and Jenkins have that makes Jenkins at DE as bad an idea as DRob at DE?

 

Haloti Ngata doesn't seem to have a problem being 340 and extremely athletic.

I don't doubt for a second that part of the reason we chose Jenkins over Rogers is that he's a more versatile player.

And anyone who thinks Lupe is overrated can go suck a D. I love what artists like him are doing, and it's nice to see hip hop go back to its roots instead of putting up with that Soulja Boy bullshit. Too many people walk around with their fuckin eyes closed, and it's just nice to hear some rap asking people to wake the fuck up.

Lil Wayne isn't bad to listen to...I'm just not a big fan.