**Rumor** about GW, Rogers, Jansen

[skinsfan69]

Originally Posted by Skinny Tee

When in life are we ever going to address our DE issue. We've needed pass rushing DE's since our last playoff season in '05. Even when we got A. Carter we were still in need of 2 DE's to increase our pass rush.

We are way behind in this category. It should also be addressed with youth.

IMO you build along the lines before drafting little guys. Good pass rush= good pass defense.

[Coff]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

IMO you build along the lines before drafting little guys. Good pass rush= good pass defense.

I agree 69, unfortunately Williams does not. He sees the LB's and DB's as the key to defenses, with multiple blitz packages able to make up for a weak pass rush. While his schemes seemingly work (the man consistently has his defenses ranked top 10 in the leauge, and this goes back to his days in Buffalo), there is one major weakness: turnovers. Pass rushers=turnovers, both QB fumbles and INTs. Historically, Williams' defenses have been unable to produce turnovers proportional to the defensive ranking.

I think the best case scenario would be for someone in the FO to overule Williams (am I actually suggesting this?) and draft (or sign) a nasty pass rusher.

[SC Skins Fan]

Outside of Chris Long (who will not be available) how many game changing DE's will be available at #21? Gholston is small and could very well end up as a 3-4 OLB, same with Harvey. Campbell is bigger and a definite possibility, though I'm not familiar with his technique and I wonder whether I guy with that kind of frame will move up the draft board if he impresses in post-season workouts. It's all a crap shoot until we get to the Senior Bowl and combine anyway.

Point being, Jared Allen (who is too expensive and won't be available) and Justin Smith (who probably will be and might be cheaper than he would be otherwise given down production last year) are available in FA. If they could get Justin Smith he would provide a solid player against the run who can also get to the passer. Then they could target a CB at #21.

Leigh did play pretty horribly in coverage last year, but I'd be surprised if he didn't at least make it to camp.

[SouperMeister]

Originally Posted by skinsfan69

IMO you build along the lines before drafting little guys. Good pass rush= good pass defense.

AMEN!!! I've been saying that this has been the biggest personnel philosophy mistake during Gibbs 2.0 - The FO has built the team from the outside in. The great teams of Gibbs 1.0 inherited Dave Butz, and were built from the inside out, drafting May, Grimm, Manley, Grant, and Mann early on. Add in great undrafted FA acquisitions like Bostic and Jacoby, and great interior line play was the heart of three Super Bowl Champions for a decade.