Top Three at Thirteen

[freddyg12]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

Its interesting you said that... in reading many mocks, it seems most of the college DEs are pojected as either 3-4 DEs or LBs at the NFL level. Very few of the top DEs are pojected to be DEs in a 4-3 defense.

That said, our OL is more of a concern (by far) than our DL. Assuming we keep Griffin (as speculated), having a healthy Daniels back alone will upgrade our unit over last year, with or without Jason Taylor. It is an area that certainly needs to be addressed, but our entire Oline (save for Samuels) needs to be rebuilt over the next two years. As it stands right now, we need a new starting RT and one, if not two new starting guards. Center can be delayed one more year and Samuels needs to move to the RT position at some point in 2009 or 2010. Otherwise, he will need to be replaced soon - possibly as soon as 2011.

I certainly agree that OL is more pressing, simply because at present we have a QB on IR situation waiting to happen if Jansen/Heyer has to play a full year at RT (and Zorn won't leave a rb in to help, but that's another story). But I don't think the O line overall is much worse than the d-line/pass rush.

I know the D played well, but I don't think we can expect them to maintain as is if there's not something done to improve the pass rush. It doesn't have to be on the d-line, it could be an OLB (they could employ Brown as a such & line him up at DE on passing downs) or simply moving Landry back to SS & blitzing him more. I just don't think our defense is nearly talented enough to come back in 09 & continually keep us in games. I expect a fairly big dropoff if nothing is done to improve the starting lineup. Also, don't expect much from Phillip Daniels, I love that guy but he'll be 35 or 36(?) & his legs might not even be able to get him through OTAs. He might retire while he still has his health.