How will our defense hold up next year?

[Mechanix544]

I definitely think that we should draft a safety in the first round next year.








wait a second. Nevermind, I meant the year after that.








oh, wait, I meant the year after that. They are saying that the 2015 Safety draft class is shaping up to be a once in a generation draft class at that position.

[Monksdown]

Weak coverage secondary with a strong front 7...seems to me we'll give up middle of the pack yards, and be stout in the redzone. We'll probably also be at the back end of the league in terms of over 20 yard completions/scores. Top 10 in sacks.

[HailGreen28]

Originally Posted by Mechanix544

I definitely think that we should draft a safety in the first round next year.

wait a second. Nevermind, I meant the year after that.

oh, wait, I meant the year after that. They are saying that the 2015 Safety draft class is shaping up to be a once in a generation draft class at that position.

Lol. Losing those next two first rounders is going to hurt. Though if Griffin is the next great QB it will have been worth it, IMO.

On another note, I'm shocked that Orakpo was part of the trade discussion. I think Rak's actually an underrated part of our D.

Lotus or anybody, what might the Griffin trade have been if Rak was involved?

Lotus or anybody, as the original deal was the Rams 2012 1st in exchange for our 2012 1st, our 2012 2nd, 2013 1st, and 2014 1st. Would this trade have been better for us instead? The Rams 2012 1st in exchange for our 2012 1st, our 2012 2nd, and Rak?

(edited after SS graciously dropped some info)

[imaskin4life]

Originally Posted by HailGreen28

Lol. Losing those next two first rounders is going to hurt. Though if Griffin is the next great QB it will have been worth it, IMO.

On another note, I'm shocked that Orakpo was part of the trade discussion. I think Rak's actually an underrated part of our D.

Although I am not shocked that they considered trading Orakpo in order to get Griffin, I am glad that the Rams rejected. I agree with you that Orakpo is underrated by some. I think people make a mistake by comparing Orakpo to the highest standard and say "see there! he falls short, why can't he do that like [your favorite OLB/DE] does".

It is Ok to say that he is not as effective as Demarcus Ware (for example) but it is a mistake to think that because he falls short of elite status that he does not have value in our defense. I think the pressure that he brings creates opportunities for the rest of the front to also bring pressure which indirectly helps our secondary due to rushed/anxious QB's. I think the whole D benefits. Sure he can get better in pass coverage and add a move or two to his pass rushing arsenal but he is still a BEAST as he is now. He may not be "elite" yet or the "best" yet but he is still pretty hard to block (legally).

Obviously, the only logical reason to trade Orakpo is if it makes our team better. I would have done it to get Griffin (if it was necessary). I would also consider it if he becomes a glaring liability in pass coverage. For now, I think his strengths far out weigh his weaknesses and I expect the DE converted OLB to improve this year just like he did last year from the previous year.