Free Agency/Franchise Tag thread 2011

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by Dirtbag59

First to post!

Report: Mutual interest between Redskins, Cullen Jenkins | ProFootballTalk




If by savior you mean a player that absolutely commands respects and destroys teams that are foolish enough to experiment with one on one blocking then no. However if you mean a guy that will win one on one, draw double teams, and bring those to a stalmate then yes, I feel that Neild is that guy. Nose Tackle isn't a very... difficult position to train people. It's more about being strong willed and fighting then it is about skill.

For now though I view Neild similarly to Chris Hoke of the Steelers. Yes they love having Casey Hampton at the nose but they know when he's injured or needs a rest they're in good hands with him. Also if you look at some of the guys starting at Nose Tackle in this league a good amount of them are in fact late round picks. (meaning rounds 4-7).

I would argue differently. Look at Hampton (Steelers), Cody and Ngata (Ravens), Kris Jenkins and then their first two picks this year (Jets). These guys were all drafted high. The good 3-4 teams all invest high picks at NT. Yes, they may use low rounders to add depth. But a good 3-4 always has a stud starter at NT rather than a late-round fill-in. The poor 3-4 defenses are poor in part because they don't invest in a NT.

We need a stud NT.

BTW I am not arguing against getting Cullen Jenkins if the price is right. We also need help at DE and he would be a good acquisition.