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FA is just upon us.. I heard the phrase and TV today that for football fans, this is like christmas eve. Well, it really is. 32 NFL teams have a chance to improve themselves come midnite.
Anyway, as we head into what is an obvious critical offseason for BUffalo, what are your expectations, realistically? Everybody would love to add Lance Briggs, Alan Faneca and Randy Moss to their team, but that's not going to happen.
Here's a brief overview of what I hope happens in the next few days/weeks-- and I don't think I'm being unrealistic.
* Tight end WILL be addressed. I originally forgot that Gaines is also a UFA, whom I like better than Royal. I'd like to say Crumpler would be our guy, but odds are someone is going to give me too much money. I'm sorta locked on Eric Johnson. REgardless, we need a tight end better than Royal, especially with a QB like Edwards who's very fond of looking for the TE.
* Even though nobody is talking about, and with good reason mainly because so much is tied into Schobel and Kelsay already. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if we sign a meaningul DE early in free agency. I think the Giants provided the formula you can't have too many good pass rushers. Odom from Tennessee would be a good target. Don't forget, we're losing Hargrove and nobody knows the status of Denney for the future. So I'm pretty certain we're going to throw some bucks at a guy. Of course, this could also come by way of the draft; but so could a 1,000 other positions.
* Everyone is talking about the #2 WR--- but don't be 100% certain it's going to happen in free agency. Hackett has the most talent, but is also the biggest risk. Johnson has a lot of ability, but has never produced the way Arizona hoped. Yes, he was stuck behind Boldin and Fitz, but he's also had chances to shine when one of them went down, and he didn't. Wilford has that prototypical size we'd like-- but he's not overly consistent and we may have to get in a bidding war for him. I"m hoping for Hackett but realistically I'm looking at two options: Jabar Gaffney, who's much better than people think. And I'm also suddenly looking at Isaac Bruce, who's old but could step in a great stop-gap #2 while we groom a receiver selected from the draft. Bruce had 730+ yds last year, he's far from washed up.
* I think we're going to sign either a center or a guard (not sure which one). Our OL as a whole improved, but we're still iffy at right guard and center is the obvious weak line. It's just not a good FA class at center, outside of Faine, who I don't think is worth a huge contract. At guard, Jake Scott from Indy would be an instant upgrade over Butler, who would then provide quality depth throughout the OL.
* As far as DT goes, I think this is one spot where we REALLY, REALLY need to roll the dice and take a chance. The FA DT market is complete and total garbage (don't get fooled into thinking Starks is any good). With Kelly resigning with Oakland (I still can't believe he got that much) pretty much all the talented DT's are on the trading block. Rogers, STroud, Williams, Jenkins. I think it's worth it to move a third rounder, maybe even a second rounder for one of them.. Look, our defense will NOT get better if we're not better up front and in the middle. Larry Tripplett and Kyle Williams are what they are. They're not going to get it done. We NEED to roll the dice, if one of these talented guys pan out, it is well worth the risk.. They're all potential difference makers.. ONe thing we can't afford to do about it is nothing. DT is one of the hardest positions in football for a rookie to come into, and if you simply draft one, you CANNOT count on him getting plugged in and improving the team in his first, maybe even second year (see first rounder McCargo). Not being able to get to Sopoaga IMO was a blow, the move here is to trade our second rounder to Green Bay for Williams; he'd look mighty good playing with McCargo on this line.
Linebacker is a questionable spot. Aside from Calvin Pace, who some think is better in a 3-4, there are no LB's "realistically" that will be worth what they get. I think Landon Johnson (Bengals) could be a good pickup, he's not great but far better than Ellison, which would push him back to coming off the bench. Briggs is a pipedream (though a good one).
I'm puzzled at corner. Cutting Kiwi was a major surprise to me. I really hope we sign a CB in free agency, becuase I hate the thought of using the 11th pick on one. However, I think that's a reality (drafting one at 11) and here's why. Have you seen the prices of the good corners once they hit the open market? It's insane. The only way to get and keep a good corner for 4-5 years in today's NFL seems to be headed towards drafting your own while he plays out his entire rookie contract. For that reason alone, it leads me to think a CB will be coming to us at #11.
At any rate, I don't even think I said a single big name, other than Corey Williams. What I do know is that after an offseason full of bull**** Wilson front office moves and public comments towards this city; it's time for him to close his old, decrypted mouth and open up his wallet. This team NEEDS to have a real playoff push.
SO it's show and prove time.. Last year was a convienant and somewhat reasonable excuse.. WE had to lose guys like Fletch, Nate, etc. THis year..... NOT the case. No ****ing excuses at all. Let's see what we do.
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Lastly, before every person makes a "he aint worth it" or "overpaid" comment when someone comes off the board-- remember that EVERY TEAM does it when its a guy they need. Remember that Dockery got $49 million (7 per) last year.. Every team has to do it to get what they need.
Anyway, as we head into what is an obvious critical offseason for BUffalo, what are your expectations, realistically? Everybody would love to add Lance Briggs, Alan Faneca and Randy Moss to their team, but that's not going to happen.
Here's a brief overview of what I hope happens in the next few days/weeks-- and I don't think I'm being unrealistic.
* Tight end WILL be addressed. I originally forgot that Gaines is also a UFA, whom I like better than Royal. I'd like to say Crumpler would be our guy, but odds are someone is going to give me too much money. I'm sorta locked on Eric Johnson. REgardless, we need a tight end better than Royal, especially with a QB like Edwards who's very fond of looking for the TE.
* Even though nobody is talking about, and with good reason mainly because so much is tied into Schobel and Kelsay already. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if we sign a meaningul DE early in free agency. I think the Giants provided the formula you can't have too many good pass rushers. Odom from Tennessee would be a good target. Don't forget, we're losing Hargrove and nobody knows the status of Denney for the future. So I'm pretty certain we're going to throw some bucks at a guy. Of course, this could also come by way of the draft; but so could a 1,000 other positions.
* Everyone is talking about the #2 WR--- but don't be 100% certain it's going to happen in free agency. Hackett has the most talent, but is also the biggest risk. Johnson has a lot of ability, but has never produced the way Arizona hoped. Yes, he was stuck behind Boldin and Fitz, but he's also had chances to shine when one of them went down, and he didn't. Wilford has that prototypical size we'd like-- but he's not overly consistent and we may have to get in a bidding war for him. I"m hoping for Hackett but realistically I'm looking at two options: Jabar Gaffney, who's much better than people think. And I'm also suddenly looking at Isaac Bruce, who's old but could step in a great stop-gap #2 while we groom a receiver selected from the draft. Bruce had 730+ yds last year, he's far from washed up.
* I think we're going to sign either a center or a guard (not sure which one). Our OL as a whole improved, but we're still iffy at right guard and center is the obvious weak line. It's just not a good FA class at center, outside of Faine, who I don't think is worth a huge contract. At guard, Jake Scott from Indy would be an instant upgrade over Butler, who would then provide quality depth throughout the OL.
* As far as DT goes, I think this is one spot where we REALLY, REALLY need to roll the dice and take a chance. The FA DT market is complete and total garbage (don't get fooled into thinking Starks is any good). With Kelly resigning with Oakland (I still can't believe he got that much) pretty much all the talented DT's are on the trading block. Rogers, STroud, Williams, Jenkins. I think it's worth it to move a third rounder, maybe even a second rounder for one of them.. Look, our defense will NOT get better if we're not better up front and in the middle. Larry Tripplett and Kyle Williams are what they are. They're not going to get it done. We NEED to roll the dice, if one of these talented guys pan out, it is well worth the risk.. They're all potential difference makers.. ONe thing we can't afford to do about it is nothing. DT is one of the hardest positions in football for a rookie to come into, and if you simply draft one, you CANNOT count on him getting plugged in and improving the team in his first, maybe even second year (see first rounder McCargo). Not being able to get to Sopoaga IMO was a blow, the move here is to trade our second rounder to Green Bay for Williams; he'd look mighty good playing with McCargo on this line.
Linebacker is a questionable spot. Aside from Calvin Pace, who some think is better in a 3-4, there are no LB's "realistically" that will be worth what they get. I think Landon Johnson (Bengals) could be a good pickup, he's not great but far better than Ellison, which would push him back to coming off the bench. Briggs is a pipedream (though a good one).
I'm puzzled at corner. Cutting Kiwi was a major surprise to me. I really hope we sign a CB in free agency, becuase I hate the thought of using the 11th pick on one. However, I think that's a reality (drafting one at 11) and here's why. Have you seen the prices of the good corners once they hit the open market? It's insane. The only way to get and keep a good corner for 4-5 years in today's NFL seems to be headed towards drafting your own while he plays out his entire rookie contract. For that reason alone, it leads me to think a CB will be coming to us at #11.
At any rate, I don't even think I said a single big name, other than Corey Williams. What I do know is that after an offseason full of bull**** Wilson front office moves and public comments towards this city; it's time for him to close his old, decrypted mouth and open up his wallet. This team NEEDS to have a real playoff push.
SO it's show and prove time.. Last year was a convienant and somewhat reasonable excuse.. WE had to lose guys like Fletch, Nate, etc. THis year..... NOT the case. No ****ing excuses at all. Let's see what we do.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Lastly, before every person makes a "he aint worth it" or "overpaid" comment when someone comes off the board-- remember that EVERY TEAM does it when its a guy they need. Remember that Dockery got $49 million (7 per) last year.. Every team has to do it to get what they need.
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