I thought we were playoff bound after the first 6 games but now I am not certain we’ll even make them L In light of this I think a radical shakeup is required.
Starting at Head Coach. I like Jauron but he has taken this team as far as it will go. We might look to see if Fewell can step up but personally I’d offer a very large cheque to Steve Spagnuolo.
With our roster, we definitely face the following decisions. I have included the Free agents according to KFFL and my personnel decision if I was the front office.
UFA
Gibran Hamdan – not resigned – replaced in draft
JP Losman – not resigned – replaced by veteran like Orton
Roscoe Parrish - resign
Kirk Chambers – not resigned – replaced in draft
Melvin Fowler – not resigned – replaced by veteran like Birk
Duke Preston – not resigned – replaced in draft
Angelo Crowell – not resigned – replaced in draft
Jabari Greer – not resigned – will ask for too much – we have depth
George Wilson - resign
RFA
Copeland Bryan – not resigned
Fred Jackson - resign
Justin Jenkins – not resigned
John DiGorgio - resign
Keith Ellison - resign
Major needs
Center: With Fowler off hopefully, a possible upgrade could be the veteran Matt Birk. Whilst he’ll be 33 in July, there should be 3years left in the tank. We need a veteran here to assist a still young QB. Saturday and Meester are also potentially available.
OLB: Do we resign Crowell or let him go? Will Lehman become starting material? The better LBs around are guys for the middle so does Poz get moved outside. A high draft pick might be required
DE: Lose Schobel and we have a world of trouble. Will Ellis be better after a year in the pros? Peppers is the outstanding name but will command an outstanding price. A Day 1 pick here
TE: A seemingly perennial need but little in Free agency. A high pick in the draft but we must be careful not to overpay. I can see Royal being the starter again to begin with.
QB: A back up AND a development prospect are required, fortunately there is depth at both positions and with the frailty ofTrent as a team we might be quite appealing to the likes of Orton and Ramsey who probably hanker after starting gigs
LT: Peters has been poor. With the prospect of maybe another hold out, we should cut our losses, trade him for a R2 pick and see if we can pick up someone in a deep tackle class.
RB: Whilst his stats look good, Lynch’s performances have not really set any games alight. Does he have the bulk for a genuine power game? We can blame the line but …… Steven Jackson is 20lbs heavier and possibly available.
K: Considering what we pay Liandell he should be perfect inside the 50
My recommended surgery would be:
1. The Rams will franchiseJackson so trade for him with Lynch off to St Louis: they will take the deal because of Lynch’s lower contract. The Jacksons (Steven and Fred) will give a large and little attack at the Ralph Wilson. We need Steven Jackson to mash holes allowing Fred to be a genuine change of pace.
2. Trade Peters for a R2 pick. He may be athletic but it doesn't compensate for sulking or lack of even college playing experience at this key position
3. Sign Matt Birk on a 3 year deal paying up to $15m if necessary. He has kept himself in shape and should be around for the duration of the contract.
4. Get Kyle Orton in to pushTrent and maybe become a starter as he is only 26
R1. Everette Brown DE (replacing Denney)
Can play LE and RE
R2. Eben Britton LT (replacing Peters with the pick)
Starter from Day1
R2. Chase Coffman TE (future starter)
Better than Rucker
R3. Marcus Freeman OLB (replacing Crowell)
Can start or be a quality back up behind Ellison and eventually start
R4: Todd Brandstater QB (3rd QB)
Same size as Edwards (and Orton)
R5: A Q Shipley C
A youngster to learn behind Birk
R6: Sam Swank K
At worst a kick in the pants for Rian
R7: Scott Burley G/T
Decent depth with starting experience at LT but can play the right side inside and out
UFA : Vaughn Martin DT
FromWestern Ontario , but has the size and definitely the speed. If McCargo is released he can develop in the rotation
New starters will be Britton*(LT), Birk (C),S Jackson (RB) with maybe Coffman* (TE) starting pretty soon afterwards, whilst on defence, Brown*(LE) and Freeman* (SLB or WLB) may start very quickly.
I know the situation will alter before the 2009 season but if the decisions were tomorrow this is how I would go.
Starting at Head Coach. I like Jauron but he has taken this team as far as it will go. We might look to see if Fewell can step up but personally I’d offer a very large cheque to Steve Spagnuolo.
With our roster, we definitely face the following decisions. I have included the Free agents according to KFFL and my personnel decision if I was the front office.
Gibran Hamdan – not resigned – replaced in draft
JP Losman – not resigned – replaced by veteran like Orton
Roscoe Parrish - resign
Kirk Chambers – not resigned – replaced in draft
Melvin Fowler – not resigned – replaced by veteran like Birk
Duke Preston – not resigned – replaced in draft
Angelo Crowell – not resigned – replaced in draft
Jabari Greer – not resigned – will ask for too much – we have depth
George Wilson - resign
RFA
Copeland Bryan – not resigned
Fred Jackson - resign
Justin Jenkins – not resigned
John DiGorgio - resign
Keith Ellison - resign
Major needs
Center: With Fowler off hopefully, a possible upgrade could be the veteran Matt Birk. Whilst he’ll be 33 in July, there should be 3years left in the tank. We need a veteran here to assist a still young QB. Saturday and Meester are also potentially available.
OLB: Do we resign Crowell or let him go? Will Lehman become starting material? The better LBs around are guys for the middle so does Poz get moved outside. A high draft pick might be required
DE: Lose Schobel and we have a world of trouble. Will Ellis be better after a year in the pros? Peppers is the outstanding name but will command an outstanding price. A Day 1 pick here
TE: A seemingly perennial need but little in Free agency. A high pick in the draft but we must be careful not to overpay. I can see Royal being the starter again to begin with.
QB: A back up AND a development prospect are required, fortunately there is depth at both positions and with the frailty of
LT: Peters has been poor. With the prospect of maybe another hold out, we should cut our losses, trade him for a R2 pick and see if we can pick up someone in a deep tackle class.
RB: Whilst his stats look good, Lynch’s performances have not really set any games alight. Does he have the bulk for a genuine power game? We can blame the line but …… Steven Jackson is 20lbs heavier and possibly available.
K: Considering what we pay Liandell he should be perfect inside the 50
My recommended surgery would be:
1. The Rams will franchise
2. Trade Peters for a R2 pick. He may be athletic but it doesn't compensate for sulking or lack of even college playing experience at this key position
3. Sign Matt Birk on a 3 year deal paying up to $15m if necessary. He has kept himself in shape and should be around for the duration of the contract.
4. Get Kyle Orton in to push
R1. Everette Brown DE (replacing Denney)
Can play LE and RE
R2. Eben Britton LT (replacing Peters with the pick)
Starter from Day1
R2. Chase Coffman TE (future starter)
Better than Rucker
R3. Marcus Freeman OLB (replacing Crowell)
Can start or be a quality back up behind Ellison and eventually start
R4: Todd Brandstater QB (3rd QB)
Same size as Edwards (and Orton)
R5: A Q Shipley C
A youngster to learn behind Birk
R6: Sam Swank K
At worst a kick in the pants for Rian
R7: Scott Burley G/T
Decent depth with starting experience at LT but can play the right side inside and out
From
New starters will be Britton*(LT), Birk (C),
I know the situation will alter before the 2009 season but if the decisions were tomorrow this is how I would go.
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