Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

[Night Train]

Our D should have a new DC (probably the key move of the upcoming off-season) and a fair turnover of starters, if they ever wish to stay in games. Primarily in the Front 7.

If it's a question of which unit to fix first, it's without question the D. Can't keep giving up 450-550 yards every week and expect the O to rally from behind in the 2nd half of games. By then, it's Fitz throwing the ball with the running game completely abandoned and we all saw how well that worked from November on.

I realize the SJ thing is dominating the thinking of many, including Ralph...but when building a team, you solidify the D first to keep you in games,then move on to the offense.

I'd love to see a new QB ( Yet I think the draft class is weak after Luck,RG III ) but Ralph would rather justify the panic move to extend Fitz by ordering a WR drafted high. That's my fear.

Then the D will continue to suffer and the team will never be able to hold what few leads they'll have in games with the D getting torched.

[DynaPaul]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Absolutely. I'd be happy if they spent every single pick on D and O lineman. We can't afford any more luxury AKA "best player on the board" picks. We need to solidify the lines for good and get a couple of LBs.

[Johnny Bugmenot]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Yes, because that worked SO well last year... oh, wait, the new draftees ended up making the team WORSE!

[DesertFox24]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Yes, because that worked SO well last year... oh, wait, the new draftees ended up making the team WORSE!

LOL

I am going to go on a limb and say that Dareus Williams Sheppard and Rodgers turn out to be pretty darn good and get a lot better after this offseason.

Every expert out there says it takes 3 off seasons to covert from a 43 to a 34. It is pretty obvious that we need more linebackers for this defense.

Hopefully buddy Nix drafts linebackers and OL.

[YardRat]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

I don't think Ralph is going to tell anybody who to draft.

I agree with the premise of the op, though...regardless of what happens with Stevie the defense is still the most glaring weakness on the team, along with OT.

Build a better defense, and an o-line, and fill in the skill positions when you can.

[DesertFox24]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

I don't think Ralph is going to tell anybody who to draft.

I agree with the premise of the op, though...regardless of what happens with Stevie the defense is still the most glaring weakness on the team, along with OT.

Build a better defense, and an o-line, and fill in the skill positions when you can.

I want a top 5 defense that is what will win us games.

Look at sanchez he makes Fitz look like Aaron Rodgers, but he has a great defense and that makes them a much better team.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

I also think we should go primarily D in the draft. I think a pass rushing DE and a pass rushing OLB are essential, and I'd like to see a CB and perhaps a second OLB.

In addition, though, I'd like to add a WR to complement (or possibly replace - although I hope not) Stevie, and an O-lineman, at least for depth.

[ThunderGun]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Good post.

I do think we need another WR, and some OLinemen, but the Defense should be our main focus (unless we have a shot at an elite qb prospect....which we wont).

We have so many holes to fill....it shouldn't be too difficult to get some players in the draft who will improve our team. Let's just hope we don't draft another rb....

[Ickybaluky]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

I think they need to upgrade at WR pretty badly as well. If you are going to run the spread offense, you needs WR who run good routes and have good hands. Early in the season, when he had WR he built some chemistry with, Fitzpatrick played pretty well. Now he is playing with guys who aren't precise in their routes and aren't as dependable.

[cookie G]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Every expert out there says it takes 3 off seasons to covert from a 43 to a 34. It is pretty obvious that we need more linebackers for this defense.

Wade Phillips did it in 1, and without his best player for most of the year.


This D goes no where unless you bring in a real defensive mind.

That's not Edwards, and that's not Buddy.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

getting pass rushers and a real defensive mind is what we need.

[Philagape]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Pass-rushing OLB is overwhelmingly the No. 1 need.

If one insists a draft pick HAS to be a certain position. Which I don't.

[Philagape]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Yes, because that worked SO well last year... oh, wait, the new draftees ended up making the team WORSE!

This whole "we tried that before and failed" argument is moot for any topic here because they've tried everything and failed.
BPA, reaching for need, offense, defense, skill players, linemen, you name it ... none of it has worked. It all comes down to simply getting the right players. You do that, and any strategy will work.

[X-Era]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Bart Scott may get cut by the Jets. He's a guy I'd like to add to the mix. I like his nasty attitude. He's old but can still play.

[MikeInRoch]

Re: Draft/FA Focus Should Still Be The D

Yes, because that worked SO well last year... oh, wait, the new draftees ended up making the team WORSE!

Worse? By what measure exactly?