BuffaloBlakely14
03-12-2006, 10:09 AM
I really like what Marv is doing here with these FA signings. He is taking players who are in there 4th/5th years in the league, who by all accounts are system guys for the system that he and Coach Juron are trying to implement and giving them a chance to prove themselves.
All three of these guys have started for their teams but for the most part weren't superstars. All three sound like they are high character, high motor guys with great upside, who are most importantly hungry to contribute and contribute in a big way for a team that is wants them.
Royal, while not flashy, drew rave reviews this past year from Joe Gibbs on his blocking ability, and even admittedly from Gibbs was just not the first option with Chris Cooley being such a threat. Then man had to be doing something right he started the past 26 out of 31 games for the Skins, a scrub doesnt do that. He wasnt a second stringer/ST that half this board keeps quoting him as.
As a lifelong VA Tech fan, I am pretty excited about the opportunity we are giving Andre Davis. Contrary to some other posts stating that he had no one else interested in him, if you go to www.kffl.com you will see that the Steelers, Texans, Chargers, and Bucs were all interested in him as well. When he stepped on the field at Tech he was pure electricity and is a threat to take it to the house everytime he touches the ball. He was an exciting punt returner with very good hands, and has more than enough moves to make people miss after the catch. He missed the first half of the season with an injury last year. You never have to question his effort or desire.
Tripplett I think will end up being a steal. I have seen him ranked in the Top 5 of every FA DT rankings. This guy was part of a 3 man rotation that included Corey Simon, and he still put up pretty good DT numbers. He is exactly the type of DT that Marv said that they were targeting, and has played in our new system of D for the past 4 years. I think we will all see what he has come season time. Also look at what kind of contract he got compared to other guys he was rated higher than yesterday, some of those DTs were breaking teams yesterday. Geniusly played by Marv.
Marv has invited 3 in and signed all 3. I think this should be one of the most important things that we all look at. While these guys may not have been Tier 1 guys in some of our opinions they are what this team needed. This speaks to where the team sits in the eyes of players around the league. Under TD the past couple years it seemed like a place where people ran away from, and people left extremely bitter. I think we are definitely headed in the right direction.
As far as the OL, I am not a huge fan of bringing in old guys, but if these guys have 2 to 3 left in them, and can mentor some young guys we draft this year and next, then I am all for it. Especially if they can play at a relatively high level this year and next.
All three of these guys have started for their teams but for the most part weren't superstars. All three sound like they are high character, high motor guys with great upside, who are most importantly hungry to contribute and contribute in a big way for a team that is wants them.
Royal, while not flashy, drew rave reviews this past year from Joe Gibbs on his blocking ability, and even admittedly from Gibbs was just not the first option with Chris Cooley being such a threat. Then man had to be doing something right he started the past 26 out of 31 games for the Skins, a scrub doesnt do that. He wasnt a second stringer/ST that half this board keeps quoting him as.
As a lifelong VA Tech fan, I am pretty excited about the opportunity we are giving Andre Davis. Contrary to some other posts stating that he had no one else interested in him, if you go to www.kffl.com you will see that the Steelers, Texans, Chargers, and Bucs were all interested in him as well. When he stepped on the field at Tech he was pure electricity and is a threat to take it to the house everytime he touches the ball. He was an exciting punt returner with very good hands, and has more than enough moves to make people miss after the catch. He missed the first half of the season with an injury last year. You never have to question his effort or desire.
Tripplett I think will end up being a steal. I have seen him ranked in the Top 5 of every FA DT rankings. This guy was part of a 3 man rotation that included Corey Simon, and he still put up pretty good DT numbers. He is exactly the type of DT that Marv said that they were targeting, and has played in our new system of D for the past 4 years. I think we will all see what he has come season time. Also look at what kind of contract he got compared to other guys he was rated higher than yesterday, some of those DTs were breaking teams yesterday. Geniusly played by Marv.
Marv has invited 3 in and signed all 3. I think this should be one of the most important things that we all look at. While these guys may not have been Tier 1 guys in some of our opinions they are what this team needed. This speaks to where the team sits in the eyes of players around the league. Under TD the past couple years it seemed like a place where people ran away from, and people left extremely bitter. I think we are definitely headed in the right direction.
As far as the OL, I am not a huge fan of bringing in old guys, but if these guys have 2 to 3 left in them, and can mentor some young guys we draft this year and next, then I am all for it. Especially if they can play at a relatively high level this year and next.