HookemCards
Have at you!!!!!
How would all of you guys rate our positional needs. It would be nice if we could get all the biggest concerns locked up in FA, but what do you guys think they are. Here's what I've come up with and how I'd attack them.
Dire Straights
OG - We really need to upgrade here one way or another. Generally speaking guards are relatively inexpensive. I'd probably go after Fonoti or Neal as after Hutchinson the guard market really dries up. Neal would be a definate upgrade, and Fonoti could be huge if he keeps his weight under control (excuse the pun).
DT - Again this is a critical area, even if we resign Davis. I'd target Kemoeatu or Clancy.
RB - Hard to tell what we have in Arrington and Shipp, but I think we have to try to upgrade. Shipp is probably gone, Arrington could be a good change of pace back and 3rd down specialists, but I have my doubts he'll ever be an every down back. Jamal Lewis would look really good in red. Cheaper option would be his backfield mate Taylor.
Not Quite As Dire
C - I really like the idea of having Bentley anchoring our line next year, but it doesn't seem realistic. Mawai would be a good upgrade, and center is probably the OL position where you want experience sign him for 2 or 3 years and let Step and Leckey learn behind him. I think one of our biggest problems with the line last year was playing musical chairs at the position and not having enough experience. Get an experienced vet to make the line calls and you should see a much better OL play.
BUQB - This should probably be addressed in FA, because if Warner goes down (maybe should be when instead of if) we'll have to have someone who can step in and play. I'd probably go after Kitna or Ramsey (if he is released).
Looking To Upgrade
FS - While Griffith is a bit long in the tooth and not as fast as he once one, he does provide leadership. Would it be nice to upgrade there? Sure, but it isn't necessarily a make or break proposition. FA targets - Chavous or Hope (depending on his price tag) Draft targets - Huff (rd 1), Simpson or Whitner (rd 2), Blue (rd 3).
TE - I have nothing against our guys there, but at this point I can't even remember there names, which tells me something. Not much upgrade wise in FA, but there is alot of great talent in the draft. Davis (rd 1), Pope (rd 2), Klopfenstein or Thomas (rd 5).
If You Have Money Left Why Not
OLB - I like some of the young guys we have here, Dansby is a force (and we should extend him if possible this year), Blackstock could be good soon, Huff and Darling are probably situational, rotation, or back-ups at this point in there careers. Peterson would be a huge pickup if healthy. If I signed him it would be for decent money, upgradeable to very large if he meets certain incentives. I don't know much about Witherspoon, but alot of people on this board, and alot of the stuff i've read says he's a heck of a player.
Ideally the Dire straights and Not quite as dire positions would be handled with FA. I'm sure 20 mil could upgrade these 5 positions (OG - 4 mil, RB - 5 mil, DT 4 mil, C - 3.5 mil, BUQB - 3 mil).
Dire Straights
OG - We really need to upgrade here one way or another. Generally speaking guards are relatively inexpensive. I'd probably go after Fonoti or Neal as after Hutchinson the guard market really dries up. Neal would be a definate upgrade, and Fonoti could be huge if he keeps his weight under control (excuse the pun).
DT - Again this is a critical area, even if we resign Davis. I'd target Kemoeatu or Clancy.
RB - Hard to tell what we have in Arrington and Shipp, but I think we have to try to upgrade. Shipp is probably gone, Arrington could be a good change of pace back and 3rd down specialists, but I have my doubts he'll ever be an every down back. Jamal Lewis would look really good in red. Cheaper option would be his backfield mate Taylor.
Not Quite As Dire
C - I really like the idea of having Bentley anchoring our line next year, but it doesn't seem realistic. Mawai would be a good upgrade, and center is probably the OL position where you want experience sign him for 2 or 3 years and let Step and Leckey learn behind him. I think one of our biggest problems with the line last year was playing musical chairs at the position and not having enough experience. Get an experienced vet to make the line calls and you should see a much better OL play.
BUQB - This should probably be addressed in FA, because if Warner goes down (maybe should be when instead of if) we'll have to have someone who can step in and play. I'd probably go after Kitna or Ramsey (if he is released).
Looking To Upgrade
FS - While Griffith is a bit long in the tooth and not as fast as he once one, he does provide leadership. Would it be nice to upgrade there? Sure, but it isn't necessarily a make or break proposition. FA targets - Chavous or Hope (depending on his price tag) Draft targets - Huff (rd 1), Simpson or Whitner (rd 2), Blue (rd 3).
TE - I have nothing against our guys there, but at this point I can't even remember there names, which tells me something. Not much upgrade wise in FA, but there is alot of great talent in the draft. Davis (rd 1), Pope (rd 2), Klopfenstein or Thomas (rd 5).
If You Have Money Left Why Not
OLB - I like some of the young guys we have here, Dansby is a force (and we should extend him if possible this year), Blackstock could be good soon, Huff and Darling are probably situational, rotation, or back-ups at this point in there careers. Peterson would be a huge pickup if healthy. If I signed him it would be for decent money, upgradeable to very large if he meets certain incentives. I don't know much about Witherspoon, but alot of people on this board, and alot of the stuff i've read says he's a heck of a player.
Ideally the Dire straights and Not quite as dire positions would be handled with FA. I'm sure 20 mil could upgrade these 5 positions (OG - 4 mil, RB - 5 mil, DT 4 mil, C - 3.5 mil, BUQB - 3 mil).
