Wakefield = DT?

[joeshmo]

Does anyone else think we would be best served to make Wakefield gain about 15 lbs and be a 6-7 300 lb DT instead of a 6-7 285 lb DE. His speed isnt his best assett so that wont be hurt.

Plus having a 6-7 DT with long arms in on passing downs in the middle will give a QB fits and take away his vision of the middle of the field allowing the CB's to be able to use the sidelines as an extra defender.

IMO Wakefield as a DT would be his best chance to make the team and the best chance for him to make an impact.

 

[spanky1]

My guess is that is what will have to happen if he's to remain on the team.......but is he "mean" enough?

I'm guessing that we'll be looking at a DT with the #64 pick (3rd round) as well......maybe Igor Oshnansky.....who is 6'7" and 310

 

[Cardiac]

It would depend on how much his speed would be impacted. Wakefield may be the perfect fit for a pass rushing DT at his current weight. If he can add 10lbs of muscle without losing speed and agility then heck yes. He did finish the year with several pressures and hurries which may improve even more this year as several players on the D-line improve as well.

I think DG's comments about him had a lot to do with those last 3 games or so he played. Wakefield was able to apply pressure when they ran stunts with him, that has a more to do with agility then weight. JMHO.

 

[spanky1]

Cardiac,

Wakefield doesn't really have a heck of a lot of speed, but we will see. I would expect that we should be prepared to be suprised as to exactly what we will put on the field at DT come the start of the season.

 

[Snakester]

I thought Wakefield played well at DT last year when he was in on passing downs. I like the idea of him rotating at DT on passing downs and DE on running downs.

 

[Cardiac]

Originally posted by spanky1
Cardiac,

Wakefield doesn't really have a heck of a lot of speed, but we will see. I would expect that we should be prepared to be suprised as to exactly what we will put on the field at DT come the start of the season.

Yep, I wasn't trying to say Wakefield was fast just that he can't lose any more speed and especially agility to be utilized as a pass rusher. At this point he hasn't shown a lot of ability in stuffing the run but anything is possible.

I'm actually more excited about King and whether he plays DT or DE. He looks to have some pass rush abilities and gawd knows this is still a need on the team.

 

[Brevity]

Originally posted by Cardiac
gawd knows this is still a need on the team.

I don't think the Cards can stand pat on the Berry signing as far as creating a pass rush. They still need more help at getting to the QB. Berry isn't quite enough to make Bryant, Davis, Bell, Tanner et. al, that much better. It's not like he will attract a bunch of double teams.

 

[spanky1]

Originally posted by Brevity
I don't think the Cards can stand pat on the Berry signing as far as creating a pass rush. They still need more help at getting to the QB. Berry isn't quite enough to make Bryant, Davis, Bell, Tanner et. al, that much better. It's not like he will attract a bunch of double teams.

We better hope that Dennis Johnson and Calvin Pace can step it up so that pressure can come from both sides.....then Bryant will be more effective.

 

[Cardiac]

Originally posted by Brevity
I don't think the Cards can stand pat on the Berry signing as far as creating a pass rush. They still need more help at getting to the QB. Berry isn't quite enough to make Bryant, Davis, Bell, Tanner et. al, that much better. It's not like he will attract a bunch of double teams.

I agree the team can't stand pat on the pass rush situation. I'm hoping that they draft a DT that can help with this. There's not much left in FA and at this point I don't want G's to add any more DE's to the roster. Maybe a blitzing type LB could be added, not sure who we cut on the current roster though.

 

[kerouac9]

Originally posted by spanky1
I'm guessing that we'll be looking at a DT with the #64 pick (3rd round) as well......maybe Igor Oshnansky.....who is 6'7" and 310

Mel Kiper has Igor Oshnansky as a late 1st round pick right now. He absolutely won't be available at #64.

Wakefield could be good as a ST "block" specialist, but he hasn't shown that he's capable of doing that in the past.

This team already has a ton of 1-gap DTs (which Wakefield would be at 300 lbs): Bryant, Bell, Tanner, King. I'd like to trade up from the Top of the 3rd round into the last quarter of the second and pick up Isaac Sopoaga from Hawaii.

 

[BACH]

Originally posted by kerouac9
Mel Kiper has Igor Oshnansky as a late 1st round pick right now. He absolutely won't be available at #64.

Wakefield could be good as a ST "block" specialist, but he hasn't shown that he's capable of doing that in the past.

This team already has a ton of 1-gap DTs (which Wakefield would be at 300 lbs): Bryant, Bell, Tanner, King. I'd like to trade up from the Top of the 3rd round into the last quarter of the second and pick up Isaac Sopoaga from Hawaii.

The War Room have moved him up to a mid-low 2nd rounder.

 

[JeffGollin]

It would take more than simply gaining bulk for Wakefield to succeed at DT.

First of all, he's very tall and tends to play with a high center of gravity. Leverage (i.e. "guy who gets lowest wins") is everything at the DT position.

Second, he'll need incredible lower body strength (i.e. wide-body, big ass, thick strong legs that can root out and bull rush 325+ pound offensive linemen.

If he can do that and add bulk, he could be awesome. But those two "Ifs" are huge.

 

[Brevity]

Originally posted by Cardiac
Maybe a blitzing type LB could be added, not sure who we cut on the current roster though.

I think Ray Thompson fills this role. I am thinking more of an anchor DT type player.