Falcons: This off season seems like only plan was upgrade rb

[Jesus]

(03-22-2013 06:15 PM)Radical Wrote:  They played on a defense that was ineffective come play-off time, but
they weren't ineffective themselves.

BS.
All the defenses were ineffective come playoff time.

[keithbrooking56]

My concerns for our defense is what I posted in another thread. A tell tale sign of a good franchise is the ability to draft and develop young players so you don't need to go dumpster diving in free agency to find quick fixes.

I look at our defense in particular and I'm not impressed by our franchise's ability to develop our own defensive guys. Sure, we have a few guys that are Pro Bowl level but those are almost all in the secondary. Our defensive line in particular is scary thin and we still have yet to develop one guy that is a bonafide pass rusher in his own right. We need to address this not just for this upcoming season but for the future as well.

[takeitdown]

Oddly, I agree with Swift. Not in the general tirade/the world is falling kind of deal, but in that the team would have been better served to let Tony walk and get a few young developing players on O.

You don't replace 90 catches with a new TE. But just about any TE in this offense can get 50 catches (with Roddy and Julio taking attention). A versatile featureback can get another 30. A decent 3rd WR (tall) can get 20 more than HD, and we are developing for the future.

I'm fine with Tony and S Jax, but think the team probably would have been better with a cheap TE, cheap WR, cheap RB and then double dip those positions in the draft. That would have enabled us to take a RG in FA (the true weakspot of the team) and keep Abe/add a pass rusher.

I personally was hoping for Abe, an Osi type, and Sammie Hill, followed by hitting those again in the draft. Early rounds to the DL, and 3rd, 4th, 5th to WRs, RBs, TEs for development.

We still stand a very good chance of being a very good team if they sign a DE and serviceable corner and hit on the draft...but going the other way would have worked well.

Edit: Just as a clarification, I think Jackson is actually a smart signing, as he's a low cap charge and you can still take a 4th round RB and see if he develops. It's more the Tony move that is questionable and could have been used on D (I think a 3rd-4th round TE is much more likely to have an impact on our offense than a 3rd-4th round DE on our defense, so I'd have spent the money on the DE and drafted the TE)

[phocis850]

Tony was so cheap that he was an automatic re-sign for any GM. We still have room to play with, just watch what we do come draft time.

[juraitwaluzka]

I think some people are undervaluing the importance of the biggest part of Tony's game. It's not so much about replacing the number of catches, it's more about the types of some of the catches he makes and when he makes them that are irreplaceable. Many of these are drive sustaining catches that without Tony will become drive ending incompletions. There aren't many people out there that are going to make those catches with a LB draped all over him. Many of those will become incompletions, some may turn into interceptions. All of those things put even more pressure on the defense which is exactly what we don't want to do.

[takeitdown]

(03-23-2013 11:48 AM)juraitwaluzka Wrote:  I think some people are undervaluing the importance of the biggest part of Tony's game. It's not so much about replacing the number of catches, it's more about the types of some of the catches he makes and when he makes them that are irreplaceable. Many of these are drive sustaining catches that without Tony will become drive ending incompletions. There aren't many people out there that are going to make those catches with a LB draped all over him. Many of those will become incompletions, some may turn into interceptions. All of those things put even more pressure on the defense which is exactly what we don't want to do.

That's the only real argument for keeping Tony. Third down conversion and red zone. And it's a big deal. I just think between the RB, TE, 3rd WR, someone will be more open so that someone doesn't have to catch it with someone draped over them.

Imagine a 3rd WR who is basically a better Finneran (clutch, tall, catch in traffic), a RB who is a mismatch for linebackers in the passing game, and a TE who is just pretty good. (Or you could take a speedster WR to open up the inside for Julio/Roddy).

The point is, that team should get to fewer third downs, and even if that team is just "as good" as the one w Tony instead of all 3...being about the same with holes filled for the future is better than about the same with holes upcoming.

It's not a clearcut 100% choice, which is why I said I'm not freaking out or anything. But if you believe Roddy and Julio change defenses, having a number of players (2TEs, 3rd and 4th WR, backs) who can take advantage of those coverages is more critical than having just one more star.

Now, we could take a 2nd TE, 3rd WR, etc in the draft and be good for now AND the future, but our sheer lack of starters and depth on D makes than unlikely.

I'm still hoping for a DL and CB signing, followed by DT/DE in the first 2, and TE, WR, RB in the 3rd and 4th. But that leaves OLB and OG as questions. And OG is a question we probably can't afford. Tricky business.

[phocis850]

Tony is an exceptional blocker as well.
SJ is a guaranteed 1000 yards from scrimmage player.

Between just those two, we are looking at 15 touchdowns and 1800 yards. 2 people.

[Jesus]

(03-23-2013 07:40 PM)phocis850 Wrote:  Tony is an exceptional blocker as well.
SJ is a guaranteed 1000 yards from scrimmage player.

Between just those two, we are looking at 15 touchdowns and 1800 yards. 2 people.

I would up that TD number. Jackson will kill in the red zone. I wager he gets 15+ combined on his own. Then another 8-10 for Tony.

[Templar]

I have to admit complete shock that anyone in their right mind could think that the greatest tight end in history, who obviously still has plenty left in the tank, could be so easily replaced. Regardless of the number of catches, it's the clutch catches, the respect defenses have to show for his ability, and the intangibles of his leadership that make keeping Tony G a priority. I just don't see any rookie tight end, regardless of talent, being able to give this team half of what Gonzalez does.

[Jesus]

(03-23-2013 09:39 PM)Templar Wrote:  I have to admit complete shock that anyone in their right mind could think that the greatest tight end in history, who obviously still has plenty left in the tank, could be so easily replaced. Regardless of the number of catches, it's the clutch catches, the respect defenses have to show for his ability, and the intangibles of his leadership that make keeping Tony G a priority. I just don't see any rookie tight end, regardless of talent, being able to give this team half of what Gonzalez does.

Don't forget the leeway he gets from the officials for pushes and shoves.