NFL: What will TD do with the Defense?

[ggp]

Once again, I'd like to discuss what we think TD will realistically do with our defense. It is clear that this off season will get interesting. While the franchise has turned itself away from the bucket of dung it was during the Mora/Petrino years, there is a lot of work to be done.

The coaching has been changed and a new directive has been issued.....we must win play off games and beyond.

To that end, let's take a look at the defense. Nolan is the man now. Regardless of the base allignment, we will feature multiple fronts and more sophisticated schemes. The key will be to keep the QB's guessing and becoming more aggressive.

First of all, who will we keep? I am including FA's, as well as players on the bubble.

Lofton: Excellent run stopper and improving in pass protection. He started as a two down LB but is now a legitimate three down player. The 3-4 fronts will enhance his pass defense numbers. He is the priorty signing (in my book).

Grimes: No doubt the best CB on the team for the past two years. The trouble is that his price will be high and TD has invested several draft picks on CB's (Franks, Owens, and Walls), not to mention an inordinate amount of money on Dunta. I think that TD will let Grimes leave. I also think that our young CB's will step up and justify TD's confidence.

DeCoud: I am not certain, but I think that the many blown coverages we have seen have come from DeCoud's apparent confusion. This is a tough call. Blank made a statement about players that do not have passion and dedication and that they will be cut free. I think that DeCoud is one of the guys Blank was talking about. Too bad, he is a physically gifted player. If he is allowed to return, he will be signed to a a contract commensurate with a back up safety.

Abraham: Will not be returned. He is not a full time player and this is a cruel business.

Jerry: Will be back for one more season. I see him as a Tommie Harris that was injured before he could take off. Jerry should see some time as a DE in 3-4 sets. If his knees are sound, he will play himself into a nice extension.

Babineaux: No one talks about him because he has been a defensive stalwart. The time is coming to take a hard look at Babs. He will return but his cap figure will loom large. He should also see extensive playing time as a DE in 3-4 sets, as well as his usual UT position. Let's hope that his health is good.

Bierman: I think that this guy is a borderline idiot. I don't know him, so I shouldn't judge him so harshly. A smart guy would have dedicated himself to becoming a star in his profession. Instead, he partied like a rock star and fell for an older woman that can best be described as Trailer Park Trash. That aside, the kid has physical talent and could be of use in the 3-4 defense. He should be a cheap signing and I say give him a chance. BTW, I hope I am wrong about his intellectual capacity.

Sanders: Sign him. He is a player's player. If the FS position gets murky, he will be a solid bridge for a couple of years.


What about new acquisitions? I figure that we can probably sign one major player. Logic points to a pass rusher. Fortunately, there are several guys to choose from. From my point of view, it boils down to two guys:

Mario Williams: Clearly the best talent in free agency. The Texans could surprise the league and bring him back. However, they may look to spend that money elsewhere because they performed well without him.

We need to consider Williams because he the ideal 4-3 pass rushing DE. He is presently better than Abe and should be even better for four more years. He is also scheme-adaptable. He can be used as a rush OLB in the 3-4 or as a classic LDE in the 4-3. He is also big enough to assume the Justin Tuck position on passing downs as an interior pass rusher. His price will justifiably be high. For that reason, we need to consider other candidates.

Robert Mathis: He is thirty and will naturally decline from here on out. That is why he will be an affordable free agent. He may not be a big man, but he has always been a ferocious pass rusher and a solid run defender. He can be viewed as an Abe substitute that is a bit younger and able to play OLB in the 3-4. Don't underestimate his experience and character. TD will find his intangibles very attractive. If I had to place odds, I would say that TD will sign him instead of Williams.

Soliai: There will be a lot of talk about his connection with Nolan. I don't buy it. I think that we will slowly transition to the 3-4 and will do so with a drafted NT. If we sign a NT in free agency, I expect to see a guy that is dropped off a roster late in the off season.


Well, that's it. Have at it. Your guess is as good as mine.

[atljbo]

I honestly think we will look at Mario Williams... Now will his bidder war push us out of the running for him..

[Paprika Neck]

i think beerman, decoud, and a fat ass nose tackle are the most important signings for the defense.

[ggp]

I would really like to see a 4-man front consisting of Williams-Babineaux-Cobble-Edwards.

Check out a DT prospect from U of Kentucky. His name is Mister Cobble. Yes, that is his real name.

[ggp]

(02-10-2012 12:07 PM)Paprika Neck Wrote:  i think beerman, decoud, and a fat ass nose tackle are the most important signings for the defense.

I had high hopes for DeCoud. I don't know what to think about him now.

[dmo_dlo]

Last year people thought that Aso was going to get upwards of 15M but that never materialized. This year money is much tighter on average league-wide so I don't think teams would sign many players not named Brees or Manning at those astronomical numbers.