I am not personally attacking any one individual, but I do have to voice my opinion about the E. James and M. Faulk trade supporters.
Have you people tallied the sheer NUMBER of SURGERIES these 2 guys have had?
Have you counted how many healthy knees are between the 2? Try NONE.
And you are wanting to trade Ogun for this? Is this it, we have trashed our future to get a couple of has beens to sell jerseys as we watch them get tackled from behind?
Survey the landscape... look at the reality.... RBs have short lifespans. Once a major knee injury hits, the back's production drops significantly. Edge went from a feared total back to an average back who's stats are padded by a TREMENDOUS passing game. The defenses he faces now are backed up to stop Peyton. Before his injury, the defenses crept up to stop him. Not anymore. Sure, the stats are there, but read between the lines. See HOW he is getting them.
M. Faulk... this man hasn't played a complete season in how many years. He has now resorted to YEARLY surgeries to clean/scope BOTH knees just to play the next year. There is a REASON Steven Jackson was drafted. Not too mention, the St. Louis offense has slowly shifted to a "pass to setup the run" offense.
Both offenses have shifted to this technique as their backs have become injured and less reliable. It's not a choice... it's a necessity. Feel like putting that kind of pressure on our budding passing game?
And now, let's look at the trade bait.... Adewale Ogunleye and 24.5 sacks in two years. Sure, he was injured in college.... but his YOUNG body has actually developed AFTER his injuries into the player he is now... a PRO BOWLER. Not a PB from 2 years ago or 3 years ago... LAST YEAR.
Personally, I say get young and get good. Or DON'T TRADE OGUN AT ALL.
Let's look at the business side of this too....
M. Faulk - drafted 1994
E. James - drafted 1999
A. Ogunleye - drafted 1999
O. Smith - drafted 2003
It's bad enough RBs have a short life cycle. Why trade a Hummer in for a beatup Chevy?
If we are going to trade Ogun, at least get a HEALTHY kid with NO injury history and begin the rebuild NOW. Don't delay and rebuild AGAIN in 2 years. Just so you can sell a few jerseys.
Above all else, my PERSONAL opinion is:
1st down - L. Henry
2nd down - L. Henry
3rd down - T. Minor (don't move him into a new role... and don't create MORE turmoil with new players in new positions)
AND as an insurance policy, sign the CHEAP and FREE (no compensation) Stacy Mack. He's a proven durable back who can add depth in case Henry doesn't pan out or get's injured.
After all that... sign Ogun AND Chambers to long term. Next, allow the players within the offense to step it up.
The fans of this board are quickly forgetting our records got worse while Ricky was here. I seem to remember to 11 win seasons with LAMAR SMITH. If anything, I see it as a blessing. Wanny will stop focusing on one player and will start to spread it around. We have playmakers. We have stars. Rebuild?
MAYBE. But, I'd like to find 1 other offense rebuilding with 2 stud WRs, a stud TE (with a nice backup) and promising YOUNG lineman to build around.
I think this could be called a RELOAD. It's not like we are going to SUCK people. We still have a top 5 defense and 3 potential Pro Bowlers catching balls. Give it time... give them time. For once, the offense gets to hear plays called that are not named RICKY.
Let the other 10 guys play.... I think we'll surprise most... even ourselves!