Common Sense= Earl Thomas

[Spesh]

Its a simple and rather academic argument: if you can't get to the QB, then it doesn't matter who you have at safety. A good pass rush will cover up a bad secondary. The same could not be said about a good secondary covering up a bad pass rush. Thats the common sense of the situation.

Every once in awhile you might get a coverage sack, but if a QB can stand in the pocket with nothing to worry about, you will get picked apart every single time. See the Colts and Chargers game this year.
With a good pass rush, QB's at least get nervous. A QB that is nervous from being hit consistently makes bad decisions, those bad decisions turn into turnovers. The game unravels from there.

You can't find a better staff at developing linebackers then with Bill Parcells scouting the talent and Mike Nolan teaching them. In the short and long term, a outside linebacker is the right move.

 

[MD]

First up, OLB is the critical need. FS and NT are second and will be filled based on BPA. That said, unless Eric Berry falls to 12, I am fairly certain they will trade down and take a OLB with their first pick and either FS or NT with the pick they gain in the second. There are several solid FSs in the 2-3 round range.

I concur with those who speak of Thomas' weak tackling. Not a good idea to have him and Smith in the same secondary.

I'll be shocked if Eric Berry falls to 12 but if he does, I think that is a no brainer. Hopefully, he does and they feel the same way.