Talent Needs & Solutions?

[emocomputerjock]

Would love to find some method of getting my hands on Paul Soliai and Dan Bazuin in this year's draft.

Would also love to come away with Levi Brown.

There's honestly so many options out there.

Here are the basics of what I would recommend:

1. Cut Jeno James; Sign a guard. Again, you've got options here. Kris Dielman is still playing chase-me games with San Diego and he is very close to Cameron. Leonard Davis is available. Eric Steinbach should be available. Too many high quality guard options to ignore the possible discount benefits of a flooded market.

2. Explore signing Adalius Thomas. Teams may actually shy away from the guy because of his age. The Ravens are. The 49ers have some players they like at the spot already, and may decide they'd rather keep drafting it rather than pay up for FA. There's a very real possibility he has to end up signing one of those "old guy" contracts that has a lot more bark than bite in terms of real dollars vs. how it looks in the presses. He fits what this defense needs like a glove. Not every team fits like Miami does for him. Sell him on that.

3. Let Holliday leave, but keep Carter, test David Bowens' market value, and do your damnedest to try and convince Keith Traylor to take on one more NFL contract before he retires. Matt Roth takes over the CE position, Carter moves inside to assume Holliday's old spot, and you don't miss a beat. David Bowens has too much value to us as JT's backup, a STs ace, and a pass down specialist to just let him twist in the wind if he's not gettin heavy action out there.

4. Forget Asante Samuel. But, quietly, see what kind of market is out there for Nate Clements. If Clements' market has been suppressed by Samuel's shadow, jump all over it. If not, no sweat.

5. Find out the market on all three of our main WRs...Booker, Chambers and Welker. Welker may actually be the easiest to move (as an RFA) and may present the most value. Do not hesitate to pull the trigger on that. Chambers & Welker do not mix, as they both need to be worked in the slot, and Hagan is just waiting to take over for Marty Booker. All three are expendable, it just becomes a matter of where the interest lies, who will grease our palms the most considering the transfer costs.

6. Cut Joey Harrington, Seth McKinney, and Bennie Anderson. Dead space.

7. You should come away from this draft with a C, a guard or tackle, a NT, a jumbo-sized OLB, and a FB. Optional positions from there, and especially if we manage to sell off some assets for draft picks, include: WR, QB, CB, S, and DE. You have to let the talent come to you at #9, the money is too great to go cherry-picking...but otherwise the draft is a heck of a lot more position picking than everyone likes to give credit for. Everyone keeps saying BPA, BPA, BPA, cuz it's so easy to say that but in reality you've got 30 guys all with the same grade sitting in front of you at most picks.

8. I'm not going to lie. The FO has their work cut out for them. We have something like 50% of the roster coming into free agency of some sort (restricted/unrestricted), or set to be cut. You can only fill like 6 roster spots with draft picks. The rest you've got to get the guys you want back re-signed and fill in the rest with some lower tier FAs.

Is it just you and me out here in General showing AT love? All anyone ever screams about is Briggs. I've seen AT play (Ravens stadium isn't too far away) and the guy is just about as much of a monster at his position/s that I've ever seen.

 

[ckparrothead]

Is it just you and me out here in General showing AT love? All anyone ever screams about is Briggs. I've seen AT play (Ravens stadium isn't too far away) and the guy is just about as much of a monster at his position/s that I've ever seen.

It isn't just us. He's the elephant in the room because of how great of a fit he is for this defense. You keep looking for the catch, and right now the consensus catch seems to be that he's nearly 30, and will be too expensive.

Well I say, let's find out just how expensive, and make a push. My philosophy is that you never make a free agent acquisition thinking longer than three years down the road anyway.

If we can't find an adequate replacement for the guy in three years, the front office deserves blame for incompetance during the three years, not incompetance in signing him.

Just fits so perfectly opposite Jason Taylor in a 3-4. Taylor rushes about 75% of the time but on the occasions where he doesn't rush, we're not getting push because Spragan can only victimize teams when they're completely fooled. The best way to get things going in pass rush on a 3-4 is when the D doesn't know which four guys will be rushing.

 

[emocomputerjock]

It isn't just us. He's the elephant in the room because of how great of a fit he is for this defense. You keep looking for the catch, and right now the consensus catch seems to be that he's nearly 30, and will be too expensive.

Well I say, let's find out just how expensive, and make a push. My philosophy is that you never make a free agent acquisition thinking longer than three years down the road anyway.

If we can't find an adequate replacement for the guy in three years, the front office deserves blame for incompetance during the three years, not incompetance in signing him.

Just fits so perfectly opposite Jason Taylor in a 3-4. Taylor rushes about 75% of the time but on the occasions where he doesn't rush, we're not getting push because Spragan can only victimize teams when they're completely fooled. The best way to get things going in pass rush on a 3-4 is when the D doesn't know which four guys will be rushing.

Nonetheless, I'm not about to start a bandwagon thread His pass rush abilities are insane, and we haven't even brought up his coverage abilities. At his size, it's incredible what he can do in any given situation. If the Dolphins don't at least have discussions with him, I'd be seriously disappointed.

 

[djphinfan]

I would flip if we could land thomas,i would do back flips for lance briggs but its like CK said,it seems to farfetched for some reason,hopefully its one of those guys.

I know Mueller realizes we need to get a outside linebacker and to upgrade the oline,i think he will go after those positions in free agency.

I think he's thinking playmaker on offense,the X factor this franchise has never had before,a gamechanger ala reggie bush..i believe he will draft tedd ginn and let Cam work his magic and line him up all over the field,not to metion what his world class speed and talent does for the return game which in return has a dramatic affect on the team as a whole.

I believe are defense to be very good with the need to be infused with some youth,i would draft for defensive depth in rounds 2 thru 7.

On a side note i've got a strange feeling that joe thomas is gonna drop,{detroit and Arizona have drafted offense 4 years running in the first round}one could only assume their most glaring need is on defense especially with arizona,and no one could convince me that if detroit does'nt take a defensive player and either brady quinn or jamarcus russell are still there they opt for joe thomas,i'am sorry,not with jon kita as your future and a fan base that is rabid for a new QB.

So what do we do if thomas and ginn and levi brown are there waiting at #9,,,,hmmm,interesting

 

[ckparrothead]

I would flip if we could land thomas,i would do back flips for lance briggs but its like CK said,it seems to farfetched for some reason.

I know Mueller realizes we need to get a outside linebacker and to upgrade the oline,i think he will go after those positions in free agency.

I think he's thinking playmaker on offense,the X factor this franchise has never had before,a gamechanger ala reggie bush..i believe he will draft tedd ginn and let Cam work his magic and line him up all over the field,not to metion what his world class speed and talent does for the return game which in return has a dramatic affect on the team as a whole.

I believe are defense to be very good with the need to be infused with some youth,i would draft for defensive depth in rounds 2 thru 7.

On a side notei've got a strange feeling that joe thomas is gonna drop,{detroit and Arizona have drafted offense 4 years running in the first round}one could only assume their most glaring need is on defense especially with arizona,and no one could convince that if detroit does'nt take a defensive player and either brady quinn or jamarcus russell are still there they opt for joe thomas,i'am sorry,not with jon kita as your future and a fan base that is rabid for a new QB.

So what do we do if thomas and ginn and levi brown are there waiting at #9,,,,hmmm,interesting

I agree that if Joe Thomas gets beyond Detroit, he could indeed drop...but I believe that fall stops at #8 with the Texans.

Joe Thomas operated in the same zone scheme at Wisconsin that Mike Shanahan runs in Denver, and that Gary Kubiak runs in Houston now. Houston has had VERY poor OL for the longest time. Granted, David Carr exacerbates the problem, but it isn't as if they can claim they have good OL.

I think that if Joe Thomas does fall, he gets snatched up at #8...one pick away from us :)

Although I'm sure Houston would pop a phone call over and inquire as to whether we'd pull the one-spot trade up if both Thomas and Peterson were available...but the chances of both Thomas and Peterson being available at #8 I find to be low.

 

[djphinfan]

I agree that if Joe Thomas gets beyond Detroit, he could indeed drop...but I believe that fall stops at #8 with the Texans.

Joe Thomas operated in the same zone scheme at Wisconsin that Mike Shanahan runs in Denver, and that Gary Kubiak runs in Houston now. Houston has had VERY poor OL for the longest time. Granted, David Carr exacerbates the problem, but it isn't as if they can claim they have good OL.

I think that if Joe Thomas does fall, he gets snatched up at #8...one pick away from us :)

Although I'm sure Houston would pop a phone call over and inquire as to whether we'd pull the one-spot trade up if both Thomas and Peterson were available...but the chances of both Thomas and Peterson being available at #8 I find to be low.

so would you take levi at # 9 ??

 

[rob19]

2. Explore signing Adalius Thomas. Teams may actually shy away from the guy because of his age. The Ravens are. The 49ers have some players they like at the spot already, and may decide they'd rather keep drafting it rather than pay up for FA. There's a very real possibility he has to end up signing one of those "old guy" contracts that has a lot more bark than bite in terms of real dollars vs. how it looks in the presses. He fits what this defense needs like a glove. Not every team fits like Miami does for him. Sell him on that.

I agree, ive been on the Adalius Thomas band wagon for a long time. I just thought that it was kinda up in the air because of his salary, i dont mind his age, he's the closest thing to a safe bet for the next 3-5 years, imo.

3. Let Holliday leave, but keep Carter, test David Bowens' market value, and do your damnedest to try and convince Keith Traylor to take on one more NFL contract before he retires. Matt Roth takes over the CE position, Carter moves inside to assume Holliday's old spot, and you don't miss a beat. David Bowens has too much value to us as JT's backup, a STs ace, and a pass down specialist to just let him twist in the wind if he's not gettin heavy action out there.

If we were to retain Holliday and just replace Carter with Roth, do you believe that would be as effective? I also with you that we should try and keep Bowens, if jt were to ever go down.....

4. Forget Asante Samuel. But, quietly, see what kind of market is out there for Nate Clements. If Clements' market has been suppressed by Samuel's shadow, jump all over it. If not, no sweat.

Ive been a big Asante Samuel supporter, i guess his salary would be too much but i always assumed it would be lower than Clements.

5. Find out the market on all three of our main WRs...Booker, Chambers and Welker. Welker may actually be the easiest to move (as an RFA) and may present the most value. Do not hesitate to pull the trigger on that. Chambers & Welker do not mix, as they both need to be worked in the slot, and Hagan is just waiting to take over for Marty Booker. All three are expendable, it just becomes a matter of where the interest lies, who will grease our palms the most considering the transfer costs.

If we were to trade Chambers or Booker would that make Tedd Ginn a very more realistic option.

7. You should come away from this draft with a C, a guard or tackle, a NT, a jumbo-sized OLB, and a FB. Optional positions from there, and especially if we manage to sell off some assets for draft picks, include: WR, QB, CB, S, and DE. You have to let the talent come to you at #9, the money is too great to go cherry-picking...but otherwise the draft is a heck of a lot more position picking than everyone likes to give credit for. Everyone keeps saying BPA, BPA, BPA, cuz it's so easy to say that but in reality you've got 30 guys all with the same grade sitting in front of you at most picks.

Also one of my things is that if we get a Siler or if Willis falls than we really wouldent have that much of a need for A. Thomas, imo.

 

[ckparrothead]

so would you take levi at # 9 ??

Right now, yes.

Too many people are caught up in all this "oh he's not #9 value" etc...as if the evaluation game has such high resolution as to be able to determine these things within such close increments.

We're not picking #2, here. We're picking #9...barely a top 10 selection. Our pick, like it or not, falls into the "mid-first" category.

So I ask these questions:

1. How sure are you that Levi Brown will be a solid pro?

2. Does he play a valuable position?

3. Does your team have a franchise caliber player at the position already?

4. Is there anyone available that is just head and shoulders above him?

For me, all those questions are coming out saying yeah...pick Levi Brown...depending on who is available.

 

[ckparrothead]

I agree, ive been on the Adalius Thomas band wagon for a long time. I just thought that it was kinda up in the air because of his salary, i dont mind his age, he's the closest thing to a safe bet for the next 3-5 years, imo.



If we were to retain Holliday and just replace Carter with Roth, do you believe that would be as effective? I also with you that we should try and keep Bowens, if jt were to ever go down.....



Ive been a big Asante Samuel supporter, i guess his salary would be too much but i always assumed it would be lower than Clements.



If we were to trade Chambers or Booker would that make Tedd Ginn a very more realistic option.



Also one of my things is that if we get a Siler or if Willis falls than we really wouldent have that much of a need for A. Thomas, imo.

Again I like a 3 year window for FA acquisitions. I try not to look beyond that.

Re-signing Holliday and cutting Carter is indeed an option but there are a few things to keep in mind. One, is that Holliday may get a lot of demand. Two, Carter may make more money for the time being, but he's a better player. It's a valid choice, but my preference is to not dish out new bonus, stick with the contract on file.

I'm definitely assuming Samuels will get bigger offers. What he did in the playoffs seals ensured that.

I suppose trading Welker or Chambers would make Ginn more likely, but not Booker. Booker goes out, Hagan goes in...doesn't have much to do with Ginn. If Welker's out, Ginn's return abilities help make him attractive in addition to the Chambers to the slot thing. If Chambers is out, Ginn is a natural replacement at Flanker.

Siler and Willis really have nothing to do with Adalius Thomas as both are ILBs and we would be looking at Adalius as a LOLB for our 3-4 scheme (also a SSLB in our 4-3 fronts). Neither Siler, nor Willis, could play that position. Drafting Siler or Willis would put pressure on two players and two players alone: Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder.

 

[emocomputerjock]

Right now, yes.

Too many people are caught up in all this "oh he's not #9 value" etc...as if the evaluation game has such high resolution as to be able to determine these things within such close increments.

We're not picking #2, here. We're picking #9...barely a top 10 selection. Our pick, like it or not, falls into the "mid-first" category.

So I ask these questions:

1. How sure are you that Levi Brown will be a solid pro?

2. Does he play a valuable position?

3. Does your team have a franchise caliber player at the position already?

4. Is there anyone available that is just head and shoulders above him?

For me, all those questions are coming out saying yeah...pick Levi Brown...depending on who is available.

You mean Ginn Jr doesn't play as valuable a position as a franchise LT? Blasphemy!!! :wink:

 

[rob19]

Again I like a 3 year window for FA acquisitions. I try not to look beyond that.

Re-signing Holliday and cutting Carter is indeed an option but there are a few things to keep in mind. One, is that Holliday may get a lot of demand. Two, Carter may make more money for the time being, but he's a better player. It's a valid choice, but my preference is to not dish out new bonus, stick with the contract on file.

I'm definitely assuming Samuels will get bigger offers. What he did in the playoffs seals ensured that.

I suppose trading Welker or Chambers would make Ginn more likely, but not Booker. Booker goes out, Hagan goes in...doesn't have much to do with Ginn. If Welker's out, Ginn's return abilities help make him attractive in addition to the Chambers to the slot thing. If Chambers is out, Ginn is a natural replacement at Flanker.

Siler and Willis really have nothing to do with Adalius Thomas as both are ILBs and we would be looking at Adalius as a LOLB for our 3-4 scheme (also a SSLB in our 4-3 fronts). Neither Siler, nor Willis, could play that position. Drafting Siler or Willis would put pressure on two players and two players alone: Zach Thomas and Channing Crowder.

That all makes sense. My bad on the LB thing, i just thought Siler or Willis could play that position.

 

[ckparrothead]

That all makes sense. My bad on the LB thing, i just thought Siler or Willis could play that position.

Nah. Stylistically they're ILBs by trade...and physically they're built like ILBs although Siler is big enough to play the strong side in a pinch, like Crowder.

 

[MrEd]

Is it just you and me out here in General showing AT love? All anyone ever screams about is Briggs. I've seen AT play (Ravens stadium isn't too far away) and the guy is just about as much of a monster at his position/s that I've ever seen.

Its not just ya'll...Im on the Adalius Thomas bandwagon too :wink: To me, Briggs is a WLB, like Crowder.

Adalius Thomas is the ideal complimentary player to Jason Taylor.

 

[MrEd]

Nah. Stylistically they're ILBs by trade...and physically they're built like ILBs although Siler is big enough to play the strong side in a pinch, like Crowder.

Isnt Siler only 6 ft?