Who Replaces Ogunleye?
I am becoming increasingly convinced due the high priority of aquiring our QB of the present and future and the potential cost to do so, that keeping Adewale Ogunleye is a luxury that we can not afford. The possible additional draft picks would go a long way to addressing our needs at QB,WR, OG, DB, RS, and yes DL, if he leaves. I have recently changed my opinion on this, as I have been adamant that they can not let him go, due to him being the only young stud cornerstone of an aging defense. But the need at QB supercedes this, primarily due to Brunell not being available, especially as a non compensated free agent. So to my point.....
Who replaces Ogunleye in the starting line up should my scenario pan out??? I am very concerned that this player may not be on the roster right now. Which means we may end up right back in the free agent market for his replacement. Most of us would be upset with a DE selected with a #1 pick and would a #2 ( if we traded up somehow) or a #3 really have anywhere close to the impact of Ogunleye in his first year?? A look at the candidiates in order of probability:
1) Jay Williams - A good player and has the size, but may be better suited to remain in his swing reserve DE/DT role. At 31+ may wear down over the long haul.
2) David Bowens - Also a good role player, who in my opinion, is way to small for strong side full time duty. He is due to make $1.6M this year and has a low remaining signing bonus due, so he could be a prime candiate to be released or drastically re-structered depending on how the team views him. He is a heck of a situational player, but I see him getting engulfed by huge RT's and TE's. He is only 255-260 lbs and may also not be the same player since his injury.
3) Al Wallace - Free agent form Panthers. Former Dolphin with South Florida ties could be value guy to come in and possibly start. Has good upfield moves and is strong at the point of attack. Still may not have the size or stamina to handle heavy duty full time play.
4) Otis Grigsby - Young guy they kept on active roster all year last year that we don't know much about. High motor, decent speed. Seems to me more like a less expensive candidate to replace D. Bowens in his role than to be expected to step in the shoes of Wale.
5) Lemanzer Williams - Another unknown. Has the size and was a good player in 2003 in NFLE. Coming off on injury and has not played any if at all in the NFL. He could be the sleeper of the bunch based on his perfomance in Europe and his size.
6) Lorenzo Bromell - Same as Al Wallace. Could also play as swing DT in nickel package.
Who do you think it will be? Is there another value free agent that would be a good fit that we could have an insidde track on. The key is value. One of these guys would need to be the reserve, so it really appears that another player will need to be added if the don't match for Ogunleye.
I am becoming increasingly convinced due the high priority of aquiring our QB of the present and future and the potential cost to do so, that keeping Adewale Ogunleye is a luxury that we can not afford. The possible additional draft picks would go a long way to addressing our needs at QB,WR, OG, DB, RS, and yes DL, if he leaves. I have recently changed my opinion on this, as I have been adamant that they can not let him go, due to him being the only young stud cornerstone of an aging defense. But the need at QB supercedes this, primarily due to Brunell not being available, especially as a non compensated free agent. So to my point.....
Who replaces Ogunleye in the starting line up should my scenario pan out??? I am very concerned that this player may not be on the roster right now. Which means we may end up right back in the free agent market for his replacement. Most of us would be upset with a DE selected with a #1 pick and would a #2 ( if we traded up somehow) or a #3 really have anywhere close to the impact of Ogunleye in his first year?? A look at the candidiates in order of probability:
1) Jay Williams - A good player and has the size, but may be better suited to remain in his swing reserve DE/DT role. At 31+ may wear down over the long haul.
2) David Bowens - Also a good role player, who in my opinion, is way to small for strong side full time duty. He is due to make $1.6M this year and has a low remaining signing bonus due, so he could be a prime candiate to be released or drastically re-structered depending on how the team views him. He is a heck of a situational player, but I see him getting engulfed by huge RT's and TE's. He is only 255-260 lbs and may also not be the same player since his injury.
3) Al Wallace - Free agent form Panthers. Former Dolphin with South Florida ties could be value guy to come in and possibly start. Has good upfield moves and is strong at the point of attack. Still may not have the size or stamina to handle heavy duty full time play.
4) Otis Grigsby - Young guy they kept on active roster all year last year that we don't know much about. High motor, decent speed. Seems to me more like a less expensive candidate to replace D. Bowens in his role than to be expected to step in the shoes of Wale.
5) Lemanzer Williams - Another unknown. Has the size and was a good player in 2003 in NFLE. Coming off on injury and has not played any if at all in the NFL. He could be the sleeper of the bunch based on his perfomance in Europe and his size.
6) Lorenzo Bromell - Same as Al Wallace. Could also play as swing DT in nickel package.
Who do you think it will be? Is there another value free agent that would be a good fit that we could have an insidde track on. The key is value. One of these guys would need to be the reserve, so it really appears that another player will need to be added if the don't match for Ogunleye.
