LynchMob23

Pyrite, I think that is a good way to look at our situation. Unless we get someone in the first, I feel that we're going to be picking up a 2nd/3rd/4th rounder and either another back late, or one as an UDRFA. To help generate a bit more conversation on this subject, I've found a few candidates for the mid-to-late-rounds and provided video when I could. I know a few people on here are for picking up a guy like Chris Henry, the RB from Arizona, but one of the concerns with him have been the idea he is a "workout warrior". Others, who have seen him play (I cannot say I've seen every game, but I have seen him a few times) say that his line was terrible and he played in a spread offense that wasn't terribly RB-friendly. Anyhoo, here's some info and footage on him: http://nfldraft.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp...amp;player=7023 - It's the rivals site, so you'll only be able to see one for free. John Murphy's take: Shed his underachiever tag when he blazed across in mid-4.3 40 times at the NFL scouting combine. An impressively built runner that can pound the ball between the tackles when he runs with positive energy and confidence, Henry too often looked to run like he was a 200-pound back, relying on his speed and bouncing plays outside. He needs to run it with more authority and forward lean. He gets taken off his feet by too many arm tackles. He has good hands and may have matured some since making the decision to declare early. He had some issues with the coaching staff, which led him to believe declaring was better than sharing playing time next season. He has thoroughbred skills, but he lacks refinement to his game. He's a good position coach or mentor away from being a very dangerous back. Here's the take on Jackie Battle, unfortunately his reel has yet to be put up: John Murphy's take: A combo back that has seen a surge in his draft stock for two reasons: a fantastic pro day session and his productive senior campaign. Battle's pro day numbers match up comparably with top-5 backs in nearly every category: starting with 40 times that ranged between 4.38 and 4.41, 41-inch vertical, 10'11" broad jump, 4.15 short shuttle, 6.35 3-cone and 19 reps of 225 pounds while measuring in at 6-foot-2, 238 pounds. Even though he shared carries and played alongside prolific passer Kevin Kolb, Battle ran for 943 yards and scored 15 touchdowns. He showed better-than-advertised hands during the practices for the East-West Shrine game and can also be a steady blocker when called upon. Battle has shown the skill set to be evaluated in both a one-back system or possibly as a West Coast-style fullback as he will never be a battering ram-type lead blocker. Several teams had him rated as a possible early second-day choice, but his eye-opening workout numbers combined with the medical questions surrounding Louisville's Michael Bush could very well make Battle the most attractive big back still available around the first few rounds. Finally, here's Dwayne Wright - http://nfldraft.rivals.com/cviewplayer.asp...amp;player=9807

For those talking about whether or not we've regressed, do the following sway your opinion? McCargo - Checked in weighing 307, up from 295 last year Williams - Checked in weighing 306, up from 295 last year and my "favorite" DT, Timmah Anderson - 328, up from 305-306 last year

WR David Clowney, VA Tech S/OLB Aaron Rouse, VA Tech S/OLB Sabby Piscitelli, Oregon State MLB Anthony Waters, Clemson OLB/DE Brian Smith, Missouri

I completely agree with you. I think too often the premium is made on choir boys, which help but we want guys that will go, regardless of down or distance or score. Also, I think we're looking for versatile guys. DEs that can play DT and vice versa, TEs that can be H-backs in a pinch, etc. And I think because of that we'll have 53 players that can play upward of 2-3 positions on the team. Eventually that sort of depth cannot be overlooked...

I think Greggo used him like we used Vincent - as the deep middle "in case of" guy. Arch isn't that kind of safety - he doesn't have the cover skills deep to do that, but he has the short and intermediate locked down. As a result, he got kicked out of the plans for their d, since Taylor is the only one allowed to freelance on the defense, at least from what I've seen of it.

Smart move. You get the player you want without having to pay him bonus money. Plus, Lovie was the best person to use him (as a safety, a corner and a linebacker depending on the formation of the offense) so he's doubly happy. And hopefully the Redskins learn to not buy everything in sight...

Just because the MLB traditionally calls the plays, doesn't mean he has to in this defense. Crowell knows the scheme, as does Whitner. Between the two they can (and Spikes if still here) call the plays while the young MLB learns the defense and can do it accurately on his own.

I think that Greer may step up and become the number two, and supplant McGee. I know that sounds crazy, but I think his size and speed are what are necessary for a guy on the outside, and like Youboty he has played in the system. As for the draft, drafting a 1st round CB isn't a necessity. Why should we do that when as it's been previously stated we have a first round-graded player who developed for a year in our system?

LB - while the CB must have enough FBI (Football Intelligence) to read the "keys" (say the second receiver (TE) or in the case of the the LB the running back or a pulling lineman) and then play either the flat or the receiver going deep, the linebackers get everything going over the middle, intermediate and long. In fact, for those that want to see what they mean when they refer to the keys for the cb, Here are a few examples in Powerpoint format And Pyrite, while you are correct in that having Willis on the team may be a detriment should he play MLB, some players come into the NFL ready to take on such a task. For example, Vilma in his rookie season from Training Camp on called the defense for the cover 2 the Jets ran under Edwards. However, should he not be up to the task, he is versatile enough to play all three LB positions. So we could live with Crowell at Mike for a few games while we wait for Willis' development. Last year, Donte was also allowed to make defensive adjustments (most notably, having someone cover Watson I believe in the first game) so while he's a 2nd year player, he's not incapable of making the calls. Just didn't want the idea of Willis (a great player, along with Timmons, Beason, Siler and co.) to be seen as a step back.

He's a 6'4ish 3 technique. Might be able to play the 1, but most of his success came as a slashing DT down the line..

If the Bills brass are thinking about spending our first on a LB'er, why not pick one that already knows the system? Grab Briggs, re-unite him with Jauron and Fewell and let the big dog eat!

And, in terms of guaranteed moolah, our deal for Dockery is like 5/23 or something like that at the end of the day. Those last two years, while nice, probably will be re-structured at the end of the day. So really, on the market he took a little less to stay with SD, but he also is being paid at an elite level.

What if he drafts two DBS - a corner to fit the Cover 2 and a S that can convert to OLB? In particular, I'm thinking Piscitelli (Ellison's team mate at Oregon) or Rouse out of Va Tech (who was a OLB and S at V-Tech)?

Ironically, he got injured trying to block a kick when the Raiders blew us out.

During one of the exit interviews, I remember Crowell being told by Levy and Jauron it's his turn this year to step up and become the leader of the youngins.

And don't forget - that line was using blocking schemes that were 10+ years old with no updates. Couple that with tons of 7 step drops and Aaron Brooks/Andrew Walter as your QB and you got a big problem. In fact, he opted out of his rookie deal thanks to a clause in his contract, so he knew what was going on and didn't like it. And to be fair a good bit of his sacks came from the Sun/Mon (I can't remember) game against the Chargers, with Merriman running by as Walker blocked down on a slanted DE.

Good hands. As a Pitt Volunteer I got to watch a lot of tape on him - fluid, but he plays a little upright - and at 6'2" understandable. They loved using him as a screen guy and let him punish the first person who got near him with a head a steam going.

Merriman + 7-Step Drops by Aaron Brooks = Crazy Delicious. Or a lot of sacks. Bad Joke aside, my money's on at least 5 or 6 of those from Merriman in the sack-fest.

Incredibly, after the dinner a chagrinned Joe Gibbs calls Levy via cellphone and says, "Well played sir, well played."

To be fair, the rest of the NFL says our line sucks, but Jason Peters is good...

Perhaps this is a case of them picking people higher on his wish list. Example: In the TD regime, they may have looked at McNally's top 10 FA/Draftees and went for say 7 or 8 (say Bennie A) Now: TM/ML are looking at 5 or 6, which results in a younger guy who may have upside (Reyes) or a vet that he knows and trusts (Whittle)

Let's see...We're looking to get rid of our bellcow because he racks up yards and not TDs. There's an impending FA who is a "TD machine" in short yardage situations. We have picks in the draft for a scat back to compliment said machine. Let's get 'er done Marv!

Wilson's a good kid and that article is a good one! I also like Weddle from Utah - did everything but snap the ball.

And keep in mind that most Cover-2 teams with the exception of Tampa Bay and Indy use the Cover 2 only 30-40% at the time. So, whether we retain Nate or not, the Tampa 2 won't be played exclusively; that will just be where we hang our hat scheme-wise.

DeLuca, Most of them insure themselves (or used to) through Lloyd's of London I thought. I know most of the big draft picks do. It's similar to pro-wrestlers (weird I know) in that they're considered independent contractors and therefore not the responsibility of the employer.