fiestavike wrote:
I can see the rational for going heavy on defense. Sometimes the return to building on your strengths is a lot greater than the return for building on your weaknesses. A DT, a MLB, a S could go a lot way to solidifying the run defense, and creating more opportunities for big plays.
Its kind of analagous to the 'square peg round hole' Vikings fans have been griping about since Childress was here. You might want to be balanced, but if your line can't run block, you can get better return from just becoming a short passing offense. This team has the potential to be an elite defense with a few improvements. Taking cast offs to repair the line and bolstering the weak spots on defense is a formula with some potential.
I see where you're coming from but dont totally agree. As for the top part, we definitely do need another DT next to Linval. I mocked us taking one in the 3rd. We do not need a MLB. We have Kendricks, who IMO, could be the best/most underrated player on this entire defense. As for S, I've been a huge "we need to get a safety to replace Sendejo" guy for years now. However, I will say, he wasnt all that bad this year and he is actually a pretty sure tackler most of the time. He's turning into a product of the system.
MLB and S arent even close to being the problem with our run defense IMO. It's not having a legitimate 3-technique DT. Think about back when we had the Williams tandem. Pat is basically Linval but we have nobody that's Kevin. I think Floyd is similar to that when he's in there but that isnt very often. Floyd was a beast vs. Seattle last year in the playoffs. I think you do with Floyd what we should do with Kalil this year. See if we can sign him on the cheap when his contract is up next year. I think it's stupid to cut him this year. He's the type of guy that would go somewhere else and end up burning us. The guy is good. Nobody wanted to give Rudy a chance except me and a few others on here when he was always hurt and now look at him. Floyd is the exact same way.
As for your second paragraph, this goes back to what Jim said with us having "1/3" of a team and "1/3" of a team cant win a SB. I am all for balance. And we do have one side that can be VERY dominant. But this offense needs to get around the early-mid 20's in total offense at least. I completely disagree with the whole "1/3" thing because there is a team out there right now that is dominant on the offensive side of the ball but 25th on the other side in total defense. Special teams is a wash. As for us, outside of Locke, ours is one of the best in the league IMO. Atlanta is proving that you can go out with "1/3" of a team and contend for a SB. Which is why I don't agree with that assessment one bit. However, I will say we need to get better on the offensive side of the ball in order to give this dominant defense a break and manage the game.
Nobody is saying take castoffs to repair the line and I dont want "castoffs". Maybe one to patch a spot up for now? Sure. But I want young guys and good FA's in here. The Wagners/Zeitlers of the world. Two out of 3 top picks being OL. That's how I would build it.
If I had a choice I would probably go with:
RT- Wagner/Sirles/Rookie pick 1
RG- Warford or Leary/Harris/Rookie pick 2
C- Berger/Easton/Possible rookie pick 2
LG- Boone/Berger/Rookie pick 2
LT- Kalil/Hill/Rookie pick 1
...anyone else, let them walk or cut them. Clemmings, Fusco, Kerin, etc.