I know you are all giddy, but...

Our run defense up the middle is still not right. That is a defect a handful of teams can exploit. San Francisco can still push our guys around with their offensive line if they make it a game priority.

Re-signing Branch would retain last year's status quo, which was only OK the last half of the year. I am open it ideas that improve Branch's spot, but don't say rookie. What veterans can upgrade Branch's run stopping spot?

Great thing is the season doesn't start tomorrow.

THis draft seems to have some big fatties, off hand John Jenkins, Jonathan Hankins, Kawame Gathers, Jesse Williams, Brandon Williams, and Montario Hughes are all over 320lbs. These guys are all 2-5th round prospect I could see us address the run stuffing DT role with.

Seems all our draft guys focused on pass rushing DT's, they need to go back and check out all the run stuffing DT's now. I don't know if either will make our 2nd pick but I think Jesse WIlliams is a seahawk type and I'd be happy with Jenkins as well.

I hope we can get on eof these guy or similar in the 5th where we have 2 picks but I think we will go DT soon.

Teams are going to have to try to power run against us. I don't see how they can really throw with our new lightning pass rush and the Legion of Boom.

I think we will see a lot of power runs up the middle and QBs trying to scramble & run. Also keeps our offense off the field.

Not going to be easy to play against the Seahawks this year that is for sure.

don't need to worry about run defense when Wilson scored a TD every time he takes the field

themunn":1s7lq2ro said:

don't need to worry about run defense when Wilson scored a TD every time he takes the field

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What this guy just said.

I agree Scotte but it's not enough to just have a run stuffer. We need a true three tech that can help Mebane collapse the pocket and also beat one on one battles. Ir is why Jason Jones was so good when he was healthy. Great run Support while being disruptive getting into the backfield or at least helping to collapse the pocket so QB's are unable to step up and avoid our edge rush.

It's not enough to just be a big space eater. They need to force decisions (hopefully bad ones) on opposing offenses. I'm hoping Quinn sees Scrugs or McDonald as guys that are ready for that role.

Right now the only thing we lack to be completely dominant defensively is a top shelf three tech.

Scottemojo":u9jd1gqd said:

Our run defense up the middle is still not right. That is a defect a handful of teams can exploit. San Francisco can still push our guys around with their offensive line if they make it a game priority.

Re-signing Branch would retain last year's status quo, which was only OK the last half of the year. I am open it ideas that improve Branch's spot, but don't say rookie. What veterans can upgrade Branch's run stopping spot?

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Roy Miller is a young option. He was part of Tampa's impressive run D last season. But he's ONLY a run stopper. He's got zero to offer as far as pass rush.

Sen'Derrick Marks might be an option, and he offers some pass rush, as well.

Leger Douzable of the Titans. Went on IR last year, but was reportedly a versatile, rotational run stopper.

Trevor Laws joined the Rams last season on a one-year deal and then ended up on IR before leaving camp. Hard to know if he's healthy, but he's more of a run guy than a rush guy.

So I guess there's a few options. Not sure if any of them are really great, though.

Jason Jones a great "run support?" Weird.

Scottemojo":2z1uxumy said:

Our run defense up the middle is still not right. That is a defect a handful of teams can exploit. San Francisco can still push our guys around with their offensive line if they make it a game priority.

Re-signing Branch would retain last year's status quo, which was only OK the last half of the year. I am open it ideas that improve Branch's spot, but don't say rookie. What veterans can upgrade Branch's run stopping spot?

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I agree Scott. Personally, I don't know if there IS an available option out there that is an upgrade over Branch. The one name that I've thrown out there repeatedly (and no one outside of Lady Talon really seems to be on board with) is Vance Walker -- FA from the Falcons. He is a very underrated DT IMO ... and coach Smith even said he was their most productive DT in terms of pash rush. He's a space eater -- a guy who can take up the double block and not move. Let me tell you, I've been to the Falcons fan forums ... and I have not seen 1 Falcons fan who doesn't want him back. They're praying no one snags him. That would be the 1 name, but I don't know if he would be an upgrade or not. He's young (26 IIRC) and I don't believe is going to be all that expensive.

Get a giant that cannot be pushed around. Carry an extra DLineman or two for this purpose alone and/or throw Red inside at times. He can certainly hold the point of attack vs the run.

Every player on the roster should have serviceable value to this team this season. I want some D-lineman specialists. Get me some more freaks. And creativity from our coordinator and defensive Gameplans.

We've got all the pieces (slot/nickle corner would be nice) for an all-pass defense unit.
I see the pieces present for a strong base defense.
Can't we shuffle people around and grab a big fat tub of shit with a heart condition like Gilbert Brown for a base run defense??

Did I just say anything?

Alan Branch, Michael Bennett and Jaye Howard will be more than enough. Lets see teams try and run on us when were up by 30+ points.

Judging by the title of this thread Scott (e), are you not giddy as well? Do you not join your fellow 12th brethren in their collective giddiness?



I agree with you though, except I think Branch might do the job just fine. I like what you said last night about team's starting the game playing as if they are down 2 scores. The Hawks have some serious fire power on offense right now and you just know Russell is going to go off with all of this talent. A guy like Alan Branch might be all we need when it comes to a veteran run stopper.

Hawkscanner":25o7w5m2 said:

Scottemojo":25o7w5m2 said:

Our run defense up the middle is still not right. That is a defect a handful of teams can exploit. San Francisco can still push our guys around with their offensive line if they make it a game priority.

Re-signing Branch would retain last year's status quo, which was only OK the last half of the year. I am open it ideas that improve Branch's spot, but don't say rookie. What veterans can upgrade Branch's run stopping spot?

Click to expand...

I agree Scott. Personally, I don't know if there IS an available option out there that is an upgrade over Branch. The one name that I've thrown out there repeatedly (and no one outside of Lady Talon really seems to be on board with) is Vance Walker -- FA from the Falcons. He is a very underrated DT IMO ... and coach Smith even said he was their most productive DT in terms of pash rush. He's a space eater -- a guy who can take up the double block and not move. Let me tell you, I've been to the Falcons fan forums ... and I have not seen 1 Falcons fan who doesn't want him back. They're praying no one snags him. That would be the 1 name, but I don't know if he would be an upgrade or not. He's young (26 IIRC) and I don't believe is going to be all that expensive.

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Vance Walker gets nothing but praise from the Falcons. Good run stuffer (although the Falcons weren't THAT stout against the run, but hey we had our problems too), and gets penetration as a 3 tech. Nice part is in a base run defense he does do well against the pass. Maybe the Falcons are homering because Mike Smith was impressed with him, but I doubt it, fans are critical of everything and they're no exception.

May not be as good of a run stuffer as Branch, but then again if we need a pass rush on 1st or 2nd down, he's better equipped to penetrate and drive a QB back into the arms of our edge rushers. I'd sure choose him over Branch, sort of tired of watching QBs step up into their pocket on early downs with our line. Plus getting a sack on Russell Wilson may not be the biggest achievement ever, but it isn't easy.

Thing is, we take him and Scruggs and Howard won't be able to show us what they can do as starters.

Could probably get him for 3-3.5m a year, he made under 2m with the Falcons.

SDHawk":kalpdb68 said:

Alan Branch, Michael Bennett and Jaye Howard will be more than enough. Lets see teams try and run on us when were up by 30+ points.

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I agree that the team is not desperate, but would still like to improve the interior pass rush and run stuffing.

I think Jaye Howard could stand out more and more in the middle. I assume the poster was only referring to new additions or addressing the need in leaving off Mebane. There may be some further cast-offs that could be brought in for a look. Isn't June 7th the next date of importance for cuts?

It will be interesting to see what the Hawks do with the #56 pick, but after watching "the tape" on OLB's... this guy looks the part to me: Jamie Collins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AF_4GBjz54E
http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/ds ... genpos=OLB

Assuming we get Branch or a reasonable alternative, I'm banking on Wagner upping his game a bit more in the run defense area.

This draft is chock full of run stuffers. We won't even need to use a 2nd or 3rd round pick to get one.

I am not worried in the least. This is one of the more complete rosters outside of the early 90s Cowboys that I've ever seen put together.

This is a team that should probably be capable of putting 30+ on the board in any game it plays. Teams are going to be compelled to throw the ball. I do not see any team being in a position to put us in a bind like that 13-6 game at San Fransisco. And that was before the offseason moves.

I do think we should shore up the run defense. I think that's a ridiculously easy and cheap task to accomplish. It can be solved on day 3. Along with OL depth and dev corners.

Scottemojo":1f3lbh5b said:

Our run defense up the middle is still not right. That is a defect a handful of teams can exploit. San Francisco can still push our guys around with their offensive line if they make it a game priority.

Re-signing Branch would retain last year's status quo, which was only OK the last half of the year. I am open it ideas that improve Branch's spot, but don't say rookie. What veterans can upgrade Branch's run stopping spot?

Click to expand...

If we re-sign Branch, I think our run D will be fine because not only do we keep him, but we also gain a healthy Red Bryant who is a monster vs the run

They had Cullen Jenkins in and let him leave - signed for 1M w/Giants, would've thought he could have helped

To be fair to the Hawks, the only people who can truly stop SF's power running game, is Roman and Harbaugh. Its just that good, and that line is too invested in. You stop that by scoring, period.