Pandion Haliaetus":330lh4ot said:
Cruce Irvin: I love Malcolm Smith but Irvin is going to be the future at LEO, and if he can continue growing and transforming, himself into a complete football players he's going to become a perennial 12-16 sack guy. Maybe not next year but year 4, I'm expecting something big from him.
Doug Baldwin: Like Smith, I love Golden Tate but his skill set is similar to Harvin's in ways. And every time Harvin touches the ball its like a football masterpiece. Its hard to put into words but simply put its art. Where Harvin is classic rock, Tate is grunge. Baldwin on the other hand frankly to me is the better, more complete, more competitive version of Bobby Engram. Every great QB needs a symbiotic relationship with 1 equally great WR that can possibly define a HoF career... I feel Baldwin is that guy for Wilson. Tate makes amazing plays, no doubt, but Baldwin understands who Wilson is as a QB.
Michael Bowie: Not even an argument. Younger, cheaper, no injury history, more versatile... added up Bowie has more upside.
Clinton McDonald: This was the hardest choice for as each bring their own thing to the table that make them valuable but I love Donny's personality, spirit, and his still has some potential where as Danny is probably at his ceiling.
Lane: Upside, cheaper control, same versatility and one of, if not the best STer in the League as a Gunner w/o the looming suspensions.
Ron Swanson's fakestache.
1. Irvin: Man I hope that's true. The two main problems he had at LEO last season were 1.) his inability to hold off 320 pound lineman (on running plays) long enough to make a play on the halfback and 2.) He had some issues with discipline on run plays; often flying upfield to get after the QB, creating a hole for the Halfback to squeeze through.
Honestly, I think this one season at Linebacker was a lifesaver for Bruce. For one, it got him on the field; He stood no chance of beating guys like Clem, Bennett, and Cliff to the starting 11 at DE. Secondly, it helped develop some discipline, specifically against the run game. Linebackers have to be some of the most disciplined players on the field; if a halfback gets passed the linebackers he's basically won the battle. And lastly, (irrelevent to his postion change) He managed to bulk up 10-15 pounds over the last year which should definitely help him with them piggies on the offensive line.
If Bruce keeps progressing I could definitely see him being that 10-15 sack a year guy.
2. I agree with your points on Baldwin, but this was the only one that pretty much completely 50/50 for me. Tate DOES have something that Harvin doesn't have, and that's his ability to high point a ball. He has to be one of the best 'short WRs' in the league right now when it comes to consistently winning jump balls. I'd miss the hell out of him if he were to leave. Hopefully he don't.
3. Agree on Bowie. Should be a lot of competition brought in over the offseason though. I could see PC/JS drafting a quite a few O-Line guys to push guys like Carp, Bowie and Bailey.
4. The only reason I'd chose Donny over Danny is because of age. I love Danny. Most underrated D-lineman this season. Plus we have promising youngsters like Hill and Scruggs that play pretty much the same role and Donny.
5. I like Thurmond but that suspension really shot him in the ass. Lane may not be as agile or instinctive as Thurmond but like you said, ST ace, more durable, and ability to play in slot and outside. Also, Thurmond would require an important chunk of cap this season. Can't spare a penny for those 'above average' guys.