Plan For The DL

[L.T. Fan]

The sad thing is when Claiborne isn't hurt he's a good player and makes a clear positive impact on the defense. Every game he played healthy the defense performed well (except vs Denver).

But to justify the expenditure of 1st and 2nd round picks he needed to be more than just a good corner, he had to remain healthy, continuously improve, and make big plays on the ball.

You can't predict whether someone is going to be injured. Maybe they could have a "history" of injuries but that is the extent of what anyone has to go on. Injuries can happen to anyone no matter where they are picked in the draft.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Three 1st rounders, two 3rd rounders, and a 6th is the sum total of their "damned good" drafting from the last *four* years. Six legit starters in four years just isn't getting it done.

Sean Lee, Bruce Carter, and Tyrone Crawford have each barely played because of injuries, and I don't see how you can even count James Hanna. The rest are either cross-fingers-and-pray types or just chaff. Have we seen anything from Kyle Wilber that would lead you to believe he could ever start for real? I'm more excited about DaVonte Holloman, flaws and all, but he's still an unknown quantity as a potential starter.

The worst thing they ever did was sign Lee to that stupid deal. No mater how "favorable" they needed it to be incentive-laced to the max. Instead they went all Jerry and put it on faith that Lee would stay healthy. Now it's to the point the man can't even make a tackle without hurting his neck and threatening his career. Only Jerry.

So now good drafting means none of those guys can get injured and if they do it was a bad draft pick?

Wilber showed something at LB last year yes he could be a real starter at SOLB.

 

[Jiggyfly]

Martin could play guard before eventually moving to tackle.

Does that sound like a guy Jerry is drafting in the 1st round?

 

[Texas Ace]

The sad thing is when Claiborne isn't hurt he's a good player and makes a clear positive impact on the defense. Every game he played healthy the defense performed well (except vs Denver).

But to justify the expenditure of 1st and 2nd round picks he needed to be more than just a good corner, he had to remain healthy, continuously improve, and make big plays on the ball.

Sorry Ravi, but I don't see it.

Even when healthy, Caliborne has done absolutely nothing to stand out. I just don't think he's any good.

 

[Smitty]

Does that sound like a guy Jerry is drafting in the 1st round?

Actually, yes. I would want Lewan over Martin but Martin sounds like the "versatile" guy Jerry would sell himself on.

To be fair, I think they want to go DL at that spot. But if they believe a guy like Jernigan isn't "quick twitch" I am encouraged by Jerry's recent comments about how the OL is a possibility.

Not that I think he should be running his mouth at all about our draft intentions, but if they do intend to entertain an OL pick, that's a good thing.

 

[Smitty]

I don't think you can say he's made a clear and positive impact. The guy has what, one gift INT from Cam Newton?

Not worth the price we paid to get him. Next Deion my ass.

Also one off Peyton, but yeah, point made.

 

[Smitty]

You can't predict whether someone is going to be injured. Maybe they could have a "history" of injuries but that is the extent of what anyone has to go on. Injuries can happen to anyone no matter where they are picked in the draft.

Even when healthy he hasn't been worth it.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Even when healthy he hasn't been worth it.

Neither was Spears but you never seemed to bitch about that...

 

[Cowboysrock55]

Actually, yes. I would want Lewan over Martin but Martin sounds like the "versatile" guy Jerry would sell himself on.

The term versatility drives me nuts when you're talking about a first round draft pick. If I'm using a first round pick I could care less about versatility. Versatility is what you worry about with a backup OL not with a starter. If I'm drafting an O-lineman in the first I'm not at all concerned about his abilities as a backup O-lineman. Get me the guy who is best at one position, not just sort of good at multiple positions.

 

[Smitty]

Neither was Spears but you never seemed to bitch about that...

I just admitted the other day that Spears was overdrafted; will you say the same about Claiborne?

 

[hstour]

It's not hard to figure out. The seasons change but the patterns of stupid decision-making and repeating the exact same mistakes never falter.

But that is where you are wrong. The last three years, things have slowly started to turn. 5 years ago, would the team have asked anyone to take a pay cut. No, they would have held on to them a year too long, cut them and then had dead money to deal with.

 

[Texas Ace]

But that is where you are wrong. The last three years, things have slowly started to turn. 5 years ago, would the team have asked anyone to take a pay cut. No, they would have held on to them a year too long, cut them and then had dead money to deal with.

Welcome aboard, n00b.

As for the topic, I don't think the team has learned anything yet. While it is refreshing to see them ask a vet take a pay cut for once, let's see what happens afterward before we start claiming it's a new day.

 

[Cotton]

Welcome aboard, n00b.

As for the topic, I don't think the team has learned anything yet. While it is refreshing to see them ask a vet take a pay cut for once, let's see what happens afterward before we start claiming it's a new day.

Plus, they have only done it once before. Let's see if a pattern develops before we start hailing them changed people.

 

[Cotton]

But that is where you are wrong. The last three years, things have slowly started to turn. 5 years ago, would the team have asked anyone to take a pay cut. No, they would have held on to them a year too long, cut them and then had dead money to deal with.

Welcome to the board.

 

[hstour]

Welcome aboard, n00b.

As for the topic, I don't think the team has learned anything yet. While it is refreshing to see them ask a vet take a pay cut for once, let's see what happens afterward before we start claiming it's a new day.

Not saying it is a new day, just that over the last three years, things have started to turn. It's a process, not an arrival.

 

[hstour]

Plus, they have only done it once before. Let's see if a pattern develops before we start hailing them changed people.

It's only two, but they are doing the same with Ware. From what I hear, they are getting close to completing that one too.

 

[Cotton]

It's only two, but they are doing the same with Ware. From what I hear, they are getting close to completing that one too.

Who else besides Free have they forced to take a pay cut? Who am I missing?

 

[hstour]

Who else besides Free have they forced to take a pay cut? Who am I missing?

Free last year and Ware this year. Like I said, I'm not saying they have "arrived" but two in two years is the start of a pattern. Of course it is correction of a past mistake.

What I really hope to see is a pattern of giving their draft picks that develop and play well that first resign (like Lee and Bailey). But not that second one 8 years into their career. That's the one that costs the most and has the highest potential of not being worth the money in the later years.

 

[Cowboysrock55]

I just admitted the other day that Spears was overdrafted; will you say the same about Claiborne?

No question about it Claiborne was over drafted. I still have hope that he will be a very good starter for us but his career has started off way to slow for a guy drafted that highly.

 

[Bluestar71]

But that is where you are wrong. The last three years, things have slowly started to turn. 5 years ago, would the team have asked anyone to take a pay cut. No, they would have held on to them a year too long, cut them and then had dead money to deal with.

Free and Ware being asked to take cuts don't represent any kind of philosophical change in decision making. When this starts happening regularly you can claim things are changing, but right now you're jumping the gun.