TEAM NEEDS - TITANS, 'BOYS, SKINS & TEXANS
Just five days till the draft begins, let's look at the needs of four more NFL teams.
Tennessee #8
1. Quarterback-Vince Young will be released after the CBA is signed, Kerry Collins is 38 years of age & then there's Chris Simms & Rusty Smith. Undoubtedly, the #1 priority is a younger quarterback with a big upside.
2. Defensive tackle-Since Albert Haynesworth departed thru free agency, Tennessee has had no one in the interior of their defensive line to stuff the run, disrupt blocking schemes & get to the passer on occasion. Jason Jones has been steady but unspectacular & Sen'Derrick Marks' play has been on the disappointing side.
3. Linebacker-This linebacking group, as a whole, appear lost in pass coverage too often. They don't get proper drops & too often receivers run right past them. Their open field tackling is inconsistent. I see the Titans taking 2 linebackers in this draft.
4. Running back-Yeah, Chris Johnson gained 2,000 yards just two seasons ago & yeah, Javon Ringer is a decent backup. The problem is the Titans don't have a back on the roster bigger than 205 pounds. They don't have that short yardage & goal line hammer. They had LeGarrette Blount & let him go, he led all rookies in 2010 with 1007-yards in just 11 starts with Tampa Bay.
5. Defensive end-Journeyman Jason Babin totaled 12.5 sacks in 2010, but he will be a free agent. Jacob Ford was solid on third down, but is more of a situational player.
Unless one of the top 2 quarterbacks fall to Tennessee, I don't see them taking a flyer with Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett or Andy Dalton with the 8th pick. The more realistic selection would be a D-lineman like Auburn's Nick Fairly, North Carolina's Robert Quinn or Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson.
Dallas #9
The 6-10 Cowboys have a number of issues pertaining to things other than talent. They can strengthen their talent with a few solid selections. Trouble is, owner Jerry Jones is also the general manager & he hasn't shown the ability to make a good percentage of his picks count.
1. Guard-Kyle Kosler & Leonard Davis were at times last season simply awful. They were slow, they consistently missed 2nd level blocks & their pass blocking was sub-par. Center Andre Gurode fell off as well, interior line help is a must for this offense to regain the production needed to challenge for the division crown.
2. Cornerback-Mike Jenkins & Terrence Newman chased a lot of opposing receivers down the field & into the endzone. It was shocking to see two former Pro Bowl performers get scorched so often. Way too many penalties as well.
3. Defensive end-Marcus Spears was injured & probably won't return & Stephen Bowen is more of a situational player, not one to slug it out down after down.
4. Safety-A big part of all the TD passes the Cowboys surrendered in 2010 was the safety play that was really lame. Alan Ball was overwhelmed in his first starting role & Gerald Sensabaugh did little to help him. This secondary was a mess, especially considering the front seven did a decent job pressuring quarterbacks.
5. Offensive tackle-Marc Columbo is no longer the dependable road grader at right tackle. His footwork has slowed & he gets beaten too often. Jerry Jones made a mistake not trying to keep Flozell Adams & convince him to play on the right side. Adams did just that for the Steelers & he had little trouble with the transition, they went to the Super Bowl & welcome him back in 2011 while the Cowboys are stuck with a "used-up" Columbo.
The Cowboys will probably take a lineman with the 9th overall pick. Whether it's a defensive end or an offensive tackle remains to be seen. USC OT Tyron Smith was linked to Dallas in the past few weeks but I'm not as high on him as others. He's more athlete than tackle, especially a right tackle who must be that running game road grader. Boston College's Anthony Castonzo or possibly Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara. Jones could surprise everyone by selecting Mike Pouncey or reaching a little for a defensive end. There is no safety worth a 1st round pick.
Washington #10
Lots of needs & a shortage of picks, the Skins don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. After they choose their 2nd rounder on Friday, they can kick back & wait until round five on Saturday. The problem is they want to trade QB Donovan McNabb but without a CBA in place, it isn't allowed, so they'll either choose a QB & trade McNabb at a later time or go another way & try to live thru the 2011 season with Rex Grossman as the starting quarterback. They are desperate for a true nose tackle as well & what about Albert Haynesworth? He could be traded, but once again, sometime after the draft.
1. Quarterback-I honestly think this is their only choice, Grossman is not going to lead this team anywhere but to the cellar. They don't intend to keep McNabb, so what are your alternatives?
2. Nose tackle-A must in any successful 3-4 scheme, a solid nose tackle frees up your inside linebackers from interior blockers & allow them to go get the ball carrier.
3. Outside linebacker-Brian Orakpo is a decent pass rusher, but he has slowed in the 2nd half of both his NFL seasons because he is constantly being double-teamed. Andre Carter's game didn't translate to the 3-4 & he became a non-factor. Lorenzo Alexander is a backup, nothing more.
4. Wide receiver-Santana Moss is solid as the Skins' #1 receiver, nut there's little help on the other side to deflect some of the double coverage Moss sees. The depth has been disappointing.
5. Guard-Will Montgomery is a true center pressed into service as an offensive guard. He is underpowered & too easily overwhelmed.
With their 1st & 2nd picks I can see Washington's top two needs being satisfied. Quarterback in the first round & a nose tackle in round 2. Problem is, a QB could be a reach & therefore a gamble. After the 2nd round selection they'll have to wait 103 picks before entering the fray again.
Houston #11
The Texans need defensive help all over the depth chart. Plus they're moving to a 3-4 defense, which will require different personnel at some positions. The Houston secondary gave up too many leads in the 4th quarter, the offense, for the most part, scores enough points to be a playoff team.
1. Cornerback-Since losing Dunta Robinson to free agency two years ago, this secondary has gone from average to riddled. They are statistically the worst in the NFL. Rookie Kareem Jackson is promising but far from a finished product. Glover Quin is got burned all last season, his 2nd in the league. Nickel back Brice McCain was so ineffective, he was inactive in the last four games of the season.
2. Free safety-Eugene Wilson started 15 games for the Texans last season, he recorded exactly zero interceptions. Not a good stat. He didn't record a sack or a tackle for loss either, is there any question he needs to be replaced? Bernard Pollard at strong safety led the team in tackles & made a lot of impact plays but was beaten way too often in coverage. With his production, you can live with some liability, but with no production, what keeps Wilson in the lineup? Answer: no depth with any potential.
3. Outside linebacker-New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is going to run a 3-4 scheme & that requires 4 productive linebackers. DeMeco Ryans & Brian Cushing should be great inside in this scheme, it's the outside that worries Phillips. Especially from a pass rush standpoint. Former 4-3 DE Connor Barwin could fill this spot.
4. Nose tackle-Like I've said before, any successful 3-4 depends on a strong nose tackle.
Shaun Cody is about the only candidate currently on the roster.
5. Quarterback-Matt Schaub is very good when he's healthy. There's the rub, he's nicked up often & misses playing time, altho last year was the first time in his career he lasted the entire season without needing his backup. Dan Orlovsky & Matt Leinart are the backups. Leinart is making some noise about competing for the starting job & that's what that is, noise. He's an overpaid backup & Olovsky isn't really what you need if your starter goes down.
At #11, Houston has a lot of flexibility, mainly because they have so many needs on defense. Prince Amukamara is the slimmest of possibilities & there are those who believe the Texans will try to trade up just enough to insure they get Amukamara or LSU's Patrick Peterson, this year's gold standard amongst cornerbacks. With the way the picks fall without a trade, Houston could be in trouble. There is no safety worthy of a 1st round pick, no OLB worthy of the 11th pick, same for nose tackles. So if they can't trade up, they might try to trade down, pick up an extra pick & choose someone who's a better value at that point.
Tennessee #8
1. Quarterback-Vince Young will be released after the CBA is signed, Kerry Collins is 38 years of age & then there's Chris Simms & Rusty Smith. Undoubtedly, the #1 priority is a younger quarterback with a big upside.
2. Defensive tackle-Since Albert Haynesworth departed thru free agency, Tennessee has had no one in the interior of their defensive line to stuff the run, disrupt blocking schemes & get to the passer on occasion. Jason Jones has been steady but unspectacular & Sen'Derrick Marks' play has been on the disappointing side.
3. Linebacker-This linebacking group, as a whole, appear lost in pass coverage too often. They don't get proper drops & too often receivers run right past them. Their open field tackling is inconsistent. I see the Titans taking 2 linebackers in this draft.
4. Running back-Yeah, Chris Johnson gained 2,000 yards just two seasons ago & yeah, Javon Ringer is a decent backup. The problem is the Titans don't have a back on the roster bigger than 205 pounds. They don't have that short yardage & goal line hammer. They had LeGarrette Blount & let him go, he led all rookies in 2010 with 1007-yards in just 11 starts with Tampa Bay.
5. Defensive end-Journeyman Jason Babin totaled 12.5 sacks in 2010, but he will be a free agent. Jacob Ford was solid on third down, but is more of a situational player.
Unless one of the top 2 quarterbacks fall to Tennessee, I don't see them taking a flyer with Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett or Andy Dalton with the 8th pick. The more realistic selection would be a D-lineman like Auburn's Nick Fairly, North Carolina's Robert Quinn or Da'Quan Bowers of Clemson.
Dallas #9
The 6-10 Cowboys have a number of issues pertaining to things other than talent. They can strengthen their talent with a few solid selections. Trouble is, owner Jerry Jones is also the general manager & he hasn't shown the ability to make a good percentage of his picks count.
1. Guard-Kyle Kosler & Leonard Davis were at times last season simply awful. They were slow, they consistently missed 2nd level blocks & their pass blocking was sub-par. Center Andre Gurode fell off as well, interior line help is a must for this offense to regain the production needed to challenge for the division crown.
2. Cornerback-Mike Jenkins & Terrence Newman chased a lot of opposing receivers down the field & into the endzone. It was shocking to see two former Pro Bowl performers get scorched so often. Way too many penalties as well.
3. Defensive end-Marcus Spears was injured & probably won't return & Stephen Bowen is more of a situational player, not one to slug it out down after down.
4. Safety-A big part of all the TD passes the Cowboys surrendered in 2010 was the safety play that was really lame. Alan Ball was overwhelmed in his first starting role & Gerald Sensabaugh did little to help him. This secondary was a mess, especially considering the front seven did a decent job pressuring quarterbacks.
5. Offensive tackle-Marc Columbo is no longer the dependable road grader at right tackle. His footwork has slowed & he gets beaten too often. Jerry Jones made a mistake not trying to keep Flozell Adams & convince him to play on the right side. Adams did just that for the Steelers & he had little trouble with the transition, they went to the Super Bowl & welcome him back in 2011 while the Cowboys are stuck with a "used-up" Columbo.
The Cowboys will probably take a lineman with the 9th overall pick. Whether it's a defensive end or an offensive tackle remains to be seen. USC OT Tyron Smith was linked to Dallas in the past few weeks but I'm not as high on him as others. He's more athlete than tackle, especially a right tackle who must be that running game road grader. Boston College's Anthony Castonzo or possibly Nebraska CB Prince Amukamara. Jones could surprise everyone by selecting Mike Pouncey or reaching a little for a defensive end. There is no safety worth a 1st round pick.
Washington #10
Lots of needs & a shortage of picks, the Skins don't have a 3rd or 4th round selection. After they choose their 2nd rounder on Friday, they can kick back & wait until round five on Saturday. The problem is they want to trade QB Donovan McNabb but without a CBA in place, it isn't allowed, so they'll either choose a QB & trade McNabb at a later time or go another way & try to live thru the 2011 season with Rex Grossman as the starting quarterback. They are desperate for a true nose tackle as well & what about Albert Haynesworth? He could be traded, but once again, sometime after the draft.
1. Quarterback-I honestly think this is their only choice, Grossman is not going to lead this team anywhere but to the cellar. They don't intend to keep McNabb, so what are your alternatives?
2. Nose tackle-A must in any successful 3-4 scheme, a solid nose tackle frees up your inside linebackers from interior blockers & allow them to go get the ball carrier.
3. Outside linebacker-Brian Orakpo is a decent pass rusher, but he has slowed in the 2nd half of both his NFL seasons because he is constantly being double-teamed. Andre Carter's game didn't translate to the 3-4 & he became a non-factor. Lorenzo Alexander is a backup, nothing more.
4. Wide receiver-Santana Moss is solid as the Skins' #1 receiver, nut there's little help on the other side to deflect some of the double coverage Moss sees. The depth has been disappointing.
5. Guard-Will Montgomery is a true center pressed into service as an offensive guard. He is underpowered & too easily overwhelmed.
With their 1st & 2nd picks I can see Washington's top two needs being satisfied. Quarterback in the first round & a nose tackle in round 2. Problem is, a QB could be a reach & therefore a gamble. After the 2nd round selection they'll have to wait 103 picks before entering the fray again.
Houston #11
The Texans need defensive help all over the depth chart. Plus they're moving to a 3-4 defense, which will require different personnel at some positions. The Houston secondary gave up too many leads in the 4th quarter, the offense, for the most part, scores enough points to be a playoff team.
1. Cornerback-Since losing Dunta Robinson to free agency two years ago, this secondary has gone from average to riddled. They are statistically the worst in the NFL. Rookie Kareem Jackson is promising but far from a finished product. Glover Quin is got burned all last season, his 2nd in the league. Nickel back Brice McCain was so ineffective, he was inactive in the last four games of the season.
2. Free safety-Eugene Wilson started 15 games for the Texans last season, he recorded exactly zero interceptions. Not a good stat. He didn't record a sack or a tackle for loss either, is there any question he needs to be replaced? Bernard Pollard at strong safety led the team in tackles & made a lot of impact plays but was beaten way too often in coverage. With his production, you can live with some liability, but with no production, what keeps Wilson in the lineup? Answer: no depth with any potential.
3. Outside linebacker-New defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is going to run a 3-4 scheme & that requires 4 productive linebackers. DeMeco Ryans & Brian Cushing should be great inside in this scheme, it's the outside that worries Phillips. Especially from a pass rush standpoint. Former 4-3 DE Connor Barwin could fill this spot.
4. Nose tackle-Like I've said before, any successful 3-4 depends on a strong nose tackle.
Shaun Cody is about the only candidate currently on the roster.
5. Quarterback-Matt Schaub is very good when he's healthy. There's the rub, he's nicked up often & misses playing time, altho last year was the first time in his career he lasted the entire season without needing his backup. Dan Orlovsky & Matt Leinart are the backups. Leinart is making some noise about competing for the starting job & that's what that is, noise. He's an overpaid backup & Olovsky isn't really what you need if your starter goes down.
At #11, Houston has a lot of flexibility, mainly because they have so many needs on defense. Prince Amukamara is the slimmest of possibilities & there are those who believe the Texans will try to trade up just enough to insure they get Amukamara or LSU's Patrick Peterson, this year's gold standard amongst cornerbacks. With the way the picks fall without a trade, Houston could be in trouble. There is no safety worthy of a 1st round pick, no OLB worthy of the 11th pick, same for nose tackles. So if they can't trade up, they might try to trade down, pick up an extra pick & choose someone who's a better value at that point.
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