There's a
good thread running about the Jags wanting to keep Yannick Ngokue, with other ER/OLB's like Matt Judon and Bud Dupree mentioned as players the Giants might try and sign in the offseason instead of Ngokue. That's fine. Lord knows the Giants pass-rush has been pretty anemic, and adding a top=tier ER is high on everyone's wish-list, as it should be.
However, what worries me the most is how soft the Giants have been up the gut, how devoid of talent they've been at ILB. I'm not a fan of Alec Ogletree. Overpaid and underwhelming, I hope the Giants cut him loose. Ryan Connelly showed promise before he got hurt, but even if he's healthy enough to play next year, the anecdotal evidence suggests that he won't be 100% until he's two years removed from his ACL tear. David Mayo seems like a nice player...as a backup/spot-starter, not as a guy you want starting on a regular basis. The rest of the field is pretty uninspiring.
So, even though the Giants are likely to target an ER and an OT in free agency, I think it would be a capital mistake not to target a damned good ILB as well. I've seen a few names thrown around - Corey Littleton, Blake Martinez, Nick Kwiatkoski, Patrick Onwuasor, Joe Schobert...any one of whom would be an upgrade from what the Giants have now.
Get some talent at ILB (and at FS, too), and get back to playing the kind of defense the Giants used to be known for.
Two edge rushers, an ILB, and then one of CB/OL are basically a must. Then you can look at rounds one and two of the draft to "finish" off OL/CB. But with a minimum of six spots to fill in the starting rotation, it seems unavoidable not to spend, and spend big.
Washington is moving to a base 4-3 from what I read yesterday.
They should hedge their bets. There's no guarantee that any LB they covet in the draft will be available when they pick, or that he will be the highest-graded player on their board.
I was digging what Joe Schobert was showing early this season...not sure how he finished up or if he has the right leadership makeup.
Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.
Agree
Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.
Tae Crowder. Full effort guy. 5th year senior I think. Not as polished as others but still learning position to some degree. Interesting talent.
Now rated a 6th + round pick or UDFA level guy. Let's see him at the combine and where he falls.
i was gonna post this exact same thing. he was #32
Michael Boley was a key piece for the SB team in 2011/12 - he was signed in 2009 to a 5 year $25m deal at age 26.
Antonio Pierce was a kay piece for the SB team in 2007/08 - he was signed in 2005 to a 6 year $26m deal at age 26 as well.
I believe DG's role in the organization had some direct involvement in each of those acquisitions. Both Schobert and Littleton are 26 years old. It stands to reason either 1 could be towards the top of the list of FA targets this offseason.
1a. OL
1b. ER
3. ILB
And personally, I think we need 2 ILBs: one from that 1st tier (Schobert/Littleton) and then a young guy that didn't quite live up to expectations or had some injury issues and may do better with a change of scenery (i.e. a Golden type at ILB). Let the 2nd tier guy and Connelly battle for the 2nd ILB spot (assuming we stick with 3-4) and bring Mayo back (cheaply) for the 4th spot.