American Football Talk II

Randy Gregory better prove that he belongs as a linebacker, because he had a shocker. He was listed at 240lbs for Nebraska, but he started combine training at 218lbs. TWO HUNDRED AND EIGHTEEN POUNDS. Jesus. You have Landon Collins at 225lbs, and he's a safety! Gregory, as an OUTSIDE LINEBACKER, has no such excuse. He got up to around 243lbs, but has been sick, so is back down to 235lbs.

It's a huge issue, because he can't keep the weight on. He was expected to be around 247-253lbs at least. He has so much upside as a pass rusher, considering his length, but wow....I'd fear he'd struggle at 235lbs in a 3-4 scheme, because it's so marginal. As a 4-3 OLB, it's even more tricky, because generally 4-3 LBs are expected to cover much more than 3-4 OLBs.

Damn, I was about to post saying that 235 is not bad at all for an OLB who can cover since it's Lavonte David's exact weight or close to it. I didn't realise this guy was 6'5. Did his weight fluctuate that much during the combine weekend? 218 to 243 to 235? Cos if so that sounds like he's just ill. I would imagine this situation will get better as he gets older, but yeah in terms of being able to contribute now being less than 240 at 6'5 is a pretty bad idea if you plan on being able to tangle with NFL OTs and TEs.

I want Leonard Williams to be a Jag. Blake Bortles is ****ed if for 4 games every season he either has Leonard chasing after him or JJ Watt and Clowney in tandem. If Williams is gone and they take Randy Gregory at #3 my toys are going to be flying out of the pram. I just don't think he's the best guy on the board. Especially after weighing in at the combine so light.

I'm really leaning towards letting Lynch walk if we can't sort a deal by free agency.

Then I'd say try and get Cobb/Maclin/the best receiver on the market (with the exception of Bryant or Thomas probably), as well as Stefen Wisniewski. Stick Wisniewski in at guard for now but then we have a reliable starting level center if (i.e. when) Unger gets injured. Patrick Lewis and Lemuel Jeanpierre do not fit the bill.

Then I'd say take the best RB we can at 31 (hopefully Gurley but more likely Gordon). Then improve the O-Line in the second round and take another receiver third round. Cornerbacks (Maxwell is going, let's be honest), linebacking depth (Malcolm Smith probably gone too) and a kick returner after that (Walter is okay but he's not quite Devin Hester...)

Seattle shouldn't get rid of Maxwell. If hits Free Agency on March 9th, he'll be a Steeler or a Raven by March 10th. Then, they can look to draft just the one corner to flesh out their secondaries.

Believe me, I'd love to keep him, but he (along with a few others - Revis, Cromartie etc.) are the cream of the free agent CB crop, and there are quite a few needy teams out there (Eagles, Falcons, Steelers, Ravens, Texans). He knows that he will be sought after and I just don't think we have the money to keep him, much as I'd like it

The Jets should make a move for Cromartie, and then draft a corner with their second pick. Trust the development of Dee Milliner (too early to pull the plug on him) and move Calvin Pryor to the top of the FS depth chart, and that's a secondary with a lot of promise. Getting a nickel corner will help.

I could see the Jags making a move in free agency for a corner, and a free safety...they have some nice pieces in the secondary.

Personally, I think the Falcons have some good corners. They're young, so it's always good to have veteran presence, but their issues come about because Paul Worrilow simply cannot cover, and they have had poor safety play. They need a new ILB, FS, and depth additions. I have a very high opinion of Desmond Trufant. He's part of the Trufant CB dynasty so that helps, but the development he showed this year was very impressive.

Chiefs are another option. They need a tall, physical corner and Maxwell would fit the bill.

I can see Falcons more because of Dan Quinn than they need it. Maxwell and Trufant would be nasty though. I would bet on at least one of O'Brien Schofield, Malcolm Smith or Maxwell ending up in Georgia.

True...no matter how good your team may be, it's always good to upgrade. I appreciate your point...coaches will go with players they trust. For the same reason, the Jags with Gus Bradley would do well to target Bryon Maxwell as well. Schofield could be some solid, near-veteran minimum depth at DE. Malcom Smith might be a good addition, with starting upside at WLB.

Saw rumours demarco Murray is going free agent.

I was hoping cowboys could keep Romo, Bryant and Murray.

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I don't understand why they are franchising Dez and losing Murray to be honest. I'm sure it is a no brainer for everyone else because nobody seems to be debating it so I must be missing something. The way I see it Dez needs to be locked up because he is virtually the face of the franchise and since Romo is old-ish and injury prone they will need Dez to allow his eventual successor to have a chance. Murray seems like an obvious franchise tag candidate since getting him on a one year deal as a top 5 back is very team friendly since he is actually (IMO) the top 1 back, but he has a limited shelf life and an awesome scheme fit. So IDK. I guess if locking up Dez isn't feasible at the moment then what they are doing is the right move. I am far from a salary cap expert.

With that said, I suppose they can draft someone for a lot less than 9m. The dropoff in skill between Murray and Randle was palpable because Randle didn't run like a zone back, so that's the danger if they just try to fill Murray's spot with anyone. If they tried to replace him cheaply they would definitely need a committee because you need to replace his power running/vision, his pass catching and his pass blocking. Their offense might lose a bit of flexibility.

Speaking of Romo's eventual successor, this sounds weird but if the Jets draft someone I would love Dallas to grab Geno Smith. He plays quite a similar style to Romo, he is a massive immediate upgrade on Weeden and actually has the potential to be good in the right situation. But even with his strong end to the season I think he's likely to be a backup this year, unless he starts for 5 weeks while Mariota sits or something.

I kind of agree with you on the Geno front. Being a jet is not going to help his development as things stand. Having Weeden as a back up would strike fear into me if I was a cowboys fan, so it would probably suit all parties (minus Weeden) well.

As for Murray the #1 back in the league, I'm not too sure. Certainly was part of the best running game set up in the league last season though, and it would pay for them to keep him.

Well his only rival this year is Lynch IMO and there were retirement rumours there at one point. I think he's a bit more versatile than Lynch so I give him the edge.

I think Le'Veon Bell and Jamaal Charles might have something to say about that!