I'd have to go with Mandarich, simply b/c of who we passed over to take him. The next 3 players were all Hall of Famers.
Barry Sanders
Derrick Thomas
Deion Sanders
I wanted Thomas out of that group - would have been okay with Barry. Didn't want Deion b/c of the punk factor.
wist
I could see them sign House and draft 3 CBs -- like they did with RBs last year -- and putting the best of them out there by week 4. Assuming Pettine can manufacture a pass rush and House can stay healthy, he's an ok stopgap. A lot hinges on Kevin King being passable as well.
Clark controlled the line of scrimmage much of the season. He held his gap. In 3-4 your nose needs to control the line, and make things bounce outside of the a gaps. He was very effective at what he does. For fools like you it is too bad the NFL doesn't keep stats on disruptions of running plays.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.
I think we are talking about two different skills. I am talking about identifying the runner and giving chase down the line. Clark can still get hung up on blocks and is not fantastic as a pass rusher, though he did get better with his bull rush. But he can defend a gap, win a one on one and not get rolled by double teams.
Not bad for the late 1st round. I don't know if he's All Pro, but he will do nicely.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.
He got better late in the year, but up until then he never got off blocks. RBs were constantly running right past him as he was dancing around with the blocker.
To tell you the truth, I thought he looked so bad that there was no hope for him; but, as he seemed to begin to get things figured out late in the year - I at least see some upside there finally. Up until late last season, he had been consistently bad since being drafted.
wist
Clark had several good games early in the season. A good run stopper doesn't always get the tackle credited. I don't know what you were watching.
His pass rush showed up later in the year, as it developed, he saw more time in the nickel pass rush DT position. But that doesn't have much to do with his overall level of play or getting off blocks.
Bud Adams told me the franchise he admired the most was the Kansas City Chiefs. Then he asked for more hookers and blow.
I'm the first to argue that dunderdummy was the biggest problem with the defense, but that doesn't mean that there weren't, and aren't deficient players on that side of the ball.
Capers 2-4, which is nowhere near akin to a 4-2 as you like to claim, was a mess. If Clark can pick up where he left off, he'll be a serviceable rotation guy. Getting rid of Randall will help a lot, and I suspect Ryan will be on the field a lot less. Hopefully some better coaching will help Martinez improve...
Overall, I'm encouraged that the defense will be much improved.
wist
A guy I like a lot as a player, but has a 10 cent head and character issues is Holton Hill, CB, Texas.
Guy can play, good size... failed multiple drug tests.
wist