Is 4 starting caliber DT's too many?

[RashanGary]

I don't know how each guy is going to progress, but this is my view of something that could happen. Let's imagine we have 4 starting caliber DT's with somewhat equal ability overall but different skills.

Pickett is your run stopping specialist who doubles as a good overall player
Williams is your pass rushing specialist who doubles as a good overall player
Jolly is a good overall player (equal in run and pass)
Harrell develops into a good overall player. (equal in run and pass)



Here are the reasons I can think of that depth is good:

1. The Giants had one of the strongest Dlines in football, but they wore out late in the superbowl and almost lost the game if it weren't for a magical drive by Eli. If they had more depth, that game wouldn't have been so close IMO. The Giants were having their way with Brady until they ran out of gas. Do we want to run out of gas in the 4th quarter of a post season game?

2. In goalline situations, we can lineup with a pretty kick ass 5 man line with Jenkins, Williams, Pickett, Jolly and Kampman.

3. One guy is bound to get injured at some point in the season and it's more likely that two or three of them will go down at times throughout the year. When Harrell goes down do we want to be down to Jolly, PIckett, Cole and Muir? I think Cole is a below average player and Muir is a huge question mark. I don't want to rely on those two when we have to beat the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game.

4. If Jolly has an ankle injury in week 2, we'll be less likely to rush him along. By not rushing him along, he'll heal properly, we'll still have three good ones playing and over the course of the season the health situation should be easier for us to balance. This will allow us to be most fresh for the playoffs.

5. This goes along with #4, but after a 17 or 18 game stretch 320 lb guys are warn out and beat up. If our guys play 50% of the snaps rather than 70% of the snaps, it could go a long way toward playoff freshness and therefor success.



There is nothing wrong with having an extra deep Dline. I think this move is going to pay dividends in the 4th quarter of games and in the 4th quarter of the season.

[RashanGary]

I think the DT situation is really good if we resign Williams long term and keep reupping guys like Jolly and Harrell. Depth is good. Even if Harrell or Jolly turn into probowlers, it's still good to rest them in the season and in the game.

As a fan, I'm really hoping we start to develop more depth at DE. I don't like Kampman playing so many snaps. I think he'd be better late in the game if he dind't have to play damn near every snap. Also, neither he, Jenkins or KGB are going to be around forever.

[The Leaper]

4 DTs are a necessity in the NFL. Our problem IMO is that we don't have one dominant pass rusher among them. Williams is our best bet, and he's not a consistent threat. Pickett and Jolly certainly will never confuse anyone as a pass rusher...and it does not appear that Harrell will either.

[RashanGary]

Clemson has a DE named Merling that is 6'5" and 275. He's supposed to be a very good overall player. I haven't gotten to see him play, but from everything I read, he'd be just what the doctor ordered for this team.

[RashanGary]

This is what Scott Wright said about who could be the BPA at #30 based on the depth of the draft

[Comment From Scott Wright]
Honestly, that is tough to say at this point. There should be solid value left at offensive tackle and cornerback late in round one though and a good defensive end could fall too.




Wow, this would be ideal. I'd love any of these positions. A talented DE, CB or OT would be perfect for this team.

[Lurker64]

I think that fewer than 4 DTs is definitely too few. I see us having 6 DTs on the roster after camp this year, only 4-5 will be active on game day though.

[RashanGary]

I think that fewer than 4 DTs is definitely too few. I see us having 6 DTs on the roster after camp this year, only 4-5 will be active on game day though.

I meant four who are capable of being good starters (if it works out that way)

[PaCkFan_n_MD]

I think that fewer than 4 DTs is definitely too few. I see us having 6 DTs on the roster after camp this year, only 4-5 will be active on game day though.

I meant four who are capable of being good starters (if it works out that way)

No way. You can never have to many good players no matter the position, but particularly at DT. Plus it's not like anyone of them is so good that you don't want him off the field.

[woodbuck27]

I think the DT situation is really good if we resign Williams long term and keep reupping guys like Jolly and Harrell. Depth is good. Even if Harrell or Jolly turn into probowlers, it's still good to rest them in the season and in the game.

As a fan, I'm really hoping we start to develop more depth at DE. I don't like Kampman playing so many snaps. I think he'd be better late in the game if he dind't have to play damn near every snap. Also, neither he, Jenkins or KGB are going to be around forever.

I hope that Justin Harrell gets even close this season and so the minumum we need as we rotate the DL is four DT's.

I sensed it was obvious that Aaron Kampman was very tired at season's end. That fact will be addressed I'm sure by Mike McCarthy this off season and something better put in place to keep our troops freser as the season progress's.

I believe every year we hope for a quality product at DE. Certainly with the age and overall game of KGB we realize that that time to look hard at RDE is now to 'build on' effectiveness of our DL.

PACKERS FOREVER!

[KYPack]

Re: Is 4 starting caliber DT's too many?

SNIP

Here are the reasons I can think of that depth is good:

1. The Giants had one of the strongest Dlines in football, but they wore out late in the superbowl and almost lost the game if it weren't for a magical drive by Eli. If they had more depth, that game wouldn't have been so close IMO. The Giants were having their way with Brady until they ran out of gas. Do we want to run out of gas in the 4th quarter of a post season game?

Not really. That rookie DT made a sack on Brady in the last minute to ice the game. Depth will prevent ya from running out of gas.

Really feel that the example of the Giants deep DLine contributed to TT's decision to tag Williams. We will now basically be a team with as deep a DLine as the Giants.

[b bulldog]

True but the Giants Dline is far, far better.

[twoseven]

Are DD, Jenning, Jones, Krob, and Martin too many WRs to have on one team?

Our DL wore down late in the year and injuries played no small part in it. Are we going to argue that we have to many? 4 is too many right up until that point when 1-2 are injured or just plain ineffective.

As far as CW goes, he is still not going to be worth the money we might give him in a longer deal even if he gives us a discount. I'd rather hope for Harrel and/or Jolly to send CW packing next year with their improved play than hope CW will elevate his current game. Paying CW 4-5 million a year, (what I think it takes to satisfy him and his agent, minimum), is a waste unless he all of a sudden turns into Tuck next season, I don't see that happening.

[b bulldog]

After listening to TT's comments today from Indy, I really think 99 is here because they have doubts about Jolly and questions about Harrell.

[RashanGary]

After listening to TT's comments today from Indy, I really think 99 is here because they have doubts about Jolly and questions about Harrell.

Where did ya listen to that?

[b bulldog]

It was on AM 1570 AT around 1pm when the radio guy was interviewing someone from the Packers report