36 million in cap room

[Fritz]

Don't be so vague, Waldo. "Him"? Blockheads like me need to be spoon fed.

[Waldo]

Arrington, Vinnitieri, Moss, Gonzales; TT isn't afraid of big moves. He was high bidder on all of them (until NE jumped ahead of us with Moss). Lavarr stayed in-division, Vinny wanted a dome, KC couldn't pull the trigger, NE made an 11th hour deal.

Peppers.

TT chases low level guys and stars. He ignores above average players that are treated like stars in FA. Big Al is a star in a 4-3, he's a pretty bad fit for a 3-4 (at that money, he'd make a fine end, but thats a wee bit too much to pay an end). Elephant OLB is a premium position in a 3-4, worthy of breaking the bank for. With no cap next year, it is a fairly safe move.

[Waldo]

The only LT in this draft who has feet that can hang with DC is J. Smith. His movement ability is exceptional, and he doesn't struggle agaisnt one thing, generally just a play of sloppy tech, he can beat power, handle big guys, and take care of speed. Clifton's starting to struggle with speed, especially when they cut inside. Clifton would really struggle with the KGB of old right now.

Colledge has been the whipping boy for a long time because of his consistency. As a rook power beat him. Afterwards it was no one thing, just too much sloppy tech. He cleaned that up a lot this last season and found a great deal of consistency. Every time he replaced a T, he looked better than the guy he replaced, and in Tausher's case, a lot better. But his feet are more valuable on the left, either at LG or LT.

Think that highly of him, eh? That's something to say a guy who was bottom of the second round a couple of years ago bears mentioning with guys who are looking to go top 5 in the draft, saying his tools are as good.

So true though, that OT, more than any other position, takes a couple of years to develop. Along with QB, probably the position you're least likely to get instant satisfaction from the draft. Joe Thomas's of the world aside.

Daryn had 4 big knocks draft day:
He wasn't very strong
The level of competition he played against was mediocre at best (His team lost 7 games his whole college career, and only 1 game in-division).
He played from a 2 pt stance
His technique was sloppy at times (the inconsistent label that killed Oher's stock)

Because of that he wasn't "safe" enough to be a top pick. Athletically though he's quicker (40, SS) and more agile (3 cone) than any of the first round tackles this draft.

[cpk1994]

Arrington, Vinnitieri, Moss, Gonzales; TT isn't afraid of big moves. He was high bidder on all of them (until NE jumped ahead of us with Moss). Lavarr stayed in-division, Vinny wanted a dome, KC couldn't pull the trigger, NE made an 11th hour deal.

Peppers.

TT chases low level guys and stars. He ignores above average players that are treated like stars in FA. Big Al is a star in a 4-3, he's a pretty bad fit for a 3-4 (at that money, he'd make a fine end, but thats a wee bit too much to pay an end). Elephant OLB is a premium position in a 3-4, worthy of breaking the bank for. With no cap next year, it is a fairly safe move.

Problem is Peppers was franchised. TT won't pony up the draft picks to get him, nor should he.

[KYPack]

[Daryn had 4 big knocks draft day:
He wasn't very strong
The level of competition he played against was mediocre at best (His team lost 7 games his whole college career, and only 1 game in-division).
He played from a 2 pt stance
His technique was sloppy at times (the inconsistent label that killed Oher's stock)

Because of that he wasn't "safe" enough to be a top pick. Athletically though he's quicker (40, SS) and more agile (3 cone) than any of the first round tackles this draft.

-He wasn't that strong, but years in an NFL weight room and natural growth have turned that around.

-Didn't know that about "played from a 2 pt stance" deal. He sure is comfortable in a 3 pt stance now.

- There is only one blot on DC's playing resume that bugs me. He had terrible games at LG, but he was a kid. That will happen. He has usually looked very solid at LT, but of course that has only been in spots. The episode that bothered me was the SF Pre-Season games last summer. Cliffy was a late scratch or something. They started DC at tackle in a last minute switch. And Colledge was eaten alive. Blown up against the run, run over in pass pro. Daryn pitched a no-hitter that night.

Was that a one game aberration? I hope so, but it was troubling.

The other thing that drives me nuts is that all of our kiddie corps of Olineman are lousy drive blockers. Moll, Colledge, & Spitz can't root hog anybody. They all have other strengths, but blowing a guy out of the hole on the run ain't one of 'em.

I hope those three and Sitton and Barbre get it together and form an Oline for us.

But, I'm still worried about the whole deal.

[Waldo]

Don't be so sure about that. Peppers isn't worth nearly as much as Allen (who was traded for the equivalent of #9 overall), I think that he can reasonably be had for mid 20's value. Most likely our 2nd and 3rd would get the job done, so would a 2nd and 4th plus 2010 conditional. #9 would surely be off the table.

[Waldo]

[Daryn had 4 big knocks draft day:
He wasn't very strong
The level of competition he played against was mediocre at best (His team lost 7 games his whole college career, and only 1 game in-division).
He played from a 2 pt stance
His technique was sloppy at times (the inconsistent label that killed Oher's stock)

Because of that he wasn't "safe" enough to be a top pick. Athletically though he's quicker (40, SS) and more agile (3 cone) than any of the first round tackles this draft.

-He wasn't that strong, but years in an NFL weight room and natural growth have turned that around.

-Didn't know that about "played from a 2 pt stance" deal. He sure is comfortable in a 3 pt stance now.

- There is only one blot on DC's playing resume that bugs me. He had terrible games at LG, but he was a kid. That will happen. He has usually looked very solid at LT, but of course that has only been in spots. The episode that bothered me was the SF Pre-Season games last summer. Cliffy was a late scratch or something. They started DC at tackle in a last minute switch. And Colledge was eaten alive. Blown up against the run, run over in pass pro. Daryn pitched a no-hitter that night.

Was that a one game aberration? I hope so, but it was troubling.

The other thing that drives me nuts is that all of our kiddie corps of Olineman are lousy drive blockers. Moll, Colledge, & Spitz can't root hog anybody. They all have other strengths, but blowing a guy out of the hole on the run ain't one of 'em.

I hope those three and Sitton and Barbre get it together and form an Oline for us.

But, I'm still worried about the whole deal.

You are thinking of the Miami-GB game his rookie year. That's the only time he looked bad at LT. He played LG in the SF preseason game, and yes, he laid an egg, gave up 2 sacks, one was really ugly (getting pushed over). He played LT later on and looked good. I haven't seen him look bad at LT since Taylor kicked his butt, and I specifically watch him every time he's in there, so that in times like these I know if we "need" a LT or not.

[HarveyWallbangers]

You are thinking of the Miami-GB game his rookie year. That's the only time he looked bad at LT.

He's had other games where he struggled, but overall looks like a good LT. That Miami game wan't that bad. He got last minute notice of starting, and struggled in the first quarter (giving up a couple of sacks to Taylor, I believe), but then settled in nicely in a dominating victory.

[Fritz]

Don't be so sure about that. Peppers isn't worth nearly as much as Allen (who was traded for the equivalent of #9 overall), I think that he can reasonably be had for mid 20's value. Most likely our 2nd and 3rd would get the job done, so would a 2nd and 4th plus 2010 conditional. #9 would surely be off the table.

I'm always one to throw unsubstantiated rumor around, so let me pile on: I believe Philly is the only team with two number ones. What if - what if - they wanted to move up to #9? A shot at Sanchez, maybe?

Or even a trade down to the low 20s plus a second would net you the low 20's you'd need for Peppers - then you'd still have two seconds.

Wild, random, fantasy trades. I love it.

[Fritz]

Hey, is Peppers suited to play opposite Kampman, or would they be at the same position?

[Waldo]

Hey, is Peppers suited to play opposite Kampman, or would they be at the same position?

Kamp wants to stay on the left, where he is best suited. Pep would replace Poppinga on the right, where he is best suited (good god, we currently have Pops penciled in in the most important position on the D).

The best value in trading for Pep is tomorrow. The longer Carolina waits to trade him, the more his value grows until about early-mid April, then it declines again as the draft approaches. They can't do squat in FA until they get him off the books. If they want to be FA players, they've got to move him pronto. That comes at a cost to leverage (hence compensation).

Our 2nd and 3rd is worth #25. Our 2nd, 4th, and conditional 2010 pick (2nd-3rd performance based) is worth #26.

If the Eagles trade up, it will be to take a LT. If Oher falls to us, there is a chance they'd make the move. Otherwise Tampa or the Jets could hop up to get Sanchez, the Redskins could jump up to get Orakpo, the Broncos could move up to get Raji.

[Lurker64]

(good god, we currently have Pops penciled in in the most important position on the D).

He's going to play Nose Tackle? Pretty bad call by McCarthy there

[Waldo]

(good god, we currently have Pops penciled in in the most important position on the D).

He's going to play Nose Tackle? Pretty bad call by McCarthy there

IMO elephant OLB is more important than NT. I have a hard time calling a situational player the most important player. Close though, it is definitely #2, with a long way to #3, but there is a reason elephant OLB's sign 10M/yr contracts, NT's sign 6M/yr contracts.

[Bossman641]

Don't be so sure about that. Peppers isn't worth nearly as much as Allen (who was traded for the equivalent of #9 overall), I think that he can reasonably be had for mid 20's value. Most likely our 2nd and 3rd would get the job done, so would a 2nd and 4th plus 2010 conditional. #9 would surely be off the table.

I'm always one to throw unsubstantiated rumor around, so let me pile on: I believe Philly is the only team with two number ones. What if - what if - they wanted to move up to #9? A shot at Sanchez, maybe?

Or even a trade down to the low 20s plus a second would net you the low 20's you'd need for Peppers - then you'd still have two seconds.

Wild, random, fantasy trades. I love it.

Philly already has Kolb waiting in the wings. I doubt they'd trade up for another QB. I like where your mind is at though.

[3irty1]

Don't be so sure about that. Peppers isn't worth nearly as much as Allen (who was traded for the equivalent of #9 overall), I think that he can reasonably be had for mid 20's value. Most likely our 2nd and 3rd would get the job done, so would a 2nd and 4th plus 2010 conditional. #9 would surely be off the table.

I'm always one to throw unsubstantiated rumor around, so let me pile on: I believe Philly is the only team with two number ones. What if - what if - they wanted to move up to #9? A shot at Sanchez, maybe?

Or even a trade down to the low 20s plus a second would net you the low 20's you'd need for Peppers - then you'd still have two seconds.

Wild, random, fantasy trades. I love it.

Philly already has Kolb waiting in the wings. I doubt they'd trade up for another QB. I like where your mind is at though.

What about the Jets or Tampa Bay? Both of those teams need QBs and could look to move up.