Front 7 will be solid in 2011

[MHS831]

To be optimistic (that means to look on the bright side, App Nation), you have to like the LB situation here. First, I really like what I have seen from Jason Williams. Anderson should stay and get paid, Beason and Conner give us the best MLB combo in the NFL, and TD should re-sign on the cheap. Throw in special teamers Senn and Norwood, and Jamar Williams--wow.

Expect to see improvement from Hardy and Brown. Johnson is becoming a beast. Don't expect to see Brayton back, but who knows. Norwood to step in as DE more? depends on the coaches. Damn I hope we could somehow keep Brian Baker (DL Coach).

At DT, Landri has shown his ability to penetrate, but only against run blocking (as far as I have seen). Because Hurney can't draft DT in the middle rounds (Hayden, Irvin, Ellison, etc.) and the Ed Johnson experiment is ending sadly, we need a free agent 1 technique who will draw double teams to free out LBs. We could also use a 3 technique to collapse the pocket. If we draft Luck as many suggest, since we have Armanti Edwards instead of the 33rd pick in the 2011 draft, we will not have another pick until the third round. DT has to be that pick, but getting what we need in the third will be tough. We better be scouting the second tier prospects hard.

I think we have to spend on DT in free agency. Period.

[firstdayfan]

What about Haynesworth? If he is motivated he is a dominating player...not sure I want that baggage though. This, like everything, will depend on the next coach. I heard that someone mentioned the possiblility of trading down from one picking up extra picks and maybe even getting cam newton in the first instead. That would give us some extra picks, plus we have two thirds (one we can't trade) so we could use one to get back in the second round. Hurney is good at moving around. So there are a ton of options to look at...especially the draft although I don't know how strong the DT class is this year.

[MHS831]

Trading down would be nice. Until I see Clausen improve, it would be stupid to pass on Luck. As for the Haynesworth idea, the idea has to enter the thought process, but I would not touch him unless we reconstructed the contract, making it incentive-based.

[MHS831]

Newton scares me. I compare him to Vince Young, but I see a little something more. I think he could be good, but I don't want my NFL QB running the ball. They don't last long. Locker does the same thing, and his SR year has been dismal. Mallett needs to learn the pro-style offense, so Luck is the best pick. I think you have to take him at this point. Now, if Clausen finished the season with a 90+ passer rating....

[err456]

Agreed that a DT is a must. I think we take a good FA if we can and a draft the best DT available after we secure our QB of the future. If Luck is available we better not screw up and pass on him. I love watching running QB's but yes they usually don't last long. Clausen is not showing much so depending on him for the future will probably make the next coaches stay here short.

[firstdayfan]

Newton scares me. I compare him to Vince Young, but I see a little something more. I think he could be good, but I don't want my NFL QB running the ball. They don't last long. Locker does the same thing, and his SR year has been dismal. Mallett needs to learn the pro-style offense, so Luck is the best pick. I think you have to take him at this point. Now, if Clausen finished the season with a 90+ passer rating....

Really? Newton reminds me more of Josh freeman. I really thought he was a run first guy but I think he is just so physically gifted in that area that he is just really successful doing it. But he has a great arm, is very accurate and can throw on the run. To me he may need a year to develop but he has amazing potential. Luck is clearly the best prospect and I would love to have him but DT and other positions need to be addressed so more picks may be better in the long run. However if it were me I'd pick luck.

[panthers55]

At this point what to with the front seven will depend on what type of defense we run this year. Not just 3-4 versus 4-3 but whether we play mostly attacking 1 gap style, 2 gap contain and control, a 4-3 over/under, Miami 4-3, etc. You have to have the personnel to run your style of defense or adapt the style to your personnel. We have players that can be effective in certain schemes but guys like Brown will need to bulk up quite a bit in order to handle the run.

I don't think that Meek's system is fundamentally sound and is easily exploited so it is hard to say what is possible if we got a new DC in here. But I don't think I would say they are going to be fine. At linebacker it looks good if we sign our guys back. At DE we still need another pass rushing stud. But we could get rid of all our DTs and start over and it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

[WhiteBoysCanRun22]

I know Fox would never even want to hire Haynesworth but hey, he's about to be fired & Hurney sometimes chooses to gamble. Only problem is Haynesworth chooses to play hard when he feels like playing hard

[MHS831]

At this point what to with the front seven will depend on what type of defense we run this year. Not just 3-4 versus 4-3 but whether we play mostly attacking 1 gap style, 2 gap contain and control, a 4-3 over/under, Miami 4-3, etc. You have to have the personnel to run your style of defense or adapt the style to your personnel. We have players that can be effective in certain schemes but guys like Brown will need to bulk up quite a bit in order to handle the run.

I don't think that Meek's system is fundamentally sound and is easily exploited so it is hard to say what is possible if we got a new DC in here. But I don't think I would say they are going to be fine. At linebacker it looks good if we sign our guys back. At DE we still need another pass rushing stud. But we could get rid of all our DTs and start over and it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

Yeah, I see those points. It is hard when so much is up in the air. I think Hardy and Brown can hold down a DE spot and be effective pass rushers, but the run is a concern. Johnson is a complete DE now. It takes time. I am counting on Hardy and Brown to come around in 2011. They have the talent, but I feel better about Hardy than Brown. I just think a stud DT could change our opinions of our DEs.

If I had my choice, I would keep Landri and throw the rest out. Having said that, I feel we need to draft a DT in the third round (assuming we draft a QB in the first) and sign a top free agent DT. No more bargain shopping. Get a stud. In the third, a player like Jarvis from Clemson or Crick from Nebraska if he falls to the 65th pick. Blue collar studs who demand double teams. Jarvis should get some credit for Bowers' success at Clemson and Crick is tough as a bag of nails. Then add a veteran or two.

[Ricky Spanish]

truth be told, if we could trade down a few spots and pick up a team's first and second round pick (plus maybe a few more, who knows, that pick is valuable if the CBA is in place), I'd be all for it. Draft That dirty CB from LSU in the first then grab a DT in the early second, or vice-versa depending on who's available and what not. hell maybe even an O-line. I'd be ok with giving clausen another year just cause it is too early to tell with him.

my gut says he will suck but i've been wrong before. Maybe my gut has just been sipping the Luck kool-aid for way too long. But I do think jimmy has shown some improvements since his first start, It's just not as much as I had hoped.

[TarPanther9180]

Newton scares me. I compare him to Vince Young, but I see a little something more. I think he could be good, but I don't want my NFL QB running the ball.

Really? Newton reminds me more of Josh freeman. I really thought he was a run first guy but I think he is just so physically gifted in that area that he is just really successful doing it. But he has a great arm, is very accurate and can throw on the run. To me he may need a year to develop but he has amazing potential.

Newton reminds me of Ryan Leaf

[MHS831]

Newton reminds me of Ryan Leaf

Me too, now that you mention it. However, I give the SEC more credit for exposing frauds than the PAC 10, which is why you could say the same for Luck. Imagine how dumb even the experts are when it comes to picking QBs--Ryan Leaf and the best QB to ever play NFL football were considered a toss up. I suppose that is why work ethic and character are so important.

Speaking of Character, I know Peyton Manning used to conduct the band at UT, but I see Newton as more of an ego that is accepted because times are good, but potentially a problem during adversity. Not fair to say that without concrete evidence, but there is some smoke that suggests he was not raised under a strict code of ethics. Manning and Leaf may have been equal at one point, but after they got paid, Manning went to work, while Leaf thought his natural ability would carry him. Newton's natural ability is awesome, but a QB in the NFL needs to study and improve. Leaf, Vick I, Vince Young, Jamarcus Russell, and countless others had the tools, but not the noodle to succeed. Hard work and humility are part of the equation.

On that note, I have seen stuff that Clausen supposedly sent out on Twitter that suggests he is not matured by his new responsibility.

[SOJA]

If we could somehow swing a deal for Haynesworth I would be really happy. Then again he has a terrible contract and work ethic isssues so the chances of him landing here are slim

[carpanfan52]

Theres not going to be a season in 2011