Prioritizing our off season needs

[michaelm]

Originally Posted by 76Texan

I wouldn't mind us taking a RT in the first, but I also wouldn't mind if we go BPA taking into account some other positions as well.

It doensn't have to be in any order; for example, if there's an excellent playmaker at the receiver position, we can grab him first.

What's your suggestion at RT?

I don't keep up with the college game much, so i will have to defer to the draftniks for specific players to target.

[LikeMike]

For me the most important offseason need is O-Line. We saw in the playoffs, that our running game can be shut down, especially when we run to the middle or the right side. We lost two major players last offseason and it really hurt us. I don`t know how big we are on our 2 young Gs - but we at least need a very good RT out there.

After that I think we could almost go best player available - there is enough talent at any position right now...

I think we could upgrade NT - but Mitchell seems alright and on passing downs we don`t have a NT on the field anyways.

LBs? There are two question marks: 1. Will Cushing come back strong? 2. What happens to Barwin? If we have trust in Cushing (and I wouldn`t bet against him), then I like our starters (even with Barwin out). So all we need might be backups - if we count on Cushing and Barwin, I don`t think we need major upgrades here. Otherwise a middle rounder should be sufficient.

Secondary? Nope... Jojo, KJ and whoever is left (McCain, Harris, Carmichael) should be enough at CB, of course you can always take a flyer on a late rounder. At S Manning and Quinn are a great duo - you might want to add depth here, but that`s not necessarily needed.

On offense? I would take a chance on a QB if one falls to us - but no way I would reach to get one. TE might be our biggest need (after O-Line), because we all know hown devestating 2 TE looks may be. WR? If one falls to us, sure, otherwise with AJ, Posey and the other guys, I think we have enough talent here. HB or FB? Sure, if we see one we like. We might trade Tate and a real lead blocker at FB might help.

So, here are our top needs in my opinion:

1. O-Line (RT or RG or both) - draft one high or sign a good FA if we have the cap space
2. NT - draft one
3. TE - draft one
4. LB - ILB if we are unsure about Cushing (early round) or OLB if Barwin leaves (middle to late round)
5. QB - if one drops to us, grab him, no matter the round
6. S - try to get a good backup in the late rounds
7. WR/CB/HB/FB - whenever a player that we really like drops, grab him - but no real need here

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by Mr teX

If Gary's dismissed from here, The new coach is going to want "his" guy and depending on what happened with team the year prior and the incoming coaches feelings towards schaub to begin with i'd think it'd be highly unlikely that Schaub is here for more than a year after.

This is why my vitriol towards this team is directed at Kubiak and not Schaub.

If the first part of that sentence is right - and I doubt it is - then we're either stuck with a rookie or and expensive F/A (think Matt Flynn salary area).

If the second part of that sentence is correct, then we're where we are right now, stuck with Schaub for two, three more years. What have you gained??

I'm with Corrosion. Schaub is the guy with the ball in his hand. He decides whether to go deep or check down. There are deep routes on nearly every passing play we run, if Schaub doesn't see the deep guy is open, or worse, sees him and knows he can't make the throw (either on time or accurately - both are bad news) then we need a new trigger man not a new play-caller.

[ObsiWan]

Originally Posted by michaelm

Looks like nobody who posted will agree with my assessment.

I'm making OL my top priority. It is abundantly clear that Matt Schaub is incapable of making plays when he's "off schedule".
He is not a guy who can create plays, or throw receivers open. He has shown, however, that he can be an above average quarterback, so my priority is to set him up for success as much as possible.
Considering his new contract, Schaub will be the starting QB for the next two years, I'd say. We are stuck with him, regardless of how many people want Kubiak to show him the door.
I say fix the running game, and fix Matt Schaub by making RT priority #1, and then looking for upgrades at other OL spots on a BPA basis.

I could buy into this strategy. Not only will it help Schaub but it will help whoever succeeds him. Goodness knows it a better O-line would help the running attack.

Seems like a no-brainer to me.

What good does it do to draft a WR with 4.4 speed if Schaub is on his back before he can get downfield??