Gantt's 8

He lists them as LT, G (which one he doesn't specify), TE, WR, FB, RB, RDE, and FS. His idea of starting Gross at LT and Bridges at RT is a nonstarter with me. What route do you see us taking to fill these 8 slots? Which are filled by a FA and which are filled with draft picks? It'll be interesting to see the varying viewpoints here especially given our present cap room and any projected savings we can come up with. I want to see where people think trade offs (while still improving over what we have) can be made since we can't fill them all with top tier guys.

 

LT - draft Sam Baker or one of the other top tackles
G - move Hartwig to guard and start Kalil at center
TE - happy with King and Rosario, just let them develop
WR - I like Bryant Johnson
FB - Just bring Hoover back unless we can get a stud like Tony Richardson
RB - Williams and Foster are adequate. Make Williams the feature and Foster the change of pace guy.
RDE - If Rucker wants to come back let him. If not draft another guy somewhere and let him compete with Johnson and McClover
FS - I would love to draft Kenny Phillips. Failing that maybe we can get Hamlin.

 

LT - look to the draft after signing Gross they'll need a drafted tackle that can be had for a little less money
G - restructure Mike Wahle. let Bridges and Hartwig fight it out for the other spot.
TE - happy with King and Rosario, just let them develop
WR - I like Bryant Johnson
FB - Just bring back Hoover if he can be had for vet min. or close unless we can get a stud
RB - Cut Foster lose to save money. Williams can start and draft a power back in the 3-6 round.
RDE - Move Peppers to RDE. He seemed to have gotten smaller this year and was pushed around alot. At least on the other side he has the advantage of using his speed rush to the blind side of a QB. Let Johnson and McClover fight for the LDE spot, both seem better suited there anyways. Consider a draft pick if the right guy falls into place.
FS - You may be able to find someone in the 2nd round of the draft, but I'd go ahead and bring in an upgrade via free agency just in case. We waited for the draft last year and got nothing. At least have an insurance policy not named Deke Cooper. FWIW he wasn't horrible this year.

 

Didn't we try this at the beginning of the year and it was a disaster? I remember Hartwig being terrible at guard. I'd rather have Kalil over there. Actually I'd rather draft a big mauling G in the 2nd round who can move quick and lay the wood on some run blocking.

LT - First round draft pick is my first choice but if that falls through then I wouldn't mind resigning Wharton at a reasonable price.

G - First or second round in the draft. Restructure Whale but we've got to find an upgrade to RG. It's been a revolving door.

TE - I agree with everyone else. I like the direction of the guys we've got. Our problem hasn't as much been who our TE's are as much as our system not using them to throw to. I think Davidson has changed that but we still haven't seen how far he'll take it because of the QB problems from this year.

FB - If we really want to make this a running team we need a good fullback and I'd like to see up do more than take a 5th or 6th round flying on trying to find Hoover's replacement.

RB - Cut Foster. Delo is the starter and we sign a big back in free agency. I think Lewis from Cleveland would be a good fit or maybe TJ Duckett. I know somebody picked him up but I'm not sure of his availability.

DE - I like Pep on the right side where I think he'd get more one on one matchup and where his speed and freak athletic ability will show up. I like Johnson on the left side. He really impressed me those last couple of game. McClover in backup duty. Pick up another guy with a little more experience. Would love to see Ruck back in a backup role. I don't think we should get a DE in the draft unless we're going elite and getting one in the first round but I think we got Johnson in the 3rd to start, not be a backup so we'll give him that chance and not draft a DE high.

FS - Harris is solid and his type of play gives the team the identity we want. I wonder how much of a leader he could be? Give the man an extension. I'd love Kenny Phillips in the first if we could get him but I do think we've got much more pressing needs. Of course we still need a FS. Keep the draft wide open if we can get a guy first day who drops to us but I think we'll do the free agent merry-go-round again. Get rid of Manuel. He sucks something aweful. I know the team likes Teal and I've like what I've seen so far but I don't know if he's starter material.

 

Sign me up as happy with our current group of TE. That being said is Fauri (sp) under contract through next year? Hope not

 

Need a better blocker in the mix.

 

Unfortunately we can't wait until the draft to address Wharton. He will hit the market two months before it.

How do you suggest we sign players who aren't free agents?

 

LT - Draft Round 1
G - I guess since we have him and he tanked at Guard we start Kalil at center and slide Hartwig out to guard. I doubt Wahle is back.
TE - Big ass blocking veteran in free agency while King and Rosario continue to develop
WR - Veteran Free agent while Jarrett develops (busts?)
FB - I'd personally swallow the hype and take Schmitt in round 2
RB - DeShaun = DeGone and I'd find a power back to tandem with DeAngelo
RDE - Vertan Free agent while Johnson and McClover develop
FS - BPA round 3 and a veteran FS + Salley (because they will)

 

I think Schmitt could end up being both the new FB and the short yardage back we've needed for the last several years.

 

Goings is having a hard time staying healthy but if he could stay healthy I would not mind seeing him pair with Williams. Goings runs pretty hard he just does not have many moves.