We are set at DT for next season.

[bleys]

One of the biggest liabilities on our defense is Pugh. That man gets beat like a drum. I would put safety as a need right up there with DT

after all, we should replace our backups with All-Pro starters... thank god I can edit the players ratings as a quick fix!

[DawgzLife]

The problem I have is that you could see that Neblett & Kearse were better DTs than McClian & Fua earlier in the year & Rivera stayed with the rooks. Shirley looks good. I would like to see this: Edwards & Shirley starting; McClain & Neblett rotating in freqently; Fua cut (or that being the final conclusion).

Honestly, I would like to see another impact DT (penetrating), but I 'now' (after getting the rooks off of the field am much more comfortable. We are not 'set', but having Beason back with how the DL is playing now would make us respectable against the run.

[DawgzLife]

That would surprise the hell out of me.

It is very, very rare for NFL teams to cut 3rd round draft choices after only one year. Especially a one year where that 3rd round draft choice did not have the benefit of OTA's or a playbook in the offseason.

Not saying it never happens, but it doesn't happen much. I think you'll be the one who is surprised.

How about a 2nd rounder that a team gave up a 1st rounder for in year 3?

You are right in your point tho; they will not give up on Fua before year 2 is over & not likely until after year 3 if he is still not showing promise.

[DawgzLife]

Foster was averaging 6.8 yards a carry. That is a star RB number. The first Bucs game we stacked the box cause freeman was out and Blount was benched in the 2nd game and their RBs combined for 13 rushes. Our defense has been fortunate our offense gets a big lead and other teams are forced to pass. They did do a good job containing turner but there are too many variables (teams playing from behind, stacking the box more, etc.) to say they have done outstanding IMO.

This not just for you chef, but I don't get this line of reasoning. We are not talking about the last game or 2 of the season or teams who have no play-off hopes, etc. Why would you give a free pass to McClain/FUa for their time manning the middle & when the line plays well chalk it up to the situation? There are always ways to excuse or accuse...the important part is the result. Shirley, Neblett & Kearse have gotten good results, McClain/Fua have not.

[Russian Bear]

Lets tradd for suh.

[pantherclaw]

Cut our rookies? Really?

Why even post?

I've seen enough out of both rookies, to know the team is going to keep them, and continue to develop them.

I'm sure with an off season in the weight room, and more practice, they'll be improved enough that no one will be talking "cut."

I don't see another DT being drafted, unless it's BPA.

I don't see a stud DT coming via FA, unless he wants to be on cam's team so bad, he'll turn down a richer contract to come play with the pathers. (Good luck!)

[Russian Bear]

I think jordan senn has helped a lot the last few games.

[chef17]

This not just for you chef, but I don't get this line of reasoning. We are not talking about the last game or 2 of the season or teams who have no play-off hopes, etc. Why would you give a free pass to McClain/FUa for their time manning the middle & when the line plays well chalk it up to the situation? There are always ways to excuse or accuse...the important part is the result. Shirley, Neblett & Kearse have gotten good results, McClain/Fua have not.

I didn't give a free pass to anybody. But saying the DTs are playing outstanding when they only faced two teams who committed to the run and one of them had a RB average almost 7 yards is false. And we faced the Bucs twice, they certainly qualify as a team who have no playoff hopes. Acknowledging the situation doesn't equal giving anybody a free pass.

And according to your results logic, Dalton and The Golden Calf of Bristol are better than Cam because their efforts result in wins.

[JawnyBlaze]

Cutting Fua would be ridiculous. At the very least he's a servicable backup at a low price. There is plenty opportunity for him to get stronger and work on his technique. If they can give Everette Brown 3 years, they can give Fua a second year.

[PrimeTyme]

we're ranked 21st now against the run? well.. I guess we dont need new DTs when we can settle for being ranked 21st

[MadHatter]

I want Devon Still worse than anyone in this draft for us; unless Blackmon is on the board at 10.

Would love to see us make a play for Fairley to reunite him with Newton but I doubt the Lions would take a 2nd for him.

I saw almost every PSU game this season, and was a big Still fan.

However, go back and watch the Wisconsin game (against a good OL). He got bitch owned that game.

He is a solid player, but NOWHERE near a Top 10 talent.

[MadHatter]

we're ranked 21st now against the run? well.. I guess we dont need new DTs when we can settle for being ranked 21st

Well, logic is something that you COMPLETELY do not understand.

His comment was that once we decided not to play the rookies, we improved our run defense by 11 positions....in just 4 games. They held teams to less than 100 yards a game.

That was a HUGE performance by Kearse, Shirley, and Neblett.

With these three....combined with Fua/McClain/Edwards, I would also be surprised if we make a big move (either in FA or the draft) involving a DT.

[carpanfan96]

I highly doubt the team looks at DT at all, either in FA or the draft. Edwards is coming back, Fua, McClain and Kearse has a full off season. On top of that Shirley and Neblett have looked good. I'd actually be really surprised if they brought in a FA or drafted a DT at this point.

[MHS831]

I saw almost every PSU game this season, and was a big Still fan.

However, go back and watch the Wisconsin game (against a good OL). He got bitch owned that game.

He is a solid player, but NOWHERE near a Top 10 talent.

To support you, let me add that there is no DT who has a first round grade, even though Brandon Thompson from Clemson will probably go early, and Still might.

People who fail to realize what kind of numbers it takes to move from 31st to 21st are a bit frustrating to correct. After all, if 13 years of public schooling could not do it, I doubt a post will rectify the erroneous nature of said logic.

The problem is this: We are so used to MH playing the numbers game at key positions we rarely know what we have until we are being gashed. Take G last year and RT. How long did Moore last? Since Jenkins/Buckner, what effort has been made to replace them? Hayden? The alliteration twins Tank Tyler and Leonard Lewis? Corvey Irvin? DT is a key position in a 4-3 and you cannot plug scrap heap players in and expect results. He has tried this at WR, DT, CB, and even QB. He drafts SAFE picks in the first round (OL, RB, LB) until last year. He screws up the second and third rounds. That is our GM, people. Not a fan.

We have a great group of core DTs, but need a feared man to draw double teams. We need a jenkins. Hatter is correct-that animal is not in this draft. Still is inconsistent. He has, until this year, pretty much underperformed. I do not like to draft players who underperform in the first round.