BarryTheBest 130 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 (edited) Yo! Not new to the forms but never had my login info changed over and someone took my old name. So the artist formely known as Mikatron! is now BarryTheBest.. wont be mad if most don't remember me as I didn't post nearly as much as I should have. With that out of the way... we seem to have a huge problem on our hands with our DE rotation. Not only do we lack significant play makers, but half the guys left are injured. When Hyder went down, I knew right away that it was severe and probably a blown Achilles, as I am sure many who watched thought the same. Add to this that Ansah has been hurt for basically an entire year and we cannot in any manner depend on our only play maker left. We have some guys who project well and young guys with some talent (it seems) but little in the way of experience or polish. Now I am very confident in Austin re-working the defense enough to keep us competitive, and I like what we have built in the back seven pending the development of the young guys. But we still need to address the DE with a veteran who has proven it over some time, while also offering the continued veteran leadership to help our young guys along. What to do; Sign Mario Williams. Mario obviously doesn't have the same physical tools he once did, but he still has something left in the tank I am sure of. He has been pretty consistent throughout the years barring a few years along the way. As I recall, he has always been a good teammate and has represented his team well off the field. Along with the Williams signing, we keep the two best out of the top three rookie DEs we have as they have shown a bit of promise (Valoaga, Barrett, and Connor- Correct on names?). Valoaga gives us the dimensions we like, Barrett gives us the 3rd down speed rusher, and Conner is young and seems to have a great motor (secretly hoping he becomes a Bosa for us- wishful thinking I am sure). Add in Ansah, Lucas, Williams,and whoever else, and we have at least a decent DE rotation. What are your thoughts? Edited August 15, 2017 by BarryTheBest Typos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lions017 243 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 The team should definitely try to add some depth there. Hopefully someone like Zettel steps up, but you can't count on it. DE already seemed like a potential weakness before Hyder got hurt. Now it could be a massive hole for the team. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarryTheBest 130 Posted August 15, 2017 Author Share Posted August 15, 2017 Very true.. especially with Copeland going down as well. He contributed on defense and special teams. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ahoda 23 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Mario Williams hasn't been effective since the 2014 season. I'd rather role with rookie DEs with something to proove. That's just me though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Louis Friend 474 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 Jared Odrick? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sllim Pickens 879 Posted August 15, 2017 Share Posted August 15, 2017 22 minutes ago, ahoda said: Mario Williams hasn't been effective since the 2014 season. I'd rather role with rookie DEs with something to proove. That's just me though. I agree with this, although I wouldn't mind keeping our eyes peeled for guys who get cut to potentially fill in. I don't think there is much available at the moment that would be an improvement but there may be some situational guys that get cut or could be available for trade. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarryTheBest 130 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 14 hours ago, ahoda said: Mario Williams hasn't been effective since the 2014 season. I'd rather role with rookie DEs with something to proove. That's just me though. I totally want to keep as many of the young guys with something to prove as well. But, I do think we should add a veteran to our de rotation. Not for the sake of it, but as long as we find merit in the move. I sit think Mario can give us 6-8 sacks on a pitch count and provide veteran leadership in the process. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HashtagFTW 158 Posted August 16, 2017 Share Posted August 16, 2017 11 hours ago, BarryTheBest said: I totally want to keep as many of the young guys with something to prove as well. But, I do think we should add a veteran to our de rotation. Not for the sake of it, but as long as we find merit in the move. I sit think Mario can give us 6-8 sacks on a pitch count and provide veteran leadership in the process. He's not much of a leader, though. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarryTheBest 130 Posted August 16, 2017 Author Share Posted August 16, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, LionsFTW said: He's not much of a leader, though. In what regard? He may not be a vocal leader, but there are other ways... Leading by example through hard work and dedication to your craft come to mind. I do not recall ever reading anything to suggest Mario doesn't work hard at his craft. Then again, its not as it if I have read every Mario Williams article ever though. Edited August 16, 2017 by BarryTheBest Typos Quote Link to post Share on other sites
HashtagFTW 158 Posted August 17, 2017 Share Posted August 17, 2017 8 hours ago, BarryTheBest said: In what regard? He may not be a vocal leader, but there are other ways... Leading by example through hard work and dedication to your craft come to mind. I do not recall ever reading anything to suggest Mario doesn't work hard at his craft. Then again, its not as it if I have read every Mario Williams article ever though. He gave up on the Bills. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BarryTheBest 130 Posted August 17, 2017 Author Share Posted August 17, 2017 (edited) 17 hours ago, LionsFTW said: He gave up on the Bills. Fair enough. I can see the logic behind rolling with the youg guys, and I it always good to get younger when it comes to professional sports. Edited August 17, 2017 by BarryTheBest Mis spoke Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lionized 339 Posted August 27, 2017 Share Posted August 27, 2017 (edited) Patriots just released kony ealy. Thoughts on picking up him more competition never hurts and he's only 25. Edited August 27, 2017 by Lionized Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ahoda 23 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 On 8/26/2017 at 8:18 PM, Lionized said: Patriots just released kony ealy. Thoughts on picking up him more competition never hurts and he's only 25. I was hoping Lions would have traded a 6th/7th round pick for him so I would be very open to signing him now for free. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
IDOG_det 813 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 48 minutes ago, ahoda said: I was hoping Lions would have traded a 6th/7th round pick for him so I would be very open to signing him now for free. Jets claimed him. He wouldn't have helped much, he isn't that great. There's a reason why the Panthers basically gave him to the Patriots for free and why the Patriots literally did give him away for free. He had like one good game but has been bad outside of that. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ahoda 23 Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 1 hour ago, IDOG_det said: Jets claimed him. He wouldn't have helped much, he isn't that great. There's a reason why the Panthers basically gave him to the Patriots for free and why the Patriots literally did give him away for free. He had like one good game but has been bad outside of that. Didn't know Jets picked him up. Thought he was a FA.....oops. Our DLine is not very good imo so I would love all the competition we could get. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.