(01-03-2023, 02:54 PM)carp8dm Wrote:

(01-03-2023, 01:49 PM)scottyg Wrote: I think we need at least one more quality corner.  Those guys you mentioned are fine for depth as long as we never need them to play anything other than special teams - otherwise we're screwed.  Maybe they can develop with a year of experience under their belts.

A disrupter on the IDL would be my favorite target though.  Would love it if we could pick up someone who could collapse the pocket from the inside - could make every player on the defense better, particularly in passing situations, secondary included.  And yeah, I like Key as well and hope we can find common ground to bring him back.

But what if we put Walker into the IDL?  Then we could look for more tweeners that can be used on the Edge as rushers or setters.  If Caldwell stays as DC, let him start making more decisions on what type of players he wants at that tweener position.  I think he's like the freedom to move players around given down and distance.  You can tell that's what he likes based on how certain players revolve round the D Line or LB positions.  

Look at Gotsis, Smoot (pre-Injury), Key, Llyod, Muma, and even Fatukasi.  Caldwell moved those guys around alot into different spots throughout the year.  Based on injuries things have had to settle down and become more solidified.  But, the fact that these guys all had to be in different spots and protect different gaps, etc, they are better for it.

Maybe that's what Caldwell is looking for.  Getting a squad of players that can be interchangeable at the front 7...  

Again, maybe I'm just being very optomistic about how good we look.  But I'm beginning to see the concept Caldwell is trying to teach his LBs and Linemen.

Th optimism is great. Nothing wrong with it. 

But gambling on not adding an upgrade at nickel corner would be a very unwise move. 

The position has been picked apart by every quality QB we have faced this season - but recency bias is precluding you from that perspective. Because we have recently played back up QBs and linemen. 
 And the AFC is currently LOADED with QBs who would pick on the Herndon-types we attempt to field there. There is no path through the post season with that weakness left unattended by a quality defender. 

I have some faith that Caldwell is making progress too, but I think we need a real NB and stud interior pass rusher to man the spot when you aren't rotating Walker or Key.  Walker was always intended to float between 3 tech and OLB and I'm sure he will next year, but that doesn't fill the rotation enough and doesn't give you enough options. 
We don't know which journeyman will be back and we there are two 3 tech spots to man opposite the Nose Tackle in 3-4 looks.
Gotta have the bodies, and gotta have one that blows up pockets more than the current guys have done vs healthy O-Lines.

---