Originally posted by Giedi:
Originally posted by AB81Rules:
Originally posted by RishikeshA:
It looks like the D-Line that has been built may be broken up. Keeping DJ Jones is a must, we can't hope that Kinlaw is injury free.
Yeah, I mean, it'll suck to lose DJ, but I have faith in Kinlaw, and Kocurek to get whoever is here to play at the highest level, just hoping DJ is back, I'm beginning to think Laken is gone if it's true that there will be a bidding war, no way we can win that, if he gets $14M+ a yr, no way, max I'd go is $10M a yr, same with DJ, but that's me.
Agree. They might let Laken go, if ShanaLynch are high on Banks or Moore to be able to step into the guard position. Between the two (Laken or DJ Jones) I'd like to keep DJ Jones. I view him as more of a pass rusher than an DT. Then again, you do have also Arden Key that can pass rush from the inside (but a liability in the run).
I would love to keep Laken, but here's why I think I'd let him go. Age is 30, cap hit might be too high. I think I'd choke on a 10 million deal for Laken. I think I'd go for a unsung but talented free agent from a bottom feeding team to replace him with (basically a Laken 2.0).
I think as long as you have an all-pro left Tackle and an *above average to very good* Center, and the rest are average OLinemen - you can make your way to the NFCCG with that kind of talent. I'd love to have all-pro's at every OLine position, but that's not realistic. I think Laken benefitted from playing between Trent and Mack, and was graded by 3rd parties higher on the pass protections than I'd give him for. So if you can get that right tackle be above average, I think the right guard would also get a bump in pass protection grades.
Agree with first sentence… Key here is WHAT do KS and JL know about Moore, Banks, McG and McK? If 3 of those guys are starter quality in JL/KS opinion, then sure, Laken won't be missed. But if that is only ONE starter of the 4, then no, don't let Laken go unless it is way over $$$ (eg $14 mil—-which i doubt). If we have 2 starters of the 4 OLs, then I would have to think about letting Laken go. Because we truly need Brun to be able to start at RT and Banks /Moore /to start at RG and then there. Is Laken. If he goes, then we have to take an OL with one of our first two picks, whatever they are.
How did we lose to Rams in NFCCG? We got creamed around R side of Oline and big Trent was hurt at other end of line. Now McK did sub one game for TW, and did well. I guess he could be RT. But if we don't have 2 OLs of the 4 above, OL is going to have to be addressed in FA and/or draft.
Oops…we just signed OG Keaton Sutherland. Ok, making it easier to let Laken go…but if he would take $5-6 mil…ummm…then I'd probably keep him. I don't expect that tho.
As for "if you have an all pro LT and a very good Center and the rest are average OLs, you can make your way to NFCCG." Again, we got there and then got destroyed on our OL. (And Yes, on D we got killed at CB). So altho having average OLs for remainder, i would caution IF:
all those average OLs would have to be able to RB well as well as PP well as a unit. Barring that, i don't see us winning NFCCG or SB with only 3 average OLs starting. To me we would also have to have one excellent RT and 2 very good OGs, altho not all pros. And That is decided by how well they can RB and PP as a unit.
Since we need two CBs and a S, PLUS a QB2 (and he can't be cut from the same cloth aa Mullens, CJ, nor Hoyer), F.O will have to make some OL vs CB choices. I wish them wisdom.
and if AB says we can keep DJ for $10mil, I'd do it.
[ Edited by pasodoc9er on Mar 8, 2022 at 2:45 PM ]
