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National Football League
Draft King Mailbag
February 14, 2007
Lou Pickney, DraftKing.com
Reader feedback is always welcomed here at DraftKing.com. Send your thoughts to me at LouPickney@gmail.com.
From: Michae Littleton
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Feb 13, 2007 12:00 PM
Subject: cowboys
Hello Lou,
What do you believe the Boys will do in free agency? I don't believe we
have to go after any one big name player. I was disappointed last year
when we didn't go after Lavar Arrington. His best year came when he was
used as a pass rusher and that's what we need. I think Petitgout is a
solid OT that someone will get at a reasonable price. He'll never be
considered all elite tackle, but he'll be very solid for another 6 or 7
years. I don't see Jerry putting out any money on a kicker, even though
a guy like Brown would be nice. There really isn't much out there at
this time in free agency. Teams are becoming a lot better at working
their cap and keeping players around. I think we should invest in our
O-line and make we have another solid draft. What do think?
Lou: With so many good defensive ends potentially hitting the free agent market, it will be interesting to see if Dallas makes a run at any of them. A lack of pass rush from the DE position was a source of frustration for Bill Parcells toward the end of his tenure as Dallas' head coach, though the team seemed to intentionally build with run-stuffing DEs (as opposed to smaller ends with more sack upside potential.) I don't know that the Cowboys would look in that direction, but it is possible.
The LB position has been stocked pretty well, though adding another pass rushing threat to compliment DeMarcus Ware wouldn't hurt. Is this the year that Kevin Burnett breaks out? Al Singleton has never had more than one sack in any season, and I wouldn't anticipate that this would change in 2007. The Cowboys need to be able to get more sacks, particularly since failing to bring in another pass rush threat will allow teams to continue to game-plan on Ware.
One thing's for sure: Wade Phillips will do his best to emulate the success he had as San Diego's defensive coordinator the past three years. Maybe that means more blitzing schemes for Cowboy LBs, maybe it means picking up a bigger DE pass rush threat.
As for LaVar Arrington, while he's now a free agent after being cut by the Giants, I'd be surprised if he ended up in Dallas. But it will be interesting to see what
After the Mike Vanderjagt disaster, I don't know if the Cowboys will be inclined to hit the free agent market again for a free agent kicker. Martin Gramatica may be back next year; if the Cowboys want to go young at the spot, the best college prospect is Mason Crosby from Colorado.
The Cowboys offensive line managed to start all 16 games with the same five guys in 2006, which is impressive. But, as was evidence in Drew Bledsoe early in the year, the team's pass protecting wasn't exactly stellar at times. Adding a veteran or two into the mix would be a smart move, though I still think that a young, multi-positional player like Justin Blalock would be a great fit for the Cowboys. The concept of them taking a WR in round one is growing on me, though.
From: Jason German
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Feb 13, 2007 12:56 PM
Subject: Suprising moves
Does the release of pettigut and arrington affect the giants draft strategy?
Lou: Losing LaVar Arrington and Luke Petitgout hurts the Giants from a name value standpoint. The Petitgout cut surprised me since I saw offensive tackle as being a need for the Giants even with Petitgout. Look at the Giants without him: 2-6 down the stretch (not counting the Bears game where he got hurt, which was also a loss.)
The Giants not only lost Petitgout, but they also saw Bob Whitfield retire, though he was clearly out of favor with the coaching staff as he was benched in the final regular season game and the Giants' playoff game with the Eagles. And while the Giants have Kareem McKenzie under a long-term contract, the team needs to address offensive tackle in one way or another.
Arrington's contract may impact how much action the Giants can have on the free agent market; I'll leave that to the salary cap experts to determine. The Giants also cut LB Carlos Emmons, and clearly a new direction is being taken by new GM Jerry Reese.
As far as the draft goes, I'd think that OLB and OT will both garner consideration, depending on how the Giants approach the free agent market. You might see the Giants look for a speedy LB to use in blitzing situations, and perhaps an early-to-mid rounder at tackle. Of course, free agency will change things a great deal between now and Draft Day.
From: Christopher Beaumont
To: LouPickney@gmail.com
Date: Feb 14, 2007 9:50 AM
Subject: draft question
I was wondering on the possibility of the Philadelphia Eagles acquiring either Paul posluszny (PSU) or Patrick Wilis (Ole Miss) in the upcoming 2007 NFL draft. I don't believe either one of them will fall to the Eagles slotted pick in the first round so they will have to trade up, probably only 1 or 2 spots. The eagles really need help at the linebacker position as they are weak against teams that have a powerful back. Even though those two might not be immediate impact players I feel they can at least be starters and both are sure tacklers. What are your thoughts on this ?
Lou: I recently addressed the issue of the Eagles going LB in round one. There are a number of people who feel strongly that this won't happen.
If the Eagles go with an early pick at LB, I'd think that they would go with someone who can manufacture some sacks. One thing to note about the Eagles is that Dhanti Jones, Jeremiah Trotter, and Omar Gaither all played in every game in 2006. Jeremiah Trotter played extremely well (yet again) at MLB, and Gaither was seen as a success story by working his way into the lineup as a rookie fifth round pick. I'd think that WR and safety would be far more pressing need spots for Philly.
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