Dirty |
03-30-2011 12:04 PM |
If I were the 49ers I'd try to trade for a solid veteran or sign somebody. Not sure who is all available but I am sure there are a few starter-quality QBs out there. And even though the 49ers are terrible, they are in the NFC West where anything is possible. It's always a win-now mentality in that division in my opinion. Even if they got a guy like McNabb, they'd be favorites to win that division or at least have a really good chance. For San Fran's sake I hope they don't reach for a QB with a high draft pick. We saw what happened last time they did that (terrible Alex Smith) and they are still paying the price.
As for my Falcons draft needs...
I love how their offense is built. The last handful of years they've drafted some offensive lineman who are starters now. I think their offensive line is fine, a good mix of younger guys and some veterans to anchor the center and right side. Michael Turner is 30 now, and running backs seem to always decline at 30. BUT he was a backup for years in San Diego so he hasn't taken nearly as many hits as most premiere 30 year old running backs. I'm really interested to see what he does.
-Just a quick thought on Turner. Do you guys have players like this on your teams? What I mean is that Turner always puts up great numbers (1700 yds in '08 and 1371 last year) but the guy plays with NO PASSION at all. He just doesn't want it. But I cna't hate him cause he has put up great seasons every year with Atlanta but he doesn't run hard at all. He just happens to have absolute tree trunks for legs and will pound you with 3 yard runs until he can break a tackle and go for 12 or 15 yards. I don't know, just one of those guys that's so frustrating to watch cause he'll pussyfoot at 250 pounds.
Anyways, back to my assessment of Atlanta. I thought Jerious Norwood was a great pick years ago out of Miss. St (running back). Speed guy who i thought would be a great asset, but he had some serious leg injuries and never got used much. I love their backup RB Jason Snelling, I hope he is used more this season. But in the middle rounds I'd love to see Atlanta get another RB and groom him a little bit. No huge expectations, just let him grow these next few years. Tony Gonzalez is awesome but he's obviously old. Atlanta run a ton of 6 lineman sets and twin TEs and stuff for running plays and their backup TEs are great run blockers, but I really hope they look at drafting a receiving TE. I think a good TE is so great for an offense and Tony's years are numbered. Michael Jenkins is GARBAGE at WR. He's been terrible for them, he's a total bum. Douglas is a good enough slot WR when he's healthy, but GOD PLEASE GET RODDY WHITE SOME HELP AT WR.
Biggest concern is defense though. Two years ago they had terrible LBs but Curtis Lofton is a name some may not know, but he is a stud at MLB. Love how he plays. They drafted Weatherspoon last year at OLB so i wanna give him time and see what he does, but atlanta REALLY needs 2 things in my opinion... Pass rushers and a safety. Last year they were able to get some good pressure with a 4 man line, but they need a dynamic player to blitz on obvious passing downs and get to the QB. Just not enough pressure right now and they can't blitz as much as they want to because their secondary is so weak. I actually really like Thomas Decoud at safety, but they need someone to play alongside him back there. It'd be great if they could possibly move up in the draft and get a safety. And also get some nickel and dime CBs, slot receivers kill them. I'm pretty happy with Robinson and Grimes at CB. They aren't the best but I think they are good enough. Grimes is from the small PA school of Shippensburg and has improved SO much this past year.
tl:dr - Improve pass rushers, secondary, and draft a running back, nickel and dime CBs, and possibly a receiving TE.
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