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The Cornerback problem. Looking ahead.

slashsteel said:
I actually want the secondary to improve


if anything one free agent outside corner is needed

we keep bottom barrel-ling the position

the secondary will continue being ******
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I'd love to see it get better as well, but the problem is you can't make it better in one off season when its been neglected for so long. I think you have to keep the guys that you believe are at least serviceable, Gay, Boykin and Mitchell. You also need to keep guys that might become quality NFL players, Cockrell, Golson and Grant. Okay, so that's your starting point. If a FA is out there that is worth signing you definitely try and make a play for him. The draft is a crap shoot and can't be relied on for a quality starter immediately, so they're developmental. Maybe they have to look into 2 FAs which I know isn't happening, but to really improve the 2ndary it might have to be a consideration.

There is just too much deficiency back there to get corrected in one off season, unless, of course Golson, Cockrell and Grant make huge strides. Willie Gay isn't getting any better and probably neither is Boykin and Mitchell, so you know exactly what you have there. Depending on development improving the 2ndary, IMO, will be a 2 year process at a minimum and possibly 3.

Unfortunately, it could be the same process at OLB. The Steelers really need Dupree to make a big jump in development from the end of this year to the beginning of next. I have to believe that Jones is done after rookie contract unless something miraculous happens between now and next year, I just don't see it happening. He may be resigned as a backup after his rookie year that may be his ceiling, I hope I'm wrong.

Papillon
 
Superman said:
in the draft, we could do worse than to go for Jayron Kearse in the 1st:

http://walterfootball.com/draft2016S.php
Jayron Kearse*, S, Clemson
Height: 6-5. Weight: 220.
Projected 40 Time: 4.67.
Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
12/12/15: Kearse has started the season strongly with 52 tackles, six passes broken up and an interception. He's played well for Clemson, but wasn't all that impressive going against Florida State and running back Dalvin Cook. Sources say that Kearse could be a man coverage safety to go against pass receiving tight ends in the NFL.

8/17/15: Kearse notched 60 tackles with two interceptions and five passes broken up in 2014. He had a quality season and was a bigger presence than the numbers indicate. Kearse has nice size and length to help him match up against tight ends and big receivers. His stock could rise.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2016S.php#qJJ7VFXfZesVfMkF.99

then follow that up with Cam Sutton in the 2nd:

Cameron Sutton*, CB, Tennessee
Height: 5-11. Weight: 186.
Projected 40 Time: 4.45.
Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
12/12/15: Sutton has been solid for Tennessee, and teams have generally seemed to avoiding throwing his direction. He has 28 tackles, one interception and six passes broken up in 2015. Against Georgia's Malcolm Mitchell, Sutton did well to prevent separation, but was beaten on a few receptions by not turning around to play the ball. He'll have to improve on that for the NFL. Sutton had a mixed game against Alabama as well. He also has returned punts with an average of 18.9 yards per return with two touchdowns.

8/17/15: Sutton was excellent for the Volunteers in 2014. He is a very physical defender who plays with a chip on his shoulder. As a sophomore, Sutton recorded 37 tackles with three interceptions, 13 passes broken up and four tackles for a loss.

Sutton was one of many superb freshman cornerbacks in college football in 2013. He quietly played really well for Tennessee. He recorded 39 tackles, seven passes broken up and two interceptions. Sutton has good size and speed for the position.
Read more at http://walterfootball.com/draft2016CB.php#UQX3IxwTQbf5lIbQ.99


a secondary of Cockrell, Sutton, Kearse and Mitchell would be young and fast. and BIG.
resign Gay. Golson will be a slot-coverage CB. I doubt we bring back Boykin for anymore than a 2-3 year contract.
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Big fan of Sutton. This is great class to go after a couple CBs.

Other the hand, not a big fan of Kearse. I think he has more potential at LB, add a little weight and all of sudden that 4.67 doesn't look too bad for a LB. You won't find many quality safeties at that size(height mostly) unless your names Sean Taylor. A little too lanky for safety, IMO.. but I'm no expert.
 
I don't trade future 1st rounders away unless it's for a franchise QB (know stud coming out).
I have watched Kearse plenty and don't think he is worth a 1st. The guy is not very instinctive and is out of position a lot.
 
I think Gay stays for reasonable money.

I doubt Boykin does...unless Golson is career over broken...and they might not be able to afford him anyway, esp. if the resign Gay.

Grant...who knows....they gave him a hat to keep other teams from poaching him off the PS...they must see something there.

Golson...another question mark...the talking heads say he hasn't been around the team for most of the season...

it's possible they just redshirted these two....or Grant might suck and Golson never plays.

I like Cockrell well enough....he stays.

if Blake is on this team WK#1....I'll probably just watch Red Zone.

Allen is too old to start, way past his peak....I like Mitchell, he was actually pretty good this year, even with chronic shoulder issues...I liked Golden, too....I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's the other starting safety next year....

try to turn Cortez and Shamarko into picks....if not, I guess they go for nothing, 'cos I don't see them being here....Thomas might stick again based on ST play....

so that's Gay/Cockrell/ Grant or Golson, and zero depth at CB.

pick #1 almost has to be the best CB available.


but our FO smokes flakka, who the hell knows...it's a mess....missing on Allen AND Thomas is a box kick, for sure.
 
Trade Martavis and move up to get CB Vernon Hargreaves
 
kev4heels said:
I don't trade future 1st rounders away unless it's for a franchise QB (know stud coming out).
I have watched Kearse plenty and don't think he is worth a 1st. The guy is not very instinctive and is out of position a lot.
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Not for a shutdown CB either? In a passing league their value is pretty high..
 
antdrewjosh said:
Not for a shutdown CB either? In a passing league their value is pretty high..
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For Revis? Yes, in his prime.
For a guy that we don't know for sure if he will be at that level, not me.
JMO man. I see what you are thinking and understand fully. We haven't had a dynamic CB since Rod Woodson.
 
obxsteeler said:
Most early projections list Heargaves as a safety.
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That's awful.. no way in hell is that happening. He's the best corner in the draft and there's no reason to move him to safety.
He has all the tangibles to be a top CB in the league.
I don't know who projected that but I see no way he becomes a safety, it would be a waste.
 
Troglodyte said:
We sat way back and drafted AB in the 6th round. The draft isn't a perfect science, trading up assures nothing more than the loss of next year's #1.
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Definitely not saying it isn't a gamble. Sometimes you have to roll the dice. Sitting back and letting the draft come to us hasn't helped.
 
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