Trade Idea

[jap1]

My friend was talking about an interesting trade idea for our team. Matt Cassell will probably be traded when (and if) Brady comes back in time to be there for summer workouts. If that is the case, what about we trade our 1st pick to NE for Cassel and their 1st round pick, and maybe a day 2 pick.

Essentially, with the draft value charts we would be using the equivalent of a mid-round pick on Cassel. We could use our 1st and second rounders to either move back down into the mid-early first to Maualuga, or Duke Robinson. Or we use NE 1st for Mack and our 2nd for Herman Johnson or Loadholt.

That would give us an O-line with:
Loadholt/Waters/Mack/Niswanger/Albert
(Albert and Loadholt could be switched around)
or
Albert/Waters/Niswanger/Robinson/??? + Maualuga

Our O-line would be set, and we would have a pretty decent QB, and maybe our franchise LB.

Personally I like Thigpen, and Im not super impressed with Cassel, and I doubt NE would want to trade for a top 5 pick. That being said, what do you guys think?

[prough91]

But we can fix our OL through the draft. We probably can't fix the defense. We have enough young guys underachieving on our front seven.

Tell the truth, without a massive FA binge on defense, I don't see it getting fixed for 3-4 years, no matter how well we draft.

That's why I don't think overpayin a little for Lewis would be such a bad idea. Theres no spark plug on the D right now and I'm guessin that Lewis would make you feel like a b@tch when you mess up or take plays off.

[jmlamerson]

That's why I don't think overpayin a little for Lewis would be such a bad idea. Theres no spark plug on the D right now and I'm guessin that Lewis would make you feel like a b@tch when you mess up or take plays off.

Very true. My gut says he sticks with the Ravens though, as they'll be a popular SB pick next season. The amount of money he'd take to lure away would probably be prohibitive.

[Bike]

Not to sound too obvious, I think whoever we get as HC and DC will also have a lot to do with persuading these FA vets in coming here...

[prough91]

Hire Canada! Who wouldn't want to play for free beer!

[Codac]

Ray Lewis will either stay with the Ravens, or go to New York to follow Rex. So even thinking about him in Red and Yellow is insane.

[theaxeeffect4311]

I think one or two would be plenty. Hell, just run it on one side.

That is the dumbest statement I have ever heard. I thought play calling was predictable under Herm as head coach, but really? You think no one would notice. If you really like the days of Roaf and Shields, then we need to draft linemen to replace them. We need at least two. The smartest way would be to go for three since we won't find any good ones in FA.

[texaschief]

That is the dumbest statement I have ever heard. I thought play calling was predictable under Herm as head coach, but really? You think no one would notice. If you really like the days of Roaf and Shields, then we need to draft linemen to replace them. We need at least two. The smartest way would be to go for three since we won't find any good ones in FA.

Gross and Starks would be nice finds in FA. Get Starks to man the RT spot, draft the best available LT at #3 and slide Albert to one of the guard spots. Draft the best available C in the 3rd. You'll probably find someone like Luigs or Caldwell at #67. That gives you a finished Oline for 2009 and perhaps 2010. That allows you another 2 years (Draft/FA) to find Waters' replacement. By finding a C in the third, that allows you a 2nd round pick to address another need like DE or LB or QB if Sanchez is still available.

[theaxeeffect4311]

Gross and Starks would be nice finds in FA. Get Starks to man the RT spot, draft the best available LT at #3 and slide Albert to one of the guard spots. Draft the best available C in the 3rd. You'll probably find someone like Luigs or Caldwell at #67. That gives you a finished Oline for 2009 and perhaps 2010. That allows you another 2 years (Draft/FA) to find Waters' replacement. By finding a C in the third, that allows you a 2nd round pick to address another need like DE or LB or QB if Sanchez is still available.

How likely do you think that Gross and Starks will be leaving their teams?

[texaschief]

How likely do you think that Gross and Starks will be leaving their teams?

They were both franchised last season. The Steelers also have Willie Colon, Marvel Smith and James Farrior hitting the market as UFA's. I would think Starks hitting the market is a very real possibility. Gross, not so much.

[theaxeeffect4311]

They were both franchised last season. The Steelers also have Willie Colon, Marvel Smith and James Farrior hitting the market as UFA's. I would think Starks hitting the market is a very real possibility. Gross, not so much.

Starks can be a possibility and I think he is a good choice for RT.