HOUND

I dunno Coach ... jersey numbers don't mean much until you're in the NFL. My freshman year of high school I played outside linebacker and wore #62. You may need to post another photo to convince me here!

What's up Ryan? Good to hear from you. My wife and I had a baby in early March so my computer time isn't what it used to be. Glad to hear the sound of my name illicits bad bathroom memories for you!

Coach .. you look like you just allowed the receiver to beat you deep. What's going on?

This deserved a bumparoo with the draft beginning today! Money ... will you create an "official" separate thread for comments?

Money's comment in this thread, motivated me: Post 15 So here's my list, just off the top of my head, in the last few minutes, of the All-Time Best Token White Defensive Player from each team in the NFL: NFC East: Bill Bates - Dallas Cowboys - Late 80's early 90's. Gary Reasons - NY Giants Dick Butz - Washington Redskins -Philadelphia NFC North Gary Fencik - Chicago Bears 1985 Chris Spielman - Detroit Lions 1990 ish Ray Nitschke - Green Bay Packers Jack Del Rio - Minnesota Vikings NFC South John Lynch - TB Bucs Kevin Greene - Carolina Panthers Keith Brooking - Atlanta Falcons - New Orleans Saints NFC West Jack Youngblood - Rams Hacksaw Reynolds - 49ers Seattle Seahawks ... all the cool players on this team played offense! Conrad Dobler - Cardinals AFC East Mike Vrabel - New England Patriots Joe Klecko - NY Jets Jim Haslett - Buffalo Bills Zach Thomas - Miami Dolphins AFC North Tim Krumrie - Cincy Bengals Tony Siragusa - Baltimore Raisins ugh it pains me to say that. Jack Lambert - Pittsburgh (Thank you Barens) Cleveland AFC South Mad Dog Curtis - Colts Blaine Bishop? - Titans He's kinda "off-white" Dom Capers- Texans Jack Del Rio - Jacksonville Jaguars AFC West Karl Mecklenburg - Denver Broncos - San Diego Superchargers - Kansas City Chiefs Lyle Alzado - Oakland Raiders Open slots available for Philly, New Orleans, Seattle, Cleveland, San Diego and Kansas City. The Texans are so young I gave 'em their former coach Dom Capers, who's a solid Defensive Coordinator. I just couldn't bring myself to list Seth Payne. Jack Del Rio made it twice! As a player for Minnesota and a Coach for the Jaguars. Anybody who approves putting axes in the lockerroom derserves this distinction. Before anybody criticizes me for selecting Gary Fencik over Dick Butkus for the Bears I did so for two reasons. First, Fencik's nickname was the "Hitman". Second, Butkus was way too tough to be white.

Point #1 deserves it's own thread ....

Peterson has been impressive during his collegiate career but keep in mind, by the time he graduates, he'll have a LOT of carries. That's cause for concern for any team drafting him.

I'd love to add Cato June but he's a RFA and the compensation isn't worth it. The only names that jump off this list would be guys to add for depth purposes. In that scenario I'd be OK with adding a Rocky Calmus to replace Greisen. Maybe, if there really weren't any other options, maybe I'd be OK with Tommy Polley too.

Fine ... wait until before the playoffs to sign him then. Trust me, he'll still be available.

Rodney Hampton played on some terrible Giants teams and for many years was the only threat on offense. I'd love to have seen what he could've done on a balanced offense team. I'd have to vote Tiki thanks to his well rounded skill set. He can run, catch and block. Tiki was more of a fumbler than either Joe or Hamp.

Well if our offense is predictable we're damn good at executing it. You don't finish among the league leaders in scoring offense if the opponent's know what's coming.

If we draft a first day OT with the mindset that he'll replace Luke, then chances are Whitfield doesn't make the final roster this season. When Luke misses a game or two with back spasms the kid gets valuable playing time. Then we make the decision on whether or not to cut Luke next offseason. Personally, if we find a guy who can man the spot I think we HAVE to cut Luke. If you feel there's no way we can go into next season with an inexperienced guy at Left Tackle then you alos have to likely assume that we won't be able to address needs via free agency thanks to the heavy cap hit we take on LP. It's really two different schools of thought. Mine is that we should get a potential Tackle candidate, assuming proper value is there on the first day of the draft. We cut Luke next offseason or ask him to take a heavy paycut. This still allows us to address needs in free agency. The other school of thought is to hold off on addressing LT for at least another year. Cut Petitgout then and spend the money in free agency on a starting grade LT. This is an awfully big gamble as the past few seasons have shown quality Tackles are VERY expensive. Given the contract interior linemen like Steve Hutchinson signed this year you can bet we'd pay thorugh the nose if we go that route. If you elect not to cut Luke you then swallow his cap hit and basically sign nobody in the offseason. Keep in mind Luke's back has cost him games each of the past three seasons. Many would argue he isn't even an elite tackle. That being said, waiting until we're in a bind to replace him makes no sense to me. The writing is on the wall that Petitgout's best play is behind him. Look no further than last year's Cowboys to see how the loss of a Left Tackle will derail an offense. I think this is a much greater need than many realize. I'd still rather adreess linebacker with the first pick but if the value is better at OT than it's a good move. FWIW, I definitely think Marcus McNeil could start on the left side by next season.

For the record, Heathcliff never said his opinion mattered more than everyone else's, he just said it mattered more than yours.

I'm amazed I have to convince of our need at Left Tackle. For as much as you're emphasized finding Toomer's replacement as a reason to go wide receiver I'd think you'd see this logic. Luke costs us a LOT more to retain next season than Toomer. There is NO possible replacement for Luke on our current roster. Toomer still could be replaced by Carter or Taylor, assuming those guys can step up their game. Thus we have a greater need at Left Tackle than we do WR. And this draft is much deeper at Offensive Tackle than it is at Wide Receiver. Understand that I'm not lobbying for us to get tunnel vision for an OT in the first round. But if we're listing possible draft options, I don't see how this can be ignored.

If the right guy fell to us and we weren't happy with what we had to choose from at LB I could see us going with the OT. I'd only put the odds at maybe 10% but I don't think it's far ftehced. Luke has a HUGE cap charge next year. If we don't find his replacement in this years draft it'll need to come through free agency. In that case we'll end up spending a a ton. The other option is drafting a guy with the intention of starting him next year. Seeing as I doubt we have a top 10 pick in next years draft I don't find that a viable alternative. When you think about it, Tackle isn't a bad way to go.

Yeah ... there's nothing friendly about this schedule.

I find it hard to believe you find these guys entertaining. Aren't you one of the posters who's constantly asking them to go away? Well I think you can count 2 votes asking you to take the high road already. In hindsight I should say that while firstnten ended up bearing the brunt of my soapbox lecture it certainly wasn't intended to single him out. If you're among the many that constantly feel the need to respond to obvious baiting tactics then it's targeted at you too. Firstnten, if you're offended by my post I apologize as I wasn't trying to hurt your feelings. That said, I still stand by the message.

"Fake story" is a bit harsh, don't you think? I mean, if I had a national radio show, the last thing I'd do is start rumors. You lose credibility in that world and you're effectively done. Now his source may be passing along shoddy info but I can't blame Looney for wanting to break the news. I certainly don't think he made it up. I do agree that this posturing by Favre is ridiculous. I'd love to see the meeting between Favre and Packers GM Ted Thompson go something like this: Favre: I dunno Ted ... I'm not sure if I want to come back. I need to be convinced that the franchise is committed to winning before I make my decision. Ted Thompson: That's OK your higness ... I've been thinking about it too and I don't think the organization wants to watch you throw another 30 picks this year and get outplayed by inexperienced rookie quarterbacks like Kyle Orton. Have fun selling boiled peanuts or whatever the hell you do in Mississippi.

I had a hockey game last night. We typically have some beers afterwards. If you want to come to next week's game you're invited but rule is .. new guy brings the brewski's.

Well if you're going to list Cromartie you can't ignore Allen. I agree his injury was gruesome but you don't run the kind of times he posted unless you're significantly healed. Don't worry about listing Winston Justice. There's isn't a chance in hell he's there when we pick. I was referring more to Marcus McNeill and Daryn Colledge. McNeill is carrying a first round grade and could be there when we select. Colledge is a bit of a reach at 25. I don't agree that we should take him there but I wouldn't rule it out as a possibility.

Mel Kiper is easily the smartest man on the planet. He's carved out quite the niche for himself with no semblance of any defineable qualifications for his job. He's wrong more than a drunken weatherman yet his job seems more secure than a gravedigger's.

Nobody in the East is winning 12 games. 11 would be a major accomplishment.

Firstnten you don't get it do you? Reread what Coach posted. Nothing you say will change the trolls stance or actions. I hate to break it to you but you can't win this war. Do you really think that firing back at them with childish remarks filled with gay references is working? I'd have to say no. Heck I could even argue that you're as much of a spammer as they are. Half your posts are responses to their trolling, which simply generates board clutter. Do us all a favor and stop. If you must respond with 8th grade remarks then PM those guys so the rest of us don't have to read it. I don't like reading their crap any more than the rest of you do, but I know that flaming responses won't get me anywhere. At some point you either become part of the problem or part of the solution. If you continue to hurl these insults you're in the first group and are no better than the trolls you supposedly hate so much. I know I already said it but welcome to the boards Coach. There are a few of us interested in rational football conversation. It's good to add another to the mix.

Brutal schedule. Home- Colts, At Philly, at Seattle ... we're gonna need a bye. By comparison Philly has Houston, us, SF and then Green Bay. I'll be amazed if we have a better record than the Eagles after 4 games. December is also a brutal stretch ... Dallas, at Carolina, Philly, what should be a gimme versus New Orleans and then at Washington. I hate that we close the season with a divisional game, on the road. Dallas, Philly and obviosuly Washington are all home that week. Our first "easy" game isn't until week 9 versus Houston. We're gonna have to earn it this year boys.

Complete schedule