Looking ahead to 2008

[HSCoach]

I've finally gotten enough time to start posting here again. Looking ahead to next year as we are now officially out of the playoffs, brings several questions. Assuming the coaching staff stays the same, here's my ideal look at next year.

First, position evaluations.

Offense:

QB- Jake Delhomme (* starter), Matt Moore (backup), Brett Basenez (third QB/practice squad)

CUT CARR-We’ll save 600K as well.

Jake coming back from surgery is a question mark. While he should return to form, I have all the confidence in the world in Matt Moore. I still believe he should sit next year and learn and then take over the following year.

RB- DeAngelo Williams *

I don’t know what to do with Foster. He’s overpaid, under performs, and kills the team (most fumbles in league, lowest YPC by starting RB).

Williams should start. Look for a RB with more power/size in the draft. One FA name to consider is Justin Fargas.

FB-?

I’m still looking at Owen Schmidt in the draft. That guy blows me away. Hoover doesn’t get much push anymore as a lead blocker and he’s a FA. Rosario is more of an H-Back than a true FB.

TE- King *, Rosario
King is the better blocker, Rosario the better receiving threat. The team has used two TE sets a lot lately and it’s been effective. Also splitting Rosario out from the FB spot creates mismatches.

WR- Smith*
Other than Smith we don't have a lot. Colbert must go. Carter can stay as a #3. Jarrett MUST improve to a #2. Robinson is showing promise.

OT-
I say we resign Gross, let Wharton walk if he wants a ton of money (which he will). I’m really looking at the draft for this position.

OG- Wahle *
Hangartner has been getting blown up the past few weeks. Bridges has disappointed this year with his play and off the field actions. Wahle is a very solid performer. I would look to upgrade this position in the draft. I have my eye on a guy who I think would be a great RG for us.

C- Hartwig*, Kalil
For now Hartwig is the starter. Kalil needs to add some weight/strength. This will be a big battle in training camp.

DEFENSE:

DE- Peppers*, ?
Too many unknowns. Is Peppers just suffering from one back season or is this a sign of things to come? I say let him play for a contract this season. Rucker should be a reserve DE now IF he’s brought back. McClover needs to develop his run defense, get stronger at the point of attack. We should look to add a guy here in FA that provides what we need or the draft. I prefer FA here with what’s coming out this year.

DT- Jenkins*
With Kemo and Jenkins, we lose too much on passing downs. With the NFL evolving to a more passing league, we need to make up for that. No longer can you just rely on stopping the run and forcing them to punt. We need a quick, penetrating DT to compliment Jenkins.

OLB- Thomas Davis*
Davis is a STUD. With Davis and Beason you only need a complimentary WLB. Believe it or not but I believe that Dan Morgan could excel in this role. He won’t be taking as many hits, he’s actually very good in coverage and when he’s healthy, he’s great. Tim Shaw and James Anderson are also guys who I think can excel in this role. Na’il Diggs has been solid but I believe his contract is up and we don’t have the cap room to sign another LB when we have these guys on the roster.

MLB- Jon Beason*, Dan Morgan, Adam Seward
Beason is a stud as well. Morgan should start at WLB but if anything happened to Beason he would be the backup. Seward has shown promise but is often injured as well.

CB- Marshall*, Lucas*, Gamble (nickel)
We have a great corps of CBs. Marshall should start from now on. He’s intense and that’s what this defense needs.

SS- Chris Harris *
I love this guy. He brings what Marshall does to the defense as well. We STOLE him from Chicago.

FS- Draft
I’m really looking to the draft to find the starter here. Nothing in FA excites me.


FA:

This is tougher than the draft to predict. It’s easy to say we will get all the guys we want. With that said there is one guy in FA that I really hope we can get and that is Max Starks. He’s an immediate upgrade over Wharton. He’s young (25) and has a bright future. It will cost a lot of money to get him but Wharton is going to demand a lot of money as well.
One other guy I would love to see is Justin Smith. He is non-stop. I love watching a guy play with his motor. He would be a great fit.
Finally, Bryant Johnson. Was a 1st round pick but fell behind Fitzgerald and Bolden. Had good size, consistant hands, and showed he can play when one of those two is hurt. Would be the immediate #2.

That’s it for FA. No Bob Sanders, Alan Faneca, Michael Turner, Dallas Clark, etc. Two guys who are higher level, but not the top tier and one who will improve our WR corps immediately. It will cost money but this team needs major changes along the trenches and at WR.

DRAFT:

With were we will be drafting (around 12th), there are several options. With OT being taken care of in FA I see Fox jumping on FS.

Kenny Phillips, FS, Miami. He’s what we need back there. Plus, there’s the Miami connection on defense. Morgan and Beason are proof that Miami puts out top notch defensive players.

Round 2: DeMario Pressley, DT, NC State- We need to improve the interior DL. This guy has been a stud since he was in HS. Brings a quick, penetrating DT that this team needs.

Round 3: OT/OG Heath Benedict, Newberry. I’ve seen this guy play. He plays with a mean streak unlike the rest of our OL. I see him moving into the RG spot although he could play RT as well. While being 6’7, 330 he runs a sub 5.0 40. He moves well in space and actually fits the ZBS as well as a power running scheme. The only knock is that he plays D2 but with OL, it doesn’t matter as much as other positions, just look around the league.

Round 4: Owen Schmitt, FB, WVU- This guy is a personal favorite of mine. Another guy with a mean streak (anyone see a pattern here…..). A dominating lead blocker can also catch the ball and is a great short yardage back. Mean as hell. Would make a great STs player too.

Round 5: Stole Chris Harris

Round 6: Barry Richardson, OT/OG, Clemson- Started 32 consecutive games at OT. Is limited to RT in the pros. OG may be a possibility as well if needed. Has a huge frame, 6’7, 330. Very strong in the run. Pass protection needs some work. Will slip due to deep crop of OTs in this years draft.

Round 7: Corey Lynch, S, App. State- Homer pick. Great special teams player. With most of the safeties signed to one-year deals we need the depth.